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6/3/2016 Update: It’s funny that I don’t even know if anyone is reading this, but just in case, I’m adding this little intro. I realized that I didn’t add my usual summary at the beginning of this post in any of my three versions of this site. The big news was that Ang finally flies his first mission on May 22; a 4 hour 45 minute mission to Ferrantino. He finally tells Betty about it in his May 30th letter, in his typical joking way. I find it interesting that I’ve read similar descriptions in many WWII histories. They all talk about the fear and then they talk about the Red Cross coffee and donuts — and the shot of alcohol, or “medicine” as Ang says. I’m always struck by how awful it must have been for both of them to wonder when the mail would catch up and yet they continue writing letters. Ang writes on the 28th that he’s finally received letters from Betty - 11 of them. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Betty seems to be on a whirlwind tour, visiting friends and relatives. It seems that everyone is in Chicago, even her mother, Margaret, who has arrived from California, and her sister Peg with son Donny. Sadly, all these people died before I realized I needed to figure out what was going on in May 1944 that brought them all back to Chicago?? Later, we’ll see that they took advantage of the situation by getting an amazing and treasured “Five Generation” photo. Tuesday, May 22. Stopped after work and picked up coat. John and Bea over in evening. Bed about twelve. May 23. Threatening all day - and rained about supper time. Had permanent - very curly. Home to Adams very late. May 24. Rained. Met girls but broke so just had a coke. To Kays for diner and evening. Falls up and took us home.  First page of Ang's personal flight log. First combat mission. FORM 5: C-22, Combat flight as bombardier, B25-J, 4:45h [FROM ANG’S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 1. These can also be see under the "Ang's Flight Log" tab.] 1 5-22-44 Ferentino Road Block. Made two 360's over target because of clouds 9/10 coverage 1 box dropped--missed bridge. 1000 lbs bombs. No flak. [V-Mail, postmark 6-1-44, sent to Chicago, forwarded to L.A.] 5-24-44 Corsica Hello Darling: Sorry, I haven’t written the last couple of days—but I’ve really been busy. I wish I could tell you—oh well, never mind. In our spare time we’ve been building ourselves an officers club—and that means more digging and more work. I’m telling you, I’m liable to wind up with three muscles—maybe even four. Last night we went to an Officers dance. There were about six nurses and umpteen officers—need more be said? So I went downtown and got in a crap game. I won three hundred dollars—lost it—won two hundred—lost it—and wound up three dollars ahead. All well, whats money—just paper over here—and that’s no joke. I love you darling. Love, Ang  Ang's flight log. Mission #2, May 24, 1944. Form 5. C-24, Combat flight as bombardier, B25-J, 2:00h (Crew/Mission lists that are available can be seen under the Official Documents tab.) [Crew sheet for May 24, 1944. ] [FROM ANG’S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 2.] 2 5-24 Orvieto Road Bridge. 8/10 overcast. One box dropped. Flak heavy, scattered & inaccurate from airfield. Missed bridge—hit power plant. May 25. Warmer, but rained in PM and cooled things off. To Adams for diner - then to Grams. Did laundry and to bed at 11:30. May 26. Very warm today. Adele and family & Uncle Paul in. K & family etc down for dinner. Sure glad to see them all. Bed by 11:30 [V-Mail, postmark 6-5-44, sent to Chicago, forwarded to L.A.] 5-26-44 Corsica Hello Darling: I finally got three letters yesterday—oh happy day. Two from you and one from the folks—yours date 11 & 12th & right after you got to Chicago. Yes, it does seem like the old days again—getting mail from Chicago. I guess now that they’ve got my range[?]—I ought to be getting mail pretty regular. I guess you’ve been reading about this theatre in the papers lately, eh what! Those Jerries are sure catching hell—and we’re giving them all we got! I sure would hate to be in their shoes—or foxholes right now. We sure feel happy about the boys on the beach head—and I’ll bet they are delirious. Say, dear, If you haven’t sent those light bulbs—forget about them. If you have, its O.K.—someone can always use them. I love you honey. Love, Ang May 27. Cooler today. To Adams after work but to Gram’s for dinner. Out with Donny. Called Mel. Ha! to bed about eleven. May 28. Lovely day. No one here for dinner. Up to Joe’s aunts—Mr. M. up & Mom out to dinner. I put Don to bed—and myself by 11:00. FORM 5. C-28, Combat flight as bombardier, B25-J, 2:20h [Crew sheet for May 28, 1944]  Flight Log. Mission #3. May 28, 1944. [FROM ANG’S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 3.] 3. 5-28 Bucine R.R. Bridge. Missed target-- very hazy. Heavy, scant & inaccurate. Shot at from Elba on course-- Vail navigating- Got a razzing. [V-Mail, postmark 6-7-44, sent to Chicago, forwarded to L.A.] 5-28-44 Hello Honey: Well, its finally happened—I got eleven letters yesterday from you. Boy, it was like Christmas—yahoo! They were all jumbled up though—that is different dates and not as you sent them. For instance, I know you have a job—and that you meet a lot of society dames—but I don’t know where you work and what you do—please tell me in one of your letters. Oh well, I suppose the ones in between will catch up someday. Gee, I sure feel swell about getting those letters—It made me feel good. I love you darling. Love Ang  From the scrapbook. Transcription is below.
