Just a few months after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, a nineteen-year-old student at St. Mary's College in Winona, Minnesota, was writing letters home to his parents in Chicago anticipating going to war, wanting very much to fly.

That student was my husband.  These are excerpts from some of those letters home.

St. Mary's College, Winona, Minnesota  

April 13, 1942

Dear Mom and Dad,

I intended to write a couple of days ago, but I didn't find time.  We have plenty of work to do, and I want to finish it up as soon as possible.

I bowled in the Redmen Handicap yesterday, and came in 11th.  The first ten places received cash awards, and I would have received one if I didn't blow my last game.  I bowled 133, 160, and 109.  I was really in the groove for a while.  I got four strikes in a row.

September 13, 1942

We had the first court Sunday after mass.  There were about twenty freshmen who got from two to five swats for insubordination.  Three paddles were broken, but they were little ones.  The rules this year are that they cannot be more than two inches wide, 3/8 inch thick, and the striking blade must be no more than 18 inches, while the handle can be no more than 6 inches.

September 23, 1942

Dick Tennyson, a senior majoring in Chemistry who has had the best marks in the school for the last three years, is going in the October draft.  Brother Louis is sore about it, and is trying to do all he can to prevent it.  Dick doesn't even go to class anymore.  He just goes out every night and sleeps all day.  I don't blame him.  I guess it doesn't make much difference what you are taking, for they aren't letting anyone finish school.  The Army is calling all those who signed up in their Reserve Program, and I guess the Marines will start soon.  The V-1 is open until November 1st, then they won't take enlistments after that.  I guess they will get all the suckers to enlist by that time, and then start pulling them out after November 1st.  There are going to be men here on October 8th from the Army, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Navy, and Marine Corps to tell what they can do for us.  I won't get in anything until I see what they have to offer. . .

. . .Something is wrong with the pants of my green suit.  I didn't wear them very often, and I only had them cleaned a few times, but it is worn threadbare in the seat.  Maybe you can take the cuffs off it and put them in the seat. 

October 1, 1942

Please look up the address of the Local Board #6 of the Selective Service, and send it to me the next time you write.  I was glad to hear that Tom is in.  Say hello to him for me. . .

. . .I am not sending anything home until I am sure I am going into the army.  Some guys 18 years old have received questionnaires while some who are 21 have not.  I will be here until February, even if I join the V-1.

October 7, 1942

I am not going to sign up with any course now.  I don't think I weigh enough to get into the V-1, and I know I don't weigh enough to get into the Air Corps.  It doesn't make any difference when you are twenty, because they pull the boys out at all different ages.  If they pass the 18 year draft, I will have a better chance.  The Navy has not got enough men, so as soon as they can train them, they will call their reserves.

We are drilling with wood rifles three days a week.  They really give a workout, too.  It consists mainly of running long distances, but we get some bayonnet practice.

October 21, 1942

I am sending home a form for your consent to my enlistment, which I sent you to sign and have notarized.  I also need three letters of recommendation, to be addressed to the Commanding General of the Seventh Corps Area, Omaha, Nebraska. . .

. . .I believe I told you that the Army representatives will be here very early in November, as I need my papers as soon as possible.  I will take the physical exam next week.

We are not getting any sugar at all, since all the sugar books are not turned in.  Did you ever eat bran flakes without sugar?  That means we get no cake or any other dessert either.  If you still have those sugar cubes, send them up.

October 29, 1942

I just took my physical tonight, and the Doc thinks they will take me.  I hope so. . .

. . .Brother Louis wants me to wait until next week for the Army boys to come down here.  I am beginning to think I will go up to Minneapolis next weekend if they are not here by then.  If I wait too long, the school quota may be filled, or the reserve may close.  The V-5 has closed already.  If I get my induction papers, I will be out of luck, for it is too late then.

November 8, 1942

I received the birth certificate this morning but it had my birth date as September 24, 1922.  Am I wrong, or are they?  Anyhow, the date does not fit in with the rest of my papers, as Brother Louis said that I should use my baptismal certificate when the Enlistment Squad is here.  That will be tomorrow.  If I am taken, I can get one later if necessary. . .

. . .If I can't get into the Air Corps Reserve, I shall try the Army.  If I don't get in either one, I will quit school at the semester.

I might get the "400" of the Northwestern at about four o'clock, or I might ride the Burlington.  At any rate, I will just get a one-way ticket, because I shall probably end up by returning on the milk train that leaves Chicago at 11:15 p.m. Monday night.

I'll see you soon.

November 24, 1942

The food is going to get worse, as we are going to have meat at eight less meals per week.  I wouldn't mind that, if they would have some good vegetables.  So far this year, the heat has been very good.  It is much better than last year.  Last year, there were days when the fellows would go to class in their overcoats to keep warm, but this year is swell.

p.s.  Can Dad or Lorry get me a good supply of flashbulbs or film?  Production of bulbs has stopped completely, and film is rationed to the dealers.  I am getting some up here.

December 4, 1942

Brother Louis received a letter last Wednesday from Washington stating that I was to be discharged from the Army Air Corps because of my heart and my eyesight pending further invesitation.  That means I have to take the physical exam over, and if I do not pass, I am given a medical discharge, and must return to civilian life until drafted.

I have started taking the exam over again, and my eyes are O.K.  The nurse just made a mistake when she filled out the report.  However, I have to have the doctor listen to my heart again tonight, and if it is O.K., I am still in; if not, I am out.

