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Written by David Sarvai
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Thursday, 03 May 2007 15:51 |
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Lt. Ben Hartley served with the 510th Fighter Squadron during WWII and wrote numerous letters home during those years. We are please to publish those letters in chronological order for you to read. The letters span from February 24th 1943 to October 12th 1945. In all, there are approximately 120 letters and about 600 pages of hand written 510th history. From a Civilian's first encounter with the Army, training as a Fighter Pilot to winning the war.
Over the course of the next couple of Months, those letters and images will be posted to the website. Click "Read More..." to read the first letter in the collection.
Postage Stamp: 3 Cent "Win the War"
Postage Date: Feb 24 7AM 1943
The White-Plaza Hotel, San Antonio, Texas
Operator Jack White
To: Mrs. Louis D. Hartley
The Mart Herald
Mart, Texas
Tuesday Night
Dear Mom,
I arrived in San Antonio last night about 9:30 and came down here to get a room only to find that the army would put me up free of charge. They also provided a good breakfast. Stan Mauldin was my bed fellow, so we reported this morning on the dot at 8:00. The entire day was consumed in signing papers and waiting -- mostly waiting.To break the monotony, however, in the middle of the afternoon we had a "short-arms inspection" which is nothing but an inspection for venereal disease.
Tomorrow I'll do nothing but hang around and eat and live off the Army. Thursday at 2:00 P.M., we'll report to get our shipping orders. I know positively that I shall be sent to Sheppard Field, and we are scheduled to pull out of this moist hole (I mean San Antonio not the hotel) about 6AM Friday. The reason that I know all this is because I happened to read it on some of the millions of papers I signed.
The only thing that I don't like about the Army is that you have to wait all the time. You are told to do something; and often you do it, you are told to wait. Standing in line and waiting takes more time than any other one phase of this Army life.
I have not been issued a uniform as yet, but I will be issued one immediately upon my arrival at Sheppard Field. I am really looking forward to stepping into that uniform because I really feel conspicuous running around without one.
I'll write again when I have the time. Don't worry about me because I am in the best of hands.
Lots of love for you and Jamie from your son, Ben
PS: Mom, please save my letters for all the fellows to read because I probably won't have time to write many often to anyone but you. Ben. |
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Last Updated on Monday, 11 May 2009 21:40 |