 May 29. Very warm. Mother, Kay & boys--E M & Jr to Adams for dinner. Reyniers and Pat out later. Bed about 1:00. Dead tired. Betty, 2nd from right, with Kay on right and Betty's grandmother. Ang's father, Sam on left. Form 5. T-29, Training flight as bombardier, B25-J, 1:00h [Training flights not recorded in Ang's log book.] [V-Mail, postmark 6-8-44, forwarded to L.A.] 5-29-44 Corsica Hello Honey: Well, I’ve just gone thru all your letters—again! And now a few questions. Your job—what is it & where. On the tenth you said a notice from Fort Sam Houston told you my allotment had gone thru—on the 27th you said you hoped the allotment had gone thru. What gives? I guess that’s about all—you’re a good little information as a whole. About the silk stockings—really honey, they weren’t worth sending. The weave was wide apart. When the clerk picked them up and put his hand in it and spread it slightly apart—it just sprung apart and there was a run a mile long. Those Brazilian made stockings are not the U.S.A. kind. I love you darling. Love, Ang May 30. Up about 11:00 and up to Grams - just loafed all day. Washed head, did some laundry & ironed. Back to Adams. Bathed and bed. FORM 5. T-30, Training flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:30h [Letter on air mail stationary, postmark 5-31-44, sent to Chicago, forwarded to L.A.] 5-30-44 Corsica Hello Darling: I know, I know! Its about time that I got a nice long letter off to you. I’m sorry darling, but there really is nothing we do to make a long letter possible. Its absolutely the same routine, day after day. If we don’t have a mission for the day—All we can do is lay in bed until noon or maybe get a few letters off. Then after lunch, we sit around and shoot the bull or play poker until dinner. Then we play poker or maybe go to the open air theatre until bed time rolls around. So you see, theres not much there to fill a long letter. The only thing that could be of interest to you is about our missions, and since we can’t tell you about them—well! That is I can’t give you the details about any missions—but I guess the censor won’t be too mad if I told you how I felt on my first mission. Here goes! When I first got here—I didn’t exactly know what to expect. It sure wasn’t like what I did expect. Everything was just—well natural. The fellows were just a normal bunch of boys—and really swell to the newcomers. They helped us unload our luggage and helped us set up a tent—and gave us plenty of advice on how to dig a fox hole—ha, ha! Of course we closely watched the old timers to see how they acted—so we could know how to act too—copy cats. Well, we weren’t around very long before the newness and tenseness wore off . There was no excitement about the missions—no good lucks, thumbs up—nothing dramatic about them. It was just like going on a practice mission to Lake Murray in S.C. Of course when the time came for my first mission—that little excited, choked up, feeling came again, and stayed for quite some time. However, it wasn’t quite like anything I expected. I guess those bull sessions and actions of the old boys is a form of group psychology—it sure helped. When we got out to the ship—none of the other boys acted like they knew it was my first mission—they acted just as if I had as many missions as they did. On the way to the target I kept my eye on the lead ship and lead bombardier. Boy, if you’ve ever seen a shadow operate--I was that lead bombardier’s shadow. When he smoked, I smoked—when he put on his flack suit, I put on mine—when he put on his flack helmut I did the same. I copied his every movement—that is until the flack came up. It was very light (I found out later as I pulled my body out of the helmut), but for every time he ducked, I can proudly say I had him beat to frazzles. I was out of sight behind the plating before he even thought of it. Well that kept me up for awhile until we went on the bomb run—and then you're so busy you forget everything else—and the next thing you know, you're back at your own field. Well, that's No. 1—and you are a veteran—ha, ha! Well, dear, as they say—the first one is the toughest. After that, there is only one thought in our minds—and that’s to get those missions off and get back home. That’s all you hear around here—only 10 more to go—only 20 more to go etc—and I go home. They don’t count missions as one, two, three—its 49, 48, 47 etc to go. And talking about that, they sure don’t waste any time in getting those missions off. Don’t be too surprised if I’m eating the Christmas turkey with you and the folks. “Home for Christmas” is my motto. Don’t expect