When Heaven Is Silent

[Editor's Note: On the front of this envelope, Norma wrote the title of a book, "When Heaven Is Silent" by Ronald Dunn. 

January 3, 1953

KOREA

Vols v. Longhorns, '53.
It wasn't pretty.

Hi "honey," 

Since mail goes off tomorrow, I had better write while I have a chance. Please excuse the mistakes. I haven't slept very much in the last 48 hours so I'm having trouble keeping my hand steady. Today we have flown 98 sorties. That means 98 planes took off loaded with bombs. More than that took off but some were just photo planes and two didn't come back. 

Two days of combat flying and two planes gone. I guess that's pretty good, one plane per day.

A plane went in the water yesterday and the pilot was picked up by a helicopter. He was unconscious and couldn't be pulled inside the 'copter, so they left him to hang outside in a sling and flew him hanging outside ten miles to the ship. When we brought him aboard, there was ice on his hands and face, but he's O.K. now.

Still a little shocked, but otherwise alright.

[Editor's Note: The action report from the Valley Forge captain lists two planes that were abandoned after being shot down, both pilots were recovered.]

Excuse me while I get a cup of coffee. I've got to stay awake some way.

Tomorrow is refueling day. Maybe we can sleep a little. We operate over here with three carriers instead of two. I thought that would make it easier, but it doesn't.

That's enough about that stuff. How are things at home? You, in particular? I never thought "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" would ever make the hit parade. I can't stand the song. But I guess that's what I get for doing my own thinking.

Tonight is Friday night at home. What do you do on weekends now? I sure could go for some of Westwood's Ice Cream right now. 

Let's drive out for some, O.K.? 

I read about Tennessee losing to Texas in the Sugar Bowl. That almost broke my heart. HA 

Norma, I'm so tired, I can't think so I'll sign off.

Answer real soon.

Love,

Jim


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Sodas At The Westwood

March 4, 1952

Off the coast of Korea

Drugstore soda fountain, Detroit. ©Robert Frank 1955.

Hi Norma,

"Whatcha got cookin'?"  

Well, I promised I would write some more tonight, so here goes.

We're back in Korea again, and, thank goodness, the weather is warmer but now it rains all the time. But one good thing, we don't have to shovel rain off the flight deck.

We have a boy on here that I feel sorry for. A week or so ago, he showed me a letter from his wife. It didn't read like a letter from a wife to her husband. It was more like some friend to friend letter; that was what had him worried. And today, he got a letter from one of his buddies telling him his wife was chasing around with just about every man in town. 

Now the kid is all "shook-up." He can't work or keep his mind on anything but his troubles at home. They just had a baby a couple of weeks before he left the States, too.

That's why I couldn't be married while I'm in the service. "Oh," well, it's nothing to me, but I still "feel" for the guy. 

There just isn't anything to talk about out here, but airplanes and I guess you're tired of hearing about them. When I come home, if anyone mentions airplanes to me, I'll kick their teeth in. At first I thought it would be really something to tell the folks back home about what went on over here, but if anybody tries to talk to me about this place, I'll tell them to read the newspapers. HA. 

Do you kids still go to Westwood pretty often? [Editor's note: It was an ice cream parlor located on Schaeffer Road near the Dearborn/Detroit border.] I used to go there at least once or twice a week. I liked the place. I got so familiar out there, I used to mix my very own sodas. 

Are you going to Canada again this summer? If you're there when I come home, I'll accept that invitation you gave me last summer and come up, but don't be running around in New York or some place like that. That's too far.

Did the Fletcher girls get O.K? I hope they did.

Norma, when I start writing short sentences like that, it's time to shut up.

Answer real soon.

Love, 

Jim

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