Just Come Home

March 8th, 1941

Dear Thomas,

I was ever so pleased to hear that you passed boot camp. Though the war seems so dangerous. Please just stay safe. We had only been married for a year now when Pearl Harbor happened. I know you want to do your duty, and I will always be very proud of you. I felt like such a goof when we fought right before boot camp. I do forgive you and love you. The whole hometown is rooting for you to help bring down such evil men. I forgot to mention to you that I was pregnant. I was so scared to lose you, and I want you to know that I do not think you are a chicken. Our prayers are with you as you fight across Europe. You will always be my love. I eagerly await the day when we can be together again, safe and sound, surrounded by our love and support.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

March 18th, 1941

My dearest Carolyn

I should never have fought with you, and this is something I must do. I also cannot wait to be a father. The thought of our child brings me immense joy and strength during these challenging times. I first saw you and knew that you were the one for me. Sadly, this war had to start, and now I must be away from my lovely wife. Please stay strong when I am gone. Survival is not guaranteed, but this is for the greater good. I can only love from afar and fight for I know what is right. Times will improve, and I will be home with my child. We will secure victory, and my son or daughter will have freedom. If you need anything, my parents can help and let them know the good news about our child. Keep me in your prayers, and I hope to stay safe as you wish. I will always love you, my love.

Your loving husband,

Thomas

February 20th, 1941

Dear Thomas,

I know the world is dark, and good men must go to fight. I wish one of them was not you. You have always been a dreamboat. All the girls wanted you, but you chose me, and we have built a wonderful life together. All the stores have been running low on so much that rationing is happening. War effort is essential, but you and the other boys are doing the most critical work. I miss you so much lying next to me. The longing for your return is a constant ache in my heart. I can only support it right now. Please stay safe and come home. I am getting closer to my due date. I do not know what I would do without you. I pray for you and your fellow pilots daily as this war continues. The thought of losing you is a constant struggle, but I remain hopeful for your safe return. Your parents send their regards and are ecstatic about our baby. I am waiting for you, my love.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

March 7th, 1941

To the prettiest, Carolyn

I have been training in England to fly over Europe. It is short on supplies here due to the German submarines. I have been improving my flying technique. It is like dancing in the sky. We have been running some smaller missions, and the big one is about to embark over part of Germany. Some have come missing so far, but I hope to succeed. I was surprised they chose me. Flying over France has been a challenge to the Nazi defenses. The plane missions are more successful than putting the soldiers on now. I do think about you and our child every day. If something does happen to me, please find someone else. I want only happiness for you and our child. Keep all of us in your prayers as we fly on our missions across Europe. So many planes are not coming back. The war is not going our way so far, but with God’s help, we can break the back of the Nazis.

Your loving husband,

Thomas

March 19th, 1941

Dearest Thomas

I had trouble reading your letter due to some words being blotted out. The government must make sure no secrets get through. I pray daily and wait for the good news of the war. It has been so lonely without you here. The house is quiet, and your annoying humming when you read the newspaper is missing. I found that old book you lost, cleaning out the extra room for the baby. I have put it back on your nightstand for when you come home. You said you should move on with someone else if something happened to you, but I only want you. I want to only be your wife and have your babies. Please be safe and come home so you can see our child. I love you so much and fly for victory. I will update you on our family and life so you feel connected despite the distance.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

April 11th, 1941

To Mrs. Carolyn Wheaton

The United States Army Air Corp regrets to inform you that your husband, Anthony Thomas Wheaton, has been reported missing. He is not confirmed to be killed but most likely captured by the Nazis. We are truly sorry for your misfortune. If there is a change in your husband’s status, there will be an update.