it, but don’t be surprised—that’s all I’m saying. I don’t know as yet if I’m to be a Bombardier or a Navigator or both—the old question again. However, if its ever decided—it will be right here, so that’s something. Well, sweets, for one not having anything to write, I’ve done pretty well, Give my love to everyone—especially to yourself. Don’t worry about my poker—what I get out of my salary takes care of it for the month—there is nothing else to spend it on—everything is free. Oh, I forgot to tell you, when get down from a mission the Red Cross is waiting with coffee and doughnuts—and are they good. And we also get a double shot of “medicine”. Maybe that’s why the boys are always fighting to go on a mission. That’s the only way to get it over here. I love you—Love, Ang P.S. Give a nice donation to the Red cross—I don’t know what we’d do without them. May 31. Rained real hard in PM but still warm. Pat, Dee, Is, Marge & Peg to Adams. Had a real nice time. Bed late.  Form 5. Individual Flight Record. April 1944.
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 Ang Adams and Bud Roehm. Best friends since 8th grade in Chicago. Ang and Betty were somewhat settled in to their situations at the end of April 1944. Betty, in Chicago, continued visiting friends and relatives. She found a job at F&G Life where she had worked before and would again when she got to L.A. Meanwhile, Ang logs 3 flights and then none after April 21. Then he starts looking for his best friend from Chicago, Bud Roehm. It seems unbelievable to me, and apparently to him as well, but he does find Bud and spends several days visiting him. Bud has been overseas since August of 1942, so this visit is good medicine for both of them. I will attempt to tell Bud’s story in a later post, but for now, I will let Ang’s letters to Betty tell the remarkable story of Ang and Bud in North Africa. Wednesday. April 19. Downtown and had lunch with F&G girls. Glad to see them all again. Al called about dinnertime with news of Is! Form 5. A-19, Administrative flight as navigator, B25-J, 3:50h April 20. Rainy and dark again. To Grams all day and read. Also washed head. To Adams early. Wrote letters in evening. Late. Form 5. A-20, Administrative flight as navigator, B25-J, 6:50h  [V-Mail] 4-20-44 In Africa Hello Darling: Well, how do you like getting your first “V” mail from your husband. Does it thrill you—or do you, as I do, feel that “its about time”. I wish your mail would catch up with me. Its not that I’ve got the blues or anything like that—but it will be nice to get a letter from home. Its going to seem like the good? old days again. It will probably go on like that for a couple of months—then I’ll send you a cable and tell you to catch the first freighter over. We’ll set up house keeping in a pup tent—and live happily ever after. It seems silly, but the way you’ve been chasing after me around the country for the last year—I never know where I’m liable to find you. I love you darling. Love, Ang April 21. Downtown to see about a job - got a prospect. Shopped for shoes but no luck. Letter from Ang. Form 5. A-21, Administrative flight as navigator, B25-J, 4:15h April 22. Rainy again today. Job fell through. Jen and I downtown shopping and to movie. Out in evening with Columbia fellow. April 23. Dark all day but warmer. Napped all day - late dinner. To Geo Corson’s in evening. Bed late again. [V-Mail] 4-23-44 In Africa Hello Darling: I almost got to see Bud—But only almost. I’m only a few miles from him. That is, every one knows that his company is near here—but no one knows just where. I’ve been running all over the country side trying to find him—but haven’t had any luck as yet. I haven’t given up hope—but we have to leave pretty soon, and I don’t guess there is much chance. Oh well, that’s luck for you. So near and yet so far. Please don’t mind this jumbled letter—the chase has got me a little excited. I certainly would like to see him again. Its been a mighty long time. I hope you got home without any trouble. Please write and let me know how you are making out—financially and so forth. I love you darling. Love, Ang April 24. Drizzled again. Got a job - yip! Ran into Eddie Shapiro. Saw Mr. Shaw. Spent PM with Is. To Gram’s for dinner. Ironed & bathed. April 25. Started work today - and really worked. Exhausted in evening. Wrote long letter to Ang and called Betty Hillis. Bed 11:00  Muriel, Betty and Betty's Aunt Ann in Chicago. Undated. For some reason, Ang did not like Muriel. [4/25/44-passed by examiner-on Air Mail stationary] In Africa Hello Darling: I owe you a nice long letter—so here goes. I