January 31, 1943

Dear Mother,
          Well here it is Sunday again and
time to drop a line or two to you. I
missed church this morning I had to
help clean up the day room and office.
          Well I finish school at Duncan Field
yesterday and start on the shops here
tomorrow night. I don't know when
I will be able to get into town
now. Tell Luella and Lenore I will
try to send them some catcus if I
can get into town and if they have any
more left.
          How is the weather at home today?
It is hot and sultry here. There is a
little breeze but not much. The sun
shines out once in a while and that
is all. Every Sunday lately is our


poorest day for weather. I can't think
of anything to write about. Things are
going along as usual. Get paid some
time tomorrow. As for me leaving
the U.S. I think it will really be
for sometime yet to come. We really
have a lot to do before we are ready
to leave. I told Lenore we had been
issued gas masks and helmets. I guess
she thinks we are about ready. We
have to have this equipment in order
to finish our training. I hope it won't
ever come true though. I would like
to see this war come to an end soon.
Maybe things will change soon.
          So long for now. Please write
soon. Tell everybody hello for me.
How is Helen now?
                                Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on February 3rd.

Background Information (and comments):

• Lenore was Ralph's sister-in-law; she was married to his oldest brother, Harold.

January 26, 1943

Hello Mother,
          Well I think it is about
time I dropped you a line again.
I didn't write Sunday so will
write tonight.
          We had such grand weather
the last five days of last week.
Sunday morning it was cloudy
and foggy. Monday it was warm
and muggy in the morning and
by noon you had to wear a
jacket. This morning it was
15 above again. Gosh I never
seen a weather change as
sudden. Everybody has colds here.


I am still working at Duncan
Field now. I think this week
will wind us up over there.
We are working on governors
this week. When we are done
we are suppose to have charge
of the propeller shop here at Stinson
Field. I don't know if we will
get our ratings yet or not. They
seem to like to keep them to
themselves. Mine will be at least
a staff sargent. That is what
is one the list for me. Maybe
a little better afterwards.
          Well I suppose you are
haveing the same cold weather in
Michigan yet as before. I sure


wish I could be back there to
see a good old fashion winter
again. I guess once you are use
to the snow you always will
want to see it. I always wanted
to spend one of my winters in the
south, but never again in the
Army. You never have any
time to yourself. Everything is done
by orders. Get to bed on time
get up certain time, eat regular,
when you go anywhere it is always
in formation. This always gets
very tiresome. Hardly ever a
minute to yourself. I really get
discussed sometimes. I guess I am
in one of those moods tonight.


I don't get so much sleep anymore
and they are sending men everywhere.
A lot of the fellows that made buddies
are leaving here. Two fellows whom
went to school at Parks with me
have lefted and one is in the hospital.
          Irene writes about everyday and
tells me how lonesome it gets being
there alone Sundays. Irma is there
but I guess they get tired of each
other everyday. She says she has
been getting letters from you, Luella
and Marie. I am glad you do write
to her. Try to have her out for
dinner some Sunday. Won't you?
          Say isn't Sunday your wedding


anniversary? I forget a lot of things
that happen. I will send my wishes
now for a happy one. I guess there
is a lot on our minds here now.
Things look good some days and
other days it don't look so good.
          I was at church Sunday again.
It is getting to be a habit again. I
guess it doesn't do any harm though.
          Well I guess I have told you about
everything Uncle Sam would care to
have me tell. I guess there isn't any
secrets though. Did the catcus live?
Please write soon and often. Say
hello to Ruth for me. I will drop
her a letter soon. I really am
busy lately.
                          Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on January 31st.

Background Information (and comments):

• In the case of the aircraft engine, the propeller is the load and power developed is determined by the pilot. The function of the propeller governor is to adjust the propeller blade angle so the load on the engine will maintain the desired engine rpm at the horsepower setting selected.

January 21, 1943

Dear Mother,
          I received your letter today. So I
will answer it now, because I have an
opportunity to do so. So much is happening at
camp lately I can hardly keep up with it myself
by being in school or at work at Duncan. We
have been issued our gas masks and helmets.
The fellow that are working in the shops here
at Stinson go on hikes every day. They have
been practicing comando drills lately. I miss
all this by my work. Tonight there is
a notice to get rid of all cameras, so I will
be sending mine home. I guess the Capt. of
the guards caught somebody taking pictures
around the camp so we all must get rid of
them now. They are getting very strict in every
thing lately. There is a rumor that we are


going to move, either to Kelly Field Texas or some
field in West Virginia. Nothing official as yet, but
I guess this field is going to be used for cadets.
          I also got a letter from Luella today. I have
written quite a few letters this week. I am all
alone on the top floor in the barracks tonight. All
the rest are in shop. Gosh it seems funny. Saturday
it was so warm here. 87 degrees and Monday morning
it was 15 above. Boy what a change. Everybody has
a cold. So you can see our weather isn't all
sunshine here.
          Well I must write to Irene yet tonight
and get to bed. I guess I have told you all the
rest of the news. So long for now.
                                               Love
                                                        Ralph.

