AFRS I Sustain the Wings 1943-12-18- Glenn Miller AAF Christmas Program

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: AFRS I Sustain the Wings 1943-12-18 – Glenn Miller AAF Christmas Program
Original Air Date: December 18, 1943
Podcast Air Date: December 21, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode is a lovingly restored broadcast of the 1943 Christmas program from the legendary Glenn Miller and the Army Air Forces (AAF) Training Command Band, originally presented as part of AFRS's "I Sustain the Wings." The show mixes big band swing, sentimental songs, and dramatic storytelling to honor both the enlisted men in training and their families back home, while promoting unity and morale during WWII. It offers listeners a festive, historical snapshot of the “Golden Age of Radio.”

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Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Opening Dedication & Festive Medley

(00:44–06:54)

• Introduction by Captain Glenn Miller:
  • Glenn Miller welcomes listeners and dedicates the show to the men stationed at Pratt & Whitney Engine School, Hartford, Connecticut.
    • "Tonight, the words and music pay tribute to the Army Air Force's Training Command boys stationed up at Pratt and Whitney Engine School, Hartford, Connecticut. So here's to you, fellas." [00:53]
• Medley for Loved Ones:
  • An orchestral and vocal medley honors “the mothers, wives and sweethearts” of the servicemen—featuring classic standards and sentimental favorites, described as “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”
• Vocal Performances:
  • PFC Johnny Desmond provides a tender solo:
    • “For the first time I’m falling in love...” [06:57]
• Swing Interlude:
  • A lively, jazzy transition keeps spirits high and transitions into deeper sentimental territory.

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2. Dramatic Narrative: "Johnny, the Kid Next Door"

(13:22–19:00)

• Salute to the Ground Crew:
  • The show dramatizes the life of a ground crew mechanic (“Johnny, the kid next door”), highlighting the anxiety and pride felt as bombers head out and await their return.
    • "The hardest part of it's right now, when the planes are on their way, waiting, just waiting for them to come back..." [13:39]
  • The story personalizes wartime responsibility, focusing on the unseen but vital work of mechanics and engineers who maintain the planes.
• Tension and Relief:
  • Tense moment as 20 bombers go out, but only 17 initially return. The ground crew's doubts and prayers are palpable.
    • "I've babied those engines along... I've learned to love those engines like they were human. They're almost part of me..." [16:30]
  • Relief as the three missing planes limp in, safe but battered:
    • “Eighteen, nineteen and twenty. The three missing planes. They're... They're flying low, limping a little. But their engines are bringing them safely home again. Yeah, safely home again. It's a prayer answered by the safe return...” [19:00]

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3. Uplifting Music and Wartime Messages

(21:21–23:20; 25:49–27:07)

• "Santa Fe Trail" by PFC Johnny Desmond:
  • A romantic, western-tinged song evoking home and hope.
    • "Angels come to paint the desert night..." [21:21]
• Wartime Recruitment Call:
  • A passionate pitch for women's enlistment in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), highlighting their roles and urging participation:
    • "You can help and help a lot by serving your country in the Women’s Army Corps...A hundred trained specialized jobs await your choice..." [23:20]
• Orchestral Highlight – "Oh What a Beautiful Morning":
  • A rousing arrangement from Oklahoma!, symbolizing optimism and unity.
    • "There's a bright golden haze on the meadow..." [25:49]

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4. Christmas Cheer and Closing Notes

(29:18–33:24; 33:53–40:55)

• "I'll Be Home for Christmas":
  • A heartfelt rendition that resonates with servicemen and listeners separated from loved ones.
    • "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams..." [29:18]
• "Jingle Bells" Sing-Along:
  • The band and chorus bring joyful energy, lifting spirits and marking the holiday.
    • "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..." [33:53]
• Show Closes with Listener Appreciation:
  • The band thanks the audience, encourages letters from servicemen, and previews next week’s broadcast from Halloran Army Hospital in Staten Island.
    • "This program is dedicated to you..." [40:55]
    • Encouragement to send in song requests; the show is produced and written entirely by soldiers.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Responsibility and Anxiety:
  • "With a responsibility like that on your mind, there's not much use of a squadron engineering officer trying to sleep..." [13:50]
• On the Pride of the Ground Crew:
  • "I get my payoff just in knowing that I'm doing my job down here backing up those guys who are doing their job up there..." [19:00]
• On Women's Role in the War:
  • "Every one of us... you women who may be listening. You can help and help a lot by serving your country in the Women's Army Corps..." [23:21]

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Timestamps of Major Segments

• Opening and Medley Dedication: 00:44–06:54
• Vocal Interlude (“For the First Time”): 06:57–08:34
• Ground Crew Story (“Johnny, the Kid Next Door”): 13:22–19:00
• “Santa Fe Trail” Performance: 21:21–23:20
• Women’s Army Corps Recruitment: 23:20–25:49
• "Oh What a Beautiful Morning": 25:49–27:07
• “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” Performance: 29:18–33:24
• "Jingle Bells" and Christmas Close: 33:53–40:55
• Band Sign-Off/Appreciation: 40:55–41:43

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Summary Tone and Style

The episode radiates morale-boosting patriotism and warmth, delivered with the geniality and sincerity characteristic of WWII-era radio. Glenn Miller and company mix swing, sentiment, and storytelling to foster connection and hope among listeners—at home and overseas alike. The original language—period-specific, earnest, and heartfelt—makes this a living artifact of America’s home front and fighting spirit.

