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Note: N918 Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, mailed 5 December 1843.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
a/c Melvin …
A.A.F.C.C – S.A.C.C.
Sq 111 Bks A
San Antonio Texas
San Antonio
Dec 5 1 PM 1843
MR. R. D. Andrus
265 Ellis St.
Long Beach California
to the hell with the date,
Listen Bud get a nice soft chair & let this soak in. Dean first of all you might just as well forget the fact that your dumb that’s a crock, your not dumb, no on[e] in our family is dumb. Were a good strong line all good sound bodies, & that’s more than most people have to start with, just think If you can apply yourself to building your body up you can do the same with your mind or studying you have proved that by the improvements on your body all you have to do is set your mind to it & you can do it I know, Ill bet you could pass I know you could pass the psychomotor. I know, just fellows who aren’t physical O.K. don’t pass it the smartest man in the world could flunk & you or I could pass, then there is the 64 physical that most of them go out on & you could pass it o.k. & college men can’t, then there is the psychologist that only slow thinking & awkward men don’t pass & you think quick & aren’t awkward, I know. Dean there hasn’t ever been a fellow fail on the mental test its just all sorts of questions, none of them hard at all. A lot of fellows who never got as far in school as you passed it, the classification test, so you passed the hard ones all ready, the hardest but easiest for you & me is the coordination test or psychomotor, its just like the penny arcade no fooling it’s a lot of fun. I know you could pass it its just like punching a bag, or easier, So the most important thing of all is your body & think quick mind & hands, Shirley could pass it. So dean get busy & start to study just a little simple algebra you know I didn’t know a darn thing about it & passed, don’t let anyone tell you its hard nothing is hard if you put your mind to it but remember it’s the body that counts dean, & you’ve got it. You know a fellow I know personally didn’t pas[s] math, History, or physics, in college training detachment & passed classification just because he had a good body. One fellow had 4 years of college & went out on the most simplest things, picking up little pegs & turning them half way around, & his darn fingers wouldn’t work with his mind so as smart as he was he didn’t pass, so see what I mean, all fingers work. So start studying Dean have your mom help you I’ll send you a book what might help a get busy a start to work on it you can ditch school after I get home have your fun with me then we can have more fun than your having now well go hunting flying & all so do as I say & you will never regret it, I look back now & wished I’d of stayed in school & got all I could out of it. & you’ll do the same so now start to develop your mind now as well as your body. Listen I know you & I know you’d be a good pilot, after the war we can buy a little plane & do some outlaw flying if you want. Land in roads & things, listen finish school I’ll send books as soon as possible then go & take the mental test for army or navy the navy is a little harder you get good training in the navy though & see how you come out. This is for cadet’s I mean don’t tell your mom or any one you are going to take it but me. & I’ll tell you a few answers or questions in the test as I & some more fellows remember them so be good & studious & stay in school & finish get all you can out of it pal, write me soon dean & let me know what you are going to do before you do it. O.K. O.K. So be good and have faith in yourself as I do.
Love Mel.
Don’t forget to write and ask me any questions you want. O.K. O.K.
Tell you mom I’m going to write her a letter the first chance I get I’ve got to write Vern first as he’s getting lonely for me.
You know those light planes sure bounce around in a mild wind in a strong wind they stand still but a lot of fun (we could go hunting hawks in it chase them down land on roads or fields in country. Some fun eh what. You’ll like it. Dickie my boy
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WELL BE GOOD DEAN AND LOVE MEL OK
Dean the one’s with a check by are the ones that G.D.O. so many men, the steadiness test is replaced by a simpler one. They are all very easy I thought you might like to see this so I’ll just drop it in the mail. Hay write & let me know how things are there, I’d like to here from you once & a while,
Well be good Dickie Dean & so now I’ll close Mel.
.. -.- -. --- .-- - …. . -.-. --- -.. . .--. .-. . - - -.-- --. --- --- -.. -. --- .-- -.. --- -.-- --- ..- ?
I KNOW THE CODE PRETTY __ 00D NOW DO YOU?
I ran out of paper O.K.
remember the hardest things that they all get G.D.O. on are first the easiest for you & me that G.D.O. so many men are the psychomotor, physical, 64 the the psychologist, They were the easiest out of our 50 men there were 11 or 12 men who went out on the psychomotor, about 2 or 3 on the physical. 64. so think it over Dean and buckle down pal. Well be good Dean, & think it over.
Love Mel
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 9 June 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin Howard 39293587
Sec. M. Bks. 1602
Amarillo Army air Field
Amarillo Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Jun 10 4 - PM 1944
S/S Richard Andrus
44-31-
U.S. Navy Training Center
San Diego – 33
California
June 9, 1944
Dear Dean
Just a line to let you know how things are, at 10:30 P.M. or 2230 I saw the biggest lightening I have ever saw it was dark & it covered the whole sky it started off to one side & then over our head. You could of told if a fellows face was clean or not is was so bright it beats all I’ve ever seen & now the wind is really blowing & raising hell & thunder, when it blows which is every day, but not quite this strong, they really have strong winds here I guess your having pretty good weather there aren’t you?
When ever you see this type of paper it means I started the letter in school so this way they think I’m taking notes tricky eh what.
I’m taking some good pictures tomorrow if all goes well I so I’ll send you some when I get them, say send me a picture of you in your uniform I’d like to see my gym partner eh what.
I just about quit school I was so darn mad. The Lt. told me I could not go to the gym anymore so I raised hell I told him as long as I can go & work out I’ll be a good boy in school but if I couldn’t then well I said they have gyms a lot better than this one at other fields, & so I really raved on well he said I was doing good in school & should finish its after quite a long talk he decided to let me continue to go to the gym, so all is well now. He sure was surprised to have me talk the way I did to him but I didn’t cuss I was pretty diplomatic about it.
Well it’s the 10, today & just about time for me to go to the gym for just a light work out, today I’ll just stay for an hour or so, so I’ll finish this a little later. OK. OK.
We had a darn inspection today so I only had 1 1/2 hours that sure tees me off so I did a few prones, curles, reversed & pullovers, that was all I had time for when I do pull overs I get on a bench & use dumbbells one in each hand that way I go to the floor both ways & it sure gets your peck’s or bust or tits its really good for your chest.
I’m going to U.S.O. tonight & see about those weights. If all is well, I’ll toss them out the window & get them I hope no soildure & his girl will be below or they will get mamed.
Hay do you have a picture or pictures of us we took when we were home? I was just wondering.
I don’t or haven’t seen the picture of you & me when were, were going to kiss “oh gosh” let me know if you’ve seen them OK. OK.
You know what, no what,? I don’t know. Well what the hell did you ask me for! The guys nuts,
Well I’ve put on a good 1 1/2” on my chest, in a month & I’ve got three months so that means 3 more inches the what well I’m going to work for it & I’ll get it. My rectus abdominus are coming in good now just like a big wash board, & my linea alba is easy to see now my externus obligures are getting big[g]er than hell. Also my Rhomboideus is getting massey. Well I guess I’ll draw this to a close for now I’ll write you soon again. Only I’ll start it on my time off & then I can use some good paper & so on well pal wish me luck in getting the weights & swell bar & etc.
I’ll write you either Mon[day] or Tuesday. I guess you know I go to school 6 days a week.
Well take good care of yourself & don’t let them dung you,
Love Mel.
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 5 September 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin Howard 39293589
Sec M Bks 1602
Amarillo Texas
Amarillo Texas Sep 6 1230 PM 1944
Richard Dean Andrus F 2/c
U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post office
San Francisco California
Sept 5, 1944
Dear Dean
Well buddy I guess its about time I got on the ball & write you a letter, but I’ve been in field test & there you don’t have much time to yourself we taxi planes around & a few other things. I guess I told you I flew the B17 for about 20 minutes didn’t I. I was up for 3 hours & I’m going up again tomorrow for three hours. I I’ll get some more stick time as usual. I guess I’ll get about 12 hours in the B 17 while I’m here.
Oh yea I’ve decided to go on & not stay as an instructor here as I don’t have enough time to work out & then I think I’ll go to California To factory school for 6 weeks & then to gunnery. I hope, as that’s the only way I’ll get any stripes. But then my muscles makes up for that.
Since I’ve been on field test I haven’t even been to the gym & I sure do miss it. Boy I can imagine how you feel about not working out its hell. I’m going to get 7.5 lbs here tonight as soon as it gets a little later in night it is (2) 12 1/2# (2) 10# & (6) 5# ones. I wish I could get all 10: these darn USO pens are no good to write with I hope you can make this out, as I can’t. I’m going to try to get about 90 lbs. From camp (2) 25# & (4) 10# & by getting they 10# I can use them for dumbbells & I’ll try to take them to next camp with me. & I can work on my arms & chest as they are sure good for arms & chest I’ll try to take about 80 lbs. (8) 10# bells & I’ve got too good bars I can use, I want to get a 18” arm and 48 or 50 I chest. That would look good on me don’t you think so? “So do I.”
I had to turn in my blouse as it is to small now I couldn’t even hardly button it. Boy what a hunk of man I am, yea I agree.
Well I guess I’ll turn in so I can get the weights well in hand as I just & you have them yarle bell’s or what? That’s no lie. You know those bell’s cost about 11 1/2 cents. Per lbs. So a 10# one will or would cost $1.10 cents & that’s to high when I can get them free eh what. Well I’ll close for now & write you a little later so tell then be good & take good care of yourself. Ol dean so
Love Mel.
P.S. wish me luck on getting weights, thanks HAHA
P.P.S boy I’m sure teaching you bad habits, wonderful isn’t it. But this is all for a good cause so its OK. As they would only rust.
Boy do the girls love my body
EXTRA, new marvel look for headlines in next edition I think his name is Howard
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 9 September 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin Howard 39293587
Sec M Bks 1602
AAAF Amarillo Texas
Richard Dean Andrus F 2/c
U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post office
San Francisco Calif.
EXTRA I just now proned 315 lbs I turned every color in the book though 5 minutes ago
Sept. 9, 1944
Dear Dean
Well how’s my boy? Good here’s the latest news, will first of all I went up for 3 hours 15 min today we were flying formation & I got some good pictures of them & myself in flight, when I get them developed I’ll send you some OK. OK. & then I only got 15 min. stick time today. Flash one bomber lost control & went in a dive & pulled out at 800 ft. it went a little over 300 MPM & its red lined at 270 that’s about all on flying. I just sent home 75 lbs (2) 21/2 # (2) 10# & (6) 5 lbs I intend to get or am going to try to get (2) 25# & some 10 # ones at gym tomorrow I should have good luck, I’ll finish this in the morning OK. OK. Goodnite dear. Will I’m in school now so I guess I’ll finish your letter while I’m in the raids room with a good place to write
You know I had to carry the 65 lbs about a half mile or over & it sure got hard to handle after a few blocks I’m going in to gym today & see what I can do about getting some more weights I’d like to get enough to make up 300 lbs at home that would be nice wouldn’t it. I agree.
