May 30, 1942
Saturday
Dear Mom,
Am in town and I do mean this is a beautiful city. Just before we signed out I noticed on company “C’s” bulletin board that I had been classified as a pilot first, navigator second, and bombardier third. I am very glad it was my turn to have this opportunity as we do have a lot of respect and prestige. It costs a quarter to get to town on a bus. We got off today until Sunday night at 10 PM. We came into town to have a big time and see the sights and there are plenty to see.
As I have been classified I will in all probability be sent up on the “hill” to primary school. The “hill” is about 1 mile west of Kelly Field and it is called the Kelly Field Primary School for the Gulf Coast Air Forces. My address will still be Kelly Field but I still have to learn what the rest of my address will be. You can send my letters to my same address and I will get it.
Well I sign off and in the morning we are going to one of the old missions to church – also we are going to visit the “Alamo.” I’ll write you all about it.
Love,
Roger
Tell Sally hello and kiss Bets and David
The “beautiful city” is San Antonio, which was surrounded by quite a few military installations, including the reknowned Kelly Field.
Much of the “classification” process had been accomplished through the ACQE testing that had been put in place by the USAAF due to a shortage of facilities. Cadets who did not qualify to train as pilot, navigator, or bombardier were returned to the regular army.
The film below shows how the testing process worked for enlistees who were tested after they were inducted into the army. The difference for Roger is that by the time he enlisted, there were not enough places to house new enlistees, so they were tested before they were inducted. The tests were the same regardless of when they were taken.
When Roger was inducted, he was well aware that he might not be selected for pilot training. Almost all the cadets were hoping to be selected as pilots.
Normally, Roger would have begun with Primary School, and that is exactly what he was expecting. Just before he arrived at Kelly Field, however, a new stage was added to the previous four-stage training for Aviation Cadets This was called the Pre-flight stage which was divided into two parts and was attended by pilots, navigators, and bombardiers. The first six weeks was a compressed “boot camp” which Roger was about to undergo. This first portion of his training concentrated on athletics and military training.
The entire USAAF pilot training program was a work in progress in 1942. The courses were modified as needed. It was not until 1943 that the entire course of pilot training was more solidified.
Roger undoubtedly stopped by the renowned Hotel Robert E. Lee, when he and his buddies went out on the town in San Antonio.
That is where he picked up some stationery to write home.
Roger arrived at Kelly Field at a pivotal time. The area known as “The Hill” lay just west of Leon Creek. It had been used as a bivouac area and bombing range for advanced aviation cadets since 1922. On June 15, 1941, as the USAAF began expanding at a rapid pace, “The Hill” was designated to be used for pilot training and the facilities were greatly expanded. With the even greater demand for pilots after Pearl Harbor and the resulting influx of aviation cadets, The Hill was redesignated and redesigned to be a pre-flight school. Roger arrived just at this point.
Since Pearl Harbor, Japan has taken a few losses, but claims most of the major wins in the Pacific. They really want Australia, but so far, now with US help, the Allies are holding the line.
Great Britain has been on the offense in North Africa, but the tides are turning as Rommel begins a new offensive:
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