February 16, 1943

Dear Arlan:
            I finally got an open post. 3 of us rented a car and rode around & took pictures of the town. Also rode out to Randolph Field. Got the pictures. You had a pretty good average. Hope to move soon. Sent your suitcase to Marvel Lee.
                        Yours truly,
                                    John

February 11-14, 1943

                                                Feb 11
Dear Folks:
            Well, 1700 got the open post! We got in town about 11:30. Hennings, Guldberg, and I went to a studio and had our pictures taken. I told them to pick out the best proof and send 6 prints to you. I ordered 2 of the prints tinted. Let me know if they aren’t any good. The 3 of us did some shopping and then rented us a ’40 Dodge convertible coupe. We drove it from 12 Noon until 7 P.M. with a total cost of $3.60 apiece. It also had a good radio in it. Since my camera was checked in here, we had to buy a cheap camera and we took about 60 pictures with it. I hope some of them turn out good. We drove all over S.A. and out to Randolph Field just east of S.A. We saw a Messerschmidt pursuit plane that had been shot down over England. We paid 25¢ to see it. It was an exhibit traveling over the country.
            I finally got some longer bows for my sun glasses. Traded in my old bows and paid $1 to boot.
            We went to a show and got back to camp about 11 P.M. We rode special buses both ways.
            The land east of S.A. is quite rolling and largely covered with mesquite. The land that is broken out is full of stones. We couldn’t get into Randolph but saw it from outside the fence. Before the war men in the air corp started out at Randolph but now it is a secondary field.
            Got your letter today. Also the pictures from Arlan. Those pigs have grown some since I saw them. Will have to get down to see Harold. He is clear down at the south end. I mailed the camera and suitcase to Marvel Lee.

Feb 14. Thanks for the chocolates. They came yesterday. Also got a fruitcake from Josephine and a first-aid kit from Marvel Lee. The new chaplain is a Presbyterian.
            Went down to see Harold last nite. He had just had a shot and his arm was stiff. He hadn’t been classified. Carmen Walker was also in the same barracks. He father used to run the sand pump west of C.C. Also met another K.S. graduate from Garden City. He was a school teacher and had a pupil by the name of Mary Ann McClurkin. We are having to get moved out of here this week. Will drop you a card if my address changes.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

February 10, 1943

Dear Arlan:
            Grass is greening up down here. Out of quarantine once more. Hope to get an open post this week. We have a new Chaplain here & a good preacher. Harry Adamson wrote and said Harold Hundley was coming here. Did you say Uncle Sam paid your enrollment fee? Thanks for Handbook. Take some pictures of your new place. Yours truly, John

February 7, 1943

                                                Feb 7
Dear Folks:
            Lovely day to-day. Is starting spring down here I believe because grass is starting up. Went to chapel this morning. We have a new man, a captain, for a chaplain. He gave a very good sermon. He is dark and handsome and has a southern drawl. I’m getting so that I can immatate the southern accent myself.
            Am sending a picture we took 2 weeks ago today. I took a few pictures on my camera and yesterday we were ordered to check our cameras in at the supply room. We are out of quarantine again. To celebrate they put 3/4 of the men in this barracks on K.P. and Guard Duty! — today. Bks 1700 is looking forward to an open post on Wednesday and will be pretty disappointed if we don’t get it. Am sending $60 which you can use as you want. Yes, I got a letter from Harry W.
            Got a letter from Harry Adamson. He said Harold Hundley was coming down here. He must be here now but I can’t locate him. Could you call his folks & get his address? Especially squadron number & barracks number. Heard over radio that shoes are to be rationed.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
P.S. About the picture. The man in the back row, second from the right was born in Csecoslovakia, Drahos by name. Man in front on the left came from the Navy. The man with the shirt on is a navigator and has gone. The man next to him went to Drake University. I have another picture coming that was taken later. Did my first “lesson in conduct” which was 2 hrs. of marching. I got a “gig” because the mops were disarranged in the mop rack. Did I tell you we get on hands and knees and scrub the floor once a week. We have to buy the soap to do it, though.

