Everett Schafer's Letters
Letter #9
Hoping Always For The End Of This Thing
To Mrs. Dora Schafer
26 April 1944
April 26
Dearest Mother,
It’s been quite a while since I’ve written any letters, but now your [sic] first on the list.
I’m still getting along well, and hoping always for the end of this thing. If it keeps up much more, we will get like the British, and get used to it.
As you folks back home know, it won’t long til the war in the Pacific is over. I’m hoping the Japs throw in the towel, to save face, but suppose they will fight on. But anyway it can’t last much longer.
As you probably know Delwin has sent me a watch. I haven’t received it as yet, but expect it any day.
I suppose you received the money order I sent. I know you can use it to good advantage. Also the flowers for Easter. Delwin said he sent a little home too. I wish you would let LaFerhn know when you need things. She will gladly let you have money.
You asked my advice on the house. If the step financially isn’t too much it sounds quite reasonable. LaFerhn + Dutch are pretty good at things like that. Perhaps Doris would be interested to go along, for if I remember correctly she is renting her place. There is no need in her doing that for a house + living alone, for Delwin may be away for a year or so. You most certainly don’t need all that house for four, and transportation to town every day adds up in time. LaFerhn could probably give you some dope on the DHQ[?] Plan
Well it seems Shirley is having quite a while at life. She is evidently enjoying married life. I hear from her every once in a while. I intend writing her very soon.
Also Dick Lee, the fellow in Dayton I’m sure you remember him. He’s getting his wings + commission as a Navy pilot in a couple of weeks. He tried to transfer to the Marine Wing, but couldn’t pass the physical. He wanted it pretty bad, said it was because I was a Marine. He has offered to send me anything I need. A swell buddie I think.[1] Bob McClure is a navigator in a bomber. He is in Santa Ana Calif. right now.[2] Too bad I’m not still there.
Well I can’t think of much more so will close for now.Your loving son
Everett
Footnotes
1. Unconfirmed, but quite possibly Richard Frederick Lee of 210 Briarcliff Road, Dayton. Ensign Lee, US Navy, was killed in a plane crash at Lake City, Florida, on August 24, 1944.
2. Also unconfirmed, but probably Harold Robert McClure of 160 Maplelawn Drive, Dayton. McClure enlisted on November 11, 1942 and became a flight officer in the Army Air Corps.
Both Lee and McClure attended Dayton’s Fairview High School and worked for Frigidaire before joining the service. Everett lived with LaFerhn and Dutch in Dayton (he also enlisted from there), and this is presumably where he met Lee and McClure.