haven’t got the hang of writing censored letters yet—so I imagine by the time the censor gets done with them, they look like confetti (if that’s the way its spelled). Knowing your tremendous curiosity—I imagine you are going crazy wondering what he cut out. Its pretty hard to try and figure out what I can and can’t write. However, I remember Bud wrote and told us about his visit to the city of Algiers—if he can do, I guess I can too. We spent two days in the city—and it was really interesting—Casbash (I guess that’s the way its spelled) and all. I’ve never seen such a mixture of peoples, and near people in my life—Americans—British—French—Italians—Greeks—Arabs—Moslems—and God knows what else. Its really a very modern city in the center—but you have to walk but a very few blocks to see people living as they were hundreds of years ago. You know—long, flowing, filthy rags hanging on them—veils on the women and all the rest that goes with it. You’ve never seen filth such as they live in—I don’t think they ever wash their children—or themselves for that matter. And now to get down to the subject of the French—the French women in particular. If anyone ever talks to me about French styles—I’m going to laugh in their face. A few of the women dress very nicely—but most of them—oh my God! At any rate—I don’t think there is an American girl—even Muriel Melvin—that can’t put them all to shame. As one of the fellows so nicely put it—all you can say for them is that they are very, very broad minded—much, much to broad for him—and us! I’ve never seen anything like it. Every sister is a business—every little brother is a business manager (I believe the profesional name is pimp)—and every doorway is a business shop. Boy, I guess our trouble is that we haven’t been out of the states long enough to appreciate that kind of stuff. Phew—I’m still blushing! We were in a mens washroom—doing as men will do—when one of the little doors at the end opened—and out walks a little French number. Without so much as a fliker of an eye—she strolled across the room—opened the door and walked out. I guess you couldn’t blame her though—there was a long line at the Ladies Room. As one of the fellows said—they sure are broad minded. Don’t mind me though—It may sound like I’m bellyaching already—but I’m really not. I’m like a hick turned loose in New York. I’m been in so many places the last three weeks—and there are so many things to see in each of them—that I haven’t had time to really get lonesome or homesick. However, there are some American things that I miss like the devil already. Oh well, the war can’t last more than ten more years—what have I got to complain about. I’ve given up hunting for Bud—my feet and the drivers gave out. However, I’ll ry again tomorrow if I get a chance. I guess that’s about all my darling. All my love, sweets—and I sure am storing up a lot of it for you. Give my love to everyone. I love you. Love, Ang My, my—I sure throw that word around, don’t I?  V-Mail from Ang and Bud. Barlo was Betty's nickname among high school friends. Allegedly her initials plus initials of an early crush. BAR+LO. We could never get anyone to 'fess up about it! [V-Mail] 4-25-44 North Africa Dear Wife and Barlo: Well it has happened..we have met each other. This is Bud that is writing now…Just after I had knocked myself out writing a letter to you. I hadn’t finished it for more than two hours when in walked Ang..Boy was I glad to see him. It seems he looked for me for two days before he found me. The funny part of it was I wasn’t more than 15 miles from [him] the whole time..I’ll let Ang write a few lines now…. Phew—I finally found him. This is Bud again..Just to set your mind at ease, he looks like a million dollars, no foolin..I think he found a home here, of course our little place by the sea agrees with him no end. He had a nice meal last night, and a good nights sleep…(I had to sleep on the floor to accommodate him) but I loved it..ha ha..with a little luck we might see each other now and then.. This is me again. I sure am glad Buddy loves me and was glad to see me—that floor sure looked hard! Hello again, we just had our picture taken..in about 29 months you should get a copy of it…Don't worry I won’t depend on Ang. I’ll mail it my self. Well Honey or should I say honey’s this is all for now. Ang of course will write himself later. All our Love, Bud. Love, Ang April 26. Really like the job - not much - just routine. Did some telephoning and wrote letters. [4-29-44—passed by examiner] 4-26-44 Africa Hi Sweetheart: I found him—Bud, I mean. After searching for three days I finally got on his trail. I found his camp—and wouldn’t you know it—he was on a three day pass, his first in two years. I just about gave in then for good. However, as soon as the first-seargent found out who I was—he got a car and drove me out there. We pulled into the driveway—and when Bud came out—the first-seargent told him an officer wanted to see him. I got out and walked around the truck—man, I think I shocked 10 years out of Buddy’s life. He just stood there and gasped—and his eyes got bigger than his feet. Gosh, I was so happy to see him—I didn’t know what to do—neither did he. This is silly, but we finally threw our arms around each other and danced around the lawn. