Air Cadet Training

On June 1, 1942, Mike wrote Andy and Esther a letter with  the following letterhead:

He tells them he hasn't heard from them for a long time.  Mike wants to know how they are and then asks, "Are you there?"

Mike says that they have finally started on the long grind.  Next week they will be 2nd Classmen.  Then in 3 weeks they will be 1st Classmen.  Three weeks after that, they will get to fly.  "A long time.  No?"

They have one class right after another from 8:00AM to 1:00PM with a 1 hour lunch.  As Mike further explains, this is quite a stiff grind as they have to be in there rooms at 7:30PM and in bed at 10:00PM.  All orders are given by the 24 hour clock.  7:30PM is 19:30 Hours and 10:00PM is 22:00 Hours. 

Mike is sending a base newspaper to Andy that he thinks Andy will like.  He asks what Andy thought of last night's headline and speculates that the war should be over soon.

He asks how Andy's work is going and if he is still working on Sundays.

Mike says he received letters from Raki and Duffy who were in San Francisco but may be on there way to The South Pacific by this time.

Duffy was demoted from corporal to private because he and a number of other guys bunched their bed rolls to look like they were in bed and then snuck off into town.  Well, they got caught, and Duffy was demoted.

Mike finishes with, "Well, when are you going to write?"  And then, "P.S. How's David?".

On June 20, 1942, Mike writes to Andy and tells him that he finally got paid $290. clear.  He is sending $100 to Andy, and $100 for Pop.  Mike suggests that Andy and Pop get together and use this dough to make farm improvements like purchasing paint etc..  He assures Andy that this is only a suggestion and that this money is part of the money that Mike owes Andy.  Mike tells Andy not to worry about him as he has $90. for himself, and since Andy is a father, Mike would like this to be considered a Father's Day present from his brother.

On June 23, 1942, Mike writes Andy and Esther and tells them that he was not surprised to finally get a letter from them because he knows they are very busy.  Mike refers to Andy acting as boss while Andy's boss is on vacation and encourages Andy with,  "Keep 'on the ball' brother.  That's your chance.".

Mike says that he is glad to hear that David is running around now.  "Boy, I'll bet he is a really tough little kid now."   Mike asks for some pictures of David because he'd like to see what his "little ole nephew"  looks like now.

Then we learn from Mike that Andy and Esther are expecting a second child because Mike wishes them good luck on another "junior".  He hopes their wish of having a girl comes true, but says boys are good too. 

Mike knows several girls in Houston now who are very nice.  He went on a date the previous Sunday at Houston's famous Hermann Park.  Mike says the girls really think the cadets are "the stuff".

Mike says that the people of Houston really like the cadets and treat them very well whereas at Camp Shelby, the local people appeared to hate the soldiers.

They are still keeping them "hopping" at Ellington.  The cadets have to be in everyday but Saturday and Sunday by 7:30PM and up at 5:30AM.

Mike really likes the classes he is in and is doing very well.  He wonders how he will do in Advanced Navigation School in 3 weeks.  The school has about a 50% Flunk Out Rate.  Mike will be getting about 60 hours of dual instruction in multi motor jobs.  This means that Mike will get a chance to learn the fundamentals of flying a bomber.  "Pretty good, no?" Mike asks.

This week the upper classmen are taking their final exams, and the next week Mike will be a first classman.

Mike is glad the farm is coming along well.  He tells the folks so-long, and asks in a P. S. to let him know if they received the $100.

Then on June 24, 1942, Mike writes, "Dear Family" in a letter meant for everyone at the farm.  He speculates that everything is "just humming around home" and wants to know when they are going to send him some pictures of home.

Mike then mentions that he received his second letter from Andy since he has been in the Air Corps, and Andy told him that he is boss of his department while his boss is on vacation.  "Pretty good.  No?", Mike asks.

Then Mike inquires, "Hey, that's no bull about my name being in the paper is it.  When you get done with it, I'd like to see it.  I still think it is a lot of baloney."

And then Mike shifts into one of his directives of concern, "Well, you tell Pop to take care of himself.  If his eyes are bothering him, don't let him go to work because it isn't worth it."

And further, "How's my ma?  Hey ma!  I don't drink much coffee anymore.  It makes me sweat too much.  We have it every morning and it is really nice and hot."

Mike then let's Rosie know that Andy told him in his letter that she had weeded all the corn.  "That's the ole fightin' spirit, gal."

"Hey!  How's are Betty?  I haven't heard from her in a long time.  I guess I will write her a letter soon."

Mike says he also hasn't heard from or written to Mary for a long time.  He just doesn't get the time.

In four more days, Mike will become a First Classman.  This will last only about 3 weeks and then Advanced Navigation.  Mike says, "Boy! I received 5 letters.  Not bad eh!"

Well, so-long now folks.  Write often.  Mike"

And then P. S. "Did you get the money that I sent?  Let me know as soon as you can."

On July 5,1942, Mike writes Mary and Mickey, and states, "Perhaps you have been wondering why you have not heard from me for some time."  Mike then proceeds to tell them that since he has become an upperclassman, he has been really busy.  Mike was made First Sergeant of his squadron for the three weeks that they are to be upperclassmen.  This meant extra work besides his regular classes.  In this role, Mike has administrative duties for his squadron which Mike believes are very good experience for the two weeks remaining out of the total of three as a First Classman.  This would be the last two weeks at Ellington Field.  After this time, Mike was uncertain where he would be sent.

Mike asks about Jerome and bets he is a big fellow now who is full of mischief.  He thanks them for the very nice pictures they sent and hopes that their work is going along just fine.

Mike tells them that his grades have been quite good here, and that he likes the work very much.

The day before and the day he is writing, they were supposed to parade in Houston, but both days were called off because it rained all day.

The week before, Mike went down to Galveston and while swimming in The Gulf was sun burned pretty bad.  He now reports that he has a really nice tan, and that all along the coast, the lights are blacked out every night.

He tells them so-long now, "Let's hear from you.  So-long  Mike".

On July 9, 1942, Mike writes, "Dear Family:

Your letter came today telling me of Pop being ill in the hospital with pneumonia.  It's hard to believe, but I can see why he would be sick.  He's the energetic nervous type and he just can't relax.  That's his main trouble, he wants to be on the go all the time.  I'm glad that he is better.  You let me know about his condition from now on. And you take good care of him.  I know he won't just lay around, but you make him do it.  Nothing is as important as his health."

Mike then shifts into the great news about Andy and Esther having a little girl.  He's very happy to be an uncle to yet another child and says there will be a whole reception of nieces and nephews to greet him upon his return.

Mary had written Mike that she had seen father and he was ill, but she had not told Mike about father being in the hospital.

Mike then goes on to say, "I'm glad you told me and I want you to tell me about things like that.  You know if anyone has a right to know those things I do.  So I'm glad you told me.

I won't worry although I am anxious for him."

Mike tells that his work is going along fine, and he will take his final exams the following week.  After that, Mike is not sure where he will be stationed, but when he finds out, he will let them know his address.

And then, "P. S. Take good care of father."

The envelope accompanying the above letter is postmarked July 10, 1942  1:00PM 

                                                                            from:  A/C Mike Halaiko

                                                                                         A.C.R.T.C  42-1514

                                                                                               Sqdrn. E.

                                                                                       Ellington Field, Texas

And addressed to:  Mrs. Halaiko and Family

                                    R.F.D. 2 Box 4A

                                    Kent, Ohio