APO 70-- Lingayen Airfield, Luzon, Philippines
Somewhere in the Philippines
March, 12th ’45
Dearest,
I received your letter of Feb 16th and while it was swell and all that, I am still impatient for more.
Glad you enjoyed the Valentine present. I hope by next time I can give it to you personally. Honey, like your letter, this is being written just before bed time and I am very very tired. I’ll try to say all the things that I’ve been thinking about today. I am sitting out on our front porch with the gasoline lantern for light. We haven’t had time to wire a light out here yet. The breeze is blowing something awful but this is the only table in our shack. I wish you could see it. We have a house boy starting first thing in the morning. We fired the last one because he didn’t fill the water can before he left each afternoon. I hope this one will be better.
I suppose your dreaded final exams are over for this time. I feel sure with all that studying that you passed with at least 80’s or isn’t that the way they grade you. You never tell me anything like that. And about your Pi Phi activities. What about telling me some of the stunts you all pull off.
Guess that’s about all for tonite honey.
I will always love you and long for you. Please don’t try to change or think about changing such a wonderful thing after this long.
Lovingly & truly,
Jack
My best to Anne & your Mom
NOTES:
- March 9th - a group of pilots from the 9th accompanied Captain J. Spence, Squadron Intelligence Officer, to Clark Field where a Tactical Air Intelligence Unit was assembling the Japanese planes that had been captured in that area and the pilots spent the day climbing in and out of various types of planes, learning the enemy pilot's workshop.--9th FS Unit History-Ken Clark
- March 17th--,1st Lt. Hook, while returning from a mission crashed in the water one-fourth mile northeast of Lingayen strip when his engines cut out on him. He hit about 400 yards offshore, outside the huge breakers. Lt. Hook inflated his rubber boat but was thrown clear of it by a large wave and was left floundering in the water. Two enlisted men of this organization, T/Sgt. Lynch and Cpl. Ralph witnessed the accident and immediately plunged into the rough sea, with other personnel in the area, in an attempt to save the pilot. The other rescuers were turned back by the heavy seas but these two men struggled through the breakers, recovered the rubber boat and swam out to the pilot, pulling the boat along. They reached the pilot and after putting him in the boat, towed him ashore. The two enlisted men and the pilot were all exhausted to a point of collapse. The heroic efforts by Sgt. Lynch and Cpl. Ralph, resulting in the saving of Lt. Hook's life, have gained them each a recommendation for the Soldiers Medal. --9th FS Unit History-Ken Clark
- Soldiers Medal--this individual medal is awarded to those distinguishing themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.
- March 18th-- Operations and Intelligence moved into their newly constructed Nipa building between the Officer's and Enlisted Men's area. This is the first time in the story of the 9th that it has been possible to locate the nerve center of operational work so conveniently close to the living quarters of the men involved. Heretofore it has been the policy to locate Operations and Intelligence as well as Armament and Ordinance offices on the strip close to the airplanes, necessitating the transportation of all personnel concerned to and from the strip each day. In addition to crew chiefs, line personnel and pilots, food had to be transported to the strip for nearly 100 men each noon. Under the present arrangement, with the camp located only a few minutes drive from the squadron's planes, it is possible to minimize the number of personnel working on the line and the transportation facilities of the squadron are released for other squadron duties. Thus, we have many more men on the "Camp-Jockey" status than previously.--9th FS Unit History-Ken Clark
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