If I get bounced, I think I shall quit school and get into the C.P.T.   It is changed a lot since last year, and I should have no trouble getting in it.  Once I do get in, my job would consist of ferrying planes or something like that.

I might try to get into the Navy Air Corps if I get my discharge soon enough.  However, I am still hoping my heart will be O.K. tonight.  I  have not gone to any phys ed classes, but just rest so that it might be alright.  I hope so, anyhow.

I will write you and let you know how I make out.  I feel pretty bad about it, but I guess there is nothing else I can do.  It is just one of those things.

December 7, 1942

I guess I am still in the Air Corps.  I had Doc Skemp give me another physical, and he could not find anything wrong with my heart this time, so he mailed in the report.  It is a good thing, too, for all other reserves closed Saturday.

I received a letter from my Draft Board.  It seems that they didn't get the notification that I was in the Air Corps.  That was probably because I was disqualified.  However, I will have Brother Louis take care of the whole thing (that is, if he is still alive).  All the fellows who are not in reserve programs want to kill him, for he kept telling them, "Don't get excited, the reserves won't close; you have plenty of time. . ."

. . .If you can get some film for me, I will bring home my camera and take some pictures.  Try to get Kodak Super XX 520 film pack.  All you need to remember is:  SXX520.  That takes care of the size, quantity and quality.

I'll go to mass every morning from now until vacation, as you asked, if you think it will do me more good than the sleep. 

December 13, 1942

I suppose you have the fireplace going.  I hope so, for it really looks and feels swell. . .

. . .I have two exams before I come home; one in French and one in Physics.  The one in Physics will be a snatch, for I got the highest mark in the class on the last one without even studying, but I will be up all night studying for the French.

January 12, 1943

I am getting the ball rolling and it is gaining momentum now, for I am getting more work done every day.  However, I still have a lot of work to do.

From the looks of things now, I will go the first of February into the regular Army for three months basic training, and then return to school until there is an opening at the Aviation Cadet Center.  However, there is nothing definite as yet. . .

. . .Thanks a lot for the swell time over the Holidays. This was the first time I didn't want to get back to school.

January 30, 1943

Forget about the sugar and coffee, for I bought a pound of coffee and three pounds of sugar on Betty's book just before she left to go to Belplain.  She is teaching in the high school there.  She gets $1.40 a month, plus her room and meals.

Don't send any shirts back, or underwear, or sox, for I won't be here much longer.  Last night the radio said that we would all be called by April first, and the boys at the University of Minnesota have been called already.  Six of them are in the Air Corps.  Some of the boys in the Army Reserve unassigned were called today from here.  About fifty students left this week.  Even if I am not called, I will have to transfer to another school if the Navy takes St. Mary's over.  It looks as they might, for they are sending thirty boys here now.

John Pollard's mother died Tuesday night.  All the fellows  on this floor who were in his class gave two bucks, and we are having thirty masses said for her. . .

. . .I will send my laundry Monday Railway Express, since it will be heavy from the books, and I want it insured.  The books are worth four or five bucks a piece.  You will have to pay 48 cents for it I think, because they always take it collect from here.  

February 4, 1943

I suppose you have heard by now that I won't be around much longer.  The first bulletin we received said that, "We regret that, due to the exigencies of the War, we find it now necessary to call to active duty all members of the Air Force Enlisted Reserve Corps, including those who have been deferred to finish their education.  It is contemplated that they will be called in the immediate future. . ."

Brother Louis says that it may mean two weeks, or two months. . . 

. . .I will take the aeronautics course which will probably consist of classes six days a week, about three hours a day.  This will help me after I am in the Air Corps, and I will also get academic credit for it.  The course starts tomorrow, and if I am called in a week, I shall receive 1 credit hour.  Two weeks gives me two credit hours, and three weeks gives me three credit hours.  The course is to be completed in three weeks, and it will require much work outside class. .

. . .Jim Foley got back in.  So did all the other fellows.  I think he got a raw deal.  They kicked them out to make room for the Navy, and now that the Navy did not take over St. Mary's, they let them come back. . .

. . .Pass the info that I write home on to everyone, for I will have to work like a dog, and I won't have time to write to anyone.

February 8, 1943

Brother Louis received a bulletin this morning, which he put on the board for us to read, which stated that the Seventh Service Command had just received word from the War Department that the Air Corps Reserve would commence to receive calls to active duty with effective dates, beginning February 20, 1943.  It then said that it is contemplated that all Air Corps Reservists would have received their call by February 28, 1943.  "It is hoped that the students will receive their call several days before the date on which they will have to report to active duty."  Signed by the Commanding General of the 7th Service Command. . .

Fifty-three fellows left since the semester, and the school is half empty.  However, there are 45 seniors from St. Mel coming up here next weekend.  Someone leaves every day.  Clink Jaddrich left today, and Bob Nolan is leaving tomorrow. . .

. . .I am all excited about going, and I can hardly wait.  All we think of, day or night is flying.  We did some navigating yesterday over a course of 105 1/2 miles from Charleston to Columbia.  I feel as if I actually flew it, for I know just where every railroad, highway, beacon and swamp is.

Today we learned how to work problems on Dead Reckoning.  Yesterday in Meteorology, we learned the new U.S. Weather Bureau's code.  That is restricted, because of its military value, but since we are in the Air Corps we got it. 

I will write later, but I have a class now.  I am working my head off on this stuff, for it will make it that much easier later on.

Love, Larry. 

Lawrence T. Riordan of Chicago, Illinois, enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Winona, Minnesota, November 10, 1942.  He did fly.

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