Well I have some good news for you tonight. Well, I finally got a crew of my own. They are really a swell bunch of boys and I think we will get along o.k. It is Lt. Scott's crew and I guess if you look in the Squadron book you will find [them]. I will have a picture of […..] of us and send it […..]. [ ]uys just told me about it yesterday when I got back from you know where.

You asked about Major Gray and Brodin, well they are both dead. We still don't know about Jerry though.

Interpretation

The mission Ed referred to from the day before would have been the August 1 mission to Mellun/ Villaroche, France. Thus the date he was assigned his own crew would have been August 1, 1944. The date he would have first flown with the new crew would have been the August 3rd mission to Saarbrucken, Germany. We all treasure a permanent team to bond with and do things with and thus one can sense his excitement about having a regular crew to work with and hang around with. Ed had previously been with the Hopkins crew as co-pilot in May and June, then flew with a variety of crews during July and was hoping to pick up a crew of his own after his promotion to pilot on 1 July 1944.

During the May 24th mission to Berlin both Major Judson L. Gray, 603rd Squadron Commander and Major Unite L. Brodin of the 603rd Crew 61 were killed in action. Ed Jordan was not on that mission.

That was a nice article in the Southtown honey. Dave Hall, our Public Relations Officer, sent it in. He wanted the name of a small paper cause the Trib and Times wouldn't print it. They get too many of those things. It really isn't much honey cause all the flying personnel get them but it really does thrill the home town folks. I'm due for another cluster now. I wish they hadn't put co-pilot in there though cause I'm a First Pilot now.

Interpretation

I have a few articles from Chicago newspapers but they are for Ed's Distinguished Flying Cross that was awarded for the August 6th mission.

Ed was promoted from Co-Pilot to Pilot 1 July 1944. He became a 1st Lieutenant on August 17th, 1944.

Ed received another Oak Leaf Cluster for his Air Medal on 5 August 1944.

Honey I want you to remember this date and someday I will tell you all about it. I […] a souvenir from the Jerries. It isn't much but I'll never forget it.

I didn't fly my own crew today but went out with a new crew to check them out.

Interpretation

8 August 1944 was the 398th mission to Couvincourt, France. I believe the souvenir is a small piece of flak about four inches long and about 1/2 inch in diameter. The exploding flak fragment penetrated Ed's airctaft and as I recall either came in under his boot or had bounced around and hit him in the boot. It's quite heavy given the size and could really have hurt given the velocity.

The crew Lt. Jordan flew with was the Newman Crew. It was their first mission and Ed bumped their co-pilot to inaugurate them to combat and mission procedures on their first mission.

See Chaper XIV. The First Combat Bombing Mission - Bretteville Le Rabet, France, August 8, 1944 by Bill Frankhouser - contains information about Lt. Jordan as pilot with Lt. Frankhouser on 8 August 1944.

Got five letters from you today and you made me happy after a very hard day. ….but I guess you just can't realize what goes on here. This isn't a picnic Jeanne, it's rough and I do mean it. I sure don't enjoy going on these missions and the things that happen don't help the nerves much. Also I have to tell you some sad news. It just almost broke my heart that day and I doubt if I will ever forget it. We lost one of our very best friends honey – I suppose you already guessed. Yes, it was Hoppy. I have good hope for him and also Brigs and the boys.

Bud Jellen finished today and will be going home soon. Whitey has a few more to go and so does your husband.

Interpretation

After the August 16 mission to Delitzsch, Germany, they took a crew picture of Ed and his new crew. In this picture Ed is on the right side standing in the back in his Mae West and has somewhat of an impatient scowl on his face. Lt. John Naioti (N), a very large guy, is standing next to him. Mom told me that Ed said it was a very rough and long mission and that the sun was in his eyes the whole way back.

Bob Hopkins was shot down on August 8th. He did bail out and was in a Prisoner of War Camp. Mom and I spent time with him at the 398th Reunion in San Diego in 1991.

Whitey is David B. Moore, bombardier on the Hopkin's original crew and Jellen is Anthony (Bud) Jellen on the Hopkins' original crew.

Well darling today I can tell you some good news that you have been after me about for a long time – yep I made it – it's 1st Lt. Jordan now.

Interpretation

The records show that Ed Jordan became a 1st Lieutenant on August 17th, 1944.

I received that clipping out of the Southtown in today's letter and I want you to know that I know that fellow. I went to school with him and we graduated the same time. If you look in my class book you will see him.

That's the deal the way it reads in the article. They raised the number soon after I got here but I have to do two less than he had cause I was pro-rated a couple for how many I had in when the new law went in. I didn't fly as much as he did at first cause I was with Hoppy and on a lead crew is only flown occasionally. So you see how things are.

Interpretation

This excerpt explains one discrepancy in Ed's mission list. He showed 28 named missions but 30 missions was the new norm. On the back of his mission list is the following note: "As of June 20, 1944, additional number of sorties credited is TWO."

Thus this letter clarifies that he was credited with 30 missions. He flew 28 and was credited with two more on a pro-rated basis. Originally as part of a lead crew, he had to fly 25 missions and they upped the number in mid-June for everyone going forward. Since Ed had flown ten missions by June 20 from the beginning of May he was pro-rated two.

Enclosed is a picture of my crew. I know I look kinda droopy but it was a long one and I sure was tired. I can't give you the names now but will later.

Herb doesn't know what a good deal he has being able to come home every nite. I wish I could do it.

Interpretation

The picture most likely is the August 16, 1944 photograph of Ed and his new crew by his B-17. Ed's the one in the Mae West.

Jordan's Crew - 603rd Squadron - 16 August 1944

Herb was Ed's brother. He flew B-24s or B-25s, but he never had to go overseas.

Got to apologize for not writing last night but you see honey it just couldn't be helped and I know you will understand. I was a very busy man yesterday and also today but I just couldn't go two days in a row without writing.

I'm so glad you got to go to the lake for your vacation. You know I haven't been swimming since I was in Fort Stockton and that's been over a year ago.

Interpretation

Ed flew to Kolleda, Germany on August 24th and Neubrandenberg, Germany on August 25th. These were long flights and they were back-to-back days, which was unusual. No wonder he skipped writing on the 24th.

Well had a long busy day again and I was so glad I went to communion this morning. I think it sure helped me a whole lot.

I know you enjoy yourself with Jane and Mary and the rest of the people at Air Associates.

Well I hope it won't be too long now – my navigator John Naioti finished today. He sure was a happy boy when we finally landed. I guess I will be too on that last one.

Interpretation

Ed flew to Gelsenkirchen, Germany on August 26th. It was the third consecutive mission day for Ed and all to Germany. John Naioti was the navigator from Scott's original crew that Ed picked up on August 1st.

Mom worked at Air Associates in Chicago.

That isn't a big bear in that picture – that's John Naioti, he was my navigator and a swell boy. They don't come any better than John honey and he is happily married. He used to play football with a Professional team. Don Rush just rode with me that day – he wasn't …..[next line cut off on xerox]

Johnny Hobbs rode with me most of the time and he is really swell. He and I made a perfect team.

Well we're all through darling so you don't have to worry much anymore. I'm sweating out my orders now. See honey how our prayers …… please don't stop now honey cause we still need them – okay.

Dave Hall is going to take my picture and send it to the Southtown so it may be there by the time I get home.

Interpretation

Lt. Dave Hall was the 398th Publicity Officer and also in the Photographic Unit and also the Intelligence Unit.

Lt. John Hobbs was Ed's colleague and co-pilot on several missions.