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see anyone in my life. He was so happy to see someone from home—he almost went nuts. The funny part was that he just finished writing a letter to us—and had just come down from upstairs where he’d been showing the landlady our pictures and telling her about me. The landlady came running down—more about that later—I’ll tell you in the next letter what a wonderful deal they have. Anyway, I was treated like a visiting king. I’ve got to rush now honey—I’ll give all details tomorrow. I just wanted you to know that I found him. I love you—Love, Ang April 27. Job is almost routine now. With Jen & [?] to see movie. Bot brown shoes. Bed at usual time. [V-Mail] 4-27-44 Africa Hello Darling: Everything seems to be breaking my way. Thru circumstances, which you can probably guess, I’ve been able to stick around longer than expected. This is the 4th day I’ve spent with Bud—which certainly is a break. The poor kid really did need to see one of us from the States—he was really down in the dumps. I guess I was like a visit to the States for him—he’s as pleased as a baby with a new toy. Not that I’m not happy to see him—he’s a sight for sore eyes. Its just like the good old days—only a different place. As soon as I get a little more time—I’ll tell you everything we have done together. Excuse the “V” mail—but I guess you can’t begrudge Buddy my time—can you? I love you darling—Love, Ang April 28. Worked about the same. Sick and that made it worse. To Gram's for dinner and evening. Home and bed by 11:00 April 29 (Saturday). Worked all day today. To confession and on to Adams. Wrote letters and gabbed. To bed rather late. [letter, 5-1-44—passed by examiner] 4-28-44 Africa Hello Darling: Well, here come all the details about Bud. There are enough to fill a book—so I’ll probably have to send it in chapters. By the way, I’m still with him—and God willing—will be for several more days. As I’ve said before, he really looks good—has put on about 15 pounds of muscle—and looks better than I have ever seen him look before. He ought to kill the girls that have given him the go-bye when he gets back to the states. He is still a buck seargent—but seems very satisfied with it—or at least with his job. If anybody tells you that the army does not put its men in the jobs best fitted for them—you can tell them they are crazy—and cite Bud as an example. He is now Special Service N.C.O.—which means he does what he always has done before he came in the Army—and so perfectly. He has charge of entertainment and amusement in his company. He selects the movies that are to be shown—and runs them off four nights a week. He’s really good in the projection room. He arranges the dances and parties and digs up dates for the men in his company—and also hires the orchestra. Can you imagine anything more natural for Bud? He has the company area looking like a summer resort—Badminton & Tennis courts—Horse shoe stakes—everything but a swimming pool—and he says that’s next. He has loudspeakers all over—which blare forth popular music all day long. He even has a record of Gerry & Jane, who (listen to this) sing a song which Jane wrote & composed. How do you like that? Its not bad, either—in fact, its pretty good! I guess surprises never cease—do they? All in all—if he had a set up like this in the states—I think he would be the happiest man in the U.S. Army. There is something about being on foreign soil that gets him down—as it would anybody that hadn’t had a leave at home in over 2 ½ years. Poor kid, he really gets the blues sometimes. I sure am glad I got to see him for awhile—it really was good for him. His tent mate says that he hasn’t seen him looking so happy and well in over a year. I guess war is really hell—especially after the first year. Getting back to info about him. As I told you before—I found him at a little place they had rented. Its just one room—but they have it fixed up