I'm going to be a Navigator

On April 24, 1942, Mike wrote to his sister, Betty, and sister-in-law, Esther from Brooks Field, Texas.  He enclosed a set of AirCorps Wings for each of them and told them he sent a pair to Rosie and Mama too.  He tells them to pull off the tabs on the back or to just monkey around with them and they would figure them out.  Mike tells them that these are the insignia for The AirCorps.

Mike then informed them that he found out his classification and that soon he would be going to Navigator's School to become a Navigator.  As a Navigator he would be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

Mike finishes with, "Well, I hope you like them.  So-long.  Mike"  And then in a P.S.  "One pair of wings for Betty and one for Esther."

Also, on the same day, Mike sent a short letter to Mary with a set of wings in which he also explained that these wings were the AirCorps Insignia.

Three days later, on 4/27/1942, Mike wrote a follow up letter from Brooks Field, Texas to Mary, Mickey and Jerome thanking them for the box with cookies and other treats that had just arrived.  He tells them that it came just in time as they will be moving out soon.  They will be moving some time during that week.

Mike tells them everything is going along fine.  He has been classified as a Navigator and will start training soon.

Mike wants to know if they received the wings he sent them yet.

He notes that there are guys from all over the country there and they are all intelligent as most have had a couple of years of college.

The weather is really hot, and they drill every afternoon.  Every morning they go to the base theater where they get training on Airplane Architecture, Weather, Location of Enemy Weapons, Aerodynamics, and Military Tactics. The AirCorps is very detailed.  

"I am not sure of our destination tomorrow, but I will let you know when I get there.  Tell Jerome 'Hello, and be a good boy.'"

Mike thanks them very much again for their kindness and for sending the box.

And then Mike sent the flowing card to Mary for Mother's Day, May 5, 1942:

In the Mary and Mickey File of Letters, Mike addresses the next letter on May 15, 1942 to "Dear Family".

In this letter, Mike starts by detailing the deluxe breakfasts they are having at Ellington Field.  They get Eggs (any style) prepared in front of them.  Juice and coffee is served to drink.  They have bacon along with rolls and butter.  They also may have ice cream with every meal as well as some kind of fruit like strawberries.

Mike differentiates the weather between Mississippi and Texas.  As you might expect, Texas is a drier heat.  Mike explains that there are two mail calls each day, one at 10:00AM, and one at 2:30PM.  Not having received any mail at 10:00AM, he hopes he will get some at 2:30PM.

After dinner, Mike returns to his letter writing and tells them that shrimp was the main course.  He asks that they please send some pictures from home, and that as soon as he can, he will send them a picture of himself in his uniform.

Then Mike informs them that after he starts to fly, he will get time and a half of all flying time as well as a $500 yearly bonus.  In addition to that, Mike reminds them of his $10,000. insurance policy.

Mike believes that he will be at Ellington for about 9 weeks, and then on to Advanced Navigation School for a few months somewhere.  After that, he will get a Commission as a 2nd Lt. in The US Army AirCorps.

He concludes with, "Well, 2:30 came and went, and I received the card from Mama.  Thank you, Ma.  That was the only mail I received today, but that card was the only mail I needed.  Ma, did you get my card?  Well, so-long for now.  So-Long  Mike".

On May 18, 1942, Mike wrote Mary and Mickey to tell them that they were assigned to new barracks and squadrons and that his new address was

A.C.R.T.C  Class 42-15-14

Squadron E

Ellington Field, Texas

He tells them that their letter arrived this day, and that he was glad they were out to the farm for Mother's Day, and that it must have been nice for Father and Mother to have all the kids there.  He expresses regret that he could not be there with them.

Mike lets them know that everything is going OK at Ellington, and that he will be there for 9 weeks of basic training.  After that, he is not sure where, but it will be 15 weeks of Advanced Navigator Training.  By the time he is finished, he will be a full fledged Navigator with a 2nd Lieutenant Commission.

He asks if they have seen the last two issues of "Life" Magazine.  The first issue covered The Pilot, the second issue, The Bombardier, and the next issue will give them all the information about what he will be doing, "The Navigator".

Mike finishes by asking about Jerome, and when he will start school.  He asks that they tell Jerome "Hello", and Mike speculates that he will be a really smart kid.  He also asks that they please write soon.  He is always glad to get their letters.

On 5/23/1942, Mike sent the following Post Card to his sister, Betty: