Robert 21 Sep 1944 Journal Entry

Thursday Sep 21

            Maybe I did a foolish thing in not taking an opportunity of 24 hours in Fresno. Now as I write I Realize I could have made the trip home and had maybe 2 days there and with bluff and a certain amount of luck I could probably gotten a plane and could have been in California this weekend. Being an enlisted man so long I’ve forgotten how to think for myself & make intelligent decisions. But I made my choice and even if it was foolish, it’s made and nothing can be done about it so I might as well take the segments of my delay enroute and make the best sort of holiday I can out of them, trusting to luck that it won’t be too long until I get enough time to have a decent leave at home, even if it wont’ be until after those 50 combat missions[1] in India, or wherever I’ll be this Christmas. I am counting on coming back from the war sound in body and mind and I will.

            This is so jerky & illegible because I’m writing as this old milk train jogs along to New Orleans where my mad search for gaiety leads me. Tuesday morning, with a bad hangover from celebrating the night before, I awoke in a San Antonio sadly forlorn deserted by the newly commissioned officers who had left for the far corners & home with their 10 day delays[2]. I was rather dejected & determined that if I got one word of encouragement I’d take the very next train or bus to El Paso, try to hop a plane there to California & lacking that persevere the trip by train & trust Lady Luck I’d get to Tampa on time. With this resolution in mind I called home to Mamma, but she was the wrong person to talk with in quest of encouragement. Cornelia might have fired me with determination, Lydia with encouragement. It made me sad but Mamma sounded very old & tired. Maybe it was just sadness because I learned then that Marion had her baby, but it died. I was so stunned I couldn’t ask relevant questions, so don’t know now whether it was a boy or a girl and what was the reason for it being stillborn. The outcome was I didn’t go home but on to Houston instead and visited with Marion’s folks for a day & 2 nights leaving there this morning on this train to New Orleans. They were very generous & considerate with me & I enjoyed it very much but then the questions and doubts started arising whether I shouldn’t have gone home. I made the wrong original first decision when I first saw my orders to Tampa & 10 days & in my subconscious mind I must have said:” Too short couldn’t possibly get home” and this presumption founded on fancy assumed the appearance of fact. Last night the Anderson’s took me to dinner at the San Jacinto Inn & I had one of the most wonderful meal in many months. Starting off with olive & celery radish we then had generous fresh shrimp cocktails, followed by a whole platter of crabs in the shell which we took & cracked open and ate either as they were or mixed with a delicious tomato sauce. This was followed by some sort of crab soufflé served in their shell very rich & delicious. Then the main course was brought – southern fried chicken & filet of trout with French fries & hot biscuits and finished with orange sherbet. I guess that’s the nicest remembrance I’ll have of Houston. My immediate worry is whether I’ll get a hotel room I telegrammed for in New Orleans & whether the train will arrive in time to hunt up a substitute, if need be. It means so much to me to have a gay and happy vacation! To clear my mind of mental cobwebs I gathered in Hondo because I’ll need confidence and a cool headed indifference to fate so I can live to see the end of the war[3] and wear campaign ribbons.  

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[1] The original mission goal was 25, but as bomber losses mounted, the mission requirement rose in increments to the 50 missions Robert faced.

[2] Officers had a 10 day difference between receiving their orders and when they had to report. This was for travel time and also allowed them time to take personal time for whatever they wished.

[3] Many personal accounts that I have read have echoed this sentiment; forget about the odds and concentrate on your job.

Robert to Lydia 20 Sep 1944 (see footnote 1)

Monday, Sept. 20[1]

Dear Lydia,

            I didn’t realize there was much difference between the pictures I sent out. In a while I’ll be able to send you some others that are more interesting. My co-pilot has taken quite a few snaps & I’m having prints made of those I liked[2]. I won’t really give them to you – some day in my post-war world I may want to recollect those memos so until then I’ll leave such things in mamma’s or your safe keeping – you show the most interest.

