June 1, 1944

(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. It is written on stationary stamped United States Navy at the top. Photos are of Cemetary Chapel at Bougainville and a shooting competition on the base.)

Thursday evening,

Dear Paul,

Don't get the idea I'm at sea by seeing the stationery. Just that we only had this stuff available hereabouts for a time. Say, would you mind enclosing air-mail envelopes (Gov't type with impressed stamps) in your next letter to me, and please put some wax paper between the gummed flap and envelope proper to prevent these climes from sticking same shut? Seems quite a few things are rather scarce hereabouts.

There is actually little of interest to mention at this time so I may bore you somewhat with the following lines. You're pretty well informed of the war moves I won't delve into that.

On Tuesday afternoon, our division held memorial services at the island cemetery. Each F.A. battery sent ten men (couldn't possibly accommodate the entire div. personnel within the grounds nor could we all have been so assembled due to security) and I was included. The Corps C.G. gave a speech as well as several chaplains and the program was dedicated to those men who'd died on this island.

To pass time we participate in many recreational activity and I've been playing an awful lot of chess and checkers. Getting quite sharp in the latter, but most of the lads in my tent from the rad. section can beat me at the former. We're going to have tournaments within the bn. for these games as well as carbine firing, boxing, volley-ball, basket-ball, base-ball, etc.

We can even join the fishing and go on detached service. These fishermen use dynamite and T.N.T. charges which are exploded in river mouths. Naturally this entire program is intended to raise and hold morale.

As regards books I mention: you're view on "Postman Always Rings Twice" was mostly correct. If that Steinbeck book is as dull as his "Cup of Gold" don't bother with it. I asked Rudy and Ed for several books but they haven't acknowledged my letters as yet. They're none too prompt at replying so you can't kick them when the don't answer you for a spell. Write me as often as you find the spare time 'cause I really appreciate hearing from you.

Yuts tried to make it up here last Tues., but couldn't quite manage it so he sent a letter with a radio-oper.-gunner for me. Said he was moving down to the Russels.

Your new job sounds very interesting. Glad to hear it interests you. Boy! That sounds ideal as far as machine shop work is concerned. I've always wanted such a job working on experimental parts. At case we got some of it, but the tool room dept. & experimental (floor above my old dept.) did most of that stuff. No doubt you should be a capable machinist after enough time and practise around your job. Nice thing about it is that you operate most machines & get good training in advanced techniques. The equipment is probably of the best. Imagine it's neat and sanitary too. Give me more dope on it. Do they provide showers, lockers, cafeteria, etc.? How many employees?

Well, it's getting late now so I'll sign off.

Your brother,
Vic