January 31, 1943

                                                Jan 31
Dear Folks:
            Warm and cloudy today. Have all doors and windows open. A new major is in charge here and he is cracking down some. Everyone has to hit formations on the double (run). Also, one barracks out of each squadron gets “open post” each week beginning Feb. 10. The barracks that gets the highest rating on inspection and general conduct is the one that gets the open post. We are expecting another bunch of new men to move in to-day. The navigators and bombadiers moved out last Tuesday. 12 of them were from 1700. They wrote us letters back saying how much better things were a[t] Ellington Field than here. 4 men to a room and open post every week end from 3 PM Sat. until 10 PM Sunday. They are close to Houston, Texas.
            The two men that had the mumps came back Saturday. Last week a water main just east of this barracks sprang a leak and flooded the ground between 1700 and 1698. Got a slip last week showing I had finished my shots. I was beginning to wonder if they had lost the slip and I would have to take all those shots again. That seems to happen quite often in the army.
            Went to chapel this morning. It was the first time in wks. The chaplain is being transferred this week to another field.
            Thanks for the cookies. Every body liked them. Arrived in good shape and were moist. Popcorn must have kept them that way. Also got the books in good shape.
            1700 took second place in an inter-squadron sing last week. This barracks was picked to represent Squadron 107 in the sing. When marching to the PT (physical training) and back we always sing. Tomorrow is pay day again. Arlan is going to mail a math handbook. We are not supposed to tell the number of men in a barracks. There is a lot more than Martha thinks in one barracks. I bought the scarf at the PX.
            Sunday nite. About half of 1700 was sitting on the back step singing tonite. We just came in. How is coal holding out?
                                    Yours truly
                                                John

January 19 and 24, 1943

                                                Jan 19
Dear Folks:
            Surely got cold here last night. The paper said the thermometer read 17° above this morning. The sky was clear except for a few high clouds from which a few pebbles of sleet fell. Our quarantine was lifted somewhat to-day. The men meet all formations with the rest of the squadron. They cannot be put on Guard or K.P. or go to P.X. but eat with the rest. Will have the usual physical examination every day. The bombadiers and navigators in this barracks signed the payroll today so they will probably get shipped out very soon. Thanks for the cake. Haven’t cut it yet. It arrived in good shape. The pay was for time up to Jan 1 or about 6 weeks. My base pay is $75 a month and $1.50 a week is deducted for laundry and $1.50 a month is taken out for the Cadet Club in S.A. Net should be about $67.50 a month. Got the vitamin pills also.

Jan 24. It is cloudy and warm today. Two men that went over to pre-flight with the last shipment were over here to visit Mouse and I. One was Martindell, a boy from Hutchinson. The negative I’m sending is I and 2 more cadets and was taken on Jan. 17 when we had a free hour and were lying in the sun. The next morning the temperature was down to about freezing. Got a letter from Harry Willman last week. Also a birthday card from Cora and Aunt Lou.
            The men from 1700 have been showing the rest of the squadron up lately. The other morning 1700 and a bunch of men transferred here from regular army were being drilled by the Cadet Captain. When he was through he remarked to our corporal that our bunch was a good deal better than the rest but they should be, because we were old army men. Our corporal of course got a big kick out of telling the captain that we were former civilians. We call the men transferred here from the army “GI men.” We also outlast the rest in calisthentics. Have drilled & played by ourselves so much that there is a sort of team spirit. We also took most events at the squadron track meet yesterday. Will probably be here at least until Feb 20.
                        Yours truly
                                    John

January 17, 1943

Dear Folks:                                                Jan. 17
            Cloudy and cool today. The forecast is for below freezing temperatures to-nite. Had slightly over 36 hours freedom yesterday. Got out of quarantine at 4 P.M. Friday and back into it this morning when 2 more men came down with the mumps. We have a slight idea of what a concentration camp must be like. The whole of 1700 went to the show last nite. A large bunch of pilots left here for pre-flight yesterday and this morning.
            Got the vitamin tablets and Dispatches with pills. Am sending a picture taken by another cadet before I became C.Q. of 1700. My room has the window marked by the arrow. The end of the barracks showing faces south. The brush and mesquite across the road to the west has all been cleared off now. The barrels are for trash. The walks are raised about 8 inches above the ground level as you can see by picture.
            The men from Minnesota and Colorado and Wyoming tell some good hunting and fishing stories. Got a birthday card from Aunt Jessie and a soap dish from Marvel Lee.
            Here is some stuff you might send me: (1) Those two paper bound books, one on Navigation and one on Meteorology. (2) Calculus book (3) My slide rule and the small orange-colored instruction book (4) My protractor, a semi circular disk which I left in the slide rule box I believe. (5) The small Mathematics Handbook and Tables. It is brown and about 3″ by 5″. Pack the slide rule in some excelsior if possible since the packages that come here are pretty well beaten up. These ought to help pass the time with. You might send the picture on to Marvel Lee.
            During the one day of freedom Bks 1700 went out for calisthentics with the rest of the squadron and outrun the whole bunch. We had been taking a run every day while they had been running about twice a week. Some officers were surprised since we had been in quarantine and were supposed to be out of practice.
            Eats are as good as usual except we get milk only once a day. Quite a few cookies are sent in and divided among every one. How about some oatmeal cookies? Am having my shirts and pants altered to fit me better.
                        Yours truly,
                                    John

