TRUAX FIELD

MADISON, WISCONSIN

Pfc Roger B. Gaioni

11,097,066-646 T.S.S.-Bk 1952

Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin

July 7, 1943

Dear Miss Blaney,

Just a line to say hello, this, and to say thanks thru you to the Bryant Service Club for that box of sweets.

I’ve just recently arrived at this camp via Greensboro, N. C., and Sioux Falls, S. D.; this is a school for radio mechanics of the Army Air Force.

It was pleasant to be again remembered and I should like to extend my appreciation.

Sincerely

Roger Gaioni

[Transcription ends]

August 26, 1944

Dear friends,

May I thank you for the gifts which I have so generously received from you since I donned the olive drab?

I'd like to add my few words of gratitude to the many you must daily receive from the various scattered alumni of Bryant College.

these past few months since leaving Tomah, Wisconsin, I've been bathing in the Florida sun at both Ft. Meyers [sic] and Venice Army Air Fields working on the flight line as radio mechanic and as CMS mechanic. From there I've come here to start a six week course in electronics; from there I know not what lies in store.

Thanks again and good luck to you all.

Sincerely yours,
Roger B. Gaioni
[Transcription ends]

Jan 16, 1944

Dear Miss Blaney,

It was thoughtfully nice to be remembered by you and the Bryant Service Club this past holiday season.

The olive drab, heavy wool-knit sweater from the service club was one of the most appreciated gifts I received; coming as it did after and attack of pneumonia, that sweater was really a prize package and just "hit the spot." I'd like to extend my very sincere thanks to its maker, whoever she may be (--or was it a "he?").

Your "G. I. pup" greeting card was "militarily" amusing; you should have added a doghouse for the pup (that would have made us feel more at home).

You've probably noticed that I've moved again; this is an advanced radio school for the Army Air Force communication networks systems; the course is a relatively short one of seven weeks.

I was offered a polition as instructor at the Truax Field radio mechanics school from which I was graduated on Jan 9th.; however, as most others do, I turned it down since I'd rather keep moving.

Thanks again to you and to the Bryant Service Club; keep up your fine work and good luck.

Sincerely yours,
Roger Gaioni
[Transcription ends]

Dear Friends,

Your letter arrived here slightly after the holiday season and you may be sure that it was received with welcome.

But say, I was home for a White Christmas and would have dropped in to say hello had not you all been on your holiday vacations. It was a real Christmas day for this G. I.

A few of my former Bryant classmates and I are still in correspondence though the whereabouts of most of them are unknown to me. S/Sgt. George Scothan, Lt. Howard Karker (Fourth marine Division), M/Sgt William Quattrucci, Dorothy Tweedale and I still maintain contact. Two months ago on this field I was greeted in a chow line by Leonard Levine, also a member of the class of ’42; he was a sight for sore eyes.

I’ve completed one short course in basic radar and should finish the advance on within the next few months; then I feel sure that for a short time Bryant will observe another “return of the native.”

We appreciate your efforts in our behalf and may your energies continue to bring further gratifying results.

Sincerely,
Roger B. Gaioni
[Transcription ends]

A/C Roger B. Gaioni
11,097,066, AAFERC
Sqd. C-1, Bk. 2
Nashville, Tenn.

NASHVILLE ARMY AIR CENTER
(A.A.F.C.C.)
THOMPSON LANE, NASHCILLE, TENN.

March 19, 1943

Dear Miss Blaney,

Rain, rain, rain – that is about all we’ve seen here in the past twelve days. Where, oh where is that sunny south, the one of which people have spoken so eloquently?

This is at present primarily a classification center to determine whether the aviation cadet is to continue as a cadet either as pilot, navigator, or bombardier or whether he will revert to the status of an enlisted man with the possibility of attending Officer’s Candidate School.

The exams are of two types: physical and psychological, the psych in turn being broken down into a written mental exam and a so called ARMA – Aptitude Regarding Military Aviation-, and the physical into an examination of the body and a study of physical coordination; I’ve taken the first part of the psych and the physical coordination tests, the results of which won’t be know for about ten days.

I’m still in quarantine and can’t leave this post, but we’re always on the go- there isn’t too much time to sleep, even at night.

How is the “On The Campus” coming; have any more usurpers tried to make away with your editorial privileges? Perhaps some day there will be a “Return of the Native”.

If you have any word from any of the other members of my class, I should appreciate hearing of them.

Sincerely yours,
Roger Gaioni [Transcription ends]

NASHVILLE ARMY AIR CENTER
(A.A.F.C.C.)
THOMSPN LANE, NASHVILLE, TENN.

Sunday, April 11, 1943

Dear Miss Blaney,

Thank you for your long and pleasantly readable letter ; I realize that the amount of mail sent into your office must be of an overwhelming amount and my appreciation is correspondingly increased.

I’d like, at the same time, to thank the Bryant Service Club for the box of candy so generously mailed to me.

My exams have been completed and I’m now awaiting classification.

No, I didn’t know Mr. Lee, now Major Lee, had been commissioned and was in the nation’s capitol ; I had met Mr. Shors after his being commissioned upon a visit to Bryant and at the same time had been informed of Mr. Hammond’s rank.

Naturally I’m disappointed about the Alumni Bulletin just as are many others ; however in regards the “On the Campus”, I’d like to say I sympathize with you rather think you are engaging in dictatorial practices ; you do a splendid job – and I realize it as much if not more than most others because of my close association wit the publication of such a paper.

Again, thank you for the letter and gift.

Sincerely
Roger Gaioni [Transcription ends]