Jake barely passed his 45 hour check-ride

[mgc1961]

Postmarked 25 January 1943.

From Douglas, GA

Dear Dad,

I have really been flying these last few day. I have 52 hours now. I got to take a cross country flight which will add 2 more hours to my total and the rest will be used in much needed practice.

I passed my 45 hour check only by the grace of God and Mr. Duke. I really gave him an awful ride. He passed me only because of my preceding record.

The newspaper clipping is from the "Douglas Enterprise." I thought maybe Mother would like to put it in my scrap book. The girl in the write-ups is real cute. I have had some wonderful times with her.

It's late now and I've a big day tomorrow. Everything is fine.

Love to all,

Jake Jr.

[LaurenG]

1. There's my answer.

:thumbsup:

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I recently acquired the letters written from my uncle to my mother during WWII. My uncle was killed

in Italy in September 1943. A 19 yr.old farm boy from Ohio. I got to see the US Military Cemetery he's buried at on my trip to Italy in 2010.

My mother had written on the enevelops of the letter she received after he was already dead and the one that was returned to her, unopened, marked 'deceased'. I just sat there and cried.

[mgc1961]

3. I know that feeling.

There are several returned letters and packages in the scrapbooks from Jake's sister to one of her male friends marked "Deceased." There's also a letter Sis wrote to Jake, during class, and sent to him after he was already dead. It was returned stamped "Missing." The family didn't know his true fate for about 18 months after his death.