January 13, 1943

                                    Jan 13
Dear Folks:
            Lt. Wilson brought us in 3 cases of Coco Cola and we enjoyed it. Got my last shot today — a tetnus. It rained last nite again. Although walks are hard surface and roads are rocked it still gets pretty sloppy and tracks into the barracks. Mouse, my room mate, borrowed a steam electric iron from another cadet and we have had the thing going from 1:30 PM until 7:30 PM. Pressed shirts, pants and blouses.
            Found out the other day that a man in this barracks, Artley by name, has an aunt in Clay Center — Mrs. Telander. Also Art Conrad is a cousin to his father.
            Got a letter from the girl Mrs. Schimmel had write to me. Say, is she a poor writer. The rest of Squadron 107 is going on a 11 mile hike to-morrow. Maybe we are lucky here in 1700.
            See where Loren Elsasser is down in Florida. Am sending the notice we got for the first quarantine. Here is my laundry stamp:
            McCLURKIN, J. D.
                        17098805
P.S. Could you also send me a 100 watt bulb in the packing you put around the slide rule? The light we read with is only a 60 watt and hangs 4 ft from the table. I tried trading for a bigger one but no go and it looks like won’t get to town for a while.

January 10, 1943

                                    Jan 10
Dear Folks:
            The weather is warming up again. The wind seldom blows hard here. Usually a gentle breeze from one direction or another. The .50 inch of rain was the first rain to amount to anything here since Sept. 19 according to the paper. They plowed the ground between barracks last week — Getting ready to plant grass I suppose. Also are clearing the brush and mesquite from the land just west & across the road from this barracks. Using Caterpillar bulldozers and piling the trash in big rows. The mesquite is full of “Killdeer”. They must winter here. Also some kind of “road runner” that looks like a pheasant hen and is heck on snakes. Saw a 5 ft. bull snake yesterday that had apparently been killed by a “road runner.”
            Finally got a bugle in this squadron. We also took up a collection to buy a loudspeaker to mount on the orderly room to call the formation with.
            Clyde Schimmel is now working at Beech Aircraft. They bought a house and have 6 girls in the basement. Bill Mayfield is in the Air Corp and is stationed at Coffeyville, Kans. Mrs. Schimmel picked out one of her 6 girls to write to me. As I remember she was somewhat concerned that summer I stayed there that I didn’t have a girl. Gary now rides a bicycle 3 blocks to school.
            Got your letter Saturday. Our haircuts are free. Got about a dozen cards for Christmas. Yes we have hymn books in the chapel. I am not distinguishable in that picture in “Life” but was standing where I could see the speakers stand. There was a terrace running from one side of the picture to the other about 200 ft from the front. Those of us on the terrace stood about a head higher than those around us. The insurance doesn’t cost anything. After we get a commission we pay for our insurance. The rest of my group that came on the train with me will go to pre-flight the last of this week. Doubt if I go because of the quarantine. Guess I’ll go lay in the sun this afternoon.
     P.S. Boy that had mumps is back from hospital. We kid him a lot & let him know the quarantine was his fault.
            Your truly
                        John

