August 4, 1945

Dear Folks:                                                4 Aug. 45
            Put in 30 hours flying in July which is the most I’ve flown since last Dec. 1 Aug was Air Force Day as you probably heard. We flew in a 9 ship formation over the town. The P-47’s buzzed the town. In the afternoon the field was open to the public. The pictures I cut from the newspaper the next day. Brig. General Anderson was on the field and all 9th Airforce men had to sit around that afternoon until he came. He was formerly in the 9th and is now head of 1st Airforce in which we are now.
            Got a letter from Capt Strieber of my class at Chanute Field. He is an air inspector at Sherman, Texas. Also got a letter from Capt. Smaltz of the old Group. He sent the orders for the 11th & 12 clusters for the air medal — 10 more points.
            Tell Chris & Jo I got their radio done. I don’t have delivery service so they will have to come after it! I’m building a little phonograph that will use a radio as a speaker. Also fixed an old radio that belongs to our “farm house”. Schuerman, the man that rode with me from Greenville bought a 1940 Plymouth for $640 from a ship yard worker. It is not in very good condition, however.
            Sunday. The Chaplain is a 1st Lt. and a one man show. He preaches, plays the organ and leads the singing with a not-good-but-loud voice. Preaches good sermons. Had communion to-day.
            Will have to polish the car this week. This damp salty air is hard on everything. Even leather shoes mildew if not worn for a week. Pay day again last week. Are you going to have any tomatoes? Had turkey for dinner to-day. Lots of wives around here especially on week ends. The babies, bassanetts, and scooters about take over the officers club.
                                                John