Letter from Margaret McCormick to John Mayhead, August 18, 1945

Letter from Margaret McCormick to John Mayhead, August 18, 1945

Post-war letter from Margaret McCormick to John Mayhead about working as a control tower operator at Walker Army Airfield in Witchita, Kansas. Discusses how long the base will remain open, a crash that happened during her time at the base, and what to do post-war.

McCormick, Margaret E., 1908-1953

8/14/1945

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1 pg.

en

Letters

Manuscripts

MSS716_ Letter_19450818

MSS 716c, Margaret McCormick Papers, 1943-1946.

Gift

Mayhead, John

Woman's Collection, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425528, Denton, TX 76204.

[Across the top: Image of Globe with plane flying around it; AACS Overseas Screening. Processing & Replacement Center; Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas]
August 18, 1945
Walker Army Air Field
Victoria, Kansas.
Dear John:
I shipped out of Sheppard the 31st of last month to Topeka, Kansas. Upon arriving there reported to AACS and was informed that I would ship to Walker Army Air Field as soon as my duffle bags arrived. Arrived here the night of the 4th.
Walker is a B-29 base and is in the middle of “ho-where”. There isn’t a large town closer than Kansas City or Denver, so you can see there is nothing to do when you have time off. We have a swimming pool so go swimming for P.T. for the week.
I am control tower operator here. My third day in the tower we had a crash. A B-29 crashed and burned on final approach. I was busier than a one-arm paper hanger. After the crash had three emergency landings, and on top of this every MAT or TAT plant passing over called in their position, requested change of flight plans and weather information. When I got off at noon I was thoroughly exhausted. We operate the range as well as the tower. The tower is air conditioned so have a comfortable place to work during this extreme warm weather.
I still cannot believe that this base will be open. Rumor has it that it will close by December 1st, but one can never tell.
Received your note enclosing your picture. Was so glad to get it. Cannot imagine you with a beard. I put it beside your other pictures and there is certainly a lot of difference. Thanks for the picture.
What are your postwar plans, or have you given this any consideration? I haven’t any idea what I will do. Will probably just go home
August 21st ---
Up until today it has been exceptionally warm, the temperature going up to 104. It is very pleasant today – in the 80s.

[end of letter]