November 15, 1943

(Letter from Vic to his parents, Emilie and Peter in Racine, Wisconsin. In bottom left corner of envelope, stamp reads "Passed by U.S. Army Examiner 25603" and it's signed L.A. Krazenbule(sp?) 2nd Lt FA. The photo shows the members of the 135 Field Artillery Radio Unit at Bougaineville. It had likely landed with the 37th Infantry Division after the November 1st invasion. The are, front row - left to right, Benjamin M.B. Louie/Sacramento Califorina; Paul C. Amadio/ Struthers Ohio; Wilbur J. Baxter/Springfield, Ohio; Robert 'Doc' Hart/Toledo, Ohio; Bill Feinberg/ Brockton, Mass. Back Row - left to right - Ross H. Spencer/Youngstown, Ohio; Thomas E. Amadio/Stuthers, Ohio; Thomas W. Nesselroad/Dallas Center, Iowa; Don R. Howard/Toledo Ohio; Verne Russell Englehart/Toledo, Ohio)

Dear Folks,

Many thanks for your package containing the fruit cake, nuts and Rye crisp. We get some of the latter in certain canned rations so please don't enclose them in any more packages.

It arrived two days ago and my tent mates were more than willing to help dig in and finish it off. We all share our gifts more or less, and sincerely appreciate such luxurious edibles. Wonder when those packages containing malted milk tablets, etc., will arrive. Probably in the near future depending upon mailing date.

Guess it sounds somewhat as tho we're not eating regularly. Well, don't get the idea it's anywhere near that bad 'cause at present we have chow three times daily. However, powdered this and dehyrated that have a tendency to lose one's taste somewhat. I'm OK and in good health so don't worry about me.

How are you at home and what word do you get from Paul? Elmer Balzer wrote again and said his wife was sending me a gift. That's very considerate of her. Have receive any other packages aside from yours as yet. Please thank the Gulbankians for theirs on the way.

Best regards from you son,
Victor

November 5, 1943

(Letter from Vic to brother Rudy, written from the South Pacific to Passaic, New Jersey. In the right corner of the envelope is the writing "Censored by (no name) Lt, F.A. Above that is a stamp "Passed by U.S. Army Examiner 25603". The Passaic post office stamped the envelope on January 6th, 1944. Picture shows overturned and beached U.S. landing craft at Cape Tokorina, Bougaineville, Solomon Islands - which had been invaded by Marines on November 1. The first units in Vic's 37th Army Division began arriving on November 9.)

Friday

Dear Rudy and Ann,

Thought I'd write now that I have some time. Recently received all the old letter's you'd addressed to former addresses of mine.

Imagine your draft board must've taken action by now so I might next hear you're in the service, Ruts. Let me know how you make out.

You've probably noted these parts have flared into action. Keep writing as frequently as possible and I'll answer as often as I have time.

If you wish to send me something I could use a sturdy flash-light that'll focus and a cigarette lighter with flint and fluid. Perhaps those items aren't purchaseable in civilian life. You can imagine the scarcity of them over here.

The flash-light'll have to take the common 1 cell 1 1/2 v battery. Whenever you have any late issues of Time, Newsweek, Literary Digest, etc. or good novels or non fiction book or material kindly forward same on over here but remember to wrap them in packages of such weight as to comply with postal regulations. The first two articles (provided they don't weigh too much" could be packed and sent via air-mail thus saving time amounting to at least several months.

Is 120 film difficult to get back there?

Gil sent me a letter again recently and seems to be doing Ok at the shop. How does Ann like her job now? Is Joe working at that glass place in N.Y.? Has Wally recovered enough to walk around now? Write soon!

'Case my letters don't come so regularly I'm sending you my Yuletide greeting now - by wishing you all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

Sincerely,
Vic

October 30, 1943

(Letter from Vic to his parents, Emilie and Peter in Racine, Wisconsin. In bottom left corner of envelope, reads "Censored by John L Paul, Lt., F.A". At right is an undated photo of Vic in the South Pacific not wearing his glasses.)

Saturday

Dear Folks,

Will have time to write a few lines this morning before chow. Hope we have the rare treat of fresh meat but don't think it very probably.

Received the second pack of air-mail envelopes and stationery you forwarded me but not the fruit cake you mentioned. Please realize that some packages only take a month and a half to cover the distance while others are enroute for as high as six months.

Made out a War Dept. Personal Transfer Allotment form for $22.00 so the check for that amount should reach you from Washington shortly. Have you received any more of my war bonds? Don't put any more of my money into bonds for the present as I now have $25 per month going into them from my pay. Please use the $22.00 P.T.A. check for something you'd like to purchase for yourself.

Will try to mail you a package to-day containing my civilian glasses and wrist watch which I would like to have repaired. Will you please take the glasses to Racine Optical and tell them to insert a lense in the left side? My army reading is "OD-350 -2x165/OS-45 Out Ou 1 1/2mm/PD 69-242-4 1/2-42"

When you show them these figures please remember to tell them that the size of my army lens is probably included therein and that it should be disregarded. I want the lense diameter the same as the unbroken one.

The wrist watch has several items to be repaired. If it cannot be readily fixed try to purchase a reliable but reasonably priced one. I understand it's very difficult to obtain watches in civilian life. However, please don't purchase an expensive or Swiss wrist watch. I'll forward the money after my next pay.

A word about Lease-lend in reverse as regards our fighting Allies of the South-West Pacific. Many supplies and rations we use come from Australia and New Zealand. They're contributing much towards defeating the Axis, and seemingly few people back in the States are too easily included to think we're furnishing everything. Theyre good troops and we get along swell with them.

Best regards - write soon.

Your son,
Victor