WWII Poignant Love Letter Archive Lt B - 25 381st Bomb Squadron 12th AAF N. Africa
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| Reference Number: Avaluer:396561 |
[WWII] HORNUNG, LT WILLARD R. Poignant Love Letter Archive by Lt. Hornung, Beautifully Written While Serving as Bombadier Aboard Coddington’s “The Green Hornet” a B-25 in the 381st Bomb Squadron, 310th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. 1943. North Africa. In this letter archive, Hornung courts his future wife “Lyn” - Marilyn Cantrell - An Army Nurse Cadet in school at Women’s College, Furman University, Greenville, SC. Hornung, who mentions hav...ing studied English in college writes in a neat flowing hand, with a poetic flourish to his introspective notes. Gracefully written throughout, the two fall madly in love and make plans to marry. Hornung’s letters cover his journey overseas, his experiences traveling through the Middle East and North Africa, the daily struggles of getting a decent bath, traveling and “working.” Upon the completion of the African campaign Hornung discloses that by “working” he means flying bombing raids. Before censorship limited his disclosure his fears of death and struggle with purpose while fighting sneak their way into his communications. Hornung flew a tour of 40 combat missions, was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation, possibly a Distinguished Flying Cross and Five awards of the Air Medal.(1) Hornung served as bombardier in the crew of Captain Walter E. Coddington’s B-25. The aircraft, numbered 41-13085 was named by her crew, “The Green Hornet.” 19 letters included in the archive, all of which are several pages, generally 5 to 8 in length. Most are large ledger size: 13” x 8” with a few smaller leaves scattered in. Most include the correct envelopes. Fine Condition; manuscript clear concise and defined.
Some Excerpts:———February 21, 1943 - Somewhere in Africa
On crossing the Ocean to reach Africa:
“A “Desert” it truly is. For the sea’s vastness stretches out endlessly before one’s eyes… Naturally my first crossing held great interest for me, for it is an awesome experience! But my thoughts as I sailed along last night were far from the average complacent voyager. For I journeyed not with peace, but with a sword! Strange how the human mind conjures up metaphoric pictures in the imagination. For my sword seemed to be courage and desire, the desire of a Christian to aid men in far off places who suffer under tyranny and oppression.”
On his writing:“Dr. McClonksy, my professor of English alteration at college once referred to me in one of his classes as, ‘Our 20th Century Air Knight.’ “
In this first letter, upon arriving to Africa he asks his sweetheart Lyn (Marilyn C. - An Army Nurse) to marry him. According to his death records, they did marry after the war.
———Somewhere in Africa - March 2, 1943
On his experiences in North Africa:
“Of life here there is nothing — But I would say this! When in the darkness you go to church to pray, thank the Lord that there is a land called America, it’s paradise. I’ve seen and I can thankfully judge! Now I know what I’m fighting for!”
———North Africa - May 15, 1943
On the shocking realities of combat:
“…Where does glory and vanity begin? I think I never knew before - perhaps time has taught me soon. Yet what I need to consider glossy, I see now in a clearer light, as vanity! Many are the stirring calls to the individual as part of a group to join the “charge” of action’s participants in great deeds. Perhaps seeking glory, men were drawn in. But really removes the varnish, the tinsel and looses the truth standing squarely before the mind’s eye. And the truth allow no compromise of thought, no coloring, no raised aspects.”
On seeking purpose in war:
“In a world ablaze - torn apart by the false ambitions of men and shortsightedness of people, there are few truths which are aloof from the interrogation of men. Anxious for a truth to supersede a tired and uncertain mind. U & I have found a truth dwelling in the personality of one whom I love and adore! You have become for me a citadel.”
———North Africa - May 21, 1943.
On disclosing his actions in North Africa once cleared to do so:
“Rules have been changed. We can now tell of our deeds in the finished African Campaign. I’ve been on 13 bombing raids! We have bombed Tunis and Bizerte on some of our raids! Sometimes they shot up terrific amounts of flak at us. I don’t mind it a bit when they are shooting at us all while I’m bombing. It’s before we get there that one feels serious. Well we finally drove them out of Africa! it was a good fight, an interesting campaign. And Lyn, now you know what I mean when I say ‘my work.’ Perhaps it’s dangerous, I don’t stay to think. ‘Cause Hey, You’re On My Mind.”
1)“Hornung, Willard Raymond. Application for Headstone or Marker.” 3/22/1955. Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941. Microfilm publication M1916, 134 rolls. ARC ID: 596118. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Record Group 92. National Archives at Washington, D.C.
Some Excerpts:———February 21, 1943 - Somewhere in Africa
On crossing the Ocean to reach Africa:
“A “Desert” it truly is. For the sea’s vastness stretches out endlessly before one’s eyes… Naturally my first crossing held great interest for me, for it is an awesome experience! But my thoughts as I sailed along last night were far from the average complacent voyager. For I journeyed not with peace, but with a sword! Strange how the human mind conjures up metaphoric pictures in the imagination. For my sword seemed to be courage and desire, the desire of a Christian to aid men in far off places who suffer under tyranny and oppression.”
On his writing:“Dr. McClonksy, my professor of English alteration at college once referred to me in one of his classes as, ‘Our 20th Century Air Knight.’ “
In this first letter, upon arriving to Africa he asks his sweetheart Lyn (Marilyn C. - An Army Nurse) to marry him. According to his death records, they did marry after the war.
———Somewhere in Africa - March 2, 1943
On his experiences in North Africa:
“Of life here there is nothing — But I would say this! When in the darkness you go to church to pray, thank the Lord that there is a land called America, it’s paradise. I’ve seen and I can thankfully judge! Now I know what I’m fighting for!”
———North Africa - May 15, 1943
On the shocking realities of combat:
“…Where does glory and vanity begin? I think I never knew before - perhaps time has taught me soon. Yet what I need to consider glossy, I see now in a clearer light, as vanity! Many are the stirring calls to the individual as part of a group to join the “charge” of action’s participants in great deeds. Perhaps seeking glory, men were drawn in. But really removes the varnish, the tinsel and looses the truth standing squarely before the mind’s eye. And the truth allow no compromise of thought, no coloring, no raised aspects.”
On seeking purpose in war:
“In a world ablaze - torn apart by the false ambitions of men and shortsightedness of people, there are few truths which are aloof from the interrogation of men. Anxious for a truth to supersede a tired and uncertain mind. U & I have found a truth dwelling in the personality of one whom I love and adore! You have become for me a citadel.”
———North Africa - May 21, 1943.
On disclosing his actions in North Africa once cleared to do so:
“Rules have been changed. We can now tell of our deeds in the finished African Campaign. I’ve been on 13 bombing raids! We have bombed Tunis and Bizerte on some of our raids! Sometimes they shot up terrific amounts of flak at us. I don’t mind it a bit when they are shooting at us all while I’m bombing. It’s before we get there that one feels serious. Well we finally drove them out of Africa! it was a good fight, an interesting campaign. And Lyn, now you know what I mean when I say ‘my work.’ Perhaps it’s dangerous, I don’t stay to think. ‘Cause Hey, You’re On My Mind.”
1)“Hornung, Willard Raymond. Application for Headstone or Marker.” 3/22/1955. Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941. Microfilm publication M1916, 134 rolls. ARC ID: 596118. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Record Group 92. National Archives at Washington, D.C.