January 5, 1943

                                    Jan 5.
Dear Folks:
            Cloudy and cool enough for gloves to-day. Have been playing volley ball in the afternoon with just a pair of trunks on so am getting a little sun tan. Won’t be out without a shirt this afternoon however! No one else in this barracks has the mumps yet and have about 2 weeks of quarantine to go yet.
            Most of Sq. 107, 106, & 108 got an open post to-day — except us! However, the weather being cloudy, cool, and rainy, we don’t mind much. Men in 1700 (this barracks) don’t have to do K.P. or Guard while under quarantine. The men classified as navigators & bombadiers (except in this barracks) left for a pre flight school this morning.
            Got paid yesterday – $127.57 Am sending $120 home. You might put $100 into bonds and use the rest.
            Got my hair cut by the “barber” here in 1700. He used only a pair of dull scissors and a comb but did a better job tha[n] the regular barber. In order to get stuff from PX I have to make a list, collect the money and get a runner from the orderly room to get it for us. Have collected as high as $25 in one day for things at the PX.
            Haven’t got any Dispatches for quite a while. The Russians seem to be doing all right yet. Hear lots of good Spanish and Mexican music — and some not so good — over the radio.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

P.S. Just got a bundle of Dispatches & letters from Schimmels and Fred Yarrow Had a slow rain all day yesterday — Jan 6 Could you send me some more “Vimms” [vitamins] and a few of those green cold tablets. The dispenser gave me some pills that have the same effect as “Zerbst’s [Capsules].” Just got through listening to Presidents speech to 78 Congress.

December 30, 1942

                                    Dec 30
Dear Folks:
            The weather has been warm once again today. The wind changed to the north here Saturday nite and the temperature dropped to 26° finally. The are setting palm trees and shrubs in this squadron area. Will be a pretty place in another 6 months.
            My barracks is under a 21 day quarantine for mumps. One man came down with it last Sunday. We eat by our selves and after every one else is through. Cannot go to PX, show, etc. We drill & have calisthentics by ourselves. We get up at 6:30 instead of 5:15. Boy, do the rest of the squadron keep away from us!
            Two boys here have barbers scissors and are giving haircuts. Their haircut is better than the ones we got at the barber shop. By the time the 21 days are up we will all have had our hair cut twice so the boys are going to be professionals by then. We spend our spare time playing volley ball on the court next to this barracks. It is usually warm enough in the afternoon so we wear only trunks. Have some real games.
            In order to get anything from the PX we make up a list, collect the money, and call a runner from the squadron orderly room to get it for us. Also have our mail and laundry brought in.
            It is surprising when you get to talking to some of the men and find out what they were doing before enlisting. In this barracks there are 3 that I know of that have college degrees. One was a principle of a grade school.
            Better not send anything unless I ask because have to carry everything with me when moving. As to mailing papers from here, it is lots of work to get a pass to the P.O. over in preflight. We were issued 3 overseas caps and one service cap (beak on it).
                        Yours truly,
                                    John

December 25, 1942

                                    Dec 25
Dear Folks:
            We didn’t get up until 8:30 this morning. There are regular Formations today but no one can get a pass out of here to-day but those who have wives or folks in S.A. It is cloudy and warm to-day. Just got back from a Christmas service held in the theater. The Glee Club and orchestra were on the stage and it was a very nice service. Am enclosing the program. Chaplain Hoffmann is the chaplain of the north chapel. Also just got the socks. Thanks. They are the right size & shade. Lt. Wilson gave out another statement that “cameras are us[e]less” here. No pictures allowed. Think I’ll take the 2 rolls on the next open post and mail the camera home.
            Men in 107 have surely gotten lots of mail & packages. Men in this barracks had a sort of tough time over Christmas. They all got 2 shots apiece the day before Christmas and then 90% of them went on K.P. or Guard today. Seem in good spirits, however.
            One of the men, Kelly, got a notice Thursday that he had been classified as GDO (ground duty only). Later the same day he got a notice that his mother had died. The barracks took up $14.70 collection and wired some flowers to his home. He got a furlough.
            Boy did we have a dinner to-day! Got my picture in Dec. 28 “Life” magazine in the picture that shows Gen. Arnold speaking. Two boys that were in my first barracks and then went in the last class to pre-flight were over to see me this after noon. Had a good talk. They were so busy the first week they could hardly read their mail let alone write any.
            Dec. 26 Just finished cleaning barracks for inspection. It is still very warm and sultry this morning. Low billowy clouds like up there in the spring. All kinds of birds singing in the mesquite across the road. The camp is being extended to the west so mesquite and scrub will be cleaned out pretty soon. This barracks is on the west edge of camp. Got a card from Aunt Hattie & Jack’s address.
            I also get $105 a month! Actually $75 minus deductions plus $1 a day for board. Have signed the payroll but no pay yet. I think I will actually get $67 cash a month. Might give Chris some more ties if Arlan don’t want them. Had one mild cold. Some men had bad ones. Were issued 11 pair of socks. Have no chairs so sit on beds
                        Yours truly
                                    John