            Isn’t it strange how distant the casualties of war or some great catastrophe seem until brought into focus by the loss of some-one you knew. Saturday one of those things happened in the Tampa area, a B-17 exploded in mid-air & I don’t suppose a single square foot of anything in that plane will ever be found. The planes at R.T.O.[3] bases are given such constant use that maintainance (sic) is sometimes negligent & it’s common knowledge that the ships flown here are in worse shape than in combat so what probably happened was a leakage of gasoline vaporset off by lighting a cigarette or just a spark somewhere. [4]  The point is that the navigator on that ship was a good friend of mine: we had rooms across from each other at Hondo, our birthdays were the same, and when we were at Plant Park we always used to go out together. When I left for Drew, he went to McDill (sic), another one near Tampa & since then hadn't seen each other. When he knew I couldn’t get to California on leave from Hondo, he asked me to his home in Virginia & if it weren’t for the fact he had an airline reservation, I wouldn’t have him cancel, I’d have gone. Did you ever read “Bridge of San Luis Rey” – it’s about the best search for an explanation of what guides the hand of providence in apparently chance accidents, that I’ve ever read.

            I don’t know where my money dribbles away – not that I need to economize, I still have enough to last out the month. I’m just curious. Florida is notoriously expensive, but my necessities are few. The explanation I suppose is that I’m wasting my substance on riotous living. Even on an evening when I “just go out with the fellows” I seem to spend more than in a month at college. There’s a restaurant here that has the most delicious fillets & tenderloins, but at quite fantastic –a-la-carte prices & an evening either starts with supper there or ends in the wee small hours with supper there. In case you’re ever in Tampa, it’s the “Columbia” in Ybor city. Ybor city is the latin section of Tampa – the latins here are Cubans or Spanish & you very seldom see the swarthy Mexicans you associate with “latins” in California or Texas.

            I’m glad you & I agree on the “X-Mas Problem”, not that my tendencies will be to spend much over the prescribed maximum anyhow. I never did like the idea & I always said so – and besides I always felt it was rather pointed since in those days I couldn’t spend much over 50¢ per even if I wanted to. Besides if we look for reciprocity in giving we’ll always be disappointed. If you have any ideas of what mamma or any one else wants let me know – and what’s you suppressed desire?

                                                So much for now

                                                            Love

                                                                        Bob

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[1] Handwritten letter with no extant envelope. Written on stationery with “OFFICER’S CLUB, Drew Field, Tampa FLA”. The letter is not dated with a year, but it must be 1944 as that is when he was sent to Florida for combat assignment, but the day and month are inconsistent with a 1944 calendar. Also, Plant Park was a personnel depot and the first stop before the training airfields. On 20 Sep 1944, Robert was still in transit to Tampa. This letter must have been written in October or November. See also: Robert Journal entries 21 Sep 1944, 30 Sep 1944.

[2] I believe these photos still exist and there might be several copies floating around. In addition to the letters, I have several boxes of photos to organize. If anyone has access to these photos, we can add them to this blog entry.

[3] Replacement Training Operations.

[4] This can still be an issue today, as the ignition of fuel vapor is the suspected demise of  TWA 800.

Elizabeth to Robert 19 Sep 1945

Sept. 19th[1]

Dear Robert:-[2]

            I am rejoicing at the news of your purchase of Quit Noel[3]. I shall promptly release you of it as I should love exuding its odors and it sounds slightly as though you are wearying of them.

            School started. Bill is going back John is not. We are still hoping to get him in before long.  The ring worm is vastly improved.

            Paul flew to Chicago, stayed a week and flew home again. While I was still telling people he was in Chicago. He’ll probably go East again next week but we are hoping he can wind his job up very soon.

            Leo Berti is home. He looks fine. We’ve had fun with him. He doesn’t know what he’ll be doing after his leave is up. That depends on his mother’s health.

            Mama and Cornelia went to Grants & Hume Lake on Sunday. It had been so hot all last week they felt they needed to get out of this unpleasant place.

            Happily the weather is beginning to give promise of Fall. The nicest time of the year in the San Joaquin Valley.

            Our bridge met at Cornelia’s’ last night for the first meeting of the year. We have a new member from Madera, Margret Caun[4] – very nice. We had some good discussions – the chief was one labor unions. I am afraid I’m becoming a confirmed capitalist – quite a change from my days of spouting socialism.

            I’ve been writing this piece meal and think I’ll close not to put this out for the M.M.

                                    Love,

                                                Elizabeth[5]

P.S. Is 50¢ a sufficient sum for “Laundry Charges”?

