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U. S. NAVAL RESERVE AVIATION BASE ’

FAIRFAX AIRPORT
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS

27 August 1942

Dear Phogs

Your letter of August 15th received. I have been out of town
for the most part of the past two weeks so am somewhat delayed in answer-
ing.

I appreciate your alleged interest in Charlie Black and his well
being, and feel confident that you will make an effort to give him coun-
sel and guidance concerning military matters when he comes into your of-
fice to make such inquires. This is exactly what I tried to do for the
boy when he and his father came into my office the first week of this _
month, unsolicited, and wanted information concerning the U. S. Naval
Reserves.

Although I have known Charlie by reputation for some time, I
had never had the pleasure of talking to him personally until he walked
into my office.

As a Naval Officer in charge of athletics at this base, I was
delighted to think that this young man was interested in serving his
country and at the same time becoming a member of our basketball team
which is being organized in the interest of physical fitness, and to
aid in building base moral and spirit. It was my patriotic duty to
converse with Charlie and his father openly and without hesitation.

In time of war every able bodied boy in America whose heart is strong
is a potential defender of his country. Every day college coaches are
loosing boys to the armed forces and are patriotic enough to put aside
their own selfish desires for a strong team in order to aid the war
effort. Charlie made it apparent that he was interested in information
concerning the Naval Reserves and his father endorsed it.

Should this boy decide to enlist he would be welcomed with
open arms, as are hundreds of young men every day. Should he desire
to join the Army Air Corps, which may allow him to return to school,
hé has my benedictions and best wishes.

The average boy with a mind of his own goes to an educator
when he is seeking knowledge in the school of higher learning. When
a man is interested in buying a horse he goes to a horse trader.
Charlie's father served in the Naval forces of his country during the
last war. It is naturaly to presume that he first counseled with his
father before deciding to come to see me concerning the Navy.