December 20, 1942

                                                Dec 20
Dear Folks:
            It is sprinkling of[f] and on this afternoon with sunshine in between. Went to church this morning. When a hymn was being sung, the all-male voices was very noticable. Got there early enough to get a seat this time. The chapel seats 325 and usually there are between 500 and 600 accomodated at once. The organ is electric I believe but is a good one and sounds like a pipe organ.
            Just after I mailed the last letter I got a notice to report over to another barracks to act as C.Q. (charge of quarters). Have to see the barracks is clean get mail & distribute it and in general act as mama to all the “misters.” The men here in 1700 had been here a week when I moved in but apparently the former C.Q. showed them nothing about keeping the lockers. Was on the run for 16 hrs a day for 4 days. It will taper off some as the men get “educated.” I stay in a room with a cadet 2nd lieutenant. Either the lieutenant or I have to be on duty here at barracks all the time. Since the lieutenant has drill formations to lead. I have to be here most of the time. I have to take a bed check every nite to see if every one is present or accounted for. The lietenant & I do not have to have our lights out at 9:30 but since we have to get up at 5:15 we usually hit the hay as soon as possible. The officer of the day wakes me at 4:15 and I have to wake the K.P.s in this barracks.
            Heard over radio that medical reservists were going to be called up next spring. Suppose this would include Arlan but haven’t heard from him. We are supposed to get 175 new men in today in squadron 107.
            Thanks for the camera. Am not supposed to take any pictures here but will get a few no doubt. Marvel Lee sent me a set including powder, lotion, tooth powder, and shaving soap.
            When we move from one barracks to another we take everything. It looks like the less we can get along with the better. We have no studies & until I was C.Q. had exercises every day. Got a letter from Cora & she says Harry is in Whitehorse as a cook for a construction company. How can a navy man know that the army is “hell”? We keep most clothes and all valuables in open “lockers” which are just shelfs and have no thieving. Some men here from regular army say the same as Floyd. I already have a chain for my 2 dog tags. Christmas will be a day off but cannot leave the post.
                Yours truly,
                        John

P.S. Including a picture of General Arnold’s visit

December 18, 1942

Dec 18
Dear Marvel Lee:
            Have moved twice and finally ended up as CQ (charge of quarters) with the cadet 2nd lieutenant. The men have been here about a week and a half so they need plenty of instruction in keeping the barracks in order. All pilots from A to K in my squadron have been shipped out to the preflight school across the road. The preflight only takes on a new bunch of men every 4 1/2 wks so looks like I might be here for a while. Heard over the radio where medical students in the reserve will be called up at the end of next semester. Would include Arlan I suppose but haven’t heard from him.
            Haven’t got paid yet. Couldn’t use it if I had it!!
I received the nail polish and sewing kit but no Reader’s Digest. There is a package over in the preflight post office for me that has some postage due. It has been there since Dec 5, But haven’t been able to arrange a pass to get it. You don’t need to send the Digest since I can buy it for 15¢ at PX. I am about 8 miles west of San Antonio. We get up at 5:15. I have to get up at 4:30 tomorrow to wake the K.P.’s in this barracks.
            Yours truly
                        John

December 16, 1942

Dec 16
            Moved again! This is the 3rd barracks I’ve lived in. All classified pilots that were here when I came and from A to K of our bunch have moved out to pre-flight school across the road. That leaves about 100 “old” men to run the place. That means we do K.P. one day and Guard the next for a week until the new bunch of men in 107 get through with their tests. Pre-flight across the road takes on a new bunch every 4 1/2 weeks so I may be here for a while.
            Yours truly
                        John

