December 30, 1944, P-38 pilot Dan Wilson wrote home telling his folks in Iowa that he’d gotten a pass to Rome for four days over Christmas. He and other pilots from his squadron (37th FS, 14th FG, 15th AF) rode in an open-air Jeep, seeing flattened towns along the Appian Way. “I remembered the name from studying history, but didn’t know it was here in Italy,” he said. Three pilots stayed in a hotel “that was plenty OK,” with good chow and a dance every night.
Rome was cleaner than other towns, and the people were clean and well-dressed, considering, he added. The stores were full of things but also expensive. The Red Cross had a bus tour, including a guide, so Danny had looked over “the famous sights of Roma,” including St. Paul’s church, the Coliseum, and the Catacombs.
The Wilsons weren’t Catholic, but on Christmas Eve, Danny attended “what they call Midnight Mass” at St. Peter’s Church in Vatican City. The place was huge and beautiful, he said. “Pope Pius XII was going to be there, so we figured we would go to see the Pope, if nothing else. We got in there and came quickly to the conclusion that quite a number of other people had the same idea. So, we found ourselves in a predicament that we began wishing we weren’t in. Yea, it was ‘fascinating’ to see what people do and try to get by with in a crowd. I was looking for a bunch of damn Monks to bunt through and start a second layer. ha. . . . Oh yes, I got to see the Pope.”
Later there was a Christmas party at the hotel for orphan kids who received gifts and “had a swell time.” He added that they were more fortunate than kids and people living among the ruins of their bombed towns.
This is a souvenir from his trip to Rome, which was sent home with his effects after he was Missing in Action on February 19, 1945.
Catacombe di S. Callisto Salesiant di S. Biov Bosco Roma VIA APPIA ANTICA 110 TELEF. 70.494 Autobus n. 220 dal COLOSSEO A. Blasetti Roma
Five brothers served. Only two came home. Dan Wilson was one of the three who lost their lives during the war. The family story is told in Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II.
What Leora Never Knew: A Granddaughter’s Quest for Answers is my journey of research into what happened to the three who were lost. Dan Wilson is pictured in the center of both book covers.
Dan’s last Christmas was a good one. Thanks for sharing, Joy
It was, wasn’t it. And a memorable one. Thank you, John!
A poignant remembrance, knowing what happened to Dan.
Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Joy.
I just read this portion of the book. It has been very interesting so far, and I’m enjoying it.
Leora’s Letters? So now you know how old I am! Thank you, Dan.
Haha – I’m not doing the math, but I am enjoying the book. 😉
Dan was right. It is cleaner the farther north you are in Italy. He gave a wonderful description of Christmas in Rome during that time in history. Love the card! Thanks, Joy. 🙂
I’m so thankful his letters and souvenirs were saved. And his stories! Thank you, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Joy. 🤗
That was a real nice Christmas break for Dan, Joy, and wonderful that you shared so much information about it.
Thank you, Tim. There’s so few things left of his, just letters and stories.
It’s nice that you share it, Joy, heart-touching for me.
Thank you, Tim.
Thank you for sharing this story of Dan’s Christmas in Rome. I am so glad that you have his keepsakes and that you have preserved his memories so beautifully. (Love the note on the menu!)
Thank you, Linda. I’m thankful to be the keeper of what’s left of his life.
The card that mentions “USAAF rest camps” reminds me of similar ones I discovered while researching my wife’s uncle’s experiences as a B-17 tail gunner with the 8th AF in England.
I wonder whether the 8th AF sent them somewhere warm!