MS-0369-02BA-47

Letter from John P. Binkley, 1943

 

1943-04-19

Binkley, John P.

Binkley, John Burdette

Burdette Binkley died on April 2, 1943 while flying over Tunisia. His parents forwarded his February 16 letter to the editor of the Aztec News Letter. In their "great sorrow" they have "nothing but the kindest feelings toward the whole world" and hope that "your good work with the news letters" will continue. Binkley's letter indicates that he is at peace with death and ends with the word "mizpah," indicating an emotional bond.

John Binkley; John Binkley; John Burdette Binkley; Burdette Binkley; Adolf Hitler; Casualties of war; Airplane pilots; Flying (aviation); Air Corps; United States Army Air Corps; United States Army Air Forces

3168 Grape Street

California - San Diego - South Park

© San Diego State University. All rights reserved

 

MS-0369

English

 

Letter

7.25 inches X 10.5 inches; 3 pages

No

 

[parents' letter not transcribed yet]
Africa February 16 1943
Dear Mother & Dad:
Got a couple more letters today, Jan 13. 2 and valentine and picture and a V mail from Bob.
Glad to hear you got my money OK although, (as I have asked before) I wish you would tell me the special amount you have received. Also I have mailed you a check for $100.00. You can do most anything you wish with this money. I have about four hundred more I am going to send as soon as the P.O gets some money order blanks. You can't cable from here. Not much need for money here.
Bob says he is now engaged, lucky boy, of course, that is probably old news to you.
Thanx for the Valentine and pictures. The pictures were very nice. Hope to get some more.
There isn't much news I can tell you. Don't worry about me and how the war will affect me, that is without regard to actual physical injury. I mean emotionally and mentally. I believe I am more stable now than ever before. What I mean is that I have probably reached a greater peace of mind. I am, shall we say, exposed to death fairly constantly, yet I can truthfully say that there is really no fear present. An occasional moment of nervous terror, yes; however if my number should come up, I am ready. As you know, I am not a particularly religious person, yet I do have a very strong faith. It is not a faith to be put into words but wrather[sic] to be kept in the heart. The 23rd Psalm and the "Lord's Prayer" are the about the only passages of scripture that I know, yet they give me a peace of mind that is real. Sometimes when I am flying I look out the[sic] tremendous blue sky, the fleecy clouds, the earth below. I realize what a small, yet somehow integral part of things I am. It constantly amazes me, this flying. I know the theory of flight, the mechanics of flight, the airplane, can all be explained with figures, graphs, charts etc. yet there is something more that is there. I believe I have written other letters regarding my feelings along this line.
I don't know why I am writing on this way except that I have no nothing much else to do. I probably wouldn't talk this way like this, but it is easier to write. Also, it gives you a little insight as to my thoughts and feelings.
I don't know how you all feel about this war and how long it will last, but I am afraid it is going to be a long one. It is going to be hard on you people at home, and it will get harder. Hitler has a great deal of fight left in him. I know that we in the army are really going to see this thing through: I sincerely pray for peace, but I also pray that peace will not come until the great cancer that is Germany & Japan, and all their present manifestations, are totally obliterated from the earth. I hope that the people at home do not tire of war until this is accomplished. When I look ahead I see a rather morbid picture, however I also look back in history and see many which are equally frightful. Along with this morbid picture I also see a very bright one. Air transportation, medicine, and machinery are some of the countless industries and science which are receiving tremendous impetus from the war. A few years after the war our standards of living will be changed to a new undreamed of level. Possibly this war will wipe out racial and political boundaries, uniting this world in an intelligent peace with plenty for all. Theoretically this should be possible however, in actual practice it will probably not happen. Jealousies, retribution, reprisals, etc. will probably mar any attempt at a sane, sensible peace.
I am getting tired so I will say good night. I am going to seal this up without reading it, otherwise I probably would never mail it.
Love.
Burdette.
Mizpah.

Lauren C. Post

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