DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

Transcribe
Translate

Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

1942-07-31: Page 02

Well, I guess I am going to be a fighter pilot. When
they asked me to indicate my choice I could no more refrain
frm saying fighters than I could refuse a second dipper of
ice cream, and of course there was no reason why I should,
but for a while there I thought I didn't know what I wanted.
This means that my training period will be a little longer,
but also a little better, I think. All going on schedule
I should get leave about the end of August or the first of
Sept. The nearer it gets the more anxious I become. Marvin
had the most hits in our group and, of course, also got fighters.
Last night the whole flight, twelve of us, went down to the
officers club for supper.  It was a gay and festive evening,
with much laughter and repartee, terminating only when the
lights were turned out and we had to return to the barracks.
Bob had his first gunnery run today and got six hits, which
is pretty good for the first time.  He very likely will get
fighters also. A good many of the boys who have finished up
within the last three or four weeks have received orders
directing them to transitional training at Norfolk or S.Diego
then to active squadron out of Seattle, mostly escort duty
flying off converted freighters, I believe. You can guess
that Bob and I would welcome some such duty.
Your fine letters of the past few days have brought
me much enjoyment. Father's indictment of the administration, and subsequent description of the country side as you
drove back from Adel were most appealing.  Incidentally,
I wrote you folks a letter from the Patrician a week ago
expressing rather strongly my feelings about the general
situation in the gov't and can't tell from what you have
written whether you ever received it.  The rather poor mail
connections throws our correspondence off schedule somewhat.
It might be a good idea to indicate briefly what letter was
last received just so we will know where we stand. Thanks
so much, mother, for the Readers Digest, the Sentinel, and
the cookies.  The latter arrived in fine condition and were
completely palatable. Your remarks concerning the happy
times we used to have at grandma's struck a most responsive
chord in my heart. I have priceless memories of those days.
Mother would you tell me the exact capitalization
that Mrs. Eddy gives to the following Biblical statement:
"Know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
It is only lack of space and time that keeps me from
telling in detail how much I enjoy the stores, anecdotes,
comments, that your letters contain in abundance. Must
pile in now.  Goodnight and much love.
nile My uniforms arrived today - $217 worth - what a racket - don't fit too well either. Perhaps I can get them altered a little while I'm home if can't get much satisfaction out of the uniform tailors.

Saving...

Well, I guess I am going to be a fighter pilot. When they asked me to indicate my choice I could no more refrain frm saying fighters than I could refuse a second dipper of ice cream, and of course there was no reason why I should, but for a while there I thought I didn't know what I wanted. This means that my training period will be a little longer, but also a little better, I think. All going on schedule I should get leave about the end of August or the first of Sept. The nearer it gets the more anxious I become. Marvin had the most hits in our group and, of course, also got fighters. Last night the whole flight, twelve of us, went down to the officers club for supper. It was a gay and festive evening, with much laughter and repartee, terminating only when the lights were turned out and we had to return to the barracks. Bob had his first gunnery run today and got six hits, which is pretty good for the first time. He very likely will get fighters also. A good many of the boys who have finished up within the last three or four weeks have received orders directing them to transitional training at Norfolk or S.Diego then to active squadron out of Seattle, mostly escort duty flying off converted freighters, I believe. You can guess that Bob and I would welcome some such duty. Your fine letters of the past few days have brought me much enjoyment. Father's indictment of the administration, and subsequent description of the country side as you drove back from Adel were most appealing. Incidentally, I wrote you folks a letter from the Patrician a week ago expressing rather strongly my feelings about the general situation in the gov't and can't tell from what you have written whether you ever received it. The rather poor mail connections throws our correspondence off schedule somewhat. It might be a good idea to indicate briefly what letter was last received just so we will know where we stand. Thanks so much, mother, for the Readers Digest, the Sentinel, and the cookies. The latter arrived in fine condition and were completely palatable. Your remarks concerning the happy times we used to have at grandma's struck a most responsive chord in my heart. I have priceless memories of those days. Mother would you tell me the exact capitalization that Mrs. Eddy gives to the following Biblical statement: "Know the truth and the truth shall make you free." It is only lack of space and time that keeps me from telling in detail how much I enjoy the stores, anecdotes, comments, that your letters contain in abundance. Must pile in now. Goodnight and much love. nile My uniforms arrived today - $217 worth - what a racket - don't fit too well either. Perhaps I can get them altered a little while I'm home if can't get much satisfaction out of the uniform tailors.