Monday, January 9, 2012

November 25, 1943

My dearest,

Hello Terry darling. I've just been looking thru your letters, and as I read them, my heart went out to you. A feeling that with all your faith that I couldn't help but come back.

A lot has happened to me since I last wrote you. At least five times there were circumstances that occurred in which only a miracle could have me writing to you now. I can't help but believe that your prayers must have had some effect. I've never been much for praying or believing, but the things that you're doing, seem to convince me otherwise.

I've been gone from Dalhart for four days. It was one of these trying circumstances that brought out crew team work to have us back at all.

We left Saturday nite on a long mission. We were out for six hours approaching Wichita Falls. That is, we were about an hour from it when one of the engine's conked out. I thought it would catch fire and we'd have to bale out. Darling, things really looked black - what I mean there wasn't a light to be seen.

I completed an approximate position and put on my chute, ready for any emergency. When it was apparent at last, that the engine wouldn't go blazing, we settled back and waited. I changed course towards Wichita Falls and Sheppard Fields, just in case some other engine went out. That's exactly what happened and Wichita was still a half hour away. I was really sweating that out because I didn't trust the ground speed I had. When the pilot asked for an E.T.A. for Wichita, I gave it to him with my tongue in cheek. My ETA was 0310 and at 0300 still no sight of our alternate airport. As 0310 approached, my heart was in my throat, still no sign of an airport and losing altitude. I don't think I've ever felt so much like someone condemned. I had let me crew down and we were apparently lost at a time when it was most important. I hadn't come through when they needed me most. At that moment, my lowest, I saw a beacon light, or thought I did. You know you can imagine a lot of things when you want to. I shut of all the lights so that I could see better and looked for that ever precious flash to repeat. I seemed like hours passed, when I knew it was only a matter of seconds, then - I saw it again, and then still again. I knew that we were all right and everything would be ok - our airport was sighted and my spirits rose with every minute until we arrived over our haven.

We got there at 0320 and made contact to land. Our biggest test was still to be encountered. What happened after that was due to the skill of a great pilot; my pilot came thru with everything against him. A strange field at night landing for the first time on just two engines. He made one of the prettiest landings I ever had  the pleasure of experiencing, and at a time when it meant the most to everyone. His brow was moist when we got out, and I can't say that I blame him much. Right now I wouldn't want a sweller guy or a better pilot to go across with.

We had repairs done, which took 3 1/2 days, and in the meantime we were kings of the field. It was obvious that we were the first Fortress crew to land there, judging from the attention we got from everyone including the Colonels on down. We got anything we asked for including a cub plane. My co-pilot and I went up several times in the little of a guns and had the time of our lives doing loops, stalls, spins, rolls, and every possible maneuver in the book.

Our troubles weren't over, as we saw later. We left Wednesday morning for home with a report that the ceiling was closing in at Dalhart, but that it would be high enough to land when we got there. We flew on instruments all the way between two solid layers of clouds. When we got within 60 miles of home, we got a report that the ceiling had closed in sooner than was expected. My pilot came through again on his first instrument landing. Believe me, sweet, I slept for 15 hours when I got to bed, as did the rest of the crew. But when I woke up I felt as good as ever, and right now I'm feeling tip top.

After it's over, it's just in a days work and there really isn't anything to sweat about. But I guess it's kind of hard to tell ourselves that while we're doing it. After a good sleep, all's well again and come what may.

Incidentally, anything I've told you might or might not be confidential information. However, be that as it may, darling, I leave it up to you not to repeat too much in detail of what I've said. You can understand that, can't you?

This is an example of what I mean by your having faith in me, and with that kind of luck, how can I miss?

Terry, I got an engagement card from the gang. It was really swell of them, they all say I'm a lucky guy. They're not telling me a thing.

I miss you too, darling, more than ever, and I can't say that I'm altogether happy about it.

I love you so, and you're always in my heart. I find myself flirting with girls, especially when I'm drunk, but believe me, precious, I can't go it. "I just ain't interested enough." You're always there to stop me, sweetheart, and I hope you'll always be there. I tell you this because I want to be truthful with you, darling. I guess I wouldn't be a man if I wasn't attracted by pretty figures and luscious so and so's. But, I want you to know, Terry, that you're the only one for me. You know that I wouldn't say a thing about this if I didn't love you. I've met a lot of pretty girls here, but they don't compare with you, honey, not by a long shot.

They just don't stand a show, even with you so far away. That's how it is, darling, and there is nothing I can or want to do about it. You are the one and only and don't ever forget it, please?

I sure do remember Mr. Riesen, he was tops with me. What was it we called him? "Personality Kid." What did he say about our engagement? I don't remember Charlotte, maybe if I saw her I would recognize her again. Did you see Mr. Cofelt?

I'm happy to hear you and my mom are getting along so well. My dad is sort of stuck on you, did you know it? That's all for now. Regards to the family. All my love, always and forever.

Yours,
Jim