I’m sending you those steel cables & if you haven’t sent other cables … home you can use these to support them it should work & if you don’t want them send them home there in a small box. (picture of pipe cables)
Say let me know why you can’t have gum aboard the ship, I hope you got gum I sent in box & in magazine I sent you.
I guess I’ll ship in 5 days at least so I’ve sure got to get busy & that’s no fooling.
I can’t wait till I see the new bar & weights on it. I’m also sending home 2 dumbbell bars & collars along with them in fact there what I’m sending weights on & I can get about 80 lbs on each well enough of that say let me know what you do aboard ship when not busy or in action as I guess you’ve been in it. Your getting a few jumps ahead of me so I guess I’ll have to get going & get over there to as I’m the only lone wolf here I guess, that’s why I didn’t take permanent party here & I wouldn’t like that anyhow its to dead around here with these guys
Oh yea if I go to California I’ll take good care of your & my girls QT’s I mean I’ll kiss Bobbie & your girl for you & I know that will make you happy. Eh what, Say if there’s anything that you want when I go to California (I hope) just let me know & if it can be got I’m the guy who can do it eh what, now don’t say, (quote) send me Bobbie, or your girl who lives in back of you, but I’ll kiss & hug them for you OK. OK. But I don’t do any going out now as I spend a lot of time in the gym. I’ll save my loving for or when I get married or for you dear, “happy”?
You know after the war I’ll bet you & I could or can get a 48 or 50 chest & we’ll want a 18” arm isn’t that what
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 29 September 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin Howard 39293587
Sec. T Lowry Field
Denver Colo.
Richard Andrus F2/c
U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco
California
Sept. 29, 1944
Dear Dean
Well ol buddy how are things with you so far? I’ll try to tell you how this camp is & a few things about it so here goes, first they have a swell gym here about 400 lbs of weights a good bar & rings you know what I tried that muscle up in them & I went up the first time, not bad eh what? You can check out towels, shoes, shorts, & all & all it’s a darn nice gym good showers. Oh yea I weigh 171 striped I’m going to try to loose a little if possible you know my arms are starting to really fill out now. They look good. Oh here’s something I saw a guy proven on floor as benches aren’t so hot. Boy he sure was built swell what a man no fooling I guess my mouth gaped & he beat my push of 315. he got 320 & I mean to tell you he’s a man & a half boy that’s my aim no fooling he’s sure a man I didn’t get his name but you should see his chest & arms man I think his name is Kolz oh I know Howard that’s it what a man. Howard you should see him just think 320 lbs. Not bad eh what buddy you two should get together no fooling. You & him should get together no fooling everyone likes & respects him you too would be a pair no fooling.
This sure is a nice town no fooling but I don’t think I’ll go with any girls as I’ll be to busy with the school work & my body work. As school is tough here, & its awful chicken no fooling. We have two starry barracks pretty good ones & I’m in the corner one by a fence I can climb easy,
I’ll bet some of the guys aboard ship sure can’t stand being without girls isn’t that right? & like most fools when they get ashore go & find a whore or a prostitute you know & that what makes mice out of men I’m sure glad you’re a smart & wise man no fooling. That’s what makes a man with a will power & you’ve got it don’t let any guy aboard kid you about it either & I know you want, as you’ve got a good body & you want to keep it that way & you will.
We only get passes once a week from 1800 Sat. till 1300 Mon. so I guess I’ll find a church, sounds funny doesn’t it, but I guess I’ll go that will be my two days of rest. Sat. & Sun. I’ll write you again real soon or as soon as I start school which will be in a couple of days so tell then take good care of your self & so on & write me when you get time to OK. OK. So tell later I’ll close with
Love Mel.
P.S. I’ll write more than just a note next time OK. OK.
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 2 October 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin Howard 39293580
Sec. T Lowery Field
Denver Colo.
Richard Dean Andrus F 2/2
U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet post office
San Francisco California
October 2, 1944
Dear Dean
Well ol “buddy” I haven’t heard from you for quite awhile, I guess your O.K. I was going through some of the old mail I always tear it up but I saved your letters so I read one & I about bust out laughing so I thought I’d right you even if you do owe me a million letters or more I’ll tell you more about this place & town & so on. I start school I get up at 4:30 and go to school at 0600 & I get off at 1200 then of course studies as this is a tough course & I’m not kidding the guys who just graduated their clothes look like a bunch of stupid assed apes. All T/sqt & U/sqt. & now us fellows coming through, & after us all Lt. are going through. I’ll get a pair of wings when I finish if I do or if I don’t get mad & quit or something. I went to church sun[day]. I use Saturday & Sunday for two days of complete rest. I was through most of Denver Saturday nite & Sunday after church. & its really a nice town no fooling pretty trees & hills. But more trees than I have ever seen anyplace else & pretty mountains. & all & all its nice, not bad at all I have to navigate a B24 over 500 miles before I graduate & figure out charts & fuel consumption & so on so its pretty tough. Say I want you to be sure & read the article written by Grmael on Peltocits in Sept[ember] issue its pretty good. I guess you know I’m going to get 18” arms some day or were both going to get them & 48” chest or 50 eh what? I haven’t received pictures yet but when I do I’ll send you some. Say let me know if you’re getting my letters just address an envelope & then I’ll know your getting them O.K. O.K. after school a 10 weeks then I do go to transitional training then overseas & I’ll be happy me in a B29 I should go to Japan & do a little bombing I hope then I’ll tell you about some interesting things eh what & I imagine you can do same.
I’m going to mess hall now & get some chow then to gym & get a work out. & so I’ll finish this letter a little later, or after I get back. Say bud I want you to write me & let me know how things are or something like that how about it? That’s better. Leaving for chow. Say you know when I came in the army I had a 39 blouse then a 40 & now a 42. It fits alright in chest but you should see how the darn thing fits in the waist. I’ve got to get it taken in or put a pillow in no lie & shirts are just as bad. I have a job now in getting anything to fit & I guess you’re the same way. All chest eh what. Or “real men” that’s it. Off to chow. O.K. O.K. I just got back from gym & boy I sure got a swell work out. I was there 3 1/2 hours & really feel it now. I sure wish you were here so we could work out together we could sure have fun & will a little later eh what? How about it do you miss your uncle? Do you? Poor dear. Hay do you have a pretty good buddy to go or bunk with? How about answering some of my questions bud. Well you had better, or I’ll kick your rump see & I’m just the man who can do it see, as I’m really powerful & that’s no lie either, get it? O.K. Well I guess I had better close for now & write you a little later or when I get some spare time to myself as I’ll be darn busy now.
I’ve just been to the gym 3 times now & already fellows want me to be a teacher there but I told them no as then I won’t have enough time to work out myself. But I help them & so on I have about 8 fellows now who follow my work out scudule, schudel? schedule right? How in hell do you spell it. I hope its right.
Well (how in hell can you be my buddy when you don’t even write) I guess I had better close for now tell a little later so be good.
Love Mel.
P.S. you know its sure a shame to waste all this paper but I can’t think of a darn thing to write so I guess I’ll just have to leave it blank but it’s a waste of paper then what can I do so I guess its tough s_ _ _ or something. HA. HA.
My address is as you darn know
Sec T Lowery Field
Denver Colorado get it O.K.
By now still love me? HA HA
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 5 October 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin J. Howard 39293587
Sec T Lowery Field
Denver Colorado
Richard Dean Andrus
Div M F 2/c
U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet post office
San Francisco
California
October 5, 1944
Lowry Field
Dear Dean
Well ol buddy I’ve a lot to tell you & ask you so I sure hope you get this letter. In order for me to get excused for P.T. I had to really do some fancy talking & that’s no lie but he settled with me acting as an instructor in weight lifting while I’m here & so that’s that I took it. I work out from 1 till 500 or 600 if I want so I only work out from 1:30 till 5:00 or 6:00 how ever I feel & I really get it all in as there isn’t very many fellows who really need to much help so that makes me very happy so I should make some good gains I hope in a little over 10 weeks that I’ll be here eh what? There putting on a show here Friday & he wanted me to be in it to lift & show off or pose you know me & my chest & arms HA HA but I told him hell no so he said you like to work out in the gym don’t you? & I said I’ll do some practicing around 300 lbs. & so he said swell & also he’s going to fix me out a special pass for the middle of the week & I get to keep on working out. So I guess I’ll be happy & why not. I’ll let some other fellows do some other lifting as press snatch & C, & J. they aren’t so hot as I can beat them on press. But I’m doing all body work now. I’d do a bent arm pull over but no good benches I’d really get them doing 250 lbs eh what. You know I can’t figure it out but I came to the conclusion that all of my mail doesn’t reach you as I’ve asked you many a question & no answer unless you just forget to answer or something like that. How about it? & did you get my letter I sent you telling about code you could use to say where you were? Now answer this, will you? & I asked you if you had Bobbies address & no answer, but I don’t want it now as I haven’t time for the girls.
“And” I asked you 3 months ago if you wanted to go in with me in a gym & no “answer” I also told you what I was going to do after the war about gym & how I intended to get a lot of equipment & so on “no answer” And you really hurt my feelings when you say you will go in with another fellow. O.K. if that’s what you want go ahead if you don’t want to go in with me I’ll get another fellow or I’ll have a gym by myself if that’s the way you are & I thought I was your best buddy! You little fart I’ll kick your but in a minute but I intend to tour around & get some good ideas off some other gyms & of course some equipment from army camps & so on. & I thought you would like to go along also, am in wrong? I could stay here & stay in the gym if I wanted & be an instructor. But when I graduate from engineer school & get my wings then I am going for transitional training & then over seas in a plane or B29. I know you may think I’m crazy & so on but what the hell, with me bombing Japan the war can’t last very long, but it’s a little different with me in an airplane you know.
I think I told you in last letter that I get over 800 h[our]s of flying & on last flight we go over 1000 miles to & 1000 back so a 2000 mile hop & I do the navigating, I do a lot of figuring besides as the Engineer has to be able to take any man’s place aboard the plane so it isn’t any to easy this course I mean no kidding.
You know I met a fellow here who I used to work out with in Amarillo & he wants to go in with me or wanted to go in help in a gym with me, & I thought we were going in together & I said no as Dean & I are going in together, & that’s why I’ve been swiping all the weights, just for a start, in fact in one of my letters I said well have a good start & no answer, did you get that letter? Darn it answer me will you, anyhow he wanted to spend around 200 dollars to just tour & see york gym’s & talk with them & or course do a little collecting along the way & it’s a good idea, as to have a good gym you would want to have hot & cold pots you know & steam baths & things for business men as that’s where the money is. Not in weight lifting only.
