| dc.description.transcription | 8-18-45Dear Folks,I have all intentions in the world of calling tonight but might not be able to get my call through. It’s that same old bogey that used to haunt us when I was stationed in Tenn. & Miss. The call has to go through Chicago before it goes to Texas and you know what that means. -Sorry Sir!, there will be a 3 to 5 hour delay on your call to Ft. Worth.Now here is the news, just five minutes ago I was told that my classification is 4-W. Which means that I will be stationed somewhere in the States as a permanent party while waiting for my discharge. It may be as long as 6 months before my discharge comes through and in the meantime I’ll have a job as assistant mess officer, supply officer, finance officer, or most any paddle-foot job that doesn’t take much sense to be an assistant to. I will be permitted to stay on flying status and fly four hours a month, then drawing my $75.00 per month flying pay if I want to. Naturally, I want to. More than likely I’ll hang around here for 4 to 6 weeks beforeanything happens so don’t start wishing me to Tarrant Field too soon. Tom and Johnny haven’t been classified yet but when they are they will be 3W. Bob is already 3 W. Tom hasn’t been an officer a year, Johnny and Bob don’t have enough points. It takes more for 1stLts. 3W means that they will be permanent party in the States not subject to discharge at the earliest opportunity as I am. Do you know how many combat hours it takes to be a 4QW? 110. Do you know how many I have? 111. Closet! But you don’t knowthe half of it. The time we landed on the continent the hours weren’t listed in my records and that really took some sweating to get those 8 hours approved. Without them I would be 2W which means eligible for immediate redeployment overseas. The war may be about over but they do still need army’sof occupation. Whew!Now for some bitching. Be sure and send this to Brother to prove to him that I ama a good soldier and can gripe. This is the most overcrowded, poorly managed post that it has ever been my misfortune to be on. I set a record for myself today in getting through the chow line. 45 minutes. You have to get in the chow line at least 2 hrs.before chow time if you want a seat. I don’t go! The food cost 45 ¢ a meal and is lousy. Transportation to and from town is deplorable. Town stinks once you get there, also these corn-fedwomen that inhabit the town. There is a bed check at 0200 every morning just like we were rookies and cadets They try to drag us out of the sack every morning at 0530 for reveilleand then P.T. at 0600. So far they haven’t succeeded with me. I’ll probably find myself walking tours one of these days. If we do get up at that ungodly hour there is nothing to do the rest of the day, you can’t go back to sleep. I could go on and on, in fact I had planned to but I have to hurry and get dressed if I want a ride into town with Bob. We go to town every night to get something to eat. This food out here is awful even often waiting in line an hour for it. Bob has got his car here, also his wife but he can’t see her during the day, oh no, he has got to be on the post between 0130 and 1700.The pay situation is all messed up so before long send me about $100. I doubt if I’ll get paid all the time I’m on the post. –I’ll put my call in when I get back from town tonight.All my love,Joe | |