From

The United States Army Air Corp

April 20th, 1941

Dear Thomas,

I received the letter you reported missing, and I can only hope you are still alive. I will continue to write to keep your memory alive. I know that you might be dead, but I bring out the hope of your survival. I love you more than anything else. I will not give up on you, my love. You have always been strong. I know that you are alive, and even if you are captured by the Nazis, you will remain strong. You are a good man that will find your way home. Please stay safe as you fight for your life. Your child needs you. I hold onto the hope of your safe return every day. You are loved and will always be welcomed home. You are in our prayers, and we hope you will return someday.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

July 18th, 1941

Dearest Thomas,

I hope you hold hope and remember I will always love you. I know you are in the darkest of times, but you are strong. I hope you will read these letters when you return. I am coming due in the next few months. I can feel it’s a little boy. No matter what happens, I will keep my hope of your return. I can only write to lend to my loneliness. Your parents are a wreck as they fear you might be dead. I know that you are alive as we pray for an early end to the war. Please be safe and continue to fight for your life. Your return will make our family whole again.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

February 12th, 1942

My dearest Thomas

No word from anyone, and I still hope you are alive. I had a little boy just as I felt I would. He looks just like you and honestly would love to see his father. I know that most have given up on your survival, but I pray that you remain firm like the man I know you are. Please be safe, as the war is not on our side. I can only encourage you to fight to return. I will continue to tell stories to our son. He will know who his father is and hope he will be a leader like you when he grows up someday. You are always in my prayers.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

October 25th, 1942

My Dearest Thomas,

You should see how big our little boy is. He looks more like you every day. He has a corky smile and a mild demeanor. His bright eyes are happy to see the world around him. I know you would want to see him and send you a picture. Hope is getting more difficult, but I know you are alive. I just want you to come home. The toll of war has affected everyone in town. Your friend, Charlie Nevans, died, and the funeral was sad. Hope is funny; you always say that you will always come through. I know you are strong and doing your best to survive. I hope you will read this. I love you more than anything else. Stay safe and come home to us.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

March 9th, 1943

Dearest Thomas,

You have been missing for so long, but you are still alive in my heart. I can see your loving face in my dreams. Keep fighting for us, and stay safe. I know you missed so much, but our son is walking and babbling. He acts so much like you and loves to visit your parents. He is such a sweet boy. He needs his father to be strong and courageous. We pray every night for your survival and return. The world is a much darker place without you. Our bed is so empty without you. The government has been silent and seems to even give an update. Just remember that you are loved and will always be welcomed home.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

July 15th, 1944

Dearest Thomas,

It has been three years since your last letter. I have not given up hope that you will come home. We pray every week at church as the war rages. So many young men have died, but you are not counted just yet. As I tell him about you, I see hope in our little boy’s eyes. He is now a toddler and getting into everything. His laugh is like yours as he wants to be chased around the room. I can just hold him and think of you. I know the tide is turning on those awful Nazis. It is a difficult time for all, as even another hometown boy has been killed at Normandy. Please stay strong for us and keep on fighting to come home. You will always be welcome no matter what happens. Here is an updated picture of our little boy. If you ever see it, please treasure it.

Your loving wife,

Carolyn Grace

November 6th, 1944

My loving wife, Carolyn

I cannot state what your letters meant to me. I cannot tell you what seeing my precious little boy means. He was always in my thoughts, and so were you. At times, I just wanted to die, but you were the one I tried to keep my promise. I was captured by the Nazis after my plane was shot down. I was stuck in a POW camp. We tried to escape for years, but the security was too high. Near the turn, the guards were sent off the two fronts. We had to dig a tunnel, but we made it out. We used the map in the cards sent from the Red Cross. It was daring, but I knew you were waiting for me. I cannot believe I ever found a woman just like you. Your prayers made a difference in the darkest times. I have been told I served my time and will return home. I want to see our little boy and be his daddy. I am so sorry I could not escape sooner. Let my parents know I am alive and want to see them again. I truly missed you so much and cannot wait for our reunion. I will send more details as I am debriefed. Nothing can ever stop me from coming home to you, my love.

Your loving husband,

Thomas