And another reason I want to go over seas is, I’ll get flying time pay over seas pay & that way I can save around 100 a month or more, just depends how or what rank I’ll get as I go over, & staying in the states I sure as hell can’t save anything at all & you know what, I’ll try or I will get more weights when I leave here, I think I can do it easy so I will have over 300 lbs home, in this gym they have 400 lbs & they would never miss 50 or over lbs. & they have two gyms, so they both really have to much, well I’ll try my best & in the mean time you decide “oh” never mind if you want to go in with that other fellow in a gym well go ahead as I wont stand in your way OK. OK. There isn’t much more I can tell you I think I’ve covered about it all. Except were having some really nice weather here now, nice & hot in the day but in the night & morning it is really cold but I don’t mind one bit, its about or over 5,000 feet here in Denver. I’m going to chow now & then I have about two hours of home work to do so I’ll finish this after that as it won’t go out till in morning.
You really have a lot of time to yourself & that’s no lie. I’ve got so getting something real small you can use in all that time you have, & then also you sure as hell can write me or your mom more often in 12 hours If I had 12 hours I’d write you every day. Hint.
8 hours latter & I think I had better finish this letter & get it off to you. I guess I’ll take that extra pass on Monday & go to mutual & see a few cute girls but that’s all. I may get or will get an extra pass every time I put on a show. Boy they sure have a swell Olympic Bar bell. Johnson revolving bar with big bells 7 foot bar & it weigh 43#, its sure a honey I think we might get some like that after the war, what do you think? Well OK.
Oh guess what? Well a fellow a good guy has a girl in town & so with out asking me he made a blind date for me tonight with her cousin, I was ready to kick his but when he told me she has a 41 convertible club coupe so I didn’t kick it. I’ll wait till after the date & if she isn’t a Q.T. I’ll kick it but I’ll give the lucky girl a break & I’ll let her drive me around Denver & in the mountains & show me the town well why not? I’ll tell you about it in the next letter OK? OK. So tell then be good & take good care of yourself
Love Mel.
P.S. 1. Answer this, do anyone ever read your Mail?
2. did you get my letter telling how you could tell me where you were?
Well be good & watch those (evil eyed) women as there bad no fooling HA HA
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 9 October 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin Howard 39243581
Sec T. Lowry Field
Denver Colorado
Richard Dean Andrus
Div M.V.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post office
San Francisco California
October 9, 1944
Dear Dean
Say “ol” bean your really getting on the ball, I just got another letter from you not bad, now just keep up the good work. I’ll put price on them now you use my new address. OK. OK. The show went over pretty darn good a lot of fellows & their girls were there & the lieutenant was really happy about it all & he really thanked me for arrange it, it went over good. I was in town Saturday & Sunday I had to kick Mikes but, the girl I had had a 41 convertible cycles a honey but she wasn’t so cute so I didn’t even try to kiss her as I’m getting fussy – fussier than luck now. Then I went to church & so on I’m going to meetings next week end & see a few sights, or something. Boy now in our gym we have a good 900 lbs. Or over so I’m going to see what I can do about it I think we need a little more weight, don’t you?
I have two blouses now, not bad eh what. I can swipe anything now no fooling, about the only way I can see to get these weights is to throw them outside of fence & get them in a car or something like that but I’ll work it out some how.
Were having really some hot or nice weather here now & it makes it nice. That jerk who wanted to buy my car asked again only he only would give me 100 buck over the ceiling so of course I said no as I & you will be wanting to use my car after the war & tour around & see a few gym’s & there set ups & so on so I guess I’ll just keep it. All I’ll need is tires & they won’t cost over 100 bucks for 5 good ones & this time I’m going to get 700-16 or 625-16 & it will act as an over drive for a long trip it will be nice save on gas more speed & side better, all we will have to do is fix a bed in my trunk or something as I have a good idea, I’ll make my back seat you lean up against raise & then your head will be in car & feet in trunk like this, (illustration) get it just have back lean real raise us & then it is a bed, not bad eh what. Just put hinges on it its my own idea also pretty good, eh what? Well I can’t think of anything else to write about so I guess I’ll close. Say how long does it take for my letters to reach you? Answer this question. & you little fart can you scratch on inside of envelope where you are with a pin & then I can hold it over a fire & it comes out, answer it will you? O.K.
I’ll write you again a little later so tell them be good & so on
Love Mel.
P.S. Boy I sure have a lot of good ideas for my car change I can put on I’m going to make a master switch & hack a buss bar & so on in other wards a simple airplane
Well be good
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated October 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin J. Howard 39293587
Sec T. Lowry Field
Denver Colorado
Denver October 11 5:30 PM 1944
Richard Dean Andrus
Division M. F 2/C U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet post office
San Francisco California
October 1944
Dear Dean
Well here’s the latest news & my post war plans in a nut shell so just lean back & see how it sounds to you, & I’ll expect an answer. Get it? OK. First of all I’m going to fix my car all up spend a week on it as I really know a lot about engines & how to adjust them & so on well I should, I’ve had enough schooling on it & a little off the subject. We’ll have to fix us a special car & I do mean special & I’m just the guy to do it now we’ll make a 1950 car out of a used one eh what? Well after car is fixed up then we’ll of course go visit all the good gym’s and go to York Pa. & talk with a few big boys as Holfman or Grimseh & or course do a little collecting along the way. Then we can work in some of the best ones for a week & get there ideas on business men & so on, & of course I want to go to Utah I think & we could take passengers to help pay for the cost of gas & etc. & we could see a few cute girls “ah’ yes lets discuss the forbidden subject of Sex. HA HA. No I guess we had better stick to the subject, don’t you think so? I think I could get a couple of parallel bar’s both high & low. It shouldn’t be to hard & then just send them home & a lot of wall pulleys & send them home also we can get a lot out of any gym’s as I know the set up by now & clean us on weights around or way over 500 to 1000 lbs. shouldn’t be so hard I don’t think so any how, as they really cost, & will be harder than hell, to get for awhile. & we can use the money for sweat bath’s & hot pots & so on now give me your opinion on this. & they have the best benches in Amarillo but we can buy them & make most of our benches. & I sure have a good Idea for a prone bench I’ll tell you later OK. OK.
Say here’s something of a bit of news there’s a pretty good built fellow in gym & he always watches me work out he does a lot to or so he says, well he asked me what its going to do me as just a few little holds he knows he said he could pin me. Will I said I doubt it so he challenged me so I accepted & I had been working out & was tired & the jerk knew it well he was faster than hell & knew a lot of holds but he didn’t get any & he had a small back so I got bear hug & about broke it. I just threw him down that way, anyhow I pined him in 4 minutes & was he embarrassed as a lot of fellows were watching. All he said was, your to darn strong for me & stepped out of the ring, so now he is going to start to work out with me & forget his wrestling for awhile that sure tickled me no fooling Well Dean ol dear now I want your opinion in our own plan’s & don’t hold back anything, & I’ll write you again & of course I’ll tell you how I come out with these weights, or some of them they will look good at home.
Love Mel.
P.S. I wrote this on trunk so I hope you can read it.
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 20 October 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin J. Howard 39293587
Sec. T Lowry Field
Denver Colorado
Richard Dean Andrus
Div “M.” F 2/c U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean October 20, 44
Lowry Field
Well buddy here’s some more news not so much Unless I think of something more a little later. It was good to here from you in fact I always enjoy your letters.
You never told me weather you get S&H regular or not. As you should get it for a year so let me know it will make be feel better to know they reach you OK. & I received your letter saying you received these I sent with gum, & how long does my mail take to reach you? I’ve asked you that before & no answer, I was just wondering. Now answer this, if I was flying 200 miles an hour how many hour’s would I have to fly & in what direction from Denver would I fly to reach you. Get it? Get a map & see how many miles you are from me & divide it by 200 & that will tell how many hours you are from me. & from Denver what direction are you, use a … plotter O.K. just let me know this if you can’t write inside a envelope with a pin & lemon juice or scratch where you are, so let me know if you can do this. OK. OK.
I’ll tell you how I do my prones when I do ups for body building I keep a flat back real wide grip & use around 180 lbs. or more & do them in sets of 10 or more then when I go to high weights I use floor I do 5 or 10 sets cause I don’t trust the benches here they aren’t so solid & I don’t trust over 290 lbs on a bench. You know I think you can do more on the deck as you don’t go clear down which weights & I don’t let weight ‘bounce … of my chest even when using benches I just let it tuck & then right up. I use light heavy method every now & then you know it sure would take a good man to show this fellow Howard how to do prones no fooling, you should see him, he hasn’t received those pictures yet but when he does he will send some to you I am sure.
Say Bud that Andrus fellow well kick your but saying he looks like atlas that’s an insult as he will if not already surpass him & then some so you had better watch what you say about him & so on I’m just giving you good advice. You know one thing bad is they don’t have any benches to do bent arm pullovers in & that makes it bad as there darn good for you no lie. You know just before I put that show on I was playing with rings & trying an arm or shoulder dislocation & my deltoid was sorithan hell. So I haven’t tried it since I still proned good in show though & I work out in spite of it. I may try a little later or something when I get up some more nerve isn’t that it? Or is it? Vern just wrote me a good letter & telling me what he has been doing beside working for Vulter. & he said he might have a job for me if I’m still good & strong. He went on to say he was getting a little heavy around 200 lbs or so “all muscle” HA HA So it gave me a good chance & this is what I said. I told him if all went right our intentions were & are to get a gym. & the old men go out & make money or work for it &, and then they get a little heavy & so we just sweat it out of them, money & extra weight to, pretty sharp eh what? I haven’t received an answer as yet but I sure should & darn soon when he reads my letter, what do you think? Yea I agree
I shouldn’t do this but I guess I had better let you know so you’ll be expecting them. & you can let me know when they arrive & if they all get there alright & so on the only thing is it won’t be a surprise to you when they arrive so I wonder if I should tell you, what do you think? No well in that case I guess I hadn’t better tell you if you don’t want to know. But that’s how it goes, isn’t that right, yea I know your in suspense & I’m laughing about it ol boy well I can’t think of anything else important to write you about so I guess I’ll close. Well Dean mom & myself are getting you the York Cable set. For Xmas & so I hope they get there even before so you can start your second best workout equipment. There’s a fellow here who has a set & they are nice & small don’t take up much room & I’m sure you will have them wore out before long & there pretty good, I use his every now & then either after or before I work out or before I go to bed. So I hope you will like them. Now is the surprise for Xmas revived, no will I don’t think so either just let me know when they … you & if anything is missing. I told him if he didn’t have everything to send remaining cost in extra cables so let me know when & if they reach you.
Well I’m going to the gym now for about 3 hours or so so till a little later be good & take good care of your self. & I’ll write a little later,
Love Mel.
