Army & Navy: When I Get Home

Already in World War II scores of returning U.S. fighters are discovering the multiple meanings of the world-old placard “Home Sweet Home.”

The first sight of the first baby brought loud awkward delight to many a young veteran like American Volunteer Group Flyer John Hennesy, who first saw his daughter when she was six months old. The delayed pleasure of eating the favorite steak, salad, pie, cake and ice cream occupied many a returned soldier’s first hours. Flying Tiger George Burgard luxuriated in a Turkish bath “to get about a year of the Orient out of me.” Many were overwhelmed by the first sight of an American girl and some happily did the once despised chore of wiping the family dishes which seemed to put the war as far away as possible.

Luckiest was young Flying Tiger Peter Wright. He had stayed long enough in China to shoot down the last Jap plane killed by the A.V.G. before it disbanded. Then Peter Wright headed for Pittsburgh, where last week he married pretty, proud Mary Roberts.

While home has a new meaning for U.S. fighters they all seem to want to go back into battle. They want to get it over with so they can enjoy “Home Sweet Home” at peace.