Tag: william

November 21, 1943 William Shepard to parents…

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470 Base H.Q. and Air Base Squadron
Pendleton Army Air Field, Oregon
November 21, 1943

Dear Mother & Father:

Arrived here safely, after much delay. Waited at Patterson Field for three days. Met some fliers I knew and had a ride home, but at the last minute the flight was cancelled and I had to come via airlines I was kicked off at Cheyenne and Boise and came in on the train, just making it.

As you have probably noticed, I have been transferred to another organization. You can address all mail to the above address until further notice.

It was nice to get home and probably will be the last time for a while at least. Although it will take me three monthes to pay  you and Lois back.

Ill send you the money for Lois’ ring in two weeks. Get it wrapped and give it to her on Xmas eve for me. Ill send a note to put in with it. I can pay you back Jan & Feb.

Same old place out here. The weather ifs foggy. Im just waiting now. Ill write later.

Your son
Bill

September 19, 1943 William Shepard to parents…

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301 Service Squadron
Pendleton AAF Oregon
September 19, 1943

Dear Mom and Pop:

Ill bet that you are having a good time. I only wish that I could be with you all. It wont be to long now. We should lick Hitler in another year, then beat the socks off Tojo. That makes two years., 1945.

I probably wont be around long. You know all soldiers have to go, sooner or later, and I have been here a year and one-half now.

When I go I want you to kind of keep an eye on my family for me. Make Lois take care of herself. Im makin out another alootment to her, so she will be getting enough to live

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on. The goverment will send her 1 war bond each month and my insurance is paid automatically (my goverment insurance) I have $10,000 insurance. Lois has a power of attorney for me. Im making a will, what for I dont know, but its there just the same. All my personal affairs are in order.

Im sending a trunk home. In the trunk there will be some clothes and missceellaneous items. Lois can store them till I get back.

Please dont tell people about this. I guess best friends, mothers, fathers and sweethearts have sank as many ships as the enemy, because they let something slip. Its hard not to talk, but someone may tell someone and so on until (offensive image drawn) hears. That old promise “never to tell a soul” has cost and is costing right now, soldiers lives. I know I can trust you all. Ill write soon

Your son
Bill

September 11, 1943 William Shepard to parents…

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301 Service Squadron
Pendleton Army Air Field, Oregon
September 11, 1943

Dear Mom & Pop:

Day off today so I have time to write. It was hot here yesterday, altho I think it was just Indian Summer. It will cool down and the snow will fly soon, And can it get cold out here!

How is the fishing now? How is the cabin? You know, next year I hope to go up with you all. The war cant last forever.

Im going down town and wrassel with a steak this afternoon, that is, if I can find one. When I get home Im going to have a few bulls around the house just like people have dogs, then when I want a steak we’ll just amputate one.

How is your arm coming along? Sorry to hear about the accident. How is dad? Slip me a letter if you have tie. Love

Your Son
Bill

September 9, 1943 William Shepard to parents…

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301 Service Squadron
Pendleton AAF., Ore.
September 9, 1943

Dear Mother:

Received your letter today. Happy to hear that you are up in fish-land. Id like to join you, but I have my job and its a big one. One of these days we can be back to normal. Have been pretty busy. I think that Ill go fishing this week end and relax.

Oh yes I’d better tell you. My promotion came through

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Sept 4, 1943. I am now 1st Lt.

No more news here so Ill close house.

Write & tell about the place

Your Son
Bill

August 24, 1943 William Shepard to home…

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301st Service Squadron
Moses Lake A. A. B., Wa.
August 24, 1943

Dear Mother and Father

Here goes a letter. I try to write Lois all the news but now and then Ill slip you all a letter, presonal like. Nothing much stirring here. Ill be here for a while yet. It doesnt look as if Ill ever get overseas. Now Im a training officer. Its a horrible death to die. Happy to hear about Herman.

Say mom how about you and dad coming out Christmas to join Lois & me and we can have christmas together? Maybe you could come about Dec 15 and stay over & go to California? It would make a real trip, a vacation for you all and a chance for us to see eachother. Leaves of absence arent being given out here. Dad would enjoy this county. Yo may never get another chance. How about it?.

