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T/Sgt. John A. Lockwood
722nd Squadron
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The News Herald - 5 March 1943
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The News Herald - 8 June 1944
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Letter to Elizabeth 'Lil' Smith of Voorheesville, NY; written at Scott Field Army Air Force Base Illinois;
Lockwood was training to be a radio operator.
[Image and transcription courtesy of the Voorheesville Public Library, Elizabeth Smith Papers.]
SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS
March 19, 1943
Dear Lil,
I'm sorry I haven't written sooner, but they keep us so busy around here, I haven't had much time.
Congratulations on the new addition to the Smith family, I was very surprised to hear about that.
I am taking a 4½ month course in radio. It is quite interesting, but we have to go to school at nite.
Do you know Don Lentlie's address. He isn't in the same squadron that I'm in, but I could find him very easily if I new [SIC] his address.
I don't suppose Voorheesville has very much life anymore with all the boys gone.
How is Frank and Ida? Is Ida still working for the Telephone Co.?
Write back and how about sending me Don Lentlie's address?
Johnny
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Letter to Elizabeth 'Lil' Smith of Voorheesville, NY; written somewhere in Africa;
Lockwood was a radio operator in the 450th Bomb Group, 722nd Bomb Squadron, and flew with the crew of Patricia Ann under pilot Lt. James C. Stripp
[Image and transcription courtesy of the Voorheesville Public Library, Elizabeth Smith Papers.]
12 January 1944
Dear Lil,
I thought I would write and letyou know where I am now.
You have probably heard from my mother that I have left the states.
Right now I am somewhere in Africa. I can't tell you the exact place of course but you can guess about where it would be.
I am having a swell time seeing all of these strange and different things. I wish I could take a few pictures of things here and send them to you.
We haven't reached our outfit yet so I haven't been able to get my mail. I haven't had any mail in almost two months.
We are having trouble with one plane and we are stuck here for a while.
I hope you will be able to read this letter.
Write back and tell me all the news of old Voorheesville.
As ever
Johnny
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Letter written by Elizabeth Smith of Voorheesville, NY to John Lockwood.
[Image and transcription courtesy of the Voorheesville Public Library, Elizabeth Smith Papers.]
Mar 14, 1944
Dear Johnny:
I haven't heard from you so thought I'd drop you another line as I sure hope everything is o.K.
I hope you got the birthday card I sent you. I wouldn't be surprised if it were late as I didn't think that it takes some time to get to you.
Remember Bill Osterhout, they found him dead in his car last Thursday night. He had been feeling sick all winter and guess he couldn't stand it anymore.
Bernie Pafunda and Dom Tork were home last month and they had a good time together.
Dales Barrett, Jim Ginder, Dick Cox and Charlie Rzany[?] are in the Navy now and Jo [?] Geo. Flansburg is in the Army.
Herbie Youngs was deferred for 4 months and there's a long list of 1As now. Doris Hodge and
Ed Relyea are going to be married Saturday Mar 18th and Bill Schultz has a son now. So you see there's been a Death, Birth, and a Marriage to come, this town does have news once in awhile.
Say are there any of the boys you want to know about well let me know. The last ones that went across are Ed Wayne in Ireland and Ossie Smith in England and Frank Lentlie in Ireland
Well guess this covers all the news for now and may God bless you.
Can you send me [name?] address...[?]
Lily
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Information courtesy of Lea Foster, Archivist, Voorheesville Public Library
Link To Crew Information
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