beautifully. Those boys are geniuses—they can fix or repair anything. They built themselves four bunks—and all kinds of gadgets—such as bed lamps—indirect lighting and so forth. It really is nice. Its right on the beach—and they have, practically—a private beach. To top it all off, there is a Wac camp a little way from there—so I guess they always have a few bathing beauties around. Their landlady is a wonderful cook—and does very well by them—and me too! Ah yes, the landlady—I must tell you about her. She married an American soldier in the last war—but I guess he went back to the states after a few years. At any rate—deserted or not—she is crazy about Americans, and does she take care of the boys! I’m telling you—her cooking can’t be beat. To add to all that—she has a cute little French maid that all the boys are after. Paradise—eh what? And for all that, she will only accept four hundred francs (eighty bucks) a month—and that’s to pay the maid for cleaning up. You can guess who found that set-up—yep, Bud! And now a little about the boys that are in it with him. See if you don’t agree that our Buddy is the greatest little organizer that ever lived. First there is Jack—the first seargent—he gets all their passes for them when they want to go out there. The second member is the transportation N.C.O.—he arranges the transportation. And last but not (definitely not) least—the mess sergeant. Guess what he contributes. Boy, what a life—and what a man our Buddy is! Bud just called—and said he got a letter from you. He got a big kick out of the part where you told him I was on my way somewheres overseas. boy, it killed him—as he said—if you only knew! Life is sure full of surprises! I sure wish I was there to see your face when you find out that I found him. I guess that’s about all for now darling-- I love you very much—Love, Ang ****** [V-Mail 5-8-44] 4-29-44 Africa Hello Hon: Well, still with Bud—although I didn’t see him today. He has to work sometimes, even if I don’t. I will see him tomorrow though. I saw Bing Crosby in “Going My Way”—and its one picture you don’t want to miss. Its really good. He plays the part of a Catholic priest—imagine! I’ve sort of just been laying around today—and its put my mind in kind of a stupor—can’t seem to think of anything to write about. However, Adams is always trying—so here goes! All I can think of is that I love you—I love you—I love you—I love you—I love you—I love you—I love you—and I’m beginning to miss you like the devil. See what a day of rest does! Love, Ang ****** [V-Mail] 4-29-44 Africa Hello Hon: (Again) Just in case, (Gosh the censor sure is going to think this is silly) my other letter of this date doesn’t convince you-- I love you very, very much! All my love (and all my apologies for this letter) Ang April 30. Rainy in AM but cleared up. To Aunt Kays for afternoon and stayed the night. Talked and talked. Bed very late.  Betty, on right. Her Aunt Kay in the middle.  Betty and Ang were each "en route" during the middle of April 1944. Betty returned to Chicago by train. (She remarks it was a "nice trip." I know the train went through DC because she talked about it when she visited me here in Maryland. I believe the trip took all night and it may have been a "nice" trip, but I can't imagine it was "pleasant.") She has many people to catch up with in Chicago, and seems to spend every day visiting with people or shopping with her sister-in-law Jen. Much of this visiting takes place at the home of Betty's Great-Grandmother, "Gram" Harrington. Meanwhile, Ang and his crew fly to Africa, via South America. He’s frustrated about what he can tell her that won’t get cut by the censors, but does a pretty good job describing what he has seen so far. His flights are designated as “A” for Administrative on the Individual Flight Record. He talks about crossing the equator and the Amazon which makes me wish I'd asked him what it was like to cross the ocean by air, compared to crossing by ship with his father when they came to the U.S. from Greece in 1926. In his scrapbook, Ang makes note of his “Natal” boots on a photo of him in Africa. He also mentions them later in an October letter. Their crew was among the many that flew to Africa from the Natal airfield in Brazil. I’ve seen mention of these boots on many WWII sites. Most of the time, the person mentioning them says they wished they had purchased several pair. Too bad they didn’t have a way to have other crews buy more as they came through Natal! Imagine if they’d had the internet! I’m guessing the long 8 hour flight on the 17th must be the flight across the Atlantic.
