Encoded for the Experiencing War web site, "Special Bonds" release, for the Veterans History Project, 11/7/2003.
All letters in the Finn collection were digitized.
Documents are transcribed with minimal changes to the original text in an effort to preserve original appearance, content, and idiosyncrasies of composition. Period language and terminology are also retained. Transcription is literal with regard to the writer's capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and visible corrections (i.e. crossed out words). Spelling errors are indicated with [sic]. Crossed out words are presented {in braces}. Any special emphasis (i.e. underlining) is presented *between asterisks*. When the writer spells out the word "and" it appears spelled out; when a symbol is used for "and" the editor used the ampersand.
Alterations to the original text are consistent throughout and all editorial comments appear in [square brackets]: a single space is placed between sentences, nontextual symbols (circled page numbers, scribbles, etc.) have been changed to plain typographical characters when possible or omitted with a note, obvious slips of the pen have been silently corrected, and malformed letters are presented as the intended letter, based on spelling and context. All superscripts and underscored superscripts have been lowered to the regular line of text and are not underscored. Single word interlineations are indicated with a single caret (^) before the word; multiple word interlineations are presented ^surrounded by carets^.
V.P. 22 N.A.S.
April 20, 1941
Dear
I don't think I've sprung any of this
Anent [sic] the PBY. P is for patrol, the primary purpose of these planes. B is for bombing, the secondary purpose; if it was a BPY it would be a bombing patrol plane but it is a patrol bombing plane. Get it, there is a big difference. The Y
is the letter of the manufacturer. Consolidated of San Diego makes them. SOC's, called socks, are scout observation by the Curtis Aircraft mfg. Co.
A regular crew of PBY is 7, and they have accomodations for one passenger, making it eight. There is the pilot and the co pilot two radiomen and three mechanics.
Oh, yes VP the V is for heavier than air. P for patrol again. If the letters were ZP, you would know I was in a squadron of lighter than air craft - dirigibles, like the Maeon and Abiron.
We wake up by ourselves and that is one thing I like so much better about the squadrons than ships. There is no house - boatswain make strutting down the passageway yanking off covers and yelling "revoloo, hit the decks sailors." Instead the lights go on at 5:30 breakfast stops at 6:30 work starts at seven so you can arrange it to suit yourself. If you don't care for chow you sleep in until 6:30, or until such time that if you lay there any
longer you would certainly miss muster.
On the subject of the Enterprise I am glad I am off her. I saw the pictures of her, too. There is nothing to the flying end as long as you are on a carrier. This is the stuff right here. They wear such gay colors both to distinguish men of different squadrons, for the same reason some baseball teams have red uniforms, like Michellton and {too}so that they show up well to that nobody gets hurt because somebody else didn't see him.
I am not a flying cadet. Flying cadets in the navy are college men who went thru the
flight school at
I had a letter from Steve a short while ago and heard about Eunice. Well, well.
My letters all came back. Can't locate Gene Wilkinson.
I think justice as either been done or just 'done.' so I will just sign off.
P.S. This will be a bit late. Mail doesn't leave for the