March 14, 1944

War Eagle Field

Lancaster, Calif

Mar. 14, 1944

Dear Mother:

Well here I am in a new field starting a new phase of training.  The flying I will like very much but the Army discipline will not be much to my liking.

War Eagle Field, Lancaster, CA

This is an Army run civilian field.  The Army sets up the military but the civilians do most of the flying and manage our rooming and board.  There isn't much to say about that except that you can't get enough to eat with out a lot of bother.  They are also making a lot of money on us.  We pay $2.25 a day for food but we certainly don't get that much to eat.  The houses we live in have 16 men in each, 4 in a room.  That makes everything crowded and rather uncomfortable.  The rooms are heated by Butane burners.  They smell rather bad sometimes but they aren't lit too often because we aren't here too much.

We got a warm welcome when we got here.  In fact they came right on the train for us.  We were asleep all over the place and these guys ran in and wanted to know where we thought we were.  They got us out and then we doubled timed out of the station yard.  They gave us an inspection but it was a very general affair.  Everything is just like old C.T.P. with a lot of discipline.  They say they are trying to get you on the ball but it is just hazing in its best form.  It's quite a change from Primary.

We had quite a graduation and I took part much more than I expected to ever do.  When they gave out the awards they call out all the names at once and then awarded the medals.  When they called my name I couldn't guess what they had for me.  I know I wouldn't get the scholastic award; I couldn't get the military award because I wasn't any hot looking soldier.  I couldn't get the P.T. award because I am no physical marvel; so what could it be?  Well there could only be one thing, the hot pilot award.  So for Professional Proficiency in Squadron 8 I got the "Flight Award", out of 80 men they gave me the medal for the best all around flying.  The award was a sterling silver bracelet with the words "Flight Award" Sqn. 8, Class 44G, 3-10-44.  All I need is to have my name engraved on the plate.

I really never thought I could fly worth a damn.  I did so many things that were so poor.  I had trouble with everything and really had to work to get things down right.  I guess I learned pretty fast because my troubles didn't last long but I had them on everything.  I guess I owe a lot to my instructor because he really knew how to fly and he sure knew how to teach.  I thought he had given me up for a lost cause at the beginning.  He never did give me credit for doing well until the near the last when he told me I did a very good stage considering what everyone else had done.  I had made 6 3 point landings in a hurdle stage but he said that it was only a satisfactory C stage.  I guess if he had told me I was good I would have gotten a swell head and never done well at all.

You probably have the box I sent home when I left Tucson.  All the stuff is miscellaneous more or less.  I guess you expected something else but I didn't have anything special to send.  I hope Mary got the bracelet.  It was not too well wrapped up but it seemed at the time to be the best and most available way.

If you haven't found my picture in the yearbook {check out the whole yearbook by clicking that link} just look in Sqn 8 and there I am.  I also have my picture in a couple of small snapshots.  You may be able to find them.  I should have had the book autographed by everyone but I got the ones I wanted anyway. 

I suppose you saw who it was dedicated to.  That poor fellow was killed 2 days before we graduated. He went into a spin at 7000' and recovered only to go into a secondary spin and spin in.  What happened to him could have happened to anyone who could get rattled and get excited.  The only reason he couldn't recover from the second spin was because he forgot all he had learned about spins. Everyone had to go up right afterwards and do spins.  I went up solo and you can guess I felt rather funny.  I did two spins and a couple of accidental spins and then did loops the rest of the time.  I guess sooner or later I will have to get used to it.

I guess this place has its possibilities.  We have two swimming pools and a pretty good place to have games after P.T.  The only trouble is it's cold as heck around here.  There was ice all over things this morning.  The wind blows all the time around here and it sure is cold.  This is Calif.  but it sure feels like home.

Well we will have dinner soon so I will have to close.  I guess I will like it here but right now things are rough.  I guess I can take it all right and will survive.

With love

Austin (The Hot Pilot)