April 16. To Mass and dinner at Grams. To Adams with K. & boys. Had snack and then to Baffes[?]. Nice evening - bed late. April 17. Up early - did some laundry then to station for bags. To show in evening. Bed about 12:30. Tired. Form 5. A-17, Administrative flight as navigator, B25-J, 8:00h April 18. To Gram’s all day. Wrote Mom and Ang long letters. Then for dinner and home by 9:30. People here so bed late again. Form 5. A-18, Administrative flight as navigator, B25-J, 5:00h  Form 5. Individual Flight Record. April 8, 1944.  Form 5. Individual Flight Record. April 1944  Betty & Ang in front of their house in Columbia SC Ang & Betty’s established routine continued through February 1944 with more movies, dances, dinners at the Club, and quite a bit of rain. In between their social activities, Betty stayed busy with household chores and her sewing. Ang only has 4 flights recorded, but it seems he managed to get to Chicago for one more family visit. I haven’t found any leave orders but Betty mentions it in her diary, so perhaps he hitched a ride on a flight, or else his flight on the 13th took him that far. It appears they returned on the 15th. She mentions a cousin from Ft. Jackson visiting, but I have no idea who it was. _________________________ Tuesday, February 1. Ang not home for dinner -- cousin from Ft. Jackson came in for while. Bed quite late. February 2. To post for dinner and show - getting low on points. Home and bed early. February 3. Downtown when Ang went. Shopped and paid some bills. Fellows picked us up. Home alone. Bed about ten. February 4. Washed today and scrubbed bath. Cleaned up and downtown. Bot material & shoes. Ang home later. February 5. No dance at Club so to Chatterbox and then to some joint. Had a good time though. Bed by 3:00 Form 5: Feb 5. Training flight as bombardier, B25-G, 1:45h  February 6. Ooh what a morning. Out to Base right after church. To matinee and then dinner. Home early & dead. February 7. Saw “For Whom the Bell Tolls” - very good. Rainy today. Bed late again. February 8. [no entry] February 9. Rainy all day. Up early and to dentists. Home by noon. Cleaned up & to base for movie. Sure got messed up. February 10. Chilly today. Ang home early. Cleaned up trunk and odd jobs. Did some sewing. To library in evening. Bed late. February 11. Rained all day- had hair done early. Boys home for late dinner. Wrote letters all evening. Bed rather early. February 12. Washed and scrubbed floors. Cleaned up and to town to show and supper. Bot Ang some shoes. Read in evening and bed early.  Undated photo of Ang’s family in Chicago. Sister Jen in back; brother John in front. Stella, Ang, Betty, Sam. February 13. To early Mass - home & bed again. To base for matinee and dinner. Ang & Kem on R.O.N. [Remain OverNight] To town & another show. Bed pretty late. Tired. Form 5: Feb 13. Training flight as bombardier, B25-G, 3:05h February 14. Rained cats and dogs all day. Downtown late for dinner and then to a movie. Ang in Chicago. Bed about twelve. February 15. Warmer today and no rain. To bank and then home. Kem home so to Club for dinner. Ang came in later. To movies. Bed about 10:30 Form 5: Feb 15. Training flight as bombardier, B25-G, 4:20h February 16. Ang home about 10:30. We both slept all P.M. My throat sore. He was [on] alert so early dinner. Ironed and bathed. Bed early. February 17. Still feel a little punk. Laid around all day. To late show at Base. Of course bed late. February 18. Cleaned house today. Cleaned up and downtown for awhile. Ang called - is at camp all night. Bed late. February 19. Ang home early with a sore arm. Read all day - rainy again. Dinner alone. Read some more. Bed about 10:30 February 20. To 7:00 Mass - home and bed again. Read all afternoon - to Club for dinner & movie. Home and read awhile. Bed about 11:00. February 21. Ang’s late day. Down with him & got license for Ann [?] Shopped and home for dinner. Sewed a little & read in evening. February 22. Had hair done early this morning. Dark & dreary. Ang home but out to base. Alert. Read and sewed. Bed about 12:00 February 23. Nice day - very warm. Out in P.M. to Base to see parade. Very nice. Dinner & then to early movie. Home & bed early. February 24. Ang home very early this morning. Cloudy and rainy. Shopped. Had phone call from John. Bed about ten. February 25. Washed this morning. Ang home all day. Did some odd jobs. Cleaned up & out to dinner. To dance at Club. Swell time. February 26. Sick. Boys off all day. Played golf in A.M. Ironed all P.M. Cleaned up and to store. Picnic supper. Read awhile & to bed early. February 27. To early Mass - got up about noon. Had the car - to club for dinner & movie. Very warm. Home and right to bed. Form 5: Feb 27. Training flight as bombardier, B25-G, :50h February 28. Up about ten. Cleaned and re-arranged bedroom. Downtown shopping. Had bath in evening. Bed about 10:30. Tired. February 29. Sewed all day on green crepe dress. Read awhile too. Did a little ironing. Wrote some letters in evening. Bed early.  Form 5. Individual Flight Record. February 1944. |
AuthorJoni Adams Sesma, daughter of Angelo and Elizabeth Adams. Ang served on Corsica with the 57th Bomb Wing, 340th Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Squadron. April 1944-April 1945. Archives
July 2017
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