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Its getting cool up here now. I expect it though because its Sept 1 almost.

Have a good time in Canada. I wish that I could come up, but the fish are just as big here and just as many. Im getting trout and bass with my fly rods. Some fun. The first bass I caught with my small rod took 5 minutes to land.

Well Ill shut up and listen

Your son
Bill

July 22, 1943 William Shepard to mother…

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301 Service Squadron
Moses Lake A.A.B., Washington
July 22, 1943

Dear Mother,

I want you to do me a favor. There is $5.00 here and I want you to get Lois a real nice wood rolling pin and put the rest in flowers with a card reading.

“For the one you broke at Pendleton” Bill.

and on the flowers put

“With love for our wooden anniversary, From a wooden soldier.”

Thanks Mother.
Everything is OK. For news read the letter I sent to Lois.

Your Son
Bill

July 7, 1943 William Shepard to Dad…

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301 Service Squadron
Moses Lake A. A. B., Wash.
July 7, 1943

Dear Dad:

As you problbaly know by now, Lois, K W and Sue are coming home with Mom. I think that it is best, because Im moving about to much for Lois to follow me, and Ill probably move over soon anyhow.

Its getting hotter than a fiddlers bitch [what does that even mean?!] here in the desert. I never knew there was a desert in the North West untill I came to Moses Lake.

I am working dawn till dark. My outfit is busy on B-17s, the heavy bombers.

 

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Right now Im at Ephrata, Wash. doing some work to help out the sub-depot here. They are behind in their work so we are helping them out.

Nothing more now so Ill close and write later. Tell Ruth & Herm hello Ill write to them later also

Your son
Bill

June 13, [1943] William Shepard to Dad…

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June 13 [1943]

Dear Dad:

On the road again. It seems that I’m always traveling. We finished school (or what ever you would call it) the 12th. I expect to get home on the 18th.

Ill be glad to see Mom Lois & K W & Sue. I wish that you could come out.

Lois and the babies might come home with Mother,

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all depending upon how things look.

The weather has been hot here. Water melons are getting ripe. The south isnt such a bad place, but Ill take Ohio.

Meeting a lot of boys from West Va.

Well dad I hope taht you can read this as we have been switching in the years.

Ill write later

your son
Bill

May 1, 1943 William Shepard to parents

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301 Service Squadron
Moses Lake Air Base
Moses Lake, Washington
May 1, 1943

Dear Mother and Dad,

I have been transferred to another squadron, and temporarily to another state. I am doing about every kind of work imaginable. This is a God-forsaken hole and I wouldnt even put a  rat in it. I am fine & so is everyone else. We hope to be in Pendleton again soon. Why dont you plan to come out and stay a month or so mother? We would be glad to have you.

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Write and tell me how everyone is.
Love to all
Bill

April 25 [1943] Lois Shepard to in-laws

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April 25 [1943]

Dear Dick

Well-Bill will be gone to Washington State tomorrow – & Evelyn leaves tomorrow nite so I shall be all alone. And Bill had to check the beds & bedding back in today so we have one daybed for all of us tonite. Nice life —

Bill wants me to stay here as he can get back to see me at times & there is a chance that he will be sent back to Pendleton Field in a month or two. Here is a proposition — Would you like to come out the last of May & stay until things are decided. Then if I decide to come back to Ohio you can help me with the children which would be one h– of a job alone. Bill is still trying for flight training –

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it will be either that or overseas — and you will want to see him before he goes.

I am going to try to get a second hand bed next week to do me. The kids are having a good time with their Easter basket this A.M. And bill hasn’t had a day at home yet. We went to a formal dance at the Officer’s Club last nite & had a very good time. I initiated the skirt & it held its own with all the other formals & I had one Tom Collins a& after one fast rhumba it started its effects but I managed to conrol myself. I only wish Bill could stay for it would be so much fun to go all the places with him. We have got to go a little in spite of this dam army– One day Bill will come home & pack to go somewhere

& then come back & unpack.–It keeps you guessing till you don’t care whether it happens or not.

Well Sue must have her bath so please write & let me know if you will come or not. Bill wants you to & he wants me to stay for a couple of months at least. I might have gotten ready & come back with Evelyn but we now know what might happen.

Love
Lois.