EDITOR’S NOTE: For the next few weeks, we will be sharing entries from Old Tillamook Times, provided by Sandi Burgess Botten Dean, featuring Karen Krantweiss Nudelman’s blog in which she describes the search and book writing that started a little over 10 years ago when she first received “the letters” and began reading. Then came the idea for a story, then a book – “Dear Folks” tells a young man’s story through letters he wrote home to his parents in Tillamook, Oregon. Links to the introduction to the story and the series are below.
by Karen Krantweiss Nudelman
During wartime, mothers stood by and watched their children leave. Even in peacetime, kids turn into young adults and stretch their wings. But at this time in our country’s history, mothers and their sons waited both anxiously and eagerly for that day. If a man was between the ages of 18-40, they were likely drafted, enlisted or waiting to be called up. They left behind untidy college dorm rooms and skipped final exams. They planted seeds in a field they would not be there to harvest. They left behind busy main streets, church picnics and fishing trips in their hometowns, big and small. They left behind their childhood friends, and they left behind their mothers. From the minute they left, the countdown to an anticipated furlough began.
For those that left and those that were left behind, the passage of time was felt deeply and encountered bravely, no matter how slowly, with diligence and hope.
On November 14, 1942, Chuck Hunter, private citizen took an oath to serve the United States as a private in the Army. From that day forward, his mind was occupied with upcoming Aviation School and classification as a pilot, navigator, bombardier or radio operator. He may have gone back to Oregon State College that afternoon, but his heart wasn’t there.
On April 8, 1943 Chuck arrived in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he began studying as an aviation student at Sheppard Field.
For Chuck, it was never a question of which date he enlisted. He entered the Army Air Corps the day he took his oath. But that was not a view shared by his mother.
Early in the summer of 1945, Chuck’s mother Alice questioned the enlistment date he entered on a recent military form. In a letter dated July 1945, she received a scathing response from her son.
Now about dates. Mom, you made me burn…. when you said I didn’t give the exact date I entered the service. The date I gave my oath to my country, I was a private, awaiting appointment to aviation student, in the Army of the U.S.!!!! That date is the one which all of my military records date back to! On Nov. 14, 1945, I will be in the A.U.S. exactly 3 years. From that date, I will draw 05 percent extra pay for longevity. Every 3 years you will receive 5 percent extras. One Hash-mark denotes 3 years’ service. The date I entered was November 14, 1942. Now, never bring this up again. I think I have served enough to accept the Wash. D.C. govt. records as my exact date which I entered service. Now I don’t wish to discuss that subject again. 36 months on November 14, 1945!
I believe June 6th was the date I was promoted to Sgt. Now mom, are you satisfied? Please don’t be displeased again over this old subject.
The counting of time was part of their daily life. It was a significant ritual. How many weeks will it take for a letter to arrive from home? How many hours will our supply flight be in the air over the Pacific? How many days as it been since I’ve had fresh milk? How many months are there left until I go home and steal beef jerky out of father’s smoker?
All of the military records that I’ve found on Charles W. Hunter, state his enlistment date as April 8, 1943. His mother was, in fact, right.
In mid-October 1945, The Tillamook local paper “The Headlight Herald” ran the obituary of Alice Hunter’s beloved son. In the article, Chuck’s military career is remembered. Milestone dates are included. Not wanting to go against her son’s wishes, Alice made sure his enlistment date read, “November 14, 1942.
Here are the links to the introduction to the Dear Folks, and the series:
OLD TILLAMOOK TIMES: “Dear Folks” #4 – A Son, A Soldier, A Man