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[1] Postmarked 19^th as well. Handwritten letter.

[2] Addressed to: Lt. R.B. Richert, 02071698, Sq. Y, S.A.A.A.B., Santa Ana, California

[3] Transcription uncertain.  Looks like two word slang for an item or a family nickname for something.

[4] Transcription uncertain. Perhaps Caua.

[5] Return address: 1242 Alhambra Fresno, 3, Calif

Robert 17 Sep 1944 Journal Entry

Sunday, Sept 17,

            Tonight is my last as a cadet and my things are all packed or ready to be, yet I have no idea as to how I’m spending my delay en route. The more I think of it the sicker I get. God how I’d like to get home.  If I could get a plane[1] home I’d certainly take my chances of getting to Tampa on time.

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[1] As a member of military, he could fly on a military plane, space and priority permitting. But destinations, departures, delays, etc, are not guaranteed. The beginning of The Best Years of Our Lives demonstrates this type of travel.

Robert 16 Sep 1944 Journal Entry

Saturday, Sep 16.

            For the last few days I knew I was going to be a second lieutenant and I’ve given more than a few passing thoughts to the  seriousness of my new job and how really little I know about navigation[1]. Now that my stay in Hondo is almost over, I realize that it hasn’t been so bad and also that I haven’t gotten everything out of the base and Texas that I should have.

            I’m to report to Tampa Florida, Sept 18, which results in a 10 day delay enroute, but hardly enough time to get to California in[2]. It really makes me sick to think of 10 beautiful days of freedom & no way to get home or even extract the most pleasure from them. The only thing in my mind is New Orleans and a 8-day drunk, but it couldn’t be completely satisfactory. I just hope my leave is gay if not satisfactory.

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[1] The priority was to get soldiers into the field and in many memoirs the individuals question their preparedness. There is also the fact that some practical knowledge is only acquired in the field. This contradiction not only continues in military training today, but in civilian life as well.

[2] Wartime air travel was reserved and prioritized. A fresh second lieutenant on travel orders to a his first duty station would never rate a flight. Train travel would be subject to delays and he could even get bumped from that. Texas to California and then a coast to coast trip would be right on the edge of the time limitations. The military does not like people reporting late.

Walter to Robert 16 Sep 1944

Sept 16, 1944[1]

Dear Mama –[2]

            Please pass this on to Marion as soon as you read it.

            Captain Rogers talked to the Colonel this morning, and he said that any time I want to go to California whether it’s today or a week from now it can be arranged that I fly out. It will be a business trip so no expense is involved. So if Marion wants me or if she should get any worse please phone right away and I’ll be out on the next plane.

            This is a special arrangement, so don’t discuss it too much with anyone – they might get the wrong idea about army travel. But this just shows what a swell person the Colonel is.

            I’ll come out whenever Marion says. If there is no rush I’ll take the train. It can be arranged for any time. If Marion is OK I would rather wait a little so I can take her places when I get there, but whatever she says I’ll do.

                        Take care of her.

                                                Love,

                                                            Walt[3]

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[1] Postmarked  Sep 16, 1944. 1 page, handwritten on A4 stationery with “ILLINOIS ATHLETIC CLUB, CHICAGO” letterhead.

[2] Address to: MRS. Barbara Richert or FAMILY, 1130 T Street, Fresno, Calif.

[3] Preprinted Return Address: ILLINOIS ATHLETIC CLUB, 112 S. Michigan Blvd., CHICAGO, ILL. Lt. Walter S. Richert, QMC is hand printed above black and white logo return address logo. A4 size envelope marked “SPECIAL DELIVERY”

Cornelia to Robert 13 Sep 1945

Wednesday[1]

Dear Robert,[2]

            Your decision meets with my heartiest approval if you should happen to want a little corroboration. In the first place I don’t see where you can lose anything by it, and in the second place – I think psychologists would call it identification – anyway it’s the thing I’d want to do if I were in your place – get into foreign service somehow or other. If you pass the November examinations and they should want you right away, the army would probably let you go, wouldn’t it? There seems to be enough play mixed in with it, too, to keep life from being too dull. Yesterday’s paper had a notice of the death of Squire Coops who seems to have attained fame conducting the Ninth Symphony. Was he responsible for it the time you heard it?

