 The Air Medal Ang flew four missions and two training flights during these nine days. In between, he wrote letters. He doesn’t mention much in the way of activities other than enjoying PX rations, the casualness of life on Corsica, and a big party when they “flew in a barrel of beer.” Betty wasn’t particularly busy during these days. As usual, she visits with friends and writes letters. She takes the train to San Diego to see her Aunt Kay’s husband Herm who is in the Navy. Apparently he was sick — Ang mentions hearing from Kay that Herm had scarlet fever. She mentions going to “Rowena” who is an in-law of her Uncle John. It sounds like she probably shipped a box from Chicago. Ang received the Air Medal in December, for a mission on June 21. The Air Medal Citation is under the Awards tab. * * * * * * June 14. Didn’t even leave the house today. Wrote letters and read all day. After dinner read more. To bed 10:30. [V-Mail, postmark 6-27-44] 6-14-44 Corsica Hello Honey: Before I forget—I need something else. Please send me about 6 “T” shirts. You know what I mean—the ones with short sleeves on them. Its getting rather warmish around here—and they really are very comfortable. Maybe you’ve been wondering why I haven’t been belly aching too much about being out of the states—well “T” shirts is one of the reasons. Imagine walking down the street in Columbia in a “T” shirt. Another reason is no neckties—enough said? Now if I only had someone (I wonder who) to take care of my laundry and a few other things (?)—oh well, why daydream. No matter how, or from what angle, I look at Arne—he just doesn’t look like the someone. I love you wifey—Love, Ang  Flight log. Mission 9. June 14, 1944. FORM 5. C-14, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:15h [Crew sheet for June 14, 1944.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 9.] 9. 6-14 Pietrasanta Tunnel Mouth. Two runs on target. One short--one on top. Heavy, scant, inaccurate. 6 - 2FW & 4Me 109's. Spitfires shot down two--- did barrel rolls all way home. [TRANSCRIBED FROM SCRAPBOOK.] Mission #9. Pietrasanta Tunnel Mouth Flak: Heavy, Scant, and Inaccurate. One box hit short. We hit on top. Had to take two runs on the target because of weather. Carroll really plunked them on the tunnel mouth. 2 FW's and 4 ME 109's attacked on the way home. One spit pilot shot down two---and the others were chased away. He flew formation with us after that---and did victory rolls all the way to the base. Who says the Britishers never get excited. Pilot: Henthorn Bombardier: Carroll [See image below.]  From the scrapbook. Missions 9, 10, 11, 12. Article about S-Sgt Norman L. Lawrence, tail gunner from the 487th BS. June 15. Ironed a few things & read all PM. Cleaned up & to Higgins for evening. I took the wrong car -- an hour late.  Flight log. Mission 5. June 15, 1944. FORM 5. C-15, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:25h [Crew sheet for June 15, 1944.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 10.] 10. 6-15 Castagna R.R. Viaduct 1st box – center 2nd box – miss No flak [TRANSCRIBED FROM SCRAPBOOK. See image above.] # 10 Castagna RR Viaduct Flak: None 1st box--center. Our box---way short. Skinhead Moore drops again. June 16. Downtown and window shopped. Mr. S. up for dinner and to movie. What a bore! Bed about 12:00. [V-Mail, postmark 6-25-44] 6-16-44 Corsica Hi Wifey: What’s cooking? That’s a heck of a way to start a letter—but its better than starting off with “Well,”. We just got our P.X. rations so don’t blame me if I feel stuffed and contented. Really, I think I eat more candy over here than I ever did before. However, don’t let it worry you—I’m not getting any fatter—in fact I think I’m losing a little. I always have when I had to live in camp—and of course the flak helps a little too. They claim that each mission costs a man two pounds—50 missions is 100 LBS. I’ll probably come back a bouncing bruiser of 70 lbs. Pardon me while I tear into another Baby Ruth. I’ve also taken up cigar smoking. We get two a week—and I have to do something with them. I guess I’m just going to the dogs. Love, Ang June 17. Downtown shopping all P.M. Got in touch with Flo Taylor. Had light supper. Wrote some letters. Bed early. FORM 5. T-17, Training flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:05h June 18. Up very early. Got a train to San Diego. What a time--ugh! Herm glad to see us though. Home & bed by 9:30. [V-Mail, postmark 6-29-44.] 6-18-44 Corsica Hi Hon: I got your lock of hair—and thanks a lot. Of course its not enough for me to run my fingers thru—but I guess it will have to do until I get back to the original. I got your letter from Albuquerque—and it sure did bring back a flock of fond memorys. We sure did have a wonderful life there—didn’t we? I guess if I ever get the travel bug after the war—that’s [where] we’ll go. Maybe rent the same room and listen to the awnings flap all night again. Oh well, such thoughts do not improve my disposition—so enough is enough—Love, Ang June 19. Downtown early & to Post Office. Read in P.M. Had early dinner and wrote letters in evening. Bed 10:30. [V-Mail, postmark 6-29-44] 6-19-44 Corsica Hello Honey: Boy, I sure got the mail today—two from you—one from the folks, Kay—Is & Al—Corsons—Nuna & Nuno—and the Shrickers. My, oh my—now look at all the answers I have to write. The funny part is, that in your letter you warned me about that trouble. Woe is me. I sure am sorry about Jr.—he does have trouble—doesn’t he? By the way, I also got a letter from Joe. Boy, he sure is one proud Papa. The[y] flew in a barrel of Beer last night—and boy, oh boy, what a party we had. its amazing how successful it was—and not a woman within miles—a good old fashioned stag. I love you darling—Love, Ang June 20. Did nothing useful again today. Sent off some magazines to Ang. Mr S up for dinner. To movies—Bed 12:00 June 21. Wrote letters all day today. Didn’t even go outside. Listened to radio—Flo called. To bed about 10:30. [V-Mail, postmark 6-21-44] 6-21-44 Corsica Hello Dear: I hope you don’t mind my not writing yesterday—but I poured out eight letters yesterday, and you can get only so much blood from a turnip. I even wrote to your Dad—so you can see how ambitious I was. Did I tell you I got a letter from Kay? She certainly does write nice, newsy letters. I got a kick out of the news about Herm. Of course Scarlet Fever is not joke—but at his age—tch, tch. I hope you aren’t having too much trouble finding a place to live in L.A. Maybe you can find a place at our Honeymoon palace. Remember “Moitle”—ha, ha! Or was it “Sadie”? I love you dear—Love, Ang [Just for fun, here's the Hotel Stowell in Los Angeles. See below.]
