Sunday, April 22
Dear Lydia[1],
Was I pleased
when I came down from yesterday's mission & saw my promotion (along with a
half dozen others) on the Squadron Bulletin Board[2].
I can't say I was surprised because the first is given almost as a matter of
course over here after a certain number of sorties[3]
& I'd passed the crucial mark. Both my pilots & mine[4]
came through together so I only outrank my co-pilot &
bombardier.
Bob[5]
[1] Addressed
to Mrs. Walter Smith, 1856 Vista Del Mar, Hollywood 28, Calif.
[2]
Capitalization is probably a result of army indoctrination stressing even
mundane things as having a VERY important purpose in the military. Robert had a dry sense of humor and it is
also possible he was making fun of the army protocol.
[3] Mostly synonymous
with mission, but “sortie” is a more specific singular action and couple be a subset
of “mission.” He flew several sorties
in the mission to protect the surrounded infantry position.
[4] Usually
one pilot per crew, but the reference to co-pilot suggests that they might have
been training the officer as a pilot or some special squadron situation.
[5] Return
address: L.T. R.B. Richert, 02091698, 99
B.G. 346 B. S., Apo 520 c/o P.M. N.Y.C.
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