From the private correspondence of Agnes Barrell McCullough, dated December 18, 1943:
Captain James Slocum
Fifteenth US Air Force Inspector General
Tunis, Tunisia
December 18, 1943
Dearest Agnes,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I have some incredible news to share with you. You won't believe the unforgettable experience I had on December 8th!
As you know, I am currently stationed in Tunisia as part of the Fifteenth Air Force Inspector General. I was in Sicily that week working at an airbase in a place called Castelvetrano. President Roosevelt paid us a surprise visit on the 8th - he was on his way home from the Teheran Conference. He had General Eisenhower with him, and General Patton whose HQ is in Sicily was there, along with Mark Clark and Hap Arnold. If you don't know, Arnold's the commander of the whole USAAF. I've never seen so many generals in one place!
It all began when I was invited to attend a ceremony at Castelvetrano Airfield where I, along with several other servicemen, was to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross. I wasn't aware that I'd be getting it from President Roosevelt himself. Needless to say, I was deeply humbled and proud to be recognized for my service. The medal was awarded for my service with the 91st Bomb Group back in England. They say the Army moves slow, but it gets there eventually! I wonder if you see the same with the Navy?
At the ceremony, I had the opportunity to meet a Colonel Tom Bigsby, a relative of the famous baseball family, who received a Distinguished Service Cross from the President. He seemed very chummy with General Patton. He commands a regiment in the 36th Infantry Division, which is from Texas and called the "Texas Arrows" and I found that strange because all the Bigsbys I've heard of are from New York. Apparently the 36th is fighting in Italy right now and that's how where he earned his medal. We didn't chat long but I told him I was a minor league ballplayer before the war and he mentioned that he'd like to get involved with baseball once the war's over. Actually what he said was "once we finish kicking Hitler's" you-know-what! One thing that struck me, after having heard all those stories from our uncles, is how down to earth and friendly Colonel Bigsby was. Not at all what I would have expected!
As I approached to receive my Distinguished Flying Cross from President Roosevelt, I was awestruck. He congratulated me on my accomplishments and asked about my experiences in the bombing campaign with the Eighth Air Force. I was amazed by his genuine interest and his ability to connect with the troops on a personal level. After receiving my medal, I was pulled aside by General Arnold and he asked me more questions about my time with the 324th in England. He also mentioned that he'd heard "good things" about me, which was quick a shocker coming from a four-star General.
After the ceremony, President Roosevelt, accompanied by Generals Eisenhower, Patton, Clark, and Arnold, proceeded to speak with various personnel and inspect the troops stationed at the airfield.
The entire experience was unforgettable and left me in awe of the historic significance of the occasion. To meet President Roosevelt, receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, and share the moment with so many brave soldiers, sailors and airmen, like Colonel Bigsby, was a true honor and privilege.
I wish you could have been there to see it. I am filled with pride to serve our country and contribute to the war effort. It is moments like these that reaffirm my commitment to our cause and make me grateful for the opportunity to serve. I am now considering making a request to return to flying - I miss it, even if it is incredibly dangerous. The work I'm doing with the IG is important, but it's really not the same.
Please convey my warmest regards to your fellow WAVES at Pearl Harbor. I eagerly await your response and look forward to catching up on your own experiences.
With much love and admiration,
Your brother James
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President Roosevelt at Castelvetrano Airfield. General Patton standing at rear left, General Eisenhower sitting behind FDR