P.S. I was running the B29 engines up all day today & for the past week. I start flying in around a couple of weeks (anything you want to know just ask me & I’ll answer it if possible)
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 2 November 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin J. Howard 39293581
Sec. “T” Lowry Field
Denver Colorado
Richard Dean Andrus
Div “M” F 2/C U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean November 2, 44
Well ol bean I’ve got a lot to tell you I hope if I can think now after just finishing a problem that took a little over 1 hour a cruse problem & I did it pretty fact in comparison with the other fellows but now I’ll try to start a letter, I told your mom & I have already sent in to Hoffman for a pair of cables for you for Christmas. & I told you they should be there before Christmas. Now is that settled & they aren’t as good as weights but you can get your deltoids, outer, lateral, & postier. & are good for traps, there’s major & minor, rambodious cocis biceps & latis. It will keep you busy & has a chart of different types of exercises to do, & they should last a while. Something to do anyhow. Say if you want any dumbbells let me know & I’ll send you some if you can keep them, I’ve got a lot of 10# & 5# In fact that 135# I sent home was all 10# and 12 1/2 4 and 5lb weights, to dumbell bars. So if you want to use them its O.K. by me. Let me know if you can have them aboard ship. OK? I’ve got a good book, but I’ll get a better one & send you on anatomy as soon as I get it. I’ll look for it in town, when I go. I’ve got a confession I haven’t sent gum yet, but now I’ve got 14 packs so I’ll get them off & soon. Say C.V.E. is an converted carrier, & a small one isn’t it? As I remember there’s C.V. C.V.E. & C.L. isn’t it? Say ol bean I got your note p.s. I’m O.K. but I couldn’t make it out, so use either, milk, cream, or orange or lemon juice on an old pen point & write it, & then it should come out. Open my envelope & write it where you see lines drawn, OK. OK. I’m sure glad to hear your O.K. Boy I got two letters at once from you yea yaw that’s alright Hay why don’t you seal your letters? I got a letter from Reed I had to answer your letter even if I did get his first & you’re a good writer I mean carrying on a conversation. & talking the way I like to here you talk, not like quote “ How is the dog face this fine day,” end of quote. That sounds like hell but he means well I hope.
Hay in your letter you just said it’s a good idea of me touring the gyms, you mean “us. period. Say bud I know a lot about a car & even more about a airplane engine or plane I should I’ve been studying them long enough. Hay when the steel cables arrive you can put a thin coat of oil on them every now & then.
I don’t do any going out with girls now I’ll wait till we get together & then double date eh what? There we can have our fun together, you know we sure could have fun if we were in together no fooling, boy what we wouldn’t do & fun, but it will come a little later. Yea I know quite a bit about rubbing down but not as much as I intend to learn, I’ve got a couple of books I intend to get & charts of anatomy on all body muscles I’ll tell & send you some when I do get them, OK. OK.
Yea I guess it does take a while for my things to reach you alright & mail, I can’t think of anything else to tell you now except I sure enjoy hearing from you keep up good work ol dear.
You know I’d take instructor here permanent but if I go on to wing after a couple of months I stand a chance of getting a flight officer rating for B29 engineer so that’s what I can’t quite decide on, kind of rough isn’t it? Well I’ll finish this a little later. OK. OK. Good night Dean “11-3-“ now ol bean I’ll endeavor to finish your letter. I hurt my deltoid by trying those darn shoulder dislocation on rings & I can’t do very much with that arm, so I’m pi__ed off & so now I’m sticking to weights when it gets so I can use it again. I’ve given it two days rest now sore or not I’m going to start working it out again as I won’t let a muscle stay stiff or sore for more than two days. There is still now snow here yet & its good & warm in the day from 09:00 till 20:00 its sure pretty country you’ll have to see some of it after war. The Lt. is ordering an Jackob or Jockson Olympic around 500 lbs or so it will really be a honey, It’s a little heavy & big for me to carry off but after the war. OK --. Well I guess I had better close for now & I’ll write you a little later as I have to get some stamps. A.M. & get a haircut & try to get some more gum as I’m sending it Saturday & I’ve got some home work to do it should last for 2 hours or so & you know how I like home work, now if it was on anatomy it would be different & I’d really get in & study eh what. I guess I’ll go for my pictures next week & then you’ll really see some workmanship & a man. Hay where did you get the pen? & let or tell me when steel cables arrive OK? OK. So now till a little later I’ll close
Love Melvin
P.S. I guess I told you I go to MIA on Tuesdays, & Saturday I go to church dance & Sunday, church in morning & night & fireside chat afterwards there’s a lot of nice girls there but I don’t bother further to take them out.
P.P.S. Yes Mel. Is alright (try again)
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 28 December 1944.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin J. Howard 39293581
Sec. “T” Lowry Field
Denver Colorado
Richard Dean Andrus
Div. “M” F 2/C U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean December 28, 1944
I just received a letter from your mom & she said some things about you & so on so I had to write you, now about these & this “girl.” Tell me more, & I don’t blame you for not taking out Valerie & as spelling, the read head, she isn’t so hot, or not so pretty. I wouldn’t take her out & I won’t when I get a furlough. & your mom gave me a list of names & numbers & I’ll do the same your mom sure is proud of you no fooling she was telling me of your good sense. You don’t have to use your will power as the things other fellows do & say don’t interest you at all & I haven’t heard yet but I’ll let bet you didn’t take the dumbbells back did you? I hope you did but did you? Your mom told me of the swell attitude you have & how swell you look. Hay you little devil you better stop growing or you will reach 6’ hm not bad, says the girls, oh I’ll bet my little (illustration showing Mel short and Dean tall) boy sure had the girls in a twittel or something. & did she feel your arm & chest? I’ll bet you let her feel your arm, how about it? HA HA Hay I sent you my pictures now where are yours’? I have a few I had taken in Amarillo if you want I’ll send them so you can let me know OK? OK. Say now I am curious, who did you date last I who went to airplane with you? Tell me more she must be a Q.T. & I’ll bet she loves your body or muscles, & you know about it, when I talked to you on the phone you sounded as though you were real sleepy or scared or what? Boy you must be a fastey taking her to a show after church, oh boy. I love that boy, & “then the next day,” Your mom talks as though you intend to marry the Q.T. well that’s sure swell you found a girl in church no fooling. Hay how many chocolate’s of hers did you eat? That doesn’t work so hot your mom wrote a line & rubbed over it & I could hardly make it out & this is the safest for you. Say question, do they ever censor my mail to you? Well there isn’t much more for me to write about except I should ship soon now to the wing & be assigned to a plane & get ready to go over if I ever get in a 29 & should ever pass over your ships no I’ll drop a weight & a note on a parachute OK. OK. I’m getting tired now so I guess I’ll be drawing this to a close or something on that order. I’m going to take one 65# dumbbell along to do curls with when I leave here, that is if all goes well I hope. You’ll have to try it out your new pen so drop me a line when you can & I’ll sure answer it in a hurry. There is a fellow here, the one who owns those factories & really has the dough & he wanted to back the gym idea but I told him no, I bet he sure had a lot of swell ideas & I got a lot from him on really making the jack no fooling Well I’ll drop you another letter a little later so I guess I’ll close for now & if there is anything you want well just let me know, won’t you? I guess your ready for some more wheat germ & cookies & honey cake aren’t you? Well I’ll get some anyhow as they will be good for you well be good & take good care of yourself Dean Hay do you need a pair of good ray … glasses? Let me know as I’ll bet its bright in the sun or on deck eh what?
Love Melvin
Are you still getting your S & H … ?
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 13 January 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Pvt. Melvin J. Howard 39293587
Sec. “T” Lowry Field
Denver Colorado
Lincoln Nebraska
January 14 6 PM 1945
Richard Dean Andrus
Div “M” F 2/c U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
January 13, 1944
Dear Dean
Well ol bean sit yourself down & here is the latest news. First of all this camp is a hell hole, or not worth a darn tar paper barracks coal stoves & plenty smoky, no fooling & at night its colder than hell. & the gym here isn’t so hot, all they have here is a Olympic york set & only goes to 270 lbs & another set that goes to 150 lbs & that’s all, and a pair of rings that aren’t worth a darn good parallel bars & that’s all but I’ll try to get a good work out of it if possible. I sure as heck wish you were here, boy then I’d get a work out & I’m not fooling, yea & so would you, oh I heard Gene Jensen was here at this field, so I hope I can find him & maybe work out with him. That way I should really get a good work out. I guess I won’t be here very long as all I do here is process & it only takes four day’s & then a couple of weeks & I should ship out. & go to some B29 base for my training & it will last for around four months or so, I don’t know just where I will go now or when I finish processing but when I do I’ll sure write & let you know ol buddy. boy I sure had a swell time while I was at home no fooling I took Bobbie or Corinne out a couple of times & had a good time, she sure is a good clean girl & a Mormon to & I met a swell girl in Maywood ward she’s really cute, & I flew back & stopped over in Salt Lake & saw the Andrus family & stayed overnight & the next day I went to temple grounds & really looked it over I guess I spent a couple of hours there, & talk about some cute girls in Salt Lake, oh boy, were going there & spend some time OK OK. so don’t go getting married see, wait for me & we’ll make it double wedding & met your girl at church & she’s a nice girl, very sensible I just met her, & she seems to be built well, I was at “Y” while at home & I was very unhappy when I found these chained up & just about came breaking it free I used dumbbells & was mad so I left after a while. Hell & no wonder you never took dumbbells I guess Ira took them home to mom’s place I didn’t know that, I wish you could of found them, Hay ol buddy I’m pretty sure that, that pen & pencil set is from your loving mother, I just bought it for her OK? OK. Don’t worry if there’s any thing I need & you can get for me I’ll just hint for it & I know you’d send it. So now are you happy? I may be over in a few months & you in states I hope there you can send me stuff. I haven’t a tape measure that’s big enough so I’ll have to get one first, I use 150 lbs now on parallel bars you know I put it on my toes & do dips it’s a honey for triceps deltoids & pecks, “yea” it won’t seem like Christmas until were both home right? right. but while I think of it since I sent you some pictures of me as you wanted me to, yea I know not so hot, but there pictures, now since you haven’t sent me any how about sending me your measurement. Neck, Arms, chest & waist OK? OK.
I know you won’t ask, so I think your mom is going to send you some health food, I’m going to write her & have a few more words, yea but I will I can’t think of anything else to say so till a little later, be good & take darn good care of yourself & I’ll write you again OK? OK.
Love Melvin Howard
(signed last name again with the comment fancy eh what?
My address is
John doe 00077
Provisional Sqd. “F”
Lincoln Army Air Field
Lincoln 1, Nebraska
The reason over
I never put it on return is I put stamps & address letters in advance & I didn’t use 2 letters so I’ll use them now OK? OK. so just use new address, ol bean. By for now. Now answer my questions won’t you? At a boy I knew you would. I should get a first rating pretty soon & then another as I go over - & its about time but they won’t give ratings as long as you are in school of any kind. Its after school be good
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Verda Howard Watkins
Original now in the possession of Carl Watkins transcribed by Carl Watkins
Letter from Melvin to Verda, Roy, & Carl
Postmarked: Lincoln, Nebr.
Jan 16, 1945, 7:30 PM
Melvin J. Howard 3587
Pioc Sqdn. F
Lincoln A.A.F.
Lincoln 1, Nebr.
S/Sgt. L. Watkins 39169296
Co. A 11th Bn. 3rd Regt.
I.A.R.T.C. Camp Gordav.