December 13, 1942

                                    Dec 13
Dear Folks:
            Finally got our first “open post” so we looked over some of San Antonio. We ha 6 hrs. to spend in town. The town was so full that Christmas shopping was out of the question. This is the first and last open post we will have before going to pre-flight school and we won’t get open post in pre-flight until we’ve been there 4 1/2 weeks. The streets are both narrow and crooked in S.A. There is a creek fed by springs that runs right through the middle of the business district. The water is dark blue in color and the banks are paved and sodded. There is a walk on each side and benches, also palm trees and other tropical vegetation which makes a nice little park. There [are] also tall white limestone buildings and palm trees. The old “Alamo” building is fixed up as a museum and the surrounding grounds are fixed up as a park. There are quite a few Mexicans and mixed breeds but everybody is friendly to men in uniform.
            This morning we all lined up and listened to Lt. General Arnold, chief of U.S. Air Force. Had to stand about 3 hrs. The order has just gone out that no pictures of this area are to be taken so don’t know as I’ll get a snapshot as I expected. Got a Christmas present from Marvel Lee. Wa[s] a sewing kit of needles, scissors, buttons and about 12 assorted threads.
            Had pants altered for 20¢ a pair. The clothes were free except for the gym outfit which cost $8.95. Will have to buy my own replacements. Randolph Field is close to here but I don’t know exactly where. When I said no punishment I put it in quotation marks, I think. In reallity, walking for 2 hrs. straight (“lesson in conduct”) is punishment enough. However, K.P. and Guard Duty are not given here as punishment as in regular army. Have most clothes hanging up, some things on open shelfs, and under wear, towels, etc. in a denim “barracks bag” placed under the bed. Shoes have to be all brown.

December 10-13, 1942

                                    Dec 10
Dear Marvel Lee:
            Got your letter & thanks for the nail polish. Just got back from a free USO show. It was a stage show put on by a traveling unit and was a very good show. Had another typhoid shot today.
            Did my first guard duty Tuesday. Was on duty 24 hrs. — 4 hr. walking post & 8 hrs off. Then 4 more & 8 more. Was issued 1 pr. of wool knit gloves. The socks are olive drab. Glad you got a raise

Dec 12 Had our first “open post” yesterday so we looked over some of San Antonio. We had 6 hrs. to spend in town. The town was so full that Christmas shopping was out of the question. This is probably the last (& first) open post we will have before going to pre-flight school and we’ll not have an open post until we’ve been in pre flight for 4 1/2 weeks. The streets are both narrow and crooked in S.A. There is a creek fed by springs that runs right through the middle of the business district. The water is dark blue in color and each bank is paved & sodded. There is a walk on each side and benches and also palm trees & other tropical vegetation which makes a nice little park. There are lots of palm trees and tall white limestone business buildings. The old “Alamo” building is fixed up as a museum and the surrounding grounds are fixed up as a park. There are quite a few Mexicans and mixed breeds in S.A.
            General Arnold, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Air Force is supposed to be in this vicinity Sunday so we had to scrub the barracks extra clean this morning.
            Sunday. [Dec 13] Saw the General this morning and he gave us a speech. Had to stand for 3 hrs. Just got my Christmas present and thanks. Hope I never have to use it. Ha, Hah! But I know I will. There is a persistent rumor that we will go to pre-flight school this week. Hope so.
            Yours truly
                        John

December 9, 1942

                                       Dec 9
Dear Folks:
            Am writing this from the Guard House!! Wait a minute, I’m on duty here. We do guard duty for 24 hrs. We are on guard 4 hrs. off 8 hrs., on another 4, and off for 8 hrs. Have to stay at guard house during the two 8 hr. periods off and walk the post during the two 4 hr. stretches. I walked from 2 PM to 6 PM and 2 AM to 6 A.M. Carried a rifle & fixed bayonet.
            Went to church last Sunday. The chapel is about the size of the Christian church in Clay. It is equipped with a pipe organ. The chaplain was Baptist and gave a good sermon.
            Had the first shots last week. One Typhoid and one Tetanus. The Tetnus made my arm a little sore. Moved from one barracks to another yesterday so am now in 1693. Do not put the barracks number in my address since the mail clerk at the orderly room knows our barracks number and I may be moved around quite a bit. What was the matter with Dale Elliot?
            Just got another bunch of “Dispatches.” Thanks for the duster. Have been using a dry rag to dust with. Also got your card and some nail polish from Marvel Lee. Also got a letter from Rev. Elliot.
            Another group of “civilians” arrived last nite — about twice the size of the group I came in. We now have double-deck beds in the barracks. The lockers are getting a little crowded, consequently, so keep most of my stuff in a barracks bag. Surely took my clothes a long time to get there. Some snow you had. My new bunk mate gets the K.C. Star. We get up a[t] 5:15 A.M. Think I told you in last letter I was classified as “fit for pilot training.” Where’s Harry by now? We don’t have to be quiet any time in barrack, so we are not. Don’t bother with a camera as I know a guy that has a fairly good one. I have a button polishing outfit.
            Yours truly
                        John

