November 16, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo is of a Philippine volcano.)

Friday morning,

Dear Paul,

Finally obtained several air-mail envelopes. Don't believe the letter I sent you via free mail will arrive for almost a month. Thought perhaps you might not have received same before I hit the West coast.

Today our ship is due in at San Fernando up on the Lingayen Gulf. It's the fast transport "Sea Corporal", and should dock in 'Frisco about 3eighteen days after getting under way from these parts. A good percent of the division will be aboard this ship - parts of the 145 INF., 148 INF., 135 F.A., 136 F.A., 112 MED. BN, M.P. CO, plus the division commander, MAJ. GEN. Brightler. Our battery will load on sometime between tomorrow and Monday. Come Monday the 19th Nov. the Sea Corporal will pull out.

The entire division will have embarked on a number of ships over a period of one week or possibly slightly more. We're not sailing in a convoy. Last nite most of the 148 INF. REG'T. and the 140 F.A. BN. loaded aboard their ship, the Dutch "Veldereden", which will saidl shortly thus being the advance vessel.

They have group lists of the personnel going to the various seperation centers throughout the United States which are being flown home so that train schedules will be all completed when we hit 'Frisco. We're to go to Camp Stoneman, and won't be there more than 48 hrs.

I can't get any satisfaction over on this side as regards being promised a pass from Stoneman to look you up. Our brass won't commit themselves, and it's rumored that we'll be confined to Stoneman during our brief stay there.

I'm tentatively scheduled to be on the train-load of us 37th fellows going to Ft. Sheridan. They tried to send me to Camp McCoy where practically all Wis., upper Michigan, & Minnesota personnel will go. They claim Sheridan is overcrowded and handles only Michigan (proper) & Chicago area men. Finally convinced our B.C. that it'd be cheaper to send me to Sheridan because it's so damn close to home, but I may yet wind up at McCoy.

Here's a copy of a letter of appreciation from Gen. Devers that was handed out to all the old vets. Sent it on home to the folks. Haven't seen my letter re-printed in the Mail Bag column of the Daily Pacifican as yet.

Best Regards! Your brother,
Vic

Last nite I was up to the "Grass Shack" and saw the U.S.O. troupe put on the show "Hello Chicago" featuring five good-looking Am. Gals and a very good M.C. comedian. Several nites ago we saw the riotous film "Duffy's Tavern."