During World War II, Hazel Hobbs was a double Blue Star mother. Every morning before Roy Clements, the mailman, arrived, she wrote a letter to either Charles, in the Army Air Corps, or Kelley, in the Marines. And they wrote her back. The letters written from their military service were collected in a duffle bag under the stairs in Hennessey, Oklahoma.
Charles wrote from training bases in Texas, Illinois, and Tennessee, from his combat postings in North Africa, and from his hospital bed in England. At the end of his service, he and his new wife, Kathleen Cain Hobbs, wrote from New Jersey.
Hobbs's letters detail his training as a pilot, but they also are packed with news about the home folks in Hennessey. As his letters show, he carried the hearts and hopes of his small town with him until he came back home.
Featured Item
1942/08/29
Preparing for graduation from flying school; includes postcard of Lubbock Hilton Hotel advertising Cadet Club.
Featured Collection
Charles L. Hobbs service record
This copy of Charles L. Hobbs' service record shows his training, military posting, and hospital assignments during his service from 1941 to 1944.
Featured Exhibit
Kathleen Cain and Charles Hobbs Wedding, March 24, 1945
Kathleen Cain and Charles Hobbs were married in Fort Dix, New Jersey on March 24, 1945.
Recently Added Items
Huddleston Scrapbook page 96
Newspaper clipping: "Nose gunner who made 51 missions is here on a visit." Manuscript for newspaper story.