The other day I brought a book home from the library and it starts out “Over around Foggia the Italian land is level.” I haven’t delved very deeply into it yet, but the descriptions seem to coincide with yours, and the story makes a good start. It’s “Tomorrow will sing” by Elliott Arnold, a 1945 Book, in case you have a nostalgia for the old camp ground.

Sunday the doctor and two pals started off on their two weeks hunting trip, as eager and giggly as schoolboys. The season doesn’t open until the 16th but they're going to go Daniel Boone and catch fish and antelope or something, but to assure themselves of keeping up their weight they also took a side of bacon and half a ham. Doctor even told me if I had time to see if I could get a locker[3] for the venison. I think I may do it, not for the venison, because I’m a bit skeptic on the score but to put some of our chickens and turkeys when they reach maturity. Since all the local yokels are now out earning themselves many dollars in the fruit I feed the livestock myself, and it takes a bit of doing to get the cat, the turkeys, and the two growths of chickens fed before I get into town at eight o’clock.

Fresno has a very progressive school system. They’re having a Workshop for the new teachers all this week from 8 to 12:30. I’m mad as anything at having to go in for it, but I’d be madder still if they hadn’t considered Speech Correction important enough to be represented. Needless to say, the weather it HOT![4]

I was sorry not to see you when you were home but no doubt you had a fine time in the mountains and I had a wonderful time finding out how bridge should be played. Comparatively speaking, if the ranking players there are college class, I’ve just learned my letters in the first grade, and my card club friends and most of my kith and kin haven’t even gotten there. It’s a science. As a sideline however, they play rubber bridge for anything from 1 to 10 cents a point, and that my friend is money.

Tomorrow is John’s Birthday, so I’m having that little family and mamma come out to help me eat a chicken. I’m going to give John his present in the form of money which he can spend in a personally conducted tour of Clovis’ ten cent emporium. Mamma has your letter so I’ll have to wait with mailing this until she gets out here with the address.

                                    Have a good time, and good luck to you.

                                                                        Cornelia[5]

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[1] Postmarked 13 Sep, but Wednesday was the 12^th. Letterhead is preprinted “Fresno State College, Fresno California”.

[2] Lt. R. B. Richert, 02071698, Squad H SAAAB, Santa Ana, Calif. “Barrack 6” is printed in pencil and circled between address and return address. Letter is typed.

[3] This refers to renting space in a commercial freezer, often located next to a meat market. Even after home refrigerators became common, people still would rent a meat locker for large amounts of frozen product. I remember going to one in the 1970’s with my dad, located near what is now 41 and Fresno. I do not know if this was the facility mentioned in the letter, but it would have been close to the house on T Street.

[4] It was 101 on Sept, 13, 2012, so we still get hot.

[5] Handwritten signature. Return address: Mrs. W.E. Downing, Route 1 Box 52A, Clovis   California. A label over what appears to be a “Fresno State College” return address printed on envelope.

BBR to Robert 12 Sep 1944

Sept 12, 1944[1]

Dear Robert,[2]

            Just received your letter, do (sic) as you told me, Julius address Cornelia had a letter the other day and he thought they would be all of this month at this place, Timberline Garage Summit Guard Station Government Camp, Oregon.

            Aunt Beth is at, 1124 – Rosedale Ave Burlingame Calif.

            Mrs. Brackemeyer is at -  Ipswick S Dak c/o H. L. Woodworth. Here also is Margaret which you may have, 129 N E Terrace Miami Fla. hope everything will come as you have been hoping it would and we will be seeing you soon.

                                                with much love,

                                                            Mother[3]

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[1] Postmark is 12 Sep, also.

[2] Addressed to: A/C Robert B Richert 19111319,14-12-9B,Sec. K 25: 2^nd Base Unit, AAFNS, Hondo, Texas

[3] Return address: Mrs. C Richert, 1130 T St Fresno

Lydia to Robert 11 Sep 1945

Tuesday

Dear Bob[1]-

            How was Fresno? Did you have a good visit – and did you ever find your papers?[2]

            Are you coming in some week-end? I had two bottles of beer (Schlitz too!) in the icebox[3] for you last week. Walt & I (especially I) want to drive to Lake Arrowhead some Sunday – how would you like it? Bring some friend of you like and we can make it an old fashioned picnic.