December 6, 1942

                                    Dec. 6
Dear Arlan:
            Cloudy and really cool here today. Feels good to have overcast and gloves on. Yesterday we worked with our shirts off. Kansas hasn’t the only type of weather that oscillates. However, its better when the mercury runs between 30 and 80 instead of 0 and 50.
            Went to Chapel this morning. There are two chapels here and catholic services at 9:00 and protestant at 10:30. The chapel is all wood and very nice inside. The wood work inside is stained light oak and walls are lined with a pastel shade of tan plaster board. There is a pipe organ and a choir. The choir and organist are cadets. Each chapel is about the size of the Christian church at Clay. Had the aisles packed full this morning.
            Had our first shots last Thursday. My arm was sore for awhile. Had one typhoid and one Tetanus. Haven’t gotten any pay as yet. Exchanged my work shoes for a pair that really fits. Didn’t ever have any sore spots when I broke them in. We are going to start some classes in code and navigation this week I believe.
            Got the magazine. 18¢ was pretty steep. I had supposed you could forward it for nothing. When I get in preflight will have the address changed. Radio works good. Get lots of Spanish & cowboy music and national hookups, of course. They had better keep an eye on Betty or she may end up in Africa. The football team must have gotten ants in their panties.
            Yours truly
                        John

December 2, 1942

                                    Dec 2
Dear Folks:
            We had 5 more cots placed in this barracks so are expecting some new men. I was down near the east gate to-day and saw quite a bunch of new men coming in. The finishing touches are still being put on this place. A recreation building and some supply houses are under construction. Got my work shoes exchanged today for a pair that fits. The soles are nearly 3/4″ thick with an outer sole of composition. Those shoes ought to stand a lot of water. It has only rained once so far. Have a good olive drab raincoat. My pants are a little long and will have to be altered. Also have an overcoat about the same weight as that old one of yours.
            I was classified as fit for pilot training. Things are starting to get rougher around here to get us ready for “pre flight” school. There is a barracks inspection every morning. If your things aren’t arranged just right such as one shirt button unbottoned or dust on something you get a demerit. 1 demerit means walking 1 hr on the “ramp”. This is not punishment since no cadet is punished. This is a “lesson in conduct.” Haven’t gotten any demerits or “gigs” yet — knock, knock!
            Just finished eating an ice cream bar brought by the guy in the next bed when he got off KP duty. About 90% of the men that came with me were classified for pilot training. Got your other package o.k. Have had only the smallpox vaccination so far but saw a big list including me to start inoculations to-morrow. The average age I would guess at about 22. The fellow next to me has a good folding camera. The radio works fine but won’t last long at the pace it is setting now. Everybody likes to hear it so it is alright.
            A fellow just said he would give a months pay to any man who could do 50 “pushups.” The guy from Hutchinson, Martindell, took him up but he could only do 43. How is gas rationing working out?
            Yours truly,
                        John

November 29, 1942

                                    Nov. 29
Dear Marvel Lee:
            Just got through with my first “K.P.” Was on duty from 3 P.M. to 8:45 P.M. Sat and from 6:30 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. Sunday. My job was waiting on 3 tables, setting them up, and cleaning up afterwards. Had fried chicken to-day. The kitchen is pretty well equipped and has a potato peeler and dishwashing machine. They buy most of the pasteries from town.
            Have a boy from Hutchinson in this barracks. His hame is “Martindell” and he says he knows Wade Patton. He went to K.U. for a while also and has been in the army for awhile.
            A/C means “aviation cadet.” The weather has cooled off some lately and will freeze tonite. Have to do my own sewing. Was issued needle, thread and thimble.

