June 24, 1944

(Typed V-mail from Lt. Col. John R. Crossen, Commanding Officer of 135th Field Artillery Battalion, to Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Petersen in Racine, Wisconsin. Note that this letter was also subject to censorship. The other photo shows a sharpshooting competition at Bougainville.)

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Petersen:

Your son Victor has been an important member of this organization for some time and we feel you should know how we value men like him. We have had the satisfaction of helping to furnish the punch that whipped the Japanese, both in New Georgia and our present base. We have had some difficult times and experiences. We have contended with the jungle, incessant rains, mosquitos, air raids, enemy shelling and fanatic Japanese attacks. We have missed our loved ones and all the pleasures of our home and families.

Our men have earned a well deserved rest. We are attempting to make their life as pleasant as possible under the circumstances, and to a great extent we have overcome the difficulties encountered. We have built a Battalion Theatre where moves are shown every other evening. There are volley ball and basket ball courts and a baseball diamond, pingpong tables and library with an unlimited supply of books where men can spend their leisure time.

USO Shows and various orchestras visit the battalion occasionally. Carved out of the jungle nearby is a Service Club with a complete recreation room. Our radio station on the island relays the best programs from the states. An arrangement for further education has been instituted by the Army whereby an ambitious young man can ready himself for civilian work or to continue his education.

With the sky and sea dominated by our Air Force and Navy, we are able to get more and more shipments of fresh foods and meats. Better equipment is available and the men are sheltered comfortably in tents with cots and bedding. There are wells all over the area and with showers constructed from oil drums we are able to bathe daily. A doctor is assigned to the Battalion to take care of the slightest ailment of any of it's members.

When peace has again prevailed over this chaotic world, and you son has returned to a normal civil life, I am sure that he will be proud to have served with a unit that has won praise and commendations from Army and Naval officials.

I write this letter because I am proud to be the commander of the unit of which your son is member. I write this to assure you that all of our officers will do everything in their power to make life as pleasant as possible.

Sincerely
John R. Crossen
Lt. Col., 135th FA Bn.
Commanding