            Also – some Saturday night we want to drive to San Diego and into Mexico on Sunday. Are you interested?

            Also – how about you and Dave and a couple of girls and us & Aunt Martha and the Koerners having a picnic some day – Griffith Park or anywhere!

            See? Lots of ideas and we need some third person to help Walter and me crystallize them.

            I’ll leave the door unlatched Saturday so you can come right in.

                                                                        Love,

                                                                                    Lydia[4]

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[1] Addressed to: Lt. Robert B. Richert 0-2071698, Sq. H, Santa Ana, California. “Sq. H” is crossed out and “Sq. Y” is penciled in at the top of the address.

[2] Probably furlough papers mentioned in Cornelia to Robert 20 Aug 1945.

[3] In later years, slang for refrigerator, but at this time could be mentioning an actually icebox.

[4] Return address: WT Smith, 1002 N Mariposa, Hollywood 27, Calif.

Elizabeth to Robert 8 Sep 1946

Sept 7, 1946[1]

Dear Robert[2] –

            I hardly know how to answer you letter. I do not believe that you should feel that you should come home immediately; However, I hope you can spend at least part of your leave with Mama. From the very little I know of the medical aspects of her case I judge there is no immediate danger. Mostly I have been judging her by the continuous loss of weight and increasing stiffness. Dr. Downing has not expressed a definite opinion to my hearing and we all realize that the medical world is still stumped by arthritis. Do you realize the spot I’m in? I don’t want to spread alarms and yet I don’t want to give you any false hopes.

            Lydia is home – arrived this noon and will be here until Monday noon. She plans to write to you tonight.

            Perhaps I can give you a picture of Mama’s change and you can draw your own conclusions. Just before Mama went to the Hot Springs four weeks ago she was staying alone , fixing some of her meals, taking her own shower and in general we felt she was rather happy to by herself for short times (ie we tried to see that someone of us dropped by during the day, cleaned the house etc). Now she could not possibly manage to fix her meals take a shower, etc.

            Naturally, Mama gets discouraged and it does give her a mental lift to have her chicks[3] arrive. If for no other reason than that it would be wonderful if you could visit her.

            You sound about as unsettled as some of the rest of us. I hope you get your fondest wish as to your next move.

            Paul talks of moving to Idaho. He had me convinces we are going to move this summer, but here it’s almost time for school to begin and we have made no decision yet.

            Cornelia is surely have (sic) a bad siege. I visited her Thursday and she hoped to be able to be up and at it in three weeks or so. She had no assurance that it would be that long a time or that short.

            This certainly seems like a bad year for the Richerts.

            I close this gloomy letter with the sincere hope that my next letter written be full of glad tidings.

                                                            Love,

                                                                        Elizabeth[4].

Sunday a.m.[5]

            As to the weather: It has been delightful for the past two weeks. The daytime temperatures have been in the 80’s to low 90’s bracket. The nights are on the chilly side – wool blankets are in use. However, it is not outside the realm of possibility that we will have some warmer weather in the next few weeks. We’ve had enough hot weather this year – it came all in one dose starting early in July and lasting nearly all of August. Will walk to the mail box now.

                                                E.R.

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[1] Postmarked Sep 8, 19946

[2] Addressed to: Lt. Robert B. Richert, P.O. Box 240, Bldg. 201, AAF Ground Training Installation, Kearns, Utah.

[3] In context of the letter and paragraph, “chicks” is surely being used in reference to her children. But it should be noted that chickens were raised at her home and in other letters the literal meaning is correct.

[4] Return Address: 1242 Alhambra, Fresno, Calif.

[5] Sunday was the 8^th of September in 1946. Also, the following note was enclosed with the 7 Sep letter on a smaller piece of stationery.

