Bill's enlistment and Where He Goes

A/S W. K. Whitcomb

89^th C. T. D. Squadron 3

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska

February 22, 1944

Dear Dot,

Your card just came this morning and you should consider yourself a privileged person because I happen to have a few spare minutes right at the time and I’ll try to answer you in this one sitting.

By now my address you can see where I am I left Shepherd February 3 or fourth and got here a day later. My very first impressions of the place was good and it hasn’t changed since then. It is such a change from Shepherd then one might even venture to think that he is human again.

There isn’t a C. T. D. In the states that is stricter than this one here. Every ones bed and surroundings has to be exactly like the other man’s and dust which gathers too fast must be found anywhere. We go around before inspections on our hands and knees with Dutch cleanser and a rag rubbing all the marks off the floor. Shoes and brass must shine to such an extent that if one looks at them he may be blinded.

No one is allowed to smoke anywhere outside the barracks except in stores. (that doesn’t bother me.)

There is no entertainment whatsoever here on the campus. The part the boys don’t like the most is the fact that open post is only part of Saturday and all day Sunday and before you can have that you have to pass a rugged inspection by the captain. The college here is occupied mostly by women and we aren’t allowed ever to be caught talking to any civilian except open post. Our barracks which used to be the college cafeteria is right on the street and the girls are always passing by in front on their way to classes. You’d laugh to see the way the men carry on when the girls pass.

All the strictness is to create discipline in us future officers. Don’t laugh.

Yesterday we had our first full schedule of classes. They are history math, physics, English, psychology of military leadership. Later on we will get geography. It is a tough course to be taking in five months. We also get 10 hours of flying time before we leave here. Last Saturday and Sunday was supposed to be our first open post but we didn’t get it because the whole outfit was quarantined for scarlet fever mumps and flu.

It’s just about time to fall out now so I have to say goodbye.  Please write,

Sincerely, Bill

P.S. the enclosed six cents is absolutely all the cash I have but for one dollar that has to be kept for emergencies. After the first I may send more.

 W. K. W.

Postcard United States Air Forces

Postmarked April 4, 1944

Dear Miss  Vaugh,

Bad news.  Whitcomb is being discharged unprejudiced and with qualifications of excellent proficiency and character from Air Corps training.   All CTD’s in the country are closing down and men in them to be trained as technicians. The whole business is disgusting. Don’t know where or when I’m going but I’m going.

 As ever,

Bill

Private Whitcomb 37576645

Germany pool

YAAB Yuma, Arizona

May 2, 1944

Dear Dot,

Maybe I ought to write and sort of let you know where I am and why etc. etc.

Last month in 81 colleges in the states all the V. F. T.’s were taken out and put in school such as this. I expect you know all about it. However I was sent down here to Arizona to become a gunner.  It never did sound very thrilling to me to be a gunner. So this morning I went up to the flight surgeon and informed him I felt I was too tall for gunnery. He said I wasn’t kidding at all 6 feet is the limit so 6’4” is just about out of the question so he disqualified me for gunnery now I just wait to be sent somewhere else may be to the A. T. C. I hope I can make the intelligence this time.   I imagine I will be here a couple weeks more.

We live in tents down here and that desert seems to sift right in and that sun gets in and never leaves. Hot isn’t the word for this place.

That’s all I guess so so long.

As ever, Bill

Gunnery pool

Y. A.A.F. Yuma Arizona

May 17, 1944

Dear Dorothy, Thelma and John,

In appreciation for that swell “class” letter I feel that it is best that I write and thank you for it. My next fall when it is time for the next letter I intend to be back in India that is if all goes well.

After they got me down here in this “hotter than hell” desert they decided that I was a trifle too tall to be a gunner being that the height limit was 72 inches and my “ mighty”? frame towers above that 4 full inches. So I have just been waiting to be shipped out I would have gone to Louisville Kentucky last Friday but I had an interview with the lieutenant and he became very excited about the fact I could speak Hindustani. So he had me taken off the shipping orders and sent a special telegram to Washington asking them to use me as an interpreter. I’m also waiting for an interview with the Col. here who has been over in India. I am set to stay here the duration and since because whenever they start sending things to Washington there is a good chance that they will forget about you.

I hope you won’t mind a few corrections of information that you sent out though it is rather late now to be telling you. Peter is not in the Indian Army.   He took exams for officers training under the Indian Army but he did so well that he was taken by the British. Where did you get the idea that I was in A – 12. What is A – 12? V- 12 is Navy. I was in the Army air Corps training same as Raymond. And about Sophie, she doesn’t know where I am no more than a stuck pig. I couldn’t let my reputation spoil everything so I had to be fickle again and drop her.

Thanks again for the letter

Sincerely, Bill

P.S. if you care to know my little brother is on his way across and my big brother is ready to go back in the airborne infantry.