Letters that traveled cross-country, such as those between John Edward and his family,
were processed in a number of ways. Railway postal cars had supplemented and improved
delivery since the transcontinental railroad was established with the Civil War.
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| US Airmail postage stamps with 1941-1944 twin-motored transport planes |
Similarly, highway postal bus-like service
was initiated when highways were
improved and expanded.
However, the quickest
method of postal delivery
was by Air-mail.
It was also the most expensive.
But immediacy was paramount
with this next correspondence between
John Edward and his mother.
A letter from his mother had reached him on the 30th of September; and
an air-mailed reply was sent on the same day. It included
a list of officers, any of whom could "get me promoted," he wrote in the margin.
Followed by a cautionary note typed in capital letters:
"PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING RASH."
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| John Edward air-mail letter to his mother, September 30, 1941, family scan |
The letter continued with news of one more commanding officer
giving John Edward a dressing down because he was actively seeking
support and assistance with a promotion. This time it included a letter from
no less than the President of the University of Texas.
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| John Edward letter to his mother continued, September 30, 1941, family scan |
regarding correspondence between Ruth and his mother:
"Ruth said that she had a 'real, homey, mother-in-lawish' letter from you.
Said that you sounded interesting, that she'd like to meet you, etc" (15 Sep).
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| John Edward letter to his mother continued, September 30, 1941, family scan |
"Give my regards to the prospective bride and groom -- when
is the gala affair to be?" (30 Sep)
The letter's closing reveals John Edward's suspicion that his mother
has some extravagant intrigue of her own in mind.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, September 30, 1941, family scan |
to his mother. It included banking instructions for his paychecks, bond suggestions,
and a request for her to purchase glasses with some of the money.
begun to be sold in May of 1941. Funds raised helped the government
buy uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and even ships or planes.
Bonds were purchased below face value, and upon maturity paid at
face value. This provided a loan to the government and support for the military.
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| WWII US War Bonds Poster, public domain |
Soon after this, a short visit to family in Sweetwater in mid-October and
a trip to see Ruth did much to improve John Edward's spirits.
In his October 30th letter, he wrote that hard work was also helpful.
With several officers away, he was doing the work of a Captain and several
non-commissioned officers -- in addition to his own responsibilities.
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| John Edward to his mother, October 30, 1941, family scan |
and questions were two-fold: for his father's heart condition, and also
for the financial viability of his parents' livelihood.
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| John Edward to his mother, November 1, 1941, family scan |
anniversary of service for National Guard enlistees grew near.
John Edward knew that he had a decision to make,
one that might involve the needs of his parents.
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| John Edward to his mother, November 1, 1941, family scan |
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| John Edward letter to his mother, November 18, 1941, family scan |
And so another conversation was held
with a commanding officer -- this time the Adjutant General.
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| John Edward letter to his mother continued, November 18, 1941, family scan |
for Dependency and Hardship needs, in which case discharge could follow.
John Edward gave his mother a cautionary note to report facts without exaggeration.
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| John Edward letter to his mother conclusion, November 18, 1941, family scan |
on the 25th of November,
the one-year anniversary
of his service,
John Edward wrote to both his mother and father:
"on the day which celebrated
the close of my first year in the Army,
the greatest compliment of my Army career
was presented me."
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| John Edward to his parents, November, 25, 1941, family scan |
Private; Private First Class
Non-Commissioned Officers: Corporal; Sergeant; Staff Sergeant;
Technical Sergeant; First Sergeant; Master Sergeant
"A hard decision to make. The confidence that was being place in me,
the "duty to my country," the increased pay which would let me send
some $30 or $40 (maybe more) a month to you, were all great inducements."
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| John Edward's letter continued, November 25, 1941, family scan |
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| John Edward letter to his folks, page 2, November 25, 1941, family scan |
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| John Edward letter, page 2 continued, November 25, 1941, family scan |
"I will still be a private, but a private who has possibilities."
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| John Edward, page 2 conclusion, November 25, 1941, family scan |
and see if he calls us up. We've got lots of patience."
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| John Edward, page 3, November 25, 1941, family scan |
