Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
53 Days on Starvation Island
https://youtu.be/uKNJlgqVHHw?si=dUrPTDckydTaSHwg
https://youtu.be/1Ky_CLVl01o?si=DFCwDyn86Pfu2ry5
2 Interviews with author John R Bruning
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Monday, June 5, 2017
Midway and Joe
May 2, 1942
(uncensored – sent via another officer)
…We formed two new squadrons yesterday and I have one of
them. .. myself and another captain is the complete pilot roster and we have 70
men so far and no planes.
It will take at least 6 months to get any sort of
organization at all before we can do anything. Looks as if I’m here for the
duration unless plans are changed drastically. We really have a hard job to
complete because we have nothing to start with at all.
…
Don’t feel too badly. Someone has to stay here.
USMC Unit #485
May 9, 1942
..I had also written to Ade about it (Bob’s (?) accident)
and also telling her where Joe was sent. She evidently hasn’t received it
because she did not know where Joe was and anything about Bob. She assumed that
we were all still here together. Seems that no one is destined to serve with
whom he would like these days.
‘’
I still have only a small nucleus of my squadron so far and
the future doesn’t look too easy. Probably sometime before we are filled up.
..
USMC Unit #485
May 17, 1942
I haven’t written for the past few days because we have been
in such a dither. I am on a special mission on one of the smaller islands and
won’t be back until sometime in June. It’s like going on maneuvers from
Quantico during peacetime. Mosquitos,
heat and sand but the change is one good thing about it. We are close enough to
keep in contact to get mail and a few essentials to living and health. Another
advantage is that we can wear shorts and no shirts or anything that we feel like. Also there is a chance to get some exercise
and still be on a moment’s notice to get into the air.
…
USMC Unit #485
May 21, 1942
I am still on the maneuver that I was telling you about in
my last letter
.. My squadron hasn’t grown any yet. Still myself and
Morrell (N Academy 38) are the only pilots so you see what our limitations are
as of now.
USMC Unit #485
June 7, 1942
Our time here is almost done. I guess we did our part as
much as Midway even though we didn’t see anything because they stopped everything
from coming any further, I will be glad to get
….Page cut out by censors…
Do a lot here that we couldn’t do at Pearl.
..
According to reports they did a great job of breaking up
everything.
USMC Unit #485
June 15, 1942
I am going to tell you the bad news first. (Not this) I am
OK in case you have read the papers but you probably didn’t even know I wasn’t
right here all the time. Anyhow I am all safe and sound and almost sober enough
to go again. Now for the bad news, Joe was lost on the first attack and I
haven’t the heart to write to Ade and tell her about it. ..
Joe was the same right up to the last day – just like you
remember him the last time in San Diego. He realized that he wouldn’t have a
chance to get back and he was certainly correct. …
Now let’s forget the war for me it is over anyhow.
Monday, November 14, 2016
On Guadalcanal - 23 August 42 (dated 23 July 42 in letter)
23 July (August) 42
Louise Darling,
Only have a minute to write. Am on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomans. Am safe and fairly contented so far. Everything is well under control.
Love
John
Louise Darling,
Only have a minute to write. Am on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomans. Am safe and fairly contented so far. Everything is well under control.
Love
John
Letter - 16 August 1942
16 August 1942
Louise Darling,
My last letters were mailed a little closer to you than this one will be but you will probably get this one first. This is the last time I'll get a chance to get any mail out for at least two weeks.
We are about to arrive at the place the papers are talking about. Have seen it in the press news so the East coast papers are probably carrying it. Don't know how long we will be in the middle but probably not too long a time. Am looking forward to seeing the rest of my old Midway squadron. They are all still intact down here so far.
My gear is scattered all over now. One trunk with civilian clothes will probably be sent back to Oklahoma. I asked the Quartermaster at Pearl to send it if transportation is available. My other trunk is an another ship somewhere but I have plenty of clothes with me. Wouldn't care if I never saw the other trunk. Has whites and greens, stuff that I will never need here.
We were far enough south yesterday to get a small touch of winter or spring air. Certainly did smell good. Will be spring further down fairly soon.
Be sure and tell me what everyone is doing when you write.
I love you very much,
John
John L. Smith
Louise Darling,
My last letters were mailed a little closer to you than this one will be but you will probably get this one first. This is the last time I'll get a chance to get any mail out for at least two weeks.
We are about to arrive at the place the papers are talking about. Have seen it in the press news so the East coast papers are probably carrying it. Don't know how long we will be in the middle but probably not too long a time. Am looking forward to seeing the rest of my old Midway squadron. They are all still intact down here so far.
My gear is scattered all over now. One trunk with civilian clothes will probably be sent back to Oklahoma. I asked the Quartermaster at Pearl to send it if transportation is available. My other trunk is an another ship somewhere but I have plenty of clothes with me. Wouldn't care if I never saw the other trunk. Has whites and greens, stuff that I will never need here.
We were far enough south yesterday to get a small touch of winter or spring air. Certainly did smell good. Will be spring further down fairly soon.
Be sure and tell me what everyone is doing when you write.
I love you very much,
John
John L. Smith
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