August 16, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows Japanese prisoners in 'civies disguise hustled along by Filipino civilians and turned into us'. Bottom photo is of Manila swimming pool.)

Cagayan Valley, N. Luzon, P.I.

Thursday morning,

Dear Paul,

It's still quite early in the day and very comfortable. Have been back to the battery for two days now. Came in off liaison with a bad cold and some infected insect bites. Slept in a cot for two nites now and really rested.

Saw my first movie last nite in a very long time. Yesterday we had roast chicken but due to my cold I didn't even enjoy the taste. Drew my back beer rations which amounted to 42 bottles. Still have most of it 'cause I can't taste the stuff either.

Yesterday Pres. Truman declared the war over but there was no wild celebrating hereabouts. There was we understand much excitement down in Manila but the fellows took it comparitively calmly in these parts. Last nite we heard the cities of the U.S. madly carousing over the radio. Strange that we shouldn't get half as excited as most civilians are.

Large numbers of Nips are expected to come in from the hills now. Those taken several days back knew about the peace rumors and atomic bomb. I'd say they're only about 12 hrs. behind us on the news. Evidentally they have better radio communications than we give them credit for having. Several wks. ago they were bloodily contesting our every advance in this remote sector of northern Luzon. Our last mission was to drive up a rugged mountainous river gorge into a hidden valley and disperse remnants of once strong Jap formations. After this was completely we pushed the remainders on East up into the wild Sierre Madre mountains near the coast. Guest I can tell this now that the war's over. Incidentally, all censorship should cease very soon as it did in Europe almost immediately after V-E days.

Am enclosing eight pics that friends have recently sent. Thanks for those re-prints. have you received and gotten prints of any of those negs I sent of us swimming? Please write soon.

Best regards,
Your brother,
Vic