Georgia
Jan 15, 45
Dear Verda, Roy, & Carl
How’s that? You know it still dosen’t seem like my little sister is a proud mother, now that’s something you know that one picture sure is a cute one of him starting to cry[;] yea I’ll keep them but not in my wallet, as if some of my cute girls should see them it sure would be hard to explain [-] no fooling me carrying my sister’s baby pictures around, that makes you think twice doesn’t it? But he’s sure a cute little fellow[,] no fooling.
Now I’ll give you all of the news[,] O.K.? O.K. I guess you know I had a 7 day delay on route to Lincoln, & so I flew home & had a swell time & met a few more Q.T’s[,] no fooling. What? Oh yess they all love me, poor dears[,] but when I left & flew to Salt Lake & stayed at the Andrus family over night & went & looked the town over next day & there sure is a lot of pretty girls there & not very many soldiers, so it’s a swell place except for the smoke, & I spent a couple of hrs. looking the temple over[;] its really pretty[,] no fooling, then I flew to here & this is a cold place & a [illegible: & toss ceasonel] of the camp[,] the chow isn’t so bad fut the camp, & there is a gym, but they don’t have very heavy weights[;] one barr bell set goes to 270 lbs. & another around 150 lbs., but I get a pretty good work out.
“Now,” the reason that I’m here is to process, I was assigned to the second Air Force & to train under them only while in the states, and I’ve been assigned to B-29’s & so I’ll get with crew here & then go to another camp for four months of training before going over. I guess I’ll get [crossed out: another] a rating at next field, & then another when I get over, “what”? I don’t know, I’m pretty sure they aren’t giving F/O [Fly-over] here, I don’t know [drawing of an airplane] about over sea’s, but I don’t care to [too] much just so I get on B29, I just about come washing out of school & taking the job in gym but then it would change my spec. [specialty] No. & they were taking p. t. [physical training] men in the infantry & sooo I figured one in a family was enough, O. K.? O.K., That sure would be swell if Roy could stay in the States. Now as he’s married & has a little boy. (Hay, why in hell is it all of the girls have boy’s first & sooo far all boy’s have girls first?) I bet Vern 10.00 bucks I have a boy first & if gym work has anything to do with it I will, but some Doc books have other ideas[;] I don’t know which to try. Well I guess I’ll draw this to a close & write you a letter later[,] O.K.? O.K. So till then be good & I hope your hubby has all of the luck there is. O.K? O.K. I hope, I hope.
Love Mel. & to be Mel. Jr. & wife.
Ha-Ha
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 16 January 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Melvin J. Howard 39293587
Sec T Lowry Field
Denver Colorado
Lincoln Nebraska
January 17 8 PM 1945
Richard Dean Andrus
Division “M” F 2/C U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean January 16, 1945
It sure was good to here from you no fooling, but now I have some more news for you so just sit your self down & listen or read, if possible as I can’t even read this myself, well I’m on shipment now & I’m not even through with my processing as yet, I have two days left now of process. I don’t know as yet where I’ll ship but when I do I’ll sure drop you a line so you will know where to write your ol buddy eh what now I’m going to give you a recipe or something so take heed to it its how to fix up a reallll good drink out of Soy-a-bean drink or soy-a-malt. OK. & wheat germ. Here goes. Take around (I just got back from gym, can’t you tell by my writing) use a pint of water or how much you want to make put in soy-a-malt & shake well till all mixed, I use a little more than directions say to use after mixed well then add your wheat germ & shake well again & then “oh boy” its really good & darn good for you, but I guess you know that. I just sit down on my bunk & start mixing mine & of course a lot of fellows look over and smile, so I take my shirt off & with a big chest you know put on a show for the slim boy’s & lay on my bunk & smile as I drink it down & its really good & do they ever drool no fooling & they don’t even get a smell of it. Well I can’t think of much more to tell you now so I guess I’ll close for now OK? OK. & boy it sure is cold here & talk about wind not to strong but cold, I just finished a quart of my drink & boy it really goes. It’s better than malted milk no fooling you’ll see well pal I’d better close & go to bed for now so take care of yourself OK? OK. Love Melvin
Address
Prov. Sqdn. “F”
Lincoln A.A.F.
Lincoln 1, Nebraska
In case you don’t have my address still, they will forward it to me anyhow if I’m not here
By for now
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 17 January 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Melvin J. Howard 39293587
Prov. Sqdn. “F”
Lincoln A.A.F.
Lincoln 1, Nebraska
Richard Dean Andrus
Div. “M” F 2/C U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean January 17, 1945
At last ol buddy the good news came I ship Friday or Thursday, late & I’ll bet you could never guess where I’m shipping to, so I’ll tell you, OK? OK. well its closer to home than I’ve ever been before, its Clovis New Mexico & that isn’t so far from home I guess you know & as I said before I’ll be there around four months or something like that. I’ll get around 125 hours of flying in B29’s & the rest of the time will be more ground work, then upon finishing I’ll get at least 10 days home then get a new plane & go to the pacific theater of operation or where you are & so I sure hope you dock in Francisco ha ha I fooled you but that’s where you belong I’ll take over where you left off OK? OK. Don’t I wish it! There isn’t much I can think of to tell you except I just finished a work out in the gym. I guess I told you the first time I tried a back lever on the rings I did it & sure surprised a few boys who have been trying it for weeks & couldn’t do it. They thought I couldn’t do it, (& neither did I till I did it) well tonight I tried a cork screw up you know go up in rings & the third time I tried I did it & that was tonight it’s a lot of fun after I went down & got a good work out, you know my pecks sure popped out after about three weeks of rest & after just one night of working out. Sure makes me feel good no fooling. I sure can’t wait to see you as its been a long time since I’ve seen you I guess you know & I’d kind of like to see my little boy HA HA Hay buddy I guess you do like I do, tonight a sgt. was just playing I guess & was trying to pull his rank on me so I just told him I’d pull my muscles on him & he didn’t know me very well so he doubted me & after a few hand to hand tricks he got what I meant & said no more & had very sore hands & arms just like a ten year old, weaker than hell, & no one can pull rank on me that’s not in line of duty & I guess it’s the same with you eh what? If I fly over I’m going to take at least one 70 lbs. dumbbell for arm work & chest & cables the ones you get now sure are strong on Vouglands cables four strands are stronger than five of the new ones, but there better than nothing I guess I can’t think of anything else to tell you now so I guess I’ll close for now, so till a little later be good and write when you get a chance to OK? OK. as I sure like to hear from you, you little bugger.
Love Melvin
P.S. I’ll write a lot planer next time so you can read it. If you have any questions, ask me & I’ll try to answer you OK? OK.
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 26 January 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Melvin J. Howard 39293587
C.C.S. – A.A.F.
Clovis New Mexico
Richard Dean Andrus
Div. “M” F 2/C U.S.S. Barnes
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean January 26, 1945
Here is the good news you have been waiting to here, & Just see if I am not right, here goes, first of all our crew is all together & a swell bunch of fellows, we took our first flight in 29 the other day & it really is a honey no fooling it really rides swell real smooth a lot smother than the B17 or 24 & a hell of a lot better & there’s no comparison in the speed or even bomb load. & the engineer is really a busy fellow no fooling. I guess that’s enough on that, we fly again Sunday each mission is around 7 hours & one of them will be 16 hours. Quite a long one eh what? I was in the gym the other day & I felt pretty good so I thought I’d go in high weights so I started at 280, 290, 300, 315, 320, & then I hit 325 & I think I can beat that next time I try as It went up pretty easy, so next time I go down I’ll start with 300 & I know I’ll beat my present 325 lbs. mark. I had two fellows lifting the weight to me, & talk about a crowd oh boy I sure had it. So I feel a little better now, & I’ll tell you as soon as I beat it, which should be real soon, I’m off tomorrow so I guess I’ll go to town again & get some figs & dates, do you want some to? Let me know now & don’t be bashful ol buddy this town isn’t so hot nothing to really do here. Just show’s & I never go & bowling & I never go, so that leaves just the gym for me & a darn good place to go I know you agree 100 % wright with eversharp. HA HA quite the kid.
I guess from the way things appear to me your really back to action as no answer, but I know you answer as soon as you get a chance to & I hope you receive my letters OK you know I sure met a cute girl in Kansas City While I stopped over for a couple of hours & talk about a build, & pretty, & she sure is a swell girl no fooling I even hated to leave there, strange & all we did was talk, & she took or went with me to the train & said as I left I sure enjoyed talking with you & hope I hear from you & see you again, she (loves me!) I met her through S & H Mag. As I bought one she already had one & she works out with a skip rope & a lot of exercises, & after I talked with her then she wanted to work out with me, can you beat it? Yea I guess she just fell at first sight so they say, that’s another town we will have to see, OK? OK. Now I am running out of things to tell you so when you write I want you to ask a lot of questions OK? OK. If you can think of any so till then ol buddy I’ll relax, don’t I wish I could.
Love Melvin
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 25 February 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Cpt Melvin J. Howard
C.C.S.- A.A.F. 39293587
Clovis New Mexico
Richard Dean Andrus
Div, “M” U.S.S. Barnes F 2/c
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean February 25, 1945
Boy I have two letters of yours to answer now so I guess I had better get on the ball eh what?
You know I sure don’t get to work out as much as I’d like to, as when we fly which is at least 3 or 4 times a week I don’t get a chance, & then when I do they close early & now its closed, & I sure do love that, you can imagine how. I’d like to work out 5 days a week at least & rest 2 days & around 2 or 3 hours a day. Then I could really make some gains hay you have to remember I’m only 5’7 inches tall & maybe 5’7 1/2 inches & I weigh around 174 striped so you can’t expect to big an arm or chest so I’ve been told, but just wait I’ll work till I drop over to get a 18” arm & a 49” chest, well maybe I’m not even close, but I’ll get it. You’ll see & you should get a good chest (as if you don’t have one now) well now I’ll try and tell you, you don’t need to worry about me getting married we will make it a foursome OK? OK.
You asked how I liked New Mexico & how are what girls? A few but I don’t bother with them, & the towns a hell hole, windy dusty, etc.
Hay how many do you do in a set when you do your hundred chins & pushups? You are right the way I do it is use 200 & do it 10 reps 5 sets then 225 after I’ve tried 8 to 10 reps two sets & then two sets of 190 & finish one set of 200, then fall over, when I come to I do curles till blue in the face, then straight arm pull overs with 65 & 75 lbs 10 reps. & by that time its time to close the gym, darn it then I don’t tuck prones for a couple of days, take a couple days of rest & start off at 315 or over, as I’ll try beating it in three or four lifts,
I sure have a good A.C. & the whole crew is pretty good our CFC* gunner is really a good boxer won a lot of first place’s & has never lost a fight & fought in golden gloves & I sure do have fun in nailing him around. He can’t get over it, & sure makes him mad to just have me take him down at will, but he’s getting over it. (…we’ve had our plane over 300 MPH 1 Air speed which is really moving & at 20,000 feet if your indicated air speed is 200 MPH your true ground speed is 280 & temperature is – 10° c & no wind so its not so slow. Yea I think if you do to many ups you will wear it down & heavy weights for bulk & reps, light for definition you have the right idea
And I’ll send in a picture to S & H for you I don’t know which one to send but I’ll send one, ol buddy & I sure hope your ship gets some weights to, you can really make some swell gains then no fooling that sure would be swell, & when you do your chins do them behind the neck also. & just keep up the good work, your doing swell,
no I couldn’t.
