Lorry and I, both from the Midwest, got married in Great Falls, Montana, where we were stationed during World War II. In 1945, Lorry, a WAC, was still there at Gore Field, and I was in Fairbanks, Alaska, serving in the Army Air Corps. I did final inspections of planes being sent to Russia—when V-J Day was declared, that job ended. With no more planes to inspect, I was transferred to Edmonton, Alberta. Then, in November, I was scheduled to return to Alaska to replace troops who had been discharged.
The Air Corps started a re-enlisting program granting a three-month furlough, a $300 bonus and an immediate discharge for one’s enlisted spouse. I signed up: Spending November, December and January back in Illinois with Lorry sounded better than winter in…