Also got my uniform last week. Regular army “olive drab” (O.D.) Service cap has wings on it & collar emblem are small wings. The lockers are open and not to[o] big. Keep the excess in a barracks bag. The barracks are two story like Ft Riley but are covered with large shingles and painted a very light grey — almost white. The trimming is a very light brown or a tan. No leather belt on uniform.
            Why does gov’t sponser your insurance school? What is your office address? Have 2 churches and 1 theater but have[n’t] been to either yet. Was room orderly last Sunday and on K.P. today. Now have portable radio from home and since it is one of two on this floor it is on most of time.
            Yours truly
                        John

November 26, 1942

                                    Nov. 26.
Dear Folks:
            Got the box Monday noon. It must have been handled pretty rough. The radio had landed so hard on its back that the knobs were pulled off as the inner works left the front of the case. It seems to play all right, though. Am sending my clothes home to-morrow I think but don’t look for them until they come. Don’t insure any more boxes you send unless absolutely necessary since insured packages are not deliverd to the barracks and it is quite a walk to get them. The radio is one of two in the lower floor so is going most of time. There are 25 boys on this floor. Outside of that I can’t say because troop “numbers” are a military secret.
            Eagle Pass is the a[d]vanced school for single-engine pilots I believe.
The beds are single & have “springs” like those on Mrs. Lund’s double-deckers. One boy on this floor came from Hutchinson (some time ago) and knew Wade Patton. You don’t need to send any magazines because we can get them here at PX and usually some of us buy a few new ones every week & pass around.
            Had a wow of a thanksgiving dinner to-day! Turkey, pork, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, peas[,] cranberries, jelly, fruit salad, apples, oranges, bananas, green grapes, hot rolls, ice cream, chocolate cake, fruit cake, cider, 1/2 lb of chocolates, 1 pkg. of cigarettes, and 1 cigar. Probably have left overs for a week. Have finished all my tests but won’t be classified for a few days.
            Have 2 churches & 1 theater but I can’t go to either until I get a class A uniform. Most fellows have them now. Can you send that transparent tape and some neutral colored nail polish (for buttons)?           

Yours truly

                        John

November 17 – 20, 1942

Nov. 17
Dear Folks:
There is one radio down the barracks aways so listening to Fibber MaGee & Molly. Tell Rube I got a G.I. haircut.
Here is some things you might send. Bottle of hair oil, that red foot medicine, soap box & soap to fit, ink, and sun-tan oil, & mouth wash.
Suppose you got that form letter which was a repetition of my first letter. We were required to send it. The food is plenty good in my estimation. Some kick about it of course. We get it cafeteria style.

Nov. 18. Had calisthentics this morning and it was a real workout.
This afternoon we had drill. Haven’t been able to get over to the post exchange (PX) yet. We won’t be allowed off the post for 15 days. In other words, can’t go to town.

Nov 20. Finally got down to the PX for some stationary but now we get an order saying we can’t go to the PX until we have been here 15 days. Took another mental exam yesterday and it lasted 8 hrs. Got part of the physical this morning and will get the clothing issue this afternoon.
If you send the radio also include one of those cotton covered extension cords and a screw-in plug without a switch like you have in chicken house to plug waterer in.
The lower floor of the barracks is all fill[ed] with L’s and M’s and lots of Mc’s — such as McSweeney, McClay. Quite a few in here are from Kansas City area and the rest from N.Y. and vicinity. About 1/3 have been in the regular army. These fellows from the regular army say this classification center is like all other centers such as Leavenworth except the food is a lot better and the officers address us as “Mister.” We get ice cream, fresh fruit of all kinds, milk, bacon & coffee every day and pie & cake about every other day. Got a G.I. (general issue) hair cut and so don’t carry a comb any more. When you get a bunch of those “Industrialists” send them along. Tell Arlan to stick another piece of paper on the “Aviation” just below the one on there and forward it down here. Don’t know how long I’ll be here so its no use changing the address. We ordered dog tags and a rubber stamp to mark laundry.
John

November 17, 1942   

November 16, 1942

                                    Nov. 16
Dear Folks:
            Got here at San Antonio at 2:00 P.M. (Mon.) (14:00 P.M. to us). Just now got my bedding & a fatigue uniform. This classification center is north of San Antonio and the weather is (today anyway) about like the last of May up there. All the boys that have been here awhile have a good tan. Here is some stuff I’d like to have sent. 6 wire hangers, 2 or 3 white towels, house slippers. My address must be written out in full when you write. I’ll abbreviate it when I put it on as return address.

This is it:

A/C John McClurkin
Squadron 107 Barracks 1696
Army Air Force Classification Center
San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center
San Antonio, Texas

            You might wrap those things in plenty of wrapping paper and string since there seems to be none here to send my clothes home in. I could surely use that portable radio here. Don’t need the batteries. Will send the suitcase later.
            This place is new — only open 2 months.

            John