The next letter will be posted on Jan. 26th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Luella was Ralph's only sister.
• Here is a website for more information about gas masks used during World War II:

http://www.wood.army.mil/ccmuseum/ccmuseum/Library/Masks_History.pdf

M2 Series Mask In 1939, the Army developed a lightweight training mask with a fully molded rubber facepiece. This proved so popular and effective that the mask was standardized as the M2 Mask in 1941. This was the first mask to eliminate stockinet coverings due to improved age-resistant rubber. It came in three sizes: small, universal, and large. Improvements to the outlet valve resulted in the M2A1 in 1941, the M2A2 in 1942, and the M2A3 in 1944. Over 8 million of the masks were produced during World War II. The masks were obsoleted in 1949.

M3 Series Lightweight Mask The bulky weight of the M2 series masks resulted in the demand for a lightweight mask. In 1942, the M3 Lightweight Mask was standardized. The overall weight was three-and-one-half pounds and used a fully molded rubber facepiece. To prevent lens fogging, the mask added an interior nosecup. An improved lightweight canister provided better protection. An improved outlet valve resulted in the M3A1 Mask in 1944. Over 13 million of the masks were produced during World War II. The masks were obsoleted in 1949.

M4 Series Lightweight Mask The continuing demand for a lightweight mask for assault troops led to modifications to the existing M2A2 facepiece to speed up production. In 1942, the result was the M4 Lightweight Mask which added a nosecup, a new outlet valve and a new lighter canister. The Army ordered 250,000 of the masks. A modification to the outlet valve resulted in the M4A1 Lightweight Mask in 1945. The mask was obsoleted in 1949.

Stinson Field, Texas January 17, 1943

Dear Mother,
          I received your letter yesterday and will
answer it today. You said you were haveing
a very old fashion winter and hoped I was
enjoying the southern shunshine. Yesterday it was
the hottest day in San Antonio for 32 years.
At this this time of year. It was 87 at 5:30
last night and today it is around 40. I
guess that is why you can't enjoy the weather
here. One day you sweat, and the next you
are frozen. The paper says sub freezing weather
by tonight.
          I received my books ok. That was all
of them. I went to church this morning it makes
five Sundays in a row now. There was about
200 men in church this morning. I guess the repair
squadron of the 28th pulls out for destinations unknown


tomorrow. A lot of them attended church this morning.
          Our new chapel building has been started
and in about a couple of months we will be useing
it. I am glad Harley didn't get called. He can be
a lot more useful at home than in the army. We
all are getting advanced training now. We were
issued gas masks the other day. There are some
things I know and I think if we do leave, we won't
be in a hot climate when we reach our destination
but that won't be for a long time yet.
          Well mother I guess this is all for today.
I can't think of anymore to say. I think I will
make Staff Sargent by the first of Feb. I hope so.
Goodbye for now.
                                          Love Ralph.

P.S. Here are some pictures that were taken
Christmas Day. Have you received your catcus
plants yet?


The next letter will be posted on January 21st.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph was in the 30th A.D.G. Repair Squadron. I am guessing that the squadrons were being shipped out in numerical order.

Here's the two photos he referred to. The first one shows the tables for the enlisted men. The second one is for the officers.

Stinson Field Jan. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,
          I didn't get around to writing
to you yesterday so I will write tonight.
I have been at Duncan Field working
on blade straightening. It is a
slow and disgusting job. I can
see now why they have to
call us fellows specialists. It really
is a hard task and must be done
accurately. We have about two
weeks there yet and then come
back to Stinson and the four of us
will be in charge of the prop
shop here at Stinson Field.


Most of the fellows are in the
shops here now. The barracks
are cleared at night. They go to shop
at 5 at night until 10. They get up
5:30 in the morning and go to Duncan.
From 7 to 3 I am at Duncan Field.
We have to take lunch and eat
at a different mess hall here at
the field.
          Yesterday I went to church again.
It was communion Sunday and we had
communion. In the afternoon I went
to Fort Sam Houston Hospital to see
Eddie Chandler. He is the fellow
who had a fit here. He said he


will have to stay there under
observation for two months. I would
go nuts if I had to stay there. It is
a ward and most of the fellows
there are cracked or something mentally
wrong with them.
          Did Harley pass his physical
exam? I owe him some money. I will
try to send it to him next pay day. Gosh
fifty dollars doesn't last very long down
here. Buses and shows are all so high
price. The thearte here is going to open
soon here on the field. The price here
will be 15 cents or 10 tickets for a
dollar twenty. No bus fare to pay
either so we will save some that
way. Last Thursday night they


had a U.S.O. show in the new
building. It was really a grand show
and the place was packed.
          Well I can't think of much more to
write about anymore. I am so busy
lately I don't have much time to write.
I got a letter from Sis today. Said
she hasn't heard from me since
before Christmas so I guess I will
write to her to night. I forget
who I write to. So long for now.
   