Robert to Lydia 7 Sep 1944

Wednesday, Sept 6.[1]

Dear Lydia[2],

            This morning I was critiqued on Missions 23, 24, & 25 and passed them all so I’ve been rather happy all day & confident enough to invest in an officers guide. Yesterday we had our final test in celestial & altho (sic) I don’t think I did too well on it, I believe my previous grades will hold it. There’s one more mission to be flown but unless I lose the plane in the Gulf of Mexico or do something equally fantastic or dreadful, the last mission shouldn’t be too great a hurdle. Sunday night we flew to a field near Wichita Kansas [3] arriving there about 1 in the morning, stayed overnight & slept late & after lunch flew to Jackson Mississippi where we had supper & slept in our own barracks at Hondo Monday night. When so much is crowded into the first day of the week, every day from Wednesday on seems like it should be Saturday. I guess I’m getting the spirit of Navigation because I even like to talk shop in off hours. I’m enclosing a chart that will give you an idea of the extent of our celestial course.

            Maybe I was too hasty in paying you off. If I get a leave on graduation I don’t think I’ll be able to come home in state, that is via air-lines or Pullman and still have the safe margin I always like to have[4]. I’m dissatisfied with my clothing situation: the P.X. stock wasn’t too fancy & ordering from a civilian concern on the outside was fraught with many uncertainties & besides all but the kids clothing stores in San Antonio close up Saturday afternoon. What I’d have like to do was get only the one set I’d need for graduation & get the rest at Ross Bros. or some place, but we have to have practically our entire wardrobe to clear the field. Some day this week we have our final uniform fitting & I’m just hoping my blouse, pinks & trench coat are satisfactory because I had them made to measure & those 3 items represent fully half my uniform allowance[5]. With my greens and pinks and olives and tans my clothes will rival the plumage of tropical birds.

            The European war as far as my participation there is concerned is a closed book. Right now I’m hoping India is where I’ll be going, but if I settle for New Guinea, I can only be pleasantly surprised wherever I’m sent.

            Time magazine hasn’t started coming yet. I don’t know whether you should write in & hold up the subscription or wait until I know my new address notice.

            Graduation is the 18^th. If I have a leave I’m taking the 1^st train out early a.m. the 19^th & be in California the 22 or 23^rd. would you still be in L.A. then?                           

                                                                                    Love

                                                                                                Bob[6]

Picture of Postcard 

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[1] Postmarked 7 Sep 1944.

[2] Addressed  to Mrs. Walter T. Smith, 1919 Beechwood, Hollywood 28, Calif

[3] A postcard was found in this letter with the inscription “I can almost see the goal, Bob.” It is postmarked Sep 5, 1944 from Winfield, Kansas.

[4] I believe “safe margin” refers to financial reserves as he mentions taking the train home later in the letter. Flying and travelling first class are expensive and the previous sentence discusses debt, so I believe this is the proper interpretation rather than having enough time, which is also mentioned in other letters and a factor in wartime travel in between duty stations.

[5] Then, as now, officers must pay for their own clothing, but have an allowance.

[6] Pre-printed return address, “CADET CLUB. Hondo Army Air Field, Hondo Texas.”  Handwritten around the pre-printed return address, “A/C Robert B Richert 19111319,14-12-9B,Sec. K 25, HAAF, Hondo, Texas”

John (CCR brother) to CCR 28 Aug 1904

Wichita, Kansas

Aug 28, 1904[1]

Dear Brother[2] – Received your letter last week but was too busy to answer at once, for I was making ready for Wichita. Now I am here. It’s kind of a lonesome but otherwise alright. I work in a restaurant for my board waiting at the table twice a day. I would have come to St. Paul if it was not so far away from home, and I did not know how long you would stay there. The Wichita Business College[3] is considered of (sic) one the best colleges there are.

            Are you going to accept the position offered to you as a theological teacher or will you stay in St. Paul? It here is that school that made the offer to you?[4]

            Why did you not send me one of your pictures? I certainly would have appreciated it as much as my sisters, especially Barbara’s side picture.

            I am a kind of home sick here[5] and you must not forget to write to me and cheer me up. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain your sincere brother

                                                                                                John[6]

Address” Wichita Business College[7]

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[1] Letter found without envelope.

[2] Found in CCR’s papers and he was in St. Paul. No uncertainty that CCR is the intended recipient.

[3] A quick search determines that this institution does not still exist and appears not to have merged with another one. A school currently exists with the name but its lineage does not go back to the one John attended.

[4] While the word order is slightly incorrect, it does seem a logical construction for a German speaker.

[5] Again, sentence structure due to German influence.

[6] CCR’s sibling

[7] Written in the left hand margin, flush with edge of page.