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For listeners today, this episode is both a holiday musical treat and a living snapshot of 1943: a time of uncertainty, hope, homesickness, and collective action. The pacing, music, and messaging transport you to the era when families gathered by the radio—reminding us how entertainment carried whole generations through history’s darkest hours.

Transcript

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[Singer/Performer]

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I sustain the wings. I sustain the wings. The Army Air Force's Training Command presents the band of the Training Command under the direction of Captain Glenn Miller. With Corporal Ray McKinley at the drums. And the story of Johnny the Kid Next Door. And now, captain glenn miller. Thank you, Don Briggs. Good evening, everybody. Tonight, the words and music pay tribute to the Army Air Force's Training Command boys stationed up at Pratt and Whitney Engine School, Hartford, Connecticut. So here's to you, fellas. And we're off with a tune that should be plenty rugged. I hear you scream. Nice. All that. Now it's medley time, folks. The serenade for the mothers, wives and sweethearts of the officers and enlisted men at the Pratt and Whitney Engine Training School. There's something old, something new. Something barred, something blue. The old tune in the gloaming.

[Singer/Performer]

It's sa. Sam.

[Narrator/Announcer]

For something new. PFC Johnny Desmond sings.

[Singer/Performer]

For the first time I'm falling in love. And in no time at all. This what you near me feeling is so new to me. Your love has done a thing no one could do. For the first time. I know that it's real. And if you feel that way too. Then the first time will be the last time. I'll go right on.

[Narrator/Announcer]

My good friend Benny Goodman we borrow Stopping at the sav. Last Time Medley. Something bluer than blue. Deep Purple.

[Singer/Performer]

15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

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[Narrator/Announcer]

That's all of them? Yeah, that's all of them. The last of a squadron of 20 marked marauders off on a mission over occupied France. Power to their destination by plenty of horsepower. Horsepower packed into the precision smooth walls of the modern aircraft engine. Those engines are kept running by those men you see standing around the fields and hangars. Yeah, yeah, those. Those men over there. Those soldiers in coveralls with the grease stained faces and weary eyes. Watching anxiously after the planes, their planes, as they disappear toward the coast of France. Those men of the ground crew, like the one in the leather jacket coming this way. That one right over there. He's probably on his way to grab a little shut eye. I heard that, mister. Yeah, but you got me wrong. I'm not gonna hit the hay because my job's never done goes on 24 hours around the clock. The hardest part of it's right now, when the planes are on their way, waiting, just waiting for them to come back. Sure, I could lie down and try to get a little rest, but I couldn't sleep. I'd be thinking about those planes and the trouble they might run into. I'd still be wondering if those engines we've been checking and adjusting and nursing are perking the way they should. No, I'm not sentimental, mister. But the engines I checked have got to take those guys over and bring them back. Maybe I'm just a worrier, but with a responsibility like that on your mind, there's not much use of a squadron engineering officer trying to sleep. Excuse me, Lieutenant, but the ignition on the R2800 is snap food. Mind taking a look at it? I'll be right with you, sir. Okay, sir. You see what I mean? Listen, stick around. I'll be back in a minute. These jobs can't wait. There he goes, Johnny, engine specialist. The guy that's gotta know all the answers. He's engineering officer for one of the many Squadrons of the 8th Air Force Station in England. He keeps the engines running. He got his know how at the AAF engine training school at the Pratt and Whitney plant in East Hartford, Connecticut. And they really taught him the answers, you know? You've met Johnny before. He's Johnny, the kid next door. That solemn faced youngster that always took life so seriously. Well, he still takes things seriously. Like those 20 Martin marauders that took off at 9 o'. Clock. It's 10 o' clock now and Johnny's been thinking about them every minute. They should be at the rendezvous point right now. 12 might be a little behind the other it. Her right engine was overheating the other day. Ah, no, no, we checked through and found that trouble. It's all taken care of. 11 o'. Clock. They're on schedule. They're at the target ready for that ride over the hot spot. And number nine's carburetors weren't flowing just right. They should choke up on the bombing run and it'd be ah, what's eating me. We had those carburetors on the flow bench and they were 100% okay when we got through. 12 o'.

[Singer/Performer]

Clock.

