Letters From War Wednesday: World War II – Donald Parker.

Letters From War Wednesday again, and this time, we’ll feature the words of World War II airman, Donald Parker.  At the time of this note, May 1945, Lt. Parker was stationed at Davis-Monthan Field – Tuscon, Arizona, training as a navigator on the newly released, B-29 Superfortress.

Donald Parker - 499th Bomb Group, 20th AF

“Well, I’m down here in the fair city of Tuscon, finishing out my training as a Radar Navigator on a B-29, and this Tuscon is one of the best deals in the 2nd Air Force.  Wotta town!  It’s probably the least war-minded town in the country and wide open–full of nothing but tourists, war workers and army.  I’ve met one man up to date who maintains he’s a native of the town!  The climate and scenery are super, although the mountains create a definite flying hazard.

“The B-29 is still a military secret, they keep telling us, but I swear that the civilians know as much or more about the plane than we do.  However, I can tell you she’s the sweetest thing that’s hit this country since the ice cream cone.

“We saw Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck and Selznick at the Santa Rita one night.  They are making a picture here called ‘Duel in the Sun’ or somethin’.

“I guess I better close and hit the sack.  It rained hard here tonight, but the Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t admit it.  Be good and one goes on Tokyo just for you if my bombardier Smitty’s good eye is working.” (The Noble County American, 05/03/45)

Sadly, Parker’s plane would be lost on their first bombing run over Tokyo.  There were no survivors.  Parker left behind a wife, Louise, and infant son, Danny, who he was never able to meet.