Winfred to Margaret

013126 Test Message

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the last letter that Winfred Maxwell sent home to his sister – Margaret – during WWII – that was found in the “box of letters”. June 23, 1945          3330          WM          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret it’s Saturday morning; been through inspection and goes on ‘alert’ tomorrow; had some nice rest – 15 days; sarcastically says how great the life is in this A.T.C. outfit; says Cliff seems pretty fed up with army life too; (pause) – it is now nightfall and continues with his Parker 51 pen; has been busy eluding the First Sgt all day who was upset by the absence of a few T/Sgts at roll call – sure hopes he gets to go out tomorrow; brings this to a close and is off to the N.C.O. club.

June 21, 1945          3310          WM          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret he is still here for a few days; asks how everything is with her & the Dickeys – any news; all is usual in the Army of Trembling Civilians – seems like a long war; will have 25 crews sent to be stationed at Guam – hopes he isn’t one, will raise the devil if so; still hoping for a furlough – the only way a radio operator gets one is by being grounded for flight fatigue – won’t be long!

June 9, 1945          3290          WM          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret he is back early – only went as far Guam and Saipan – 65-70 hours – nice trip but flew night & day with little rest – tiresome – flies 13 – 14 hours at a time at 10,000 ft – dropped twenty pounds; feels pretty good – has a nice tan; guesses Cliff won’t be home for some time – still intends to get a furlough ASAP though not likely (his engineer got one this week – there is plenty of them); hears often from Uncle Norman but has a hard time reading them; tells the gals not to take up flying – sees no future in it – strictly for the birds; once out intends to always keep one foot on the ground; closes to prepare for a trip to town; encloses some Japanese money.

May 27, 1945 (2)          3260          WM          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret; is Sunday and on his own; big day in camp – civilians are invite to look over the field and planes; wishes she could see it and how big the C-54’s are; encloses a picture of himself with a friend named Dale Howard from St. Louis taken at the ‘Silver Dollar’ nite spot – ask that she not show it around too much because what is shown in the background; talks about his friend; can’t think of anything else to say; is sending their Aunt Anne some shakers he picked up in Sacramento.

May 24, 1945 (2)           3230          WM          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret and was glad to get a letter from her today; all is well except he is on C.Q. (Charge of Quarters) all night – compliments of the First Sargeant; asks about her comment about getting old – he’s age too in the past two years (has quite a few gray hairs now – from flying); thinks about getting grounded – don’t know how much longer he can keep up at this pace – 1500 hours in the air without an accident – has stretched his luck; all he wants is to become a well-dressed civilian; saw “Salome Where She Danced’ and was quite impressed by Yvonne DeCarlo; closes to get some sack time.     

May 22, 1945          3200          WM          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred acknowledges to Margaret he has neglected writing; been on pass – had quite a time; is disgusted with the army – all these 9th AAF getting discharged (when compared to the 8th) and the point system; the base is getting bad now – looks like we will win the war in spite of ourselves + the A.T.C.; better quit griping but can’t help it; will be leaving on another trip soon – shortage of radio operators so no furlough; closes since all he can do is gripe; wants all the news.

May 17, 1945 (2)          3170          WM          Sacramento, CA Winfred sends Margaret a few lines; he’s back and on pass to Sacramento; had a nice trip; staying at the Lenhart Hotel with Dale Howard – a friend also from St. Louis;  been shopping for shoes- paid $15 for a pair, bought two; the point system won’t affect him as he is considered essential – boys from the 9th AAF had air medals which counted as much as DFC towards their discharge; has 76 points so won’t be the last guy out; closes now to do some prowling.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home By Winfred on April 26, 1945 – one to the Folks, and one to Margaret. April 26, 1945 (2) 3110 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred asks Margaret to be excused for not writing – been busy on pass; been getting more dental work done by Capt. Maxwell – talked about Scottish ancestry; goes out on the 28th to Guadalcanal for 10-15 days; mails been scare because it is hard to write often; tell Irma he will write; closes to attend chow.