A Letter Home From A Pilot Lost In WWII
'I’ve been having the time of my life since I’ve been in the air corps'
A letter from John Blakeslee Thomas to extended family in the Rochester, New York area. Postmarked 6 February 1942 at Randolph Field, Texas, it is one of the few artifacts left behind by an American pilot lost in Operation Tidal Wave. John left Cornell University in order to become a US Army pilot. “George” in this letter is his twin brother, a US Marine Raider who was serving on the USS Wasp (“that aircraft carrier”) at the time this letter was written. George got wet, but survived when the Wasp was torpedoed seven months later. John’s remains were finally identified and laid to rest alongside his brother George in May 2023.
Dear Bill & folks…
You have probably thought I’ve completely forgotten you. I remembered your birthday, Billy, when it arrived (awful sorry). I never can remember which is which between you and Helen. I hope you had a happy birthday and the draft isn’t after you.
I’ve been having the time of my life since I’ve been in the air corps. I’ve been damn lucky all the way through and have now almost completed basic. When we get this far the toughest part is over and it begins to be a hell of a lot of fun. Today I was flying formation and peeling off playing “follow the leader” up and down and around clouds with my instructor.
There are several boys in here that went to Cornell. There is one boy who has the same instructor as I do and we fly together whose name is J. C. Townsend. He came from Lodi and said he knows several people you know, but he doesn’t know you. Do you know him? He’s a swell guy.
I found out definitely that we are going to leave here for advanced school Feb. 21st. We put in for our preference to-day for advanced school and I chose light bombardment 1st, pursuit 2nd, heavy bombardment 3rd, and observation 4th.
I heard a rumor that I was picked for pursuit which suits me fine. That will mean I will go to Kelly Field right near Randolph, or Victoria, southwest of here. We’ll probably stay in advanced school for at least 9 wks before we go to any tactical units. I can hardly believe I’ll be a 2nd lieutenant in a couple of months.
The biggest kick I get out of flying is flying at nite. Last Thursday we went in a formation nite cross country. It was pitch dark with a low ceiling but more fun! Formation is tricky until you catch on. We fly 3-4 feet between our wings but it isn’t as bad [as] you might think.
George must be having a hell of a good time out on that aircraft carrier. I’m anxious to hear what he’s doing, but I guess we won’t hear from him until he docks somewhere.
Write me soon and tell me all the news. I hope to hell I can get back home before I go far away to see you and the folks.
Love,
John