October 13, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows Vic's friend Ben Louie and another soldier posing with three friends.)

Saturday afternoon,

Dear Paul,

It's past chow time now and if the brass intended falling us out for detail they would've called formation by now. Looks like we may actually get an afternoon off. Pulled guard last nite and then stood their chicken____ inspection this A.M.

Signed up for to-morrow's one-day Manila pass deal, but so did practically everyone else so'll have to wait 'til morning for final results. Would like to pick up some good souvenirs down there, but my pesos aren't too many this far on in the month. Maybe I'll get over to see Nick Julian and possibly even Floyd Hiller. Nick's one happy-go-lucky guy. He should be shipping out for the States this month 'cause he's over 35 yrs. We still might go back to-gether.

Did I mention having phoned Phil Mascaretti a while back? Reached his outfit thru long-distance via numerous Army exchanges and was told that his unit had shipped out. The operator wouldn't (probably for security reasons) commit himself as to probably destination, but I think it's Japan. Well, here're those addresses which I'd like re-prints from those negatives mailed: addresses follow.

Hope you sent copies to the folks, Ruts, & Ed. Guess this business get mighty damn tiresome, eh what?

Last night we received a few more new men who've enough points to go home. They're from the 86th "Black Hawk" Div. and were in Europe for a while but saw little combat. They seem to dislike the tropics even from what little they've seen. The Philippines (especially Luzon) are comparitively OK as tropical islands come. They told me about the European areas they saw and it really sounded like a good deal as far as conditions are during war-times.

I have almost a half-dozen of your previous letters which I intend answering fully within a very few days - so standby, no?

Your brots,
Vic

Enclosed are five recent pics. Kind send them on to Ed or Ruts in your next letter to them and please ask that they send same on home.