Photos and Letters
Edward Donnelly
Photos and Letters
February 24, 1943
Uncle Edward's 2nd letter telling Nana that he has now "shipped off" to Seymour field for training. Seymour was a US Army Air Force base in Indiana. He writes that he's scored "Expert" on the rifle range with a 142. And also "tell Peg that I'm not a pilot yet."
March 18, 1943
Writing from West Point where he is training along with the US Military cadets. He is taking many courses and also mental exams to determine what class he should be in. He says "I must have been working over my head, because I have been placed in the advanced class."
April 9, 1943
Uncle Edward thanks Peg for her letter and says "Ike" might not like that she sent him an address book. He's begun his flight training and writes that its "a real thrill to handle the controls."
April 21, 1943
Writes of indulging in a little craps game. He received a letter from Aunt Pat, who said their Mom bought some chicks. "I guess the Donnellys are "returning to the soil." Writes of all the bands and music he dances to.
July 2, 1943
Uncle Edward is starting flight school. Told Nana he was still waiting to have a letter from Aunt Pat.
July 29, 1943
Finally received the letter from Aunt Pat. Encouraged Nana to go back to West Virginia to visit Daddy. As part of his training, he is going into the 38,000 foot pressure chamber.
August 9, 1943
Uncle Edward is now stationed in San Antonio, TX. He's very hot and tired. There was a dance but not enough girls to dance with, so Nana's "jitterbug brother" didn't get to do much dancing. He mentions Aunt Margret's new baby boy and can't imagine Nana having a boy!
September 22, 1943
Stationed in San Antonio, he writes that he has finally soloed as a pilot. He also enclosed some pictures which can be viewed in the Gallery on this website.
July 9, 1944
Uncle Edward writes to Nana about his finances rather than thier Mom, who would get worried about him. He writes about a girl and being assigned to duty (likely overseas) very soon.
August 1, 1944
He's getting a reputation in the Barracks for some pictures of girls Nana sent him. He sent some money that he wants Nana to send to thier Mom in West Virginia.
September 14, 1944
Nana hasn't written lately, and Uncle Edward asks if she has been too busy working the "stand" at Byram Beach.
September 28, 1944
He writes that this is likely his last letter before he goes over seas. He hopes that he might be able to go to NYC before he leaves. He'll send a picture of him and his crew in front of their B-26.
November 9, 1944
Uncle Edward is now writing from somewhere in England. He thanks Nana for her letters. A member of his crew is from Bridgeport and is 19 years old. But his knows is "guns". He talks of maybe getting married when he gets home.
December 7, 1944
This would be Uncle Edward's last letter to his sister Anne. He notes that he is in France. He has flown a few missions but is not allowed to say how many. He hopes that he might be able to fly in China or the Pacific. He wishes Pop his best and also to Petie and Peg.
March 27, 1945
This is a letter from Major Bradunas to Great Grandpa Donnelly in Whipple, West Virginia. The letter notifies him that his son's B-26, nicknamed "Powerful Katrinka", was shot down and Uncle Edward is now missing.
July 22, 1945
This is a letter to Nana from Cpl Ray D'ascoli. He writes Nana telling her all he knows about that mission of December 23rd. Uncle Edward was part of the 574th which lost 3 planes. They were "jumped" by enemy planes. There is some confusion about whether his B-26 was named the Powerful Katrinka. He referred to Uncle Edward as a "Good Joe" because he was always with his enlisted men.
August 21, 1945
This is a letter to Nana from Lt. Colonel Loesch. He is writing to provide some information about what happened to Uncle Edward. He was on a bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany and was shot down after the target on his way home. The back of the letter includes and hand written note with an explaining that the location of the crashed airplane is in the files of the 9th Bomb Division.
(NOTE TO Nana's grandchildren and great grand children: perhaps we could find this place and visit it!)