Air Navigation Instructor/1st Lieutenant
On March 3, 1943, Mike wrote to Andy and Esther: "Today I gave my first lecture before a class full of 2nd. Lts. I was a little nervous at first, but when I got started, all went well." "I think that I am going to like this being an instructor." Mike adds.
Mike tells them that he is unable to send the dough as yet, but that it would be coming to Andy and father shortly.
The day before they had snow in Carlsbad. It was not a heavy snow, but it was snow. They very seldom have snow in those parts Mike tells them.
Also, the other day, Mike had received a letter from Kenny White who was stationed in Marfa, Texas. Mike says that Kenny said he likes it in the Army very much and is getting fat.
Mike asks if father got out of that ditch all right, and tells them that father had written him and told him that all was well. "That's good." Mike says.
He tells them that they have two give three hour lectures as instructors. It took Mike about 6 hours to prepare his last lecture. Mike says this is a lot of work, but pleasant work.
"How's David?" Mike asks. "Boy, I really like that little guy. He is going to be a real boy. I just can't wait until he grows up."
"Say 'hello' to Betty and Rosie. That's all for now. Write if you find time. Your brother, Mike"
"P.S. My income tax is $128.00 on $1279.00"
"P.S. In case you didn't get my address straight: Lt. M. J. Halaiko
Navigator School
A.A.F.A.F.S
Carlsbad, N. Mex."
Below is a picture of the envelope in which the above letter was sent.
On March 13, 1943, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey and asked if everything was all right, and if there was anything wrong because he had not heard from them for a long time.
Since those were questions that could not be answered immediately through the mail, Mike shifts into some exciting news to tell them. Mike is now "flight commander" of a "flight" of his own. This means he has three instructors and 25 students under his command. "This is going to be quite an experience for me." Mike says.
Mike tells them there is nothing to do in Carlsbad, a town about the same size as Kent. There are too many soldiers there for the facilities they have in providing entertainment.
They get quite a few sand storms there. Practically every day there is a good wind in the afternoon.
Mike says he has flown several times since he came to Carlsbad. These flights are more or less to keep up Mike's flying time for the month. In order to get flight pay, Mike has to fly four hours per month.
Mike concludes with, "I would like to hear from you so that I know everything is all right. Your brother, Mike."
On April 10, 1943, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey on stationery with the following Letterhead:
Mike tells them that this is the first time in about a month that he has had time to write. It'a a Saturday night and a beautiful night there in New Mexico.
Their letter had arrived that day, and Mike told them he was very glad to hear from them. Mike had also received a letter from Catherine Smreck that day [Catherine Smreck's husband was Mike's first cousin, Johnny Smreck. Johnny, at the time of this letter, was either going through navigator training on a B-24 or already in active combat. Johnny would be shot down and never return home again later in the war] , and mentioned that was the first time he had heard from her since he had been home on leave.
Mike tells them that things have been going along pretty well for him there.
That day, Mike had given his students their four weeks exam. Mike says that they all did well for the exception of the few that don't do well in every class.
Mike asks that they tell Jerome "hello", and to tell him that he is thinking of him.
There wasn't much more to write, Mike says, except that he is well.
"That's all I have for now. Write again soon. Your brother, Mike"
On April 24, 1943, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey and said, "Happy Easter! I do hope that you are all well this Easter Sunday. I haven't heard from you for a long time."
Mike tells them that his first class of graduates left today. Out of 25 that started, 23 finished. This coming Monday he is taking another group and starting that old six week grind all over again.
The reason they have not heard from Mike is that he has been quite busy for the past six weeks. This day being a Saturday, Mike has this day, and the next (Sunday) before the next class starts on Monday. "There is no rest for the wicked." Mike jokes.
Mike tells them about a new, pleasant surprise, however. He is now the co-owner of a 1940 Oldsmobile. Mike and a buddy bought the car for $600., and they already have it all paid for. Mike tells them further, that the car has good tires, and they can get an A card, so they were all set. He also says that they only really need the car to take their laundry to and from town. The post, however, is pretty big, and they can now ride to their various places of work instead of walking.
Mike asks, "How's Jerome? He will be starting school next year won't he?" And then adds, "He sure will be a smart kid. I'll bet. You tell him that his Uncle Mike says, 'hello'.
That is all that I have for now. You write please and tell me everything. Goodnight. Your brother, Mike."
On May 14, 1943, Mike writes to Mary and Mickey, and tells them that he received their letter that day, and it certainly had a lot of interesting news contained therein.
Mike informs them that Rosemary had written a letter about the tornadoes in the Akron area. "It's too bad someone was killed," Mike says, "but it happens every day."
Mike tells them that every thing is fine there with him in Carlsbad. He says his students are all pretty good. "There are a few tough cookies in every class, but I'm learning how to handle them. This job has really taught me a lot."