[Narrator/Announcer]

They should be on the way back now. Yeah, I bet they got a flock me 109s on that tail. Yeah, but there's nothing to about worry about. Our boys can fly circles around those Jerry's. Unless maybe number four's engines are out of time. They weren't quite right yesterday, but I went all over the ignition and timing and had those engines running smooth as silk. One o'. Clock. Hey mister, you seen anything of those B26s? Yeah. No, no. Are they due? They're overdue. Believe me mister, it's plenty tough waiting for those planes to get back. I've babied those engines along. I've taken them apart and put them back together again. I know every one of their 10,000 odd parts and can tell you if there's anything wrong with them. I've learned to love those engines like they were human. They're almost part of me. I know they're okay, but kind of get you just standing here waiting, wondering if those planes and their crews are going to make it back here to the field knowing all the time there's nothing I can do to hurry them up. Sort of like being on a it. Hey, here comes something hit. Yeah, those are P38s. Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute. Our babies are right behind them.

[Singer/Performer]

Yeah. There's number one. Hey, look at them come.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Number two.

[Singer/Performer]

There's 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 17.

[Narrator/Announcer]

17. Yeah, but 20 planes took off on that mission and only 17 came back. Three of our aircraft are missing. Yeah, three of our planes are missing. I wonder what happened. The engines. Oh no, no, no. Those engines were okay. I checked every one of them myself. I gotta stop worrying. I can't wish them home. I.

[Singer/Performer]

Look, look. They're coming in, mister.

[Narrator/Announcer]

They're coming in.

[Singer/Performer]

That's number 18. 19. 20.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Eighteen, nineteen and twenty. The three missing planes. They're. They're flying low, limping a little. But their engines are bringing them safely home again. Yeah, safely home again. It's a prayer answered by the safe return of our planes and their crews. And the reward. Well, I get my payoff just in knowing that I'm doing my job down here backing up those guys who are doing their job up there. And as long as there's a need for planes to fly to blast the Nazis from the face of the earth, I. I promise. I promise you we'll be on the job making sure those engines are operating because we know they'll furnish the power to speed us on the flight to victory. Special orders read go west, young man. So PFC Johnny Desmond hitches a ride with the band and sings Santa Fe Trail.

[Singer/Performer]

Angels come to paint the desert late nightly when the moon is beaming brightly along the Santa Fe Trail. Stardust scattered all along the highway On a race rainbow colored skyway along the Santa Fe Trail. Beside you I'm riding every hill and bear watch and. Just like a pretty purple bear Thereby hangs a tale I found you and the mountains that surround me Are the walls I build around you along the Santa Fe Sam.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You know no one has to tell any of us to help win this war. We all want to help. Every one of us. But I can tell you how you can help. I'm speaking now, especially to you women who may be listening. You can help and help a lot by serving your country in the Women's Army Corps. Today in the aaf, thousands of airwacks are working as clerks, stenographers, control tower operators, photographic technicians, link trainer instructors. Well, that's to mention only a few of their many vital services. They're doing a tremendous job, these air wacs, but they need your help. The help of every woman eligible to join them. So how about lending them a hand? Over a hundred trained specialized jobs await your choice in either the air, ground or service forces. Visit the nearest WAC encampment and get a personal picture of the interesting life they lead and the useful work they do. Then call at any WAC recruiting station and talk to the WAC officer there. If you're not engaged in essential war work, enlist now as an airwack and help keep them flying. And now, here's Captain Miller. Thank you, Corporal. There isn't much left to say or play about the music from Oklahoma. However, Private Jerry Gray has a few new ideas on the subject and he gets them off his chest in an all out arrangement of oh what a Beautiful Morning.

[Singer/Performer]

There's a bright golden haze on the meadow There's a bright golden haze on the meadow the corn is as high as an elephant's eye and it looks like it's climbing clear up through the sky oh, what a beautiful morning.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh.

[Singer/Performer]

What a beautiful day I got a beautiful feel Everything's going my way Everything's going my way.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What a beautiful morning. Oh, what a beautiful day.

[Singer/Performer]

I got a beautiful feeling Everything is going my way Everything's going my way.

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[Singer/Performer]

It. Sam. It. Sam. Sa. Share the laughter of folks I love as they trim the Christmas tree I'll be home in spirit My dreams will light my way in my favorite chair I'll be right there Even though I'm miles away I'll join the Christmas carol Singing like I used to do and when the steeple bells start ringing I'll be praised I'll be home for Christmas it's been the holiday and when dawn breaks through with skies of blue I'll be coming home Sam.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It.

[Singer/Performer]

Sam. Dashing through the snow in one horse open sleigh O' er the fields we go Laughing all the way Bells on Bobdale ring Making spirits bright for what fun it is to sing the sleighing song tonight Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bell Jingle all the way oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. It. Ram. Sa. Ram.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And that's all for now, folks. Speaking for the band of the Training Command, thanks to all you for listening and for your swell letters, you guys and gals in the service. Let us know your favorite tunes because this program is dedicated to you. I Sustain the Wings has presented the band of the AAF Training Command next Saturday on Christmas. I Sustain the Wings will be heard from Halloran Army Hospital, Staten Island, New York where we'll be playing for some of the boys who are sitting this way out away from home. So tune in same time, same station. Program is produced and written entirely by soldiers and of the Army Air Forces and came to you from New York City.

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