 Flight log. Mission #11, June 21, 1944. Form 5, C-21, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:05h [Crew sheet for June 21, 1944.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 11.] 11. 6-21 Castagna RR Bridge Center of bridge Heavy, moderate & innaccurate No holes. [FROM SCRAPBOOK. See image above.] # 11 Castagna RR Bridge Both boxes hit center. Carroll and Henthorn did another beautiful job [See Official Documents -- Awards and Medals for the Air Medal Citation.] June 22. Up early & to Rowena’s to pay for COD box. Ugh. Stayed there all A.M. To town & then dinner. Read in evening. [Letter. Postmark 6-22-44. On air mail stationary] 6-22-44 Corsica Hello Dear: I know this letter is long overdue—but really its hard enough to fill up a “V”. However I’ll try to get one of these “long” ones off every week. Say, I’m kind of proud of myself—I’ve really been on a letter writing binge these last two days. I’ve written to everyone (practically) that you put in the book. Everyone from the Adams’ to the Schrickers—including the Falls, Joe, John H., Frankie, Reynier’s, Reardon, V.C.—etc. I guess that’s the way to do it—sit down and get rid of my obligations all at once. That sure sounded like quite a family reunion—I do wish I had been there. it sounded like the old Kenwood days again. I’m glad you took Tom and Bobby over to my folks house—I’ll bet they were crazy about the boys. I can just see Dad urging them on—and giving them permission to wreck the house. We should have let Kay’s charm go to work on my folks a long time ago—I’ll bet there would have been no trouble then. One of your last letters said that you wished I’d start getting some mail. I’m sorry. I haven’t told you—but I’m just about all caught up now. In fact I’m the envy of the squadron—three-four letters a day. Yes, as far as mail goes, I’m well contented. As far as the war effort goes and my wishing I was in it—Honey, I’m in it up to my neck. I’m well on the way, with ten missions to my credit already. The censor said it was allright to mention the no. of missions we have, so don’t be so shocked. I’m learning more about his censorship everyday—pretty soon I’ll be able to squeeze all the news in a letter that’s possible. I’ve got a bunch of postcards of the island and as soon as its O.K. I’ll send them on to you. One of these days I’ll get to go to Rome—and then I’ll really be able to fill up a letter. I’m certainly sorry to hear about Jr. Elaphantitis is no joke. We’ve dad a dozen lectures about malaria and that—they both come from mosquitoes. Of course there isn’t much danger out here—but we take all the precautions—spraying—sleeping under nets etc. Most soldiers overseas worry more about mosquitoes than they do about enemy bullets or flak. I think we swallow more atabrine pills than we do spam—and that’s saying a lot. However, don’t worry—as I said there isn’t much danger out here. I hope you have good luck in finding living quarters in L.A. I guess this is the limit of my ability on a long letter. Give my love to everyone, dear—most of it to yourself. I sure do love you sweetheart. Sometimes it takes a lot of will power to keep myself under control. What I wouldn’t give—oh well! I love you honey—Love, Ang  Flight log for June 22, 1944. Form 5. C-22, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:35h
[FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 12.] 12. 6-22 Gricigliana RR Bridge Hit - Right. Heavy, intense & fairly accurate ---3 ships holed. 4 ME 109's attacked. [TRANSCRIBED FROM SCRAPBOOK. See image above.] # 12 Gricigliana RR Bridge Flak Heavy, intense and fairly accurate. 4 ME 109's attacked but were chased by the gunners. 3 ships holed---including one below. 1st box hit to right. We hit center. Carroll did another wonderful job. The kid is good. [****news clipping on same page regarding someone from 487th squadron. Norman Lawrence.]
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
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
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed