Winfred to Margaret

May 28, 1943                    0260      WM       Sioux Falls, SD Winfred tells Margaret it is so HOT they had to move all the beds outside. He has passed all exams but has 2 more weeks to go in the towers. He was off yesterday and going to town tonight. He sent her a cheap little picture; misses St. Louis; and thinks Clifford has been shanghaied.

May 19, 1943                    0250      WM       Sioux Falls, SD Winfred answers Margaret; things are looking brighter – good weather and new colonel; had graduation pictures taken; only 3 more weeks then hopes to be shipped; does calisthenics 2 hours daily now; looks dark from the sun; and heard from Clifford.

May 5, 1943                      0240      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes about the Folks being lonely; asks about Margaret’s boyfriend (Warren) and comments on Daisy Merrill’s marriage.  He has only 5 more weeks and talks about the Captain Joe Foss parade.  

Apr. 20, 1943                    0230      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred is still sick – no voice; has only 7 more weeks there; hopes for gunnery school and a raise; is skipping ‘cali jumpies’ to write; and has to get up earlier for complaining.

Apr. 11, 1943                    0210      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes to Margaret he has been sick for two weeks with laryngitis and feels sorry for himself. He thanks her for the candy; has passed his gunnery exam; and has heard from Clifford.

EDITOR’S NOTE: It has been 19days since Winfred last wrote home. Apr. 7, 1943                       0200      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes Margaret that a bunch more of his class has been shipped out because of low grades. He heard from Cliff in boot camp and several other friends; Dick is in Alaska, Alvin in the air corps near Denver, Monk is an aviator cadet – going to be a pilot, Bob is still in S.D., and Stack has shipped out.  Winfred is going to town tomorrow for his day off. a. c. = air corps

Mar. 19, 1943                   0160      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes Margaret.  He is almost halfway done with Radio School and is tired of the ‘Santa Claus’ weather in South Dakota.  He comments that Clifford is now in the army and will have to make some changes.  Winfred says he would make someone a good wife because he now knows how to keep up the home. He apologizes for a short letter but received 8 letters yesterday that and needs to respond.

Mar. 7, 1943                      0150      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred thanks Margaret for the candy; asks about her work; and has heard Cliff goes in on the ninth. He stood inspection in the subzero weather; struggles in code & theory; and built his first working radio. They are out of envelopes in the camp; he was ‘arrested’ yesterday and put on K.P. (Kitchen Patrol). EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, March 9, 1943 is the day that that Clifford S. Maxwell enlisted into the United States Army at Jefferson Barracks, MO.

Feb. 24, 1943                    0110      WM       AAFTS/ Sioux Falls, SD Winfred writes Margaret; letters have been scarce; he describes camp conditions, school work, missing friends, and the need for sweets. He is still wooin’ Lois and hasn’t looked at any other girl (There aren’t any there!) He misses Missouri and no one even mentions it there!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home on February 18, 1943; one by Winfred to the Folks and one by Bob Merrill to Clifford. Feb. 18, 1943 (1)              0080      WM       ARMY TECHNICAL SCHOOL A. A. F. T. T. C./SIOUX FALLS, SD Winfred writes to his sister, Margaret. He comments on their younger cousin Erma (Irma Dickey); guesses their brother Clifford will like the army; mentions the names of several of their friends from Irondale and where they are currently posted; hears daily from his girl – Lois; will try to get his picture taken today and will send some ‘mills’ to their little cousin Eddie.