Wayne's Journal

Sunday

Went to flight surgeon and gave him my story. He grounded me.¹ Said he might 127 me home. My nerves are really on the jump and am in a constant turmoil of fear or indecision of thought. Have had several days of rest, but still can’t forget the ugly moments. Have had numerous kidney pains, which often double me up. Was prepared for and took x-rays today. Will know the results tomorrow. Am hoping for the best.

Stan² went to Guadalcanal and brought back stationery, candy, cigarettes and magazines. Sold all the stuff. Ended up with 250 sheets of stationery and 100 air mail envelopes. The nut Hersheys³ really were good, believe me. The PX also got some stuff after so long a time.⁴ Five Hersheys were allotted each. Also bought a flashlight. The first I’ve seen in any Army PX since coming overseas.

Have written several letters the past week and will soon be on top again if another flood doesn’t arrive today or tomorrow.

If x-rays turn out OK, will go back on flying status tomorrow. Rather dread it; but I’m hoping for the best. Lt. Fincham was finally made lead pilot. We hope to return to his crew in the near future. That has been our desire since coming overseas. He’s been the best pilot I’ve ever flown with and have flown with a lot.

Well, it’s time to go over and see the results of my x-rays. So long for a while.

Well the x-rays didn’t show much, except there are defects in my kidneys. Especially my left one. Guess I’ll have to take more x-rays and I hate that. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been so very tired these past couple of years. Am hoping they prove to be OK. Bad kidneys are miserable things to have, believe me, and I for one don’t want to have them. Will see what Doc Avakian, our flight surgeon, has to say about the whole deal. He’s on line duty⁵ today; unfortunately. We shall all see what we shall see. Now to get on with my letter writing. I’ll see this back again tomorrow, or the next day.

Notes & Commentary

¹ It appears that the Flight Surgeon, Dr. Avakian, took Wayne off flying status for a week since he comments in this entry that he “. . . will go back on flying status tomorrow.”

² Stanley LeVelle Seehorn.

³ The reference to “nut Hersheys” could be either to the Hershey Almond Bar introduced in 1908 or to the Mr . Goodbar, a Hershey bar with peanusts, introduced in 1925. “Our Story”. The Hershey Company. (http://www.hersheys.com/ : accessed 07 December 2014).

⁴ With the invasion of the Philippines and its associated material demands, PX items and supplies appear to be in limited availability at Sansapor. This was definitely not the case when Wayne was stationed on Banika and Stirling Islands nor at Hollandia.

⁵ “Line duty” – on the flight line in order to render immediate medical care to those coming back from missions wounded or in the event of an accident during takeoffs and landings.