Do you still have those small proofs I sent you awhile ago? I was just wondering.
Here are some pictures I had taken in Amarillo Texas while going to A & M school I made a lot of gains after I left there. That’s conrath I really had him going in the gym he’s the fellow I’m holding over head a good fellow, he just finished gunnery & I guess he’s getting ready to go over also only not on 29’s.
I can’t think of any thing else to say for now, but if there is anything else I can do for you just let me know & I’ll sure do it. I guess I’ll go to bed as we … at 0400 & off by 0100, so I’ll need a little rest.
It sure is blowing here now & cold about a 30 mile wind. Oh yea I’m cpl now & that’s just the start of it. I guess I’m either lucky or something as so far I’m the only engineer who has received it & that’s just the beginning. Well I guess I’ll close for now so be good & take it easy.
Love Mel.
*CFC = Central Fire Control
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 17 March 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Cpl Melvin J. Howard
CCS-CAAF 39293587
Clovis New Mexico
Richard Dean Andrus
Div “M” U.S.S. Barnes F 2/C
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean March 17, 1945
Well ol buddy here is the picture I had taken, & its not so hot, but it’s the latest & will give you a general idea how I look now I guess, the wind was really blowing no fooling & I just finished a real big dinner, “yea” I know it looks like I ate a watermelon, but bad as it is I figured you’d like to see it any how “Look” at those picks, oh boy. Look’s like I need a (drawing of a bra) a guess what? I’m still not satisfied as yet, as I want a much bigger arm & chest & I’ll get it. If I ever get to really work on them as I want to.
I just got back from a flight so I’m kind of tired. But I had to drop a line along with the picture, its not so hot but I’ll send another as soon as I get it taken & etc. & let me know what you think of the picture wont you? & I’ll write you again soon or when I get a bit of rest & so I want you to take good care of the or our women when you get back. & be sure and number “0” your letters or pages so I wont get them mixed up. OK? OK.
In next letter I’ll send you a picture of the girl in Kansas City its just a small picture but you can give me your opinion of her. She’s a good girl to write to every now & then, let me know if there is anything I can do for you or do. & so till a little later I’ll close
with Love Mel.
P.S. I guess you know I have your sweat shirt as it gets cold up at 30.000 feet around 25° c & on some of these planes they don’t have shrouds or heaters OK? OK. thanks
PPS my arm isn’t as big as it looks. HA HA
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 22 March 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Cpl. Melvin J. Howard
C.C.S.C.A.A.F. 3587
Clovis New Mexico
Richard Dean Andrus
Div. “M” U.S.S. Barnes F 2/C
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean March 22, 1945
Well ol buddy I guess its about time I told you the real good news I was flying at 25,000 ft the 20th when we blew a cylinder so we feathered the engine no 1 & was going back to Clovis when # 4 engine really started to throw oil & so we landed at Rosewell, ^ had to leave a engine change well while I was waiting for them to change engines I went to the gym, & here’s the good news they had some dumbbells there solid 5# 10# 40# 60# 100# well they only had 1 60# so I took the two 40# really swell, they might even be heaver than 40# will I took them back to the plane (picture of a dumbbell), then the a.c. capt. Sent for a B 17 & so we left the 29 there bombs & all & flew back in a 17 yea weights & all so soo now every night I’m going to do …, & I could make good gains I wish you had them no fooling but we can use them after the war I was pressing the 100 lbs one arm right easy I tried it & the last press I tried was in Amarillo & it was 220 lbs so now you know. I have another picture I’ll send you a little later. It was just taken. I guess you have the picture I just sent you don’t you?
Hay I sent you a package a while back but I’ll bet your mom sent the last box you received.
I got both your letters at once today & it sure was good to hear from you no fooling & I haven’t heard from Reed since he shipped, I guess I’ll have to write him.
Your mom will send me a picture of you she took & I’ll bet they will be OK they will have to be if their of you.
I’m also going to send you some cable strands, soon now I don’t know whether they will fit yours or not but you can try.
No I know you won’t be getting married for a long while & neither will I. We have a lot to do after the war. & its OK for you to not go mad about the girls as I don’t bother with them when I’m away from camp. I’ve only gone out once with a girl while I’ve been here & that’s once too many I think as I could of got a darn good work out if I’d of stayed, & I can get along darn good without women, & I know you can & do so don’t let it worry you. It’s good to here you had a good time while you were home. Say Dean I want you to do me a favor, when you go home why use my car as it needs a little driving done on it OK? OK. I told mom & she wants you to also take your girl out in it. I want you to.
I guess your mom told you I have your sweat shirt I wrote home for one as it gets cold at 20,000 ft. and some planes we don’t have any shrouds or heaters, & so I really need a sweat shirt as a flying coat is to bulky in the panel & I was going to of sent it right back now I’m going to keep it for luck & I’ll give it to you in person after the war even if it is all worn out. I’ll get you a new one OK? OK.
I’m going to town now & get a package & then I’ll be right back to work out & finish this letter OK? OK
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 24 March1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Cpl Melvin J Howard
C.C.S. – C.A.A.F. 39293587
Clovis New Mexico
Richard Dean Andrus
Div “M” U.S.S. Barnes F 2/C
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean March 24, 1945
Will Ol buddy I have a few things to tell you so here it goes & I sure want an answer as soon as possible, now do you have a place to plug in electric shavers? & could you use one if you had one now answer this as soon as you can won’t you? OK now remember. I’ll tell you the reason I want to know as soon as you answer this letter.
Boy it sure is windy today no fooling its 40 MPH with gusts of 60 MPH & sand is sure blowing no fooling this is a heck of a place. But I guess I can take it a little longer as it won’t to be long now Till I’ll be shipping & going to staging then over.
Hay you aren’t numbering your letters so they get mixed up & I don’t know where I’m at as 1 2 3 so lets get on the ball
Say muscles how are things going with you now? I guess things are going fine eh what? You know I did a dip on parallel bar with 150 lbs on by feet rest to bad I guess, but I’ll be beating it by far soon, eh what?
Boy I sure wish I’d of had a wrench long when I was at Rosewell Field I’d sure of had some swell cables no fooling.
I guess I just as well tell you now. They got some Schick electric razors in P.S, just like mine, so I bought one for you so let me know how soon you want me to send it to you. Its all wrapped & ready to send, so give me the sign OK? OK
I sure wish you were here to work out with as just about every fellow I’ve met do prones but they don’t do more than “3” sets 10 reps & that doesn’t even warm me up so I end up doing them by myself & I like to do 8 to 10 sets. 10 in a set, then I feel as though I’ve done something worth while. I put the dumbbells on my toes when I do dips in the bed ends (illustration) I guess you get what I mean alright, its stretches your pecks & really gets your triceps.
I guess I’ll close for now & write you a little later.
Love Mel
P.S. I’m sending your razor now as you’d never tell me to send it. Its for your birthday HA HA I guess I don’t even know your birthday but you will like the razor I hope.
Letter written by Melvin Howard to Dean Andrus, dated 12 May 1945.
Original in the possession of Myrna Kirchgestner.
Sgt. Melvin J Howard 39293587
61st Bomb Sq 39th Bomb Gp.
APO 246 Unit 2
C/O P.M. San Francisco California
(Inter Island)
Richard Dean Andrus
Div “M” U.S.S. Barnes C.V. 20
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco California
Dear Dean
Well ol buddy I was sure glad to here you had such a swell time while you were home & that little or grown up stricker gal was really OK. the last time I saw her at the stake dance. Boy your getting to be quite the man about town girl’s all over the place no fooling ata boy.
I sure wish I could of talked to you that day as we were leaving for Hawaii at 0001 o’clock we had a swell trip over as it was all good weather, & we were the first to arrive there we made darn good time. We were there for three day’s & I was in town two days, & all I saw was sailors all over the place. I went surfing & saw most of the best places, park & birds, then we left there & went to Kaualjalein Island for refueling & remained over night & then left there for guess where? But we have good weather here nice & hot I’ve been swimming two times already & not to bad a beach a few corals sharp shells & so on I’m just a little red now.
Boy you know I climbed a palm tree I got a big ‘coconut’ & by the time I was through all of my clothes was all wet from sweat, in other words it was or is hotter than hell,
I also brought 2 dumbbells, along about 35 or 40 lbs each & at Nebraska I got a set of cables (5) strands I’m going to try & get more as they are two darn weak either 8 or 10 strand but as it is now its two darn week. I’m also going to make some over head cables for you latisomers like this (illustration) & that should really get threw darn good & as I got stronger I could add more sand in the buckets & it will work perfect I know. I’m starting on it tomorrow as our crew won’t start any missions for at least a week so they say. Say what are your intentions after the war? I guess you will want to go to college for a little schooling if your starting a gym & then do a little traveling I guess collecting weights & ideas & I guess I’ll see a few pretty women I hope.
I saw quite a few native women today & some have lip stick on & dress fair, bare feet.
Well I can’t think of any thing else to say so till a little later I guess I’ll close & write you when I have something to talk about
Love Mel.
P.S. you will have to tell me about your little stay home when you get time & about where your at if you know.
Well I’ll expect a nice big fat letter back around 8 pages same as I wrote of course there not writing on each side but it looks good anyhow.
I can’t tell where I’m at as its restricted & mail as yours is, is censored so be good Dean & take good care of yourself & if there’s anything I can answer that bothers you why ask it & I’ll sure try if at all possible.
Death date and location are in Melvin's Veteran records. Burial location is also found in this veteran records as is a photo copy of his baptism certificate. Melvin was killed in action in World War II.
December 16, 1947
Mrs Louisa Howard
301 East Louise Street
North Long Beach 5, California
Dear Mrs. Howard
The Department of the Army is most desirous that you be furnished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Sergeant Melvin J. Howard, A.S.N. 39 293 587.
The records of this office disclose that his remains are interred in united States Armed Forces Cemetery Yokohama #1, plot USAF, row 28, grave 1376. You may be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with fitting dignity and solemnity.
This cemetery is located at Yokohama on the island of Honshu, Japan, and is under the constant care and supervision of United States military personne.
The Department of the Army has now been authorized to comply, at Government expense, with the feasible wisher of the next of kin regarding final interment, here or abroad, of the remains of your loved one. At a later date, this office will, without any action on your part, provide all legal next of kin with full information and solicit their detailed desires.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely Yours
T. B. Larkin
Major General
The Quartermaster General
howard 1384
Records of trying to find war records Park 344
Melvin Howard 39293587, 314th Bombardment Wing, 20th Airforce based on Guam, 61st Bomb Squadron, 39th Bomb group. Sargent in the 39th bomb group 61st Bomb Squad.
