Winfred to Folks

Mar. 17, 1945          2860          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred tells the Folks he just got back from Biak and a search for Gen. Harmon in the South Pacific; had a lot of mail waiting – even heard from Cliff in Germany; flying tires him out – flew 100 hours over 7 days; tell Margaret & Cliff he will write when he gets the time; encloses a money order; will write more later.

Feb. 27, 1945          2830          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred tells the Folks he didn’t take off yesterday so goes on ‘alert’ again tomorrow; dreads the long hops which tire him more than they use too; rumors are they’ll be based at Hickman’s in Hawaii – if so, he may try for O.C.S. but is getting paid more now than he would be as an officer; read the article about himself in the County News clipping they had sent – had several typos, no such thing as a C-45; wonders how Cliff is making out now; and closes to write other letters.

EDITOR’S NOTE: February 24, 1945, Winfred sent two letters home; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Feb. 24, 1945 (1)         2810          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks a few lines today – goes on ‘alert’ again tomorrow – may not have another chance to write; is okay; his pilot is a captain but has yet to meet the crew; mail is scarce; got paid $19 per diem plus overseas pay; bought a good Ronson lighter; may send some more money home when he gets paid; asks about Cliff – only heard from him twice since he left the States; is glad they sent the film to Capt. Pflug; closes now to write a few more letters.

Feb. 22, 1945          2790          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred tells the Folks he is still here; guesses Missouri is cold; mentions the struggle in Iwo Jima – friends may be there; will look for Stack when he gets back to Hawaii; closes to write others.

EDITOR’S NOTE: February 20, 1945, Winfred sent two letters home; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Feb. 20, 1945 (1)         2770          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred tells the Folks he was sure glad – had a pile of mail when he got back from his first trip – a short one ; only to Hickman Field, HI as a student R.O.; Hawaii is pretty -lots of sun & warm; returned a load of sick & wounded; will get a pass then assigned his own crew; likes the job but the long hop to Hickman is a real grind; glad they heard from Cliff in France – better there than in the Islands; asks they send his boots he left at Margaret’s – can’t get a shoe coupon; got a cigarette lighter and a fountain pen in Hawaii – cigs are only 50 cents a carton; closes to write others – maybe able to write from some of his stops.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on February 13, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Feb. 13, 1945 (1)         2730          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks today – will be on his first Pacific trip tomorrow for 2 weeks; will be on a safe C-54 as a student Radio Operator – won’t be too bad; heard yesterday from Cliff in England [Cliff is actually on the move into Germany – his battalion left England two weeks ago.] who says England is much better than Texas; is getting mail now; asks if they received the money order; closes to go to chow.

Feb. 12, 1945          2720          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes a few more lines to the Folks; is still here and O.K.; has been on alert but has yet to make a trip; says trips will last 10 – 18 days – may miss some writing; will send a money order – don’t like to carry too much cash; hasn’t received mail for some time – will all come at once; signs off to answer some other letters.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on February 8, 1945 from his new base at Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Feb. 8, 1945 (1)         2690          WF          Suisun A.A.B – FAIRFIELD, CA Winfred apologizes for not writing the Folks but has been on the move – see his new address; went from Reno to Mather Field, CA where he was processed then shipped to this mudhole far from home; will be on C-54 transports flying to the South Pacific to bring back our wounded; is at a new field – still being built – near Sacramento; hasn’t heard from any one in a while – mail should start coming soon; closes, will write Margaret, will be busy for some time.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on January 31, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Jan. 31, 1945 (1)          2670          WF          R.A.A.B. Reno, NV Winfred observes another month has rolled by and he just got paid again; comments on the big reception they had for his cousin’s wedding – wishes he could have been there; was going to enclose a money order but ran out of time; was glad they got to see Margaret – she stays away a lot; hasn’t heard anymore from Cliff; guesses he will leave any day but still doesn’t know where he will be sent; won’t get a furlough anytime soon; will; eventually go to a base overseas; comments on Pat Merrill’s romances; must close to go to detail formation to pick up cigarette butts!

Jan. 25, 1945          2640          WF          R.A.A.B. Reno, NV Winfred writes a few lines to the Folks; says he is still here and OK; has had lots of job opportunities – ground instructor, flying instructor, O.C.S., or R.O. on navigator training ships at Miami -but will wait and NOT volunteer for anything; will not get out of the service right away when the war is over – A.T.C. will be last to demobilize because it will have plenty to do; thinks it might be nice to work for an airline as a civilian; received Cliffs picture; got the underwear they had sent; encloses some of his school papers he wants to keep; closes to get some sleep.