September 7, 1945

(V-mail sent as letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows Japanese officers on their way to Cagayan Valley Surrender Ceremony September 5.)

Friday afternoon,

Dear Paul,

Well, I rather expected a letter from you for the past several days. You aren't writing very regularly of late. Please write whenever you have time and don't hesitate to give a few details on any subject you care to discuss. Censorship of personal mail was abolished here throughout the division yesterday. From now on we can write about practically anything.

To-day our highest point men departed. They went to Appari, a port up north of here and'll embark on ships with all the old-timers from our div. and attached units. We're so isolated up here that it's much closer and more convenient to have transport handled at that town than going the 350 miles down to Manila over bad roads. The last remaining Ohio N.G. men as well as the original vets who were with the division. when they sailed from Frisco back in May of '42 left in that bunch.

Only on or possibly two of the remaining groups will be ahead of me. The fellows in the 85 to 93 bunch should leave within a few days. There aren't too many fellows in the 65 to 85 group so I may make it within a few months on my 69.

Our liaison section was turned in for the bronze star cluster for work back in the Orieng Pass fracas. However, we won't get same because the brass here instead gave bronze stars to kitchen, S-1, and S-3 personnel 'cause they were all either N.G. men or royal brown-nosers. Ever since I've been in this outfit the men who take the most personal risks get the worst deal. In other words this outfit (and div. for that matter) has always been run by & for Ohio politicians. More later.

Your brother,
Vic