1022 Form E 1924-1948 North Long Beach record of members Deaths 1946 Howard, Melvin Josiah Elder Single 19 years 8 mos father Josiah Howard. mother Louisa B Park born Carey Idaho born 2 Sept 1920 Death 26 May 1945 U.S. Army Missing in Action. location Marianna Islands.
http://39th.org/39th/aerial/61st/koblercrew.htm
Capt Cornelius W. Kobler Airplane Commander
2nd Lt Thomas P. Winteringer Pilot
2nd Lt Clarence G. Ogden Navigator
F/O Milford G. Fredenburg Bombardier
F/O Fred C. Graesslin Radar Observer
Sgt Gerald A. Drouin Radio Operator
Sgt Melvin J. Howard Flight Engineer
Sgt Harry Slater, Jr. CFC Gunner
Cpl George W. Roberts Left Gunner
Cpl Luther Woods Right Gunner
Cpl David R. Curry Tail Gunner
http://39th.org/39th/61st_pages.htm
On 25-26 May 1945, B-29 (airframe number 42-94079, 314BW 39BG) crashed on the farm of Yabunodai, Maruya, Makida-village (now, Kisarazu-city), Kimitsu-county, Chiba-prefecture (One of the lost 26 aircrafts that participated in Tactical Mission 183, Target: Tokyo Urban Area).
http://39th.org/39th/aerial/61st/koblercrew-a.htm#macr
While Crew 21 was recovering from its terrifying experience and awaiting a gunner to replace Harrison, the airplane commander passenger (Capt Cornelius W. Kobler) that had survived the ditching, took Crew 21's replacement aircraft, and his crew, on a mission. They never returned.
The approximate time of take-off of their plane was 7:00 PM 25 May 1945. The time they were over the target area, "Tokyo" was about 2:00 AM 26 May when the crew was lost. Source: "Butler Co Veterans of WWII" by Richard G. Curry
"On May 26th at night we were flying in over north Tokio (sic) on a mission. Comming (sic) in from Mount Fuji towards the Shiebea (sic) Peninsula when were caught in the searchlights. We kept comming (sic) in and dropped our bombs on the target. Soon after we were hit by flak in the right wing and # 3 engine had caught fire. Engine was feathered and the fire was put out. Soon after that # 2 engine was hit and on fire. Engineer tried to put it out but it kept burning beyond the firewall. Fire spread rapidly and the Cpt.'s manuvering (sic) around couldn't blow out the fire. Soon it had burned half the wing off and was getting near our center wing tank. The blister next to me was melting and the plane looked as if she would blow up right away. The Captain was planning on putting in Tokyo Bay and ditching it there. He gave us our choice weather(sic) to bailout or stay. The radioman was in the back with the gunners and no message was sent. I jumped out of the plane with the other gunners right behind me. Weather(sic) they ever jumped I'll never know. I was on fire and by the time I got it out, pulled my ripcord, I could see nothing of the plane. I landed safely in a tree and was picked up by the by the Japanese two nights later. I never did hear anything else about my crew.
Harry Slater
CFC" The above is the written account (shown as written) of Sgt Harry Slater, Jr., CFC Gunner on this crew in reference to a letter from Lt Col John J. Smith, Air Corps, Chief Notification Section, Personnel Services Division, AC/AS-1 Subject: Flight Officer Fred Graesslin dated 5 November 1945. This was included in the information provided by Jim Kasmarek.
The following comes from Ken Lummus who is the son of Capt Kobler who recent found our web site.
They were hit by anti-craft fire and eventually my dad said, "Bail out...we're going in." Only one man, Harry Slater, got out and spent the rest of the war in a concentration camp. My mom had heard one man survived but never found him. "About 6 years ago mom was reading the Reno papers about some speakers at a Memorial Day or Veterans Day gathering. This man described being the only survivor of a B 29 over Tokyo. It turned out to be Harry Slater. My mom and brother went to see him and learned quite a lot. He gave them some articles he'd writtem about the whole thing (never published). Evidently, he was a drifter and when I drove up to see him, he'd moved on and nobody knows where he is.
A wing burned off and the plane went into a spin. Harry was more or less thrown out the door. He saw the face of a dead Kamikaze pilot still in his plane which was stuck to the tail assembly. The following was provided by Sparky Corradina of the 40th BG Association:
On 25-26 May 1945, B-29 (airframe number 42-94079, 314BW 39BG) crashed on the farm of Yabunodai, Maruya, Makida-village (now, Kisarazu-city), Kimitsu-county, Chiba-prefecture (One of the lost 26 aircrafts that participated in Tactical Mission 183, Target: Tokyo Urban Area).
This aircraft rammed with a Japanese fighter. 10 crew members including Aircraft Commander Kobler were killed on crash.
Sergeant Harry J. Slater was arrested, sent to Tokyo Military Police and came back to U.S. after the war.
With Cpl David R. Curry being listed "DED" (Declared Dead) further research turned up that the remains were crashed with the aircraft and it is supposed that the remains could not be indentified - this may explain why Curry is listed as "DED".
e-mail from Pete Weiler webmaster 39th BG Association. contains some service information on Melvin.
howard 790
Letter written by Verda Watkins now in the possession of Carl Watkins.
Letter from Verda Watkins
Mrs. V. Watkins
Xx5 East Ellis
Long Beach 5, Calif.
Sgt. Melvin J. Howard 39293587
Liberated Personel Section
APO 501 c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.
Aug. 31, 1945
Dearest Melvin:
Melvin[,] I just heard over the radio that we can write to prisoners of war, & the address, so thought I’d take a long shot in the dark, in hopes this will reach you, if you are a prisoner, we’ve been so worried about you.
Mother is fine, but I know you’re in her thoughts most of the time. All of our letters and packages came back we sent you. Melvin[,] I’m just hoping and praying you are all right., but we’ve none of us ever given up hope that you weren’t alive & well.
We received the telegram about the last of June you were missing in action over Guam on May 26, & have received about 4 letters from the War dept. saying your crew took off at 1 AM to bomb Tokyo on May 26, but your ship was neither heard of nor seen after leaving Guam, & that it was missing in formation, so they don’t think your crew ever reached Tokyo & they went on to say of continuous air and sea searches for missing men & planes. So we’ve been wondering if you might be on some island, or made it to Tokyo & was shot down, but now this awful war is really over, I’m sure we will know soon now.
Dean was here about a month ago, he was just off a few hrs. while his ship was loading up again.
Roy is still at Oahu, no telling how soon he can come home. He only has about 64 points how. Carl is saying dada, mama, no. & chatter away all the time. He has 8 teeth & will soon be walking alone now.
Oh & Melvin, Mother sold the house there at Poppy St., for $7200.00. We’ve been staying with Vernal since last June 30, but I’m going to move over with Lee’s awhile & Mother is going to stay with Ira until we can find another house[,] so if you receive this, you can write to Mother at Ira’s – 5326 Locust.
Your car is looking just as shinny & pretty. When we came here, Mother rented a garage to keep it in & she want out & washed & waxed it before putting it in. I go over every now & then & drive it around the block a little to keep the battery charged. Mother is so particular with your car. I remember, just the way you used to be when you used to come home after work every night & wax & shine it up so pretty.
Well Melvin, I won’t write too much now as I don’t even know you will receive this, maybe you will be home before this even gets there. I can’t tell you how happy we would be to see you again, it would just be too good to be true. We’re still hoping and praying for you Melvin that God will bring you back safely. & I know I don’t need to ask you to write, as I know you will as soon as you can.
Bye for now, & remember, we love you very much, & hurry back.
With lots of love your big sis - Verda
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Note: N23036 Certificate of Graduation
The Primary Associate of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Of Virginia Ward, Los Angeles Stake Hereby Certifies that Melvin Josiah Howard has been a member of the Primary Association for seven years. Is now in good standing and prepared for further advancement in the Church. Therefore this certificate is awarded.
Leo P Meier Stake President
Phebe Layton Stake Superintendent
Joseph F. Wasden Ward Bishop
Lilliam Eynon Ward Superintendent Issured September 4 1932
howard 1538
Certificate of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood
This Certifies that Melvin J. Howard was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 24th 1932 by Jos L. Shumway who holds the office of High Priest
Joseph F. Wasden
Herbert Bramley clerk
Virginia ward, Los Angeles Stake
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Certificate of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood
This Certifies that Melvin Josiah Howard was ordained a Teacher in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on January 31 1937 By Ben R. Stanfield who holds the office of High Priest
Ben R. Stanfield
William C Price
North Long Beach Ward Long Beach Stake
This certificate is not valid until it has been entered in the Ward Record.
Entered in the Ward Record, line No. 577
By William C. Price Date January 31, 1937
Name in full Melvin Josiah Howard
Father’s Name Josiah Howard
Mother’s Maiden Name Louisa B Park
Born at Carey Blaine Co., Idaho 2 September 1920
Baptized by Albert A. Park 1 September 1928
Confirmed by Albert A. Park 1 September 1928
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The David Starr Jordan High School Long Beach, California
Be it known that Melvin J. Howard has completed with Credit the Course of Study prescribed for Granduation from this School and its therefore awarded this Diploma
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our Hands and affixed the Seal of the School this 13th Day of June nineteen hundred and forty.
John W. Wilson
Kenneth E. Oberhotzer
Franklin W. Robinson
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United States Census, 1940 California Los Angeles Long Beach judicial Towns Councilmanic District 9 59-139 Long Beach Judicia...) in Assembly District 70
Image 42 of 52
Poppy 1431 158 O 1000
Howard Louisa Head 0 F W 56 Wd no 8 8 Utah 94 same house 20 20 yes 3 12 nursing private p4 760 86 1 6 260 55
Vernal P son 2 m W 26 S no 14 30 Idaho same house yes 1 40 clerking grocery p5 220 61 1 50 1500 240
Verda daughter 2 F W 22 SH H 30 Utah 94 same house no no yes 52 musician newwoolier no 6 0 0 yes
Melvin son 2 ma W 19 S 4 14 20 Idaho 89 same house no no no 3 6 0 0 no
Melvin J Howard, "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946"
Name:
Melvin J Howard
Name (Original):
HOWARD MELVIN J
Event Type:
Military Service
Event Date:
10 Apr 1943
Term of Enlistment:
Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Event Place:
Los Angeles, California, United States
Residence Place:
Race:
White
Citizenship Status:
citizen
Birth Year:
1920
Birthplace:
IDAHO
Education Level:
4 years of high school
Civilian Occupation:
Unskilled machine shop and related occupations, n.e.c.