BBR to Robert 4 Sep 1944

Sept 3^rd, 44[1]

Dear Robert![2]

            Finally I am getting around to working. You know I never mean to wait so long. By your last letter, two weeks from now you will be leaving Hondo. Hope you can come to Fresno for a few days. Mrs. Mitchell told me the other day Ralph is in New Guinea, had been at a few other places before.

            Paul is home over the weekend am having them here for dinner today. William had quite a time of it, day after his birthday he got the measles. And he had them a few month(sic) before they left Boise. This is Monday so you want to hear some news, well after the folks got here yesterday they talked it over, being they may not get into there(sic) house for the next month or two, so it was desided (sic), if Paul can get a house in Oakland they would move up there. (what a time they are having.)

            Today at noon who should walk in but Walt Smith, it seems the O.P.C.[3] want to know something about their house., everything is O.P.C., Monday can’t do a thing but ask the O.P.C. it may be a help to some people but not to all. Paul & Elizabeth sure got no help from them.

            The Halls are with us yet and are sending greetings to you.

                                                            Much love Mother.[4]

The following clipping was enclosed without comment in the letter or on the clipping.

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[1] Postmarked 4 Sep 1944. Later in the letter, author mentions she is writing on Monday which was the 4^th.

[2] Addressed to: A/C Robert B Richert 19111319,14-12-9B,Sec. K 25: 2^nd Base Unit, AAFNS, Hondo, Texas

[3] There is some uncertainly to the letters. Several look like a “G” and “C”. During WWII, the Office of Price Administration (OPA) had vast control over the domestic economy, including rent control. It is possible that there was a sub-agency using this abbreviation or author used her own abbreviation. In any case, it is a bureaucratic agency of the federal government.

[4] Return address: Mrs. C Richert, 1130 T St Fresno

Barbara (unknown) to Robert 3 Sep 1944

Sept. 3, 1944

Dear Bob[1],

            You must be thrilled at the prospect of receiving your commission in the very near future. Without doubt, you will be like Don[2] when he received his captaincy and said, “No one could touch me with a ten-foot pole”! Any way, it’s an accomplishment to be proud of. Knowing how busy I shall no doubt be for the next few weeks, I shall extend my hearty congratulations now.

            As it is now September you can undoubtedly guess why I shall be busy. But the details of my fall plans have just been completed. I begin next Tuesday as fifth grade teacher at Arlington Heights school for L.A. city. I’m very pleased, as you can well imagine over the prospect of entering the system in a nice district, in a beautiful school, with that promises to be a most congenial faculty. All these superlatives are the result of our first faculty meeting this afternoon and “beautiful” describes the school rebuilt in 1933. It is some contrast after the dreary, crowded bungalow of last year and Wasco’s[3] antiquated but roomy building. Good equipment and pleasant companionship go a long way in the satisfaction one obtains from his daily tasks.

            From Monday evening ‘till this afternoon I enjoyed Jane’s company. We took in the Bowl (Heifetz), Turnabout Theatre, Farmer’s Market and the beach. In addition, we tramped through many stores on nice, long shopping tours. We had such a delightful time, we hated to see it end.

            I hope your leave from “deep in the heart of”[4] to Fresno as a shave-tail[5] is an enjoyable one. I’d like to see my family, too, but perhaps they may move down here. When you’re in Fresno, find out what you can of the old gang and report it with your new address.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                        Barb[6]

The cartoon  below was enclosed without comment on clipping or in letter.

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[1] Addressed to: A/C Robert B Richert 19111319,14-12-9B,Sec. K 25: 2^nd Base Unit, AAFNS, Hondo, Texas.

[2] Friend from Fresno, some extant letters in collection.

[3] Transcription uncertain. Word appears to be proper name and Wasco is a small community in the Valley and fits in context. Definitive answer may be found in other letters.

[4] Obviously a reference to the song Deep in the Heart of Texas since Robert’s current base is in Hondo, Texas.

[5] Shavetail lieutenant. Slang for a newly commission second lieutenant, often derogatory. Etymology: Early 19^th unbroken Army mules had their tails shaved to indicate they were untrained.

[6] Return address: 1400 Alvarado Terrace, Los Angeles 6, California. Barbara is a friend from Fresno. Last name probably will be uncovered in further letters.