Jake sends telegrams with crew particulars

[mgc1961]

As it turned out, C.C. is just one step ahead of Jake as they both begin making their final preparations for departure to Europe. The next piece of correspondence in the scrapbooks is a Western Union telegram dated 22 October 1943 in which Jake tells his family he's moving from Lake Moses, Washington to Pendleton AAF base near Spokane, Oregon where he'll be reunited with his friends. On 28 October 1943, the Colvin's receive another telegram from Jake asking them to wire some money from his account to the United States Bank of Portland. He says some of his crew are getting leave and they need money before their next payday. Eight days later Jake sends another telegram telling them he's now in Walla Walla, Washington, but they can use the same military address for letters. He says they had a fine trip.

The next letter is postmarked 08 November 1943. The weather is cooler so Jake doesn't need his summer clothes any more and he sends information about the crew he'll be training with in anticipation of their deployment.

From Walla Walla, Washington

Saturday

Dearest Dad,

I haven't been able to find any .... lotion. (I can't read his handwriting here to make out what kind of lotion.) I'll send the "T" shirts soon. All my summer clothes won't be needed either so I'll send them home in my small trunk which I don't need.

I don't know how long we will be here. The weather can't be much better here in the mountains. Maybe we'll get to go south before too long.

It seems as though I don't want to send my crews' names but I forget it in every letter. Here they are now:

Co-pilot - Dick West - Amarillo, Tex.
Bombardier George Griffin - ....... New York
Navigator - Al Johnson - Philadelphia, Penn.
Engineer - Ray Rottler - ....... Penn.
Assistant engineer - Bob Hewith - ....... Penn.
Radio - Al Rose - Arizona
Assistant Radio operator - ....... Justice - .......
Armourer - John Clayton - Spartanburg, S.C.
Assistant armourer - ....... Sarri - Roanoke, Va.

I still have to find out a few first names and some of their hometowns.

Some of our new planes came in this morning. I imagine they will all be here before long because time is growing very short now. I hope I'll be prepared when we do have to go. I'm ready as far as wanting to go, but there is a lot for me to still learn.

I don't think Ruth married the boy she was going with. He is still in England.

I will write more later. Love to all.

Your devoted son,

Jake Jr.