Marital Status:
Single, without dependents
Military Rank:
Private
Army Branch:
No branch assignment
Army Component:
Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source Reference:
Civil Life
Serial Number:
39293587
Affiliate Publication Title:
Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
Affiliate ARC Identifier:
1263923
Box Film Number:
14176.183
Last Will and Testament of Melvin J. Howard a legal resident of Long Beach, Los Angeles, California
Army Serial No. 39293587
I give, devise and bequeath, absolutely and forever, all my property, real and personal, owned by me at my death, to my mother, Louisa B. Howard, of the city of Long Beach, County of Los Angeles, State of California, and if she does not survive me, then to my sister, Virginia L. Coulson, of the same address.
I appoint as executrix of my Will, my mother, Louisa B. Howard.
I direct that said executrix shall serve without bond or surety or security.
I give said executrix the fullest power and authority in all matters and questions, including complete power and authority to sell, at public or private sale, for cash or credit, with or without security, mortgage, lease and dispose of all property, real and personel, at such times and upon such terms and conditions as said executrix may determine, all without court order.
I revoke all prier wills and codicils.
In witness, I sign, seal, publish and declare this as my Last Will and Testament, in the presence of the persons witnessing it at my request, this 4 day of April, 1945, at Clovis Army Air Field, Clovis, New Mexico.
Melvin J. Howard Seal
The foregoing was at said date and place subscribed, sealed, published and declared by said testator as his Last Will and Testament in our presence, and we, at his request, in his presence, and the presence of each other, subscribe our names as witnesses, all of us, including the testator, being present together throughout the execution and attestation of the Will; we and each of us believing the said testator to be of sound and disposing mind and memory at the date hereof.
...
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Authorization for allotment of pay
Howard, Melvin J 39293587 Sgt. C1 4-17 Prev Gp
The named above hereby authorizes a Class “E” allotment of his pay in the amount of $55.00 per month ... commencing 1 May 1945,... to Mrs Louisa Howard, 1431 Poppy St., Long Beach, California Date of enlistment 10 April, 1943 ... Relationship of allottee Mother If allotment is in favor of a bank, the following is require to be stated;...
I hereby state that the purpose for which this allotment is granted is solely for the support of wife, child, or dependent relatives; or if made for the payment of life insurance premiums, the insurance (including endowments and/or twenty (or other) payment policies) is on the life of the allotter only; that the insurance constitutes the major and not a merely incidental or collateral element of the transactions; and that the allotment is made in favor of the insurance company issuing the policy and not in favor of a bank or other agent.
Place KAAF, Kearney, Nebraska x M. J. Howard (signature of allotter)
Entered on service record 22 April 1945. (date) 22 April, 1945...
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WAR DEPARTMENT, The Adjutant General’s office Washington 25, D.C.
In reply refer to:
AGPC-S 201 Howard, Melvin J. (27 May 46) 39,293,587
27 May 1946
Mrs. Louisa Howard
1431 Poppy Street
Long Beach, California
Dear Mrs. Howard:
Since your son, Sergeant Melvin J. Howard, 39,293,587, Air Corps, was reported missing in action 26 May 1945, the War Department has entertained the hope that he survived and that information would be revealed dispelling the uncertainty surrounding his absence. However, as in many cases, the conditions of warfare deny us such information. The record concerning your son shows that he was a crew member aboard a B-29 (Superfortress) aircraft which departed from base to participate in a bombing mission to Tokyo on 26 May 1945. Your son’s plane was neither seen nor contacted by radio after it departed from base at 1:00 a.m., and consequently the circumstances surrounding its disappearance were unknown until Sergeant Harry Slater, Jr., the only surviving crew member, was liberated from a Japanese prison camp. According to Sergeant Slaters’s statement, your son’s plane was damaged in the wings and engines by flak soon after its bombs were released over Tokyo. The fire in the number three engine was soon extinguished, but the number two engine then started burning, and all attempts to put out the rapidly spreading fire were unsuccessful, and the plane appeared to be in danger of exploding. Captain Kobler gave the crew members their choice of bailing out or staying with the plane while he attempted to ditch it in Tokyo Bay. Sergeant Slater stated that in bailing out he caught on fire, and by the time he had extinguished it and had pulled the rip cord the plane was out of sight; consequently he did not know whether any other crew members succeeded in bailing out, and he heard nothing concerning their fate.
Full consideration has recently been given to all available information bearing on the absence of your son, including all records, reports and circumstances. These have been carefully reviewed and considered. In view of the fact that twelve months have now expired without the receipt of evidence to support a continued presumption of survival, the War Department must terminate such absence by a presumptive finding of death. Accordingly, an official finding of death has been recorded under the provisions of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, approved March 7, 1942, as amended.
The finding does not establish an actual or probable date of death; however, as required by law, it includes a presumptive date of death for the termination of pay in allowances, settlement of accounts and payment of death gratuities. In the case of your son this date has been set as 27 May 1946, the day following the expiration of twelve months absence.
I regret the nesessity for this message but trust that the ending of a long period of uncertainty may give at least some small measure of consolation. I hope you may find sustaining comfort in the thought that the uncertainty with which war has surrounded the absence of your son has enhanced the honor of his service to his country and of his sacrifice.
Sincerely yours
Edward F. Witsell
Major General
The Adjutant General of the Army
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WAR DEPARTMENT
The Adjutant General’s office Washington 25, D.C.
In reply refer to
AG 201 Howard, Melvin J. PO-CO 055042
4 March 1948
Mrs. Louisa Howard
301 East Louise Street
North Long Beach, California
Dear Mrs. Howard:
I am writing to you concerning your son, Sergeant Melvin J. Howard, 39,293,587, Air Corps, who was killed in action on 26 May 1945.
Following the cessation of hostilities, extensive investigations were made by our military authorities overseas in an effort to obtain complete information regarding our military personnel. As a result of these investigations, a report has recently been received from the Commanding General, Philippine-Ryukyus Command that information regarding Sergeant Howard’s plane and his crew members has become available. The B-29 type aircraft which departed from its base to participate in a bombing mission to Tokyo on 26 May 1945, crashed in Makuta-Mura, Kimitsu-gun, Chiba-Ken, in an open field. Japanese personnel arrived at the scene of the crash and ordered a guard unit to be placed around the plane to keep all villagers away. Ten of the crew members aboard the plane were killed in the crash and the remains were originally interred near the scene. Graves Registration Units recovered the body of your son and were successful in identifying it. Any request for information regarding the burial of your son should be addressed to The Quartermaster General, Washington 25, D.C.
The initial report of death received concerning your son stated that he was killed in action on 26 May 1945 in the Marianas Islands. Corrected reports are now being issued to show the place of death as Makuta-Mura, in Central Honshu, Japan.
My continued sympathy is with you in the great loss you have sustained.
Sincerely yours,
Edward F. Witsell
Major General
The Adjutant General of the Army
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Office of the Quartermaster General Washington 25, D.C.
29 November 1949
Sgt. Melvin J. Howard, 39 293 587
Group Burial
United States Armed Forces Cemetery
Hokohama #1, Japan
Mrs. Louisa B. Howard
301 East Louise Street
Long Beach, California
Dear Mrs. Howard:
The Department of the Army desires that you be given the most recent information concerning your son, the late Sergeant Melvin J. Howard, ASN 39 293 587.
The American Graves Registration Service in their search for deceased American personnel recovered certain remains from the area in which your son and others of his comrades met their death. As identifications could not be established at the time of the recovery, unknown designations were assigned pending further investigation, and temporary interments were made in a United States Military Cemetery overseas.
The investigation has now been completed, and although the circumstances rendered individual identifications impossible, sufficient evidence was present to determine that they were those of your son and eight comrades and to warrant a group identification of the remains. The remains are now casketed, and being held overseas, pending return to the United States for interment in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, located at Saint Louis 23, Missouri.
This plan for the burial in one of our country’s shrines of all the known groups of men whom individual identity cannot be established, is based upon the provisions of Public Law 383, 79th Congress, as amended by Section 3, Public Law 368, 80th Congress. Final interment in a national cemetery in the United States where perpetual care will be given the graves, is fitting and proper. This particular national cemetery was selected in order that no undue burden of travel might be placed on any one family wishing to attend the services.
You and the next of kin of the other men will be informed of the date and time of final interment sufficiently in advance to permit you and any interested persons to attend the ceremonies. In order that you may receive information concerning these final rites, it is essential, in case you change your address, that you promptly inform the Commanding General, San Francisco Port of Embarkation, Attention AGRD, Fort Mason, California.
Sincerely yours,
E.V. Freeman
Colonel, QMC
Chief, Memorial Division
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Citation to Accompany the Award of The Air Medal
(Posthumous)
To
Melvin J. Howard
Sergeant Melvin J. Howard, 39293587, Air Corps, Army of the United States, distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in arial flight in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 17 May 1946 to 26 May 1945. The technical skill, exceptional courage, and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Howard, as Flight Engineer, contributed to the success of bombardment operations and reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Notice of Settlement National Service Life Insurance
To Mrs. Louisa B. Howard
1008 Tucker Street
Compton, California
Date July 26. 1946
Name Howard, Melvin J. XC- 6,152,803 26 N 10,197,703
Dear Madam:
You are hereby notified that, as a beneficiary of insurance in the amount of $10,000.00 granted to Melvin J. Howard by the United States under the National Service Life Insurance Act of October 8, 1940, as amended, you are entitled to monthly payments of $65.20 beginning May 26, 1945 to continue for life with 154 monthly installments certain.
The initial payment under this settlement will be dispatched to you at the earliest possible date. If you should change your address, the Accounting Division, Finance Service, Betrans Administration, Washington 25, D.C., must be immediately notified.
All future communications with reference to this case must bear the File Number XC-6,152,803 26 N 10,197,703
Very truly yours,
R.J. Hinton, Director Dependents and Beneficiaries Claims Service
Important: If evidence to prove relationship and age, already requested, has not been furnished, it should be furnished as soon as practicable; otherwise it may be necessary to suspend payment pending its receipt. However, if evidence of relationship is being submitted for pension purposes it need not be duplicated for insurance purposes.
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Three payments made to Louise B Howard then living with Leona Andrus at 265 Ellis St Long Beach California 90805 for veterans compensation. Included also is Louisa B Howard’s social security number
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found with howard documents 1881-1887
September 8, 1884
Dearest Va & Ira:
I found these checks-no doubt from Melvins comp. to Mother, but since Mother died 11-79, and Melvin named you a beneficiary after mother in his well, I think what is left of his insurance should go to you.
Unless too much time has gone by.
Anyway thought you might want to check it out. Melvins well is enclosed, also some papers Joy may want for her album.
Lee is doing about the same some days more sharp & alert, other days-she seems tiered. I feel so bad for her, not able to speak up for her needs, or pain.
I think weve sold the duplex, only 1 buyer interested & they want us to come down to 1330.00 Property won’t start up here for years, & May even drop more.
Were doing fine, but its too much keeping up Leonas house, Rental, our house, & visiting Lee daily. I want to try to rent Lee’s house - furnished to a Home missionary couple, so I’m trying to rid her files its of old papers, letters etc.
Well-sweeties-so nice seeing you last August Do hope your both well & happy-
Lots of love Verda
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