655 8/22/1945 Jim Erwin to Sadie Erwin

Jim Erwin 497th Service Sqdn. 44th Service Group, APO 487, NY Wednesday, August 22, 1945

Sadie Erwin Box 44, Enumclaw, Washington

Dear Folks, Must feel wonderful to drive into a gas station and say, “fill it up.” Now you can go to the cabin all the time if you wish to. I really didn’t think they would lift the ban so fast. Everybody is just waiting for some official word as to what we’re to do now. All we hear all day and night is rumors. We do know that this base is being closed very soon. Don’t know if there are any censorship regulations now or not. We have been servicing planes for four Group Carrier Squadrons here on the field. They just got word to move to China. The mechanics on the line are working day and night now putting in new engines. We had an ATC outfit here and they’re leaving too. CNAC (China National Air Corps) would be all that’s left. An officer told me that they are leaving too. That just leaves the 44th left on this entire base and with nothing to do. The engine changes will take from 20 to 30 days. When that’s finished, we will probably leave too. A captain in the group here went to Area Headquarters to pick up lumber for us to pack. They told him we wouldn’t need any. The 497th and 498th and our Signal Company would be leaving first. We would turn everything into supply but a few clothes. We would only be allowed 65# baggage. That means we are to fly. It is possible that the two Service Squadrons might have to follow the Troop Carrier planes to China. That would be drastic. Would probably keep us over from 6 to 10 months more. We could fly back to the States too. Wouldn’t that be something to talk about. Fly half-way around the world. Only takes four days from here to Miami, Florida. They flew the ground crews back from Europe. Might just as well get something good out of the Air Corps. I have 46 points now and in two months will have 50. They are talking a lot about dropping the points for discharge to that. It will be swell enough just getting back to the States but much better if I can get out of the Army too. I think it would be a good idea to cut down the cherry tree. It makes a terrible mess in the yard when they rot. We can always get plenty of cherries from other people. Better hire some fellow that knows how to go about it though. I’ve been writing to Shirlee every couple of days. Have to get back in her good graces before getting home. Haven’t had a reply as yet but am sure I will. Tomorrow will be exactly 16 months since we left Virginia. The time really has gone fast. It will probably start dragging now that we’re sweating this out. The hometown boys are probably starting to return now. More will arrive each day. Hope I’m not the last. The little old town will soon be back to normal again. So many of the boys have gotten married it will seem funny. Perhaps it is a good thing that I didn’t go to England or Australia. Might have gotten married myself and that would be good. I don’t ever want to get married. Think I’m kidding don’t you. Don’t think I could stand one woman for the rest of my life. Guess it would be different if I were in love with somebody. Can’t see it now though. The monsoon season this year has really been very mild. Have had a few terrific storms but have been few compared to last year. The heat hasn’t even been too bad. I suppose a few months after returning to the States we’ll even think of a few good things about India. Will let you know if anything develops. Keep writing until you hear from me to stop. With love, Jim