August 9-14, 1944. Promotion. An Extra $40.

I assume this is Ang's 1st Lt pin. It was pinned to green velvet fabric along with some other pins. Perhaps I should polish it!

​Another mystery here. Ang’s Form 5 lists a mission on August 9th and I have a crew sheet for that date with him listed on a crew. However he doesn’t have this mission in his log book. I’m not sure what CT means on the Form 5 notation. In his log book, there’s a penciled in notation about his promotion on August 9 but I don’t know when he wrote that. He doesn’t mention the promotion until the 14th when he says “Holy mackeral—I stepped out of the plane and they were waiting with the orders. You better rush those cigars—so I can pass them out.” You can view the scrapbook page with the orders and list of promotions under the AWARDS tab.
Ang doesn't mention anything about the rumors about the upcoming invasion of Southern France, but it is mentioned in the group and squadron diaries. He talks about food, pictures he's sending including the dog in one picture, and then his promotion. He predicts he won't be writing much because he'll be busy celebrating the promotion. He says he's "half lit" but must've recovered enough to fly for the Invasion on the 15th!
Betty notes the news from Chicago of a new baby boy for her Aunt Ann. Meanwhile Betty is helping her Aunt Kay with her young son Tom, while Kay is in California to visit her husband Herm. She takes him to the movies, and a nearby park where they have rides. They visit the San Fernando Mission. Visiting California Missions was always part of our activities for visitors when we were growing up.

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This is the verso of Mission 22 on August 8th.

Wednesday, August 9. Had a Spe Del from Peg today. Ann’s baby another boy! Tom and I to movies. Mom and K out. Warm again. Nothing new at work. Bed 11:30
​
Form 5. CT-9, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 1:05h
[This flight is not in his personal log and I don't know why it's coded CT on his Form 5. The crew sheet is under the Official Documents tab.]

August 10. Warm again—now we’re having some summer. Had dinner out—wrote Ang long letter. To bed about 10:00.
August 11. Golly, it’s turned warm. Had my hair washed after dinner. Mr. S. for dinner. Sat and talked all evening. Read - bed about 12.

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Flight log. Mission #23. August 11, 1944.

     Form 5. C-11, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:25h

​[FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG]
23       8-11
St. Raephel Gun Positions. 
On Guns 
No Flak
[on verso: "Led. Henthorn"]

[See the crew sheet under the Official Documents Tab. This mission was to coastal gun positions in Southern France. According to the squadron and group diaries, there was a weather stand down on the 10th and the missions on the 11th didn't go until the late afternoon because of the weather. Ang doesn't mention the weather in his V-Mail.] 

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[V-Mail. Postmark 8-21-44]
8-11-44             Corsica
Hi Hon:
You are definitely a sweetheart. I just got the snapshot book—and I love you for it. I was just about to write you for one—and there it was. Thanks hon—and also for the pictures.
Just in case I haven’t told you lately—I’m still in fine shape. Conditions are getting better and easier all the time. The food is really good now—chicken and steak quite often—and boco fresh fruits and vegetables. We even had Joe Louis entertaining a few days back. Boy, what a life—who said war was hell?
Just listen to me—I do feel good today though—I love you darling—Love, Ang

August 12. Up about ten and then to park for while. Had lunch and then wrote letters all P.M. Folks to movie, but stayed home. Bed early.

[Letter- small notepad paper. 8-13 postmark. Stamped August 23 on envelope and on first page
8-12           Corsica
Hi Hon:
I’m sending you a couple of pictures in this one—hurray—I know! Say, by the way, hows about that camera and film or didn’t I ever ask you for it. If I haven’t—please send me your camera and all the film you can for it.         
In the one picture are the navigators of the squadron—that’s Charley Vail on my left in both pictures. The dog is Jocko—the favorite of the squadron. He is either the dumbest or the smartest dog I have ever seen. He looks dumb—but he never misses chow call.     
 Our biggest entertainment is watching Jocko try to “make” one of the females around here. God, is he dumb—Its really a scream. He has almost as many missions as I have—and he doesn’t like flak any more than I do so he can’t be too dumb.
I sure look nice and chubby—don’t I. I’ve lost quite a bit of that gut now though. I’m down to my fighting weight of 153 lbs.
I got all that candy you sent me today—thanks a lot hon.
I’m sorry this is so short—but it is better than a “V” mail and I can’t think of anything else.
I love you honey. Love, Ang

I believe this is the photo Ang mentions. Based on the crew sheets I've reviewed, I know of four 486th BS navigators during this time. So the other two are H.R. Smith and G.S. Faith.

Flight log. Mission 24. August 13, 1944.

August 13. To 8:00 Mass. Picked up at 10:30 and stopped so Tom could have a few rides - did I get ill? Saw San Fernando Mission - nice. Home early.
​
      Form 5. C-13, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 3:05h
[Crew sheet is under the Official Documents tab.]
 [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG]
24    8-13
La Ciotat Gun Positions. 
On Guns 
No Flak
​
[verso: "Laney, W.P. C.F. Anderson"]

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This is one of two photos I have from Ang's collection that show Jocko the Dog. Written on back of photo: "Jocko, Cooley, Davis."

 [V-Mail. 8-21 postmark. Stamped August 31 on inside.]
8-13-44        Corsica
Hi Hon:
I’ve been lying on my back for the last couple of hours talking myself into writing this letter. Gosh, I sure am getting lazy (did I say getting).
Well the 13th has almost gone and I’m still here—listen to me talk! Just as if I haven’t lived through about 300 of them.
Pardon this letter if it’s a little messed up. The Spitses are having a little practice dog fight—and its rather hard to concentrate.
Hon, please send me a box of cigars (the best—10 centers—ha!) The boys are always giving me one—and I never have any to give back. 
I love you hon. Love, Ang

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Flight log. Mission 25. August 14, 1944.

August 14. Ugh - very warm! Mr. L. on his vacation & Marian & I are really having a picnic. Wrapped Bud’s package—to bed about ten.

     Form 5.  C-14, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 3:00h
​[Crew sheet is under Official Documents tab.]
[FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG]
25   8-14
Frejus 
Gun Positions
Right on Guns
No flak
​
[verso: “Hen.”]

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[Letter - small notepad paper, postmark 8-15-44]
8-14-44 
[no dateline]  
Hyah Sweetheart:
Its happened—its actually happened at last—my goodness I’m excited. You may now address me as 1st Lt. A. Adams—and yourself as Mrs. 1st. Gee whiz—oh golly! I’ve been a second for so long—that the silver bar (it has been on for exactly ten minutes now) doesn’t look right yet—but don’t worry, I’ll get used to it.
Holy mackeral—I stepped out of the plane and they were waiting with the orders. You better rush those cigars—so I can pass them out.
Please don’t mind if you don’t get a letter for a day or two. I’m half lit already—and well on my way—and probably will stay that way for awhile. Just think of that extra $40 every month.
I love you—Love, Ang
[The page from Ang's scrapbook with the promotion orders is under the AWARDS tab.]