                                      Love Ralph


The next letter will be posted on Jan. 17th.

Background Information & Comments:

• Harley was one of Ralph's younger brothers. Sis refers to his sister Luella Brown Spalding.

• Here is a link to the history of Fort Sam Houston Hospital: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qbf43

• Recently I received some information from a friend (who lives near San Antonio).                She wrote: Duncan field is now the golf course at Kelly A F base (aka now called Port of San Antonio ) and if you want check out Web site Abandoned and little known airports in Texas.

Stinson Field Texas Jan. 5, 1943

Dear Mother,
          Well here is its Tuesday
already. I said I would write later
in the week but didn't think it would
be this early.
          I have been selected to take
a 4 or 5 weeks course in Advanced
Propellers. This course is at Duncan
Field. A Truck takes us over every
morning and school is from 7 to 3.
We have to take our lunch. We
were there this morning and found
out all details. I think I am going
to like it real well. After we are
through school we will be over the


propeller shop here at Stinson Field.
There are four of us taking this
course. After our course is finished
the Lieut. tells us we will receive
our ratings. There will be two
Tech Sargents. 2 staffs and the rest
will be buck sargents. Hope I can
land one of the higher ones.
          I want you to send the propeller
books that I have at home. Please
send them at once. I forgot to bring them
back with me.
          It has been real cold here since
about 5 o'clock Sunday night. I guess
it is around 50 but the wind really
blows it right through a person. Well


I can't think of anymore to say so I guess
I will have to sign off for now. I want
to get this in the afternoon mail. Don't
forget to send the books.
                               
                                   Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on January 11th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This letter was written on unusual stationery. It folded up to form the envelope. 
  

• Update about Irene (sent to me by a cousin's husband who did some research). Her name was Irene F. Setzler and she was born in 1922; her sister was Irma L. Setzler born in 1923. They lived in Berkey, OH. (Ralph was born in 1919.) Perhaps other relatives will know more about her or her family.

• Here is some information about Duncan Field:

• DUNCAN FIELD. Duncan Field, in San Antonio, came into being at the end of World War I as a division of Kelly Field. It was named for Maj. Thomas Duncan, who was killed in an air crash in Washington, D.C., in 1923. Duncan Field was used as an aircraft-repair depot and was joined to Kelly Army Air Field in 1942.
• For photos, you can google "duncan field texas images"
• Here is information about army ranks from 1942-1948 and the definition of buck sergeant (since it's not in the chart):
• Newly promoted Sergeants are known as "buck sergeants". Sergeantis the enlisted rank in the U.S. Army above specialist and corporal and below staff sergeant, and is the second-lowest grade of non-commissioned officer.

1st Grade		2nd Grade	3rd Grade		4th Grade		5th Grade		6th Grade	7th Grade
										No Insignia
Master Sergeant	First Sergeant	Technical Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Technician Third Grade	Sergeant	Technician Fourth Grade	Corporal	Technician Fifth Grade	Private First Class	Private
M/Sgt.	1st Sgt.	T/Sgt.	S/Sgt.	T/3.	Sgt.	T/4.	Cpl.	T/5.	Pfc.	Pvt.

Church bulletin Jan. 3, 1943

January 3, 1943

Dear Mother,
          Here it is. Getting into the new
year already. It really doesn't seem possible
that it is Jan 1943. It seems just like
July out. It is around 80 here on Jan 1.
It was a work day for us so we didn't
do much celebrating. I went to town and to
a show. I saw the new year come in,
but it sure didn't seem like it here.
          I went to church this morning again
it makes 3 Sundays now I have been to
church.
          Two of the fellows whom came went
to school with me were shipped to another
outfit. Another one had a fit and is
in the hospital for observations. Gosh things
can change fast. I haven't been so busy
though. Thursday I was on special guard.
I was guarding the payroll of $17,100.
The gun was really loaded for business
and I had special orders from the Capt.
It all was left in charge on me and one


other fellow. I was sure glad when the
pay was over with.
          I received Irene's gift Jan. 1st. It was
a sewing kit, a flexible watch band and
Irma sent along a gift two. Did you hear
Irma has received a ring for Christmas?
          Well Mother, there isn't much to write
about anymore. Everything seems to be the
same routine day in and day out. So I
guess I will have to close for now. Goodbye
for now. I may write more in the week.

                                  Love Ralph.


Background Information (and comments):

• Irma (apparently) was Irene's sister.
• Ralph enclosed the church bulletin (and this one was still in the envelope with his letter, so it was not donated to the historical society). I will post it separately.

The next letter will be posted on January 5th.