Mike now tells more about the automobile that he bought. He says that it is O.K. The fellow that he bought it with and Mike will sell it if they have to move out. Or if one moves out, the other buys his share. They have it all planned.
Mike was very glad to hear that the farm is OK, and that there is a new calf, and a lot of little ducklings around. "Mother was always so proud of little things like that."
He asks that they tell Jerome hello, and to write him as soon as Jerome can.
That was all Mike had for them now. He asks them to write again soon. "Your brother, Mike"
On June 20, 1943, Mike wrote to Mary and Mickey how much he enjoyed their recent letter, and that he thought for awhile he was never going to hear from them.
Mike tells them that all is well with him in Carlsbad, and that he works about eight hours a day and flies about 8 hours per week.
In order for Mike to get flight pay, he only has to fly four hours per month. He tells them that that does not seem like much, and it isn't, yet that is all that is required to get flight pay. "Of course, that doesn't mean you fly four hours and quit." Mike adds.
Mike asks how everything is with them, and if they get out to the farm much. "There's no place like that farm. You know?"
Then Mike tells Mary that one of the professors he had for math at Kent State is there at Carlsbad Air Force Base teaching bombing theory. Mike says that he has talked with the professor on several occasions and picked up some pointers on teaching.
The temperature there is almost unbearably hot, Mike says, but there's nothing to do about it except "sweat it out".
"Tell Jerome that his Uncle Mike says, 'hello', and that all is OK here."
"Tell everyone else that I said, 'hello'. I'll have to close now. I have very little time to write any more. Your Brother, Mike"
On July 14, 1943, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey, and told them that he was very glad to hear from them, and that he had some very good news too. Mike says that very soon he is getting a promotion. "1st Lt. Halaiko instead of 2nd. Lt. It was nine months ago last Saturday that I was commissioned. The time really flies by quickly."
Mike also refers to their seeing "The Memphis Belle" [the real B-17 which would have visited Akron as part of a nationwide War Bond Tour after it was one of the first crews to complete 25 Missions]. [See link: Memphis Belle Crew tours B.F.Goodrich Life Raft Plant in Akron, Ohio.]
Mike mentions that there are quite a few B-17s in Carlsbad, and he was glad they were able to see the Memphis Belle and liked it. Mike states that they are a real ship too.
Mike tells them that his third class is graduating on the coming Saturday. He says that at times his job can be a little boring, but he believes he has learned a lot.
An unusual weather event was occurring in Carlsbad at that time, a big rain.
Rosie had recently sent Mike some snapshots of home that Mike thought were pretty nice. He asks Mary and Mickey that if they have any more pictures of home ,or of Jerome, to please send them. Mike would like to see if Jerome has grown any.
Mike concludes by saying, "Tell Jerome I said hello. Also tell everyone else. I'm feeling fine especially with the promotion coming up. That's all now. Write soon. Your brother, Michael"
On October 14, 1943, a one line Telegram created at 12:37 AM ( Carlsbad, New Mexico Time) arrived at the address of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Rohaley at 443 Wayne Avenue Akron, Ohio. The Telegram read: "AM NOW 1ST LT PROMOTION CAME TODAY. SEE YOU SOON=
MIKE."
[Mike must have received a furlough after his promotion.]
On November 7, 1943, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey to tell them that he received their recent letter and was feeling fine. Mike states that he arrived back in Carlsbad a week ago Friday afternoon [which would have been about October 29, 1943].
Mike explains that the train from Kansas City to Carlsbad was about eight hours late. And, although Mike was late getting back to the base because of the delayed train, nothing was done about it.
Mike had to stay over night in Kansas City. Mike explains that he met a lady who has a daughter in nurses school in Kansas City. Mike says this mother and daughter showed him around the town while he was there, and he really enjoyed being with them. "They are Catholic and really nice people." Mike adds.
"Tell Jerome that I miss him too. And that I had a lot of fun with him when I was home. There's not much more that I can write about, so I'll close now. Write soon. The clippings were good. Love, Michael"
In a P.S. Mike says, "Ginger Rogers was in Albuquerque last night. I didn't see her, but I saw the motorcycle escort which was given her. What a lot of BS!"
On February 7, 1944, Mike wrote Andy and Esther and told them he received a card from Andy in Detroit. Mike asks what Andy is doing there, and concludes that it has to be something good.
Mike further relates that he took a proficiency exam in bombing the other day, and Mike received a nice 92. Mike adds, "It was a rough exam too. A lot of guys failed it."
Mike says he has some news for them which is that he may go to pilot training soon. The training would probably be somewhere in California. He had taken all the exams and passed them , and was just waiting for orders.
"How's David and Kathy? I hope they are all right. Tell them that Uncle Mike says hello. Love, Mike"