Tinian Island
19 Aug. 1945
Dear Mom, Dad and All,
It's just 9:30 AM on a beautiful Sunday morning
here, which means its 3:30 Saturday afternoon in St. Paul, where, I presume,
joy is reigning over George's safe arrival home. I was certainly
glad to hear the good news which arrived here last Friday with mom's letter.
How does it feel, Bug? I have no idea of when I'll be as lucky, but
it is comforting to know that it won't be too long now. It's almost
unbelievable that it is finally finished. I suppose it means that
you will soon be just plain "Mr." doesn't it, Bug? They certainly
won't send you out here now.
Love to all,
Thatch
Marianas Group
Pacific Ocean Area
I've been all on edge here over the delays
of the Japs in sending envoys to McA, but now they're due to take off this
morning to write the finish to the war in the Pacific. The question
on everyone's lips is, "When are we going home?" I think every man
in the squadron has asked me that and all I can say is, "Your guess is
as good as mine." It's possible, but not entirely probable that we
will be back in the States by Christmas, but it's more likely to be Easter.
There are too many men out here who have been in combat for two or three
years who deserve first chance at transportation to enable us to get a
book-in. Then, too, I only have 67 points as of May 12th, so they
will have to set the new date before I can qualify for release, though
they may ship us back before they release us. The job of Radar Bombing
is done, so my services could be dispensed with, although there are, of
course, other Radar navigational devices on the planes.
Judging from Eve's letters, she and Ray are
sure enjoying their vacation in the North. I'd like to have seen
her when she caught her first fish. Did she take it off the hook?
I suppose you were all up there the second week and enjoyed yourselves.
Must have been quite a treat for you. Eve said Ray got mad every
time he had to come inside. I guess he and Joe had a great two weeks.
It was swell of Art & Mary to ask them to go along. Eve had never
been to a lake for a vacation and so it was a new and happy experience
for her. I hope all of you enjoyed your vacations as much as she
did.
Now that the war is over we are cutting down
on our working hours starting tomorrow, so I will have a little more time
to myself. My camera came in a package yesterday from Eve, so I will
be able to get around and get some pictures of our island. I've received
another package from you Mom, two from Eve, half dozen newspapers and Life
magazines in the past week. The mail, as it did in England, will
improve here now that they need no longer ship so much war supplies.
Our wing alone had been using 18,000,000 gallons of gasoline a month, which,
of itself, requires a few ships to transport. There is another Wing
here on Tinian as you know, plus a Naval Air Base, so we did consume considerable
gasoline. That gas ought to keep quite a few cars running back there,
now that it's no longer rationed.
Well, with Bug home and Jim Grindall on the
way soon, Knoll back, and Jack Ross back, it looks as though "Thatch" will
be among the last. How about Mike? What do the Rosses think
of our B-29's now? The "Glamor boys" did pretty well, didnt they?
Never mind those cigars, Mom. They got some in at the PX so I can
get one a day while they last. I'm eating licorice as I write.
Raleigh is still in the hay, and Morris just got up and has gone down to
shave. They are my two tent mates.
Well, I guess that's all there is to say this
morning. I'm going to 11:00 Mass so I'll mail this on my way.
It's 10:35 now. I'll be seeing you sometime in the near future, I
hope.