December 15, 1943

(Letter from Vic to brother Rudy and wife Ann, written from the South Pacific to Passaic, New Jersey. In the bottom left corner of the envelope is the writing "Censored by (no name) Lt, F.A. Above that is a stamp "Passed by U.S. Army Examiner 25603". On the back of the picture at right is written "December 1943, Solomon Islands - month before had been enemy held...)

Dear Ann and Rudy,

Thanks for your letter of Nov. 21st which I received the other day. Haven't received the pakcage you mention sending me but two others arrived to-day. One from the folks and a book, "The Fall of Paris" from Eva Reed. Ray is at sea on a Dutch ship somewhere on the pacific as part of a Navy crew.

Can't mention much about this place but it time may have some somewhat of a story 'case you're interested. How your letter arrived so rapidly I can't understand when others with it are two and three weeks older. Is Ann's brother Nick still in the south western part of the States?

Am scribbling these lines down in our dug-out where we've slung our jungle hammocks. My 'shelter-mate" is another radio man. It's very hot outside just now but the rains were terrific. With shelter-hals as a roof its fairly comfortable in a crude sort of way. We've been bombed and straved. Beyond that I won't venture, and let me know how much the censors are clipping.

The good ole Navy came through and did a swell job in the Gilberts and now the Marshalls according to the radio news. We pick up Frisco short-wave fair and Australia good. They give us a good idea of the situation on the other fighting fronts. The Russians are doing some swell work. Guess the Germans are quite desperate now and seem to be fighting stubornly in Italy. They're certainly taken an awful aerial beating at home but those Nazis deserve every bit of it.

Looks like the nip Imperial Fleet won't be for long at the rate they're going down. News bulletins list their sinkings most accurately and according to the commentators they're really alarmed at ship and air losses. They've good cause to be and are really in for it. Hope they get a good dose of blasting on their homeland.

Jake Valentine said he's left Australia and is now "somewhere in the S-W Pacific". Well write soon and very lengthly.

Best regards to you all,
Vic

P.S. - The knife will come in handy and more so the stone. Have a hard time keeping my own sharp and free from rust. The sheath has deteriorated due to rusting and molding. Can't do much about these things in this humidity except oil and polish ssteel and wip leather. The Marines and Army infantry are issued knifes for close-combat work but not most other branches. Notice the Navy issues one but don't think the C.B.'s carry them. They're handy in numerous ways.

Did you know any fellows who were released in that recent batch from the Army Understand the services will cut down on conscriptment come Spring. How do you like this income tax pay-as-you-go plan? Write!