+Robert+L+Hays+(Dec)+Squatting+John+L+Hinson,+John+Chickchuna,+William+J+McGuirk.jpg)
(Two V-mails from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Photo shows soldiers - standing - Frank Fatlich and Robert L Hayes (both killed in the war) and squatting - John L. Hinson, John Chickchuna and William J. McGuirk)
Friday evening,
Dear Paul,
It's raining quite heavily to-nite as I'm writing these lines so I'm thankful I didn't go up to the outdoor special service theatre. Our area is somewhat drier since clearing so much jungle growth away and ditches tend to drain off excess precipitation. However, all this seemingly tends to make the heat more noticeable.
Paul, should you obtain a High Standard or Woodsman kindly include ammo and holster when sending same. Send it along with books as such. Yesterday I received your package of books which included "Transit" and "Favorite Works of Mark Twain". Many thanks for the thoughtfulness you showed in forwarding them.
A fellow from my section here would like to know if you can obtain Boccaccio's "The Decameron", preferably second hand.
Your brother,
Vic
(Second V-mail)
Dear Paul,
Thought I'd add a few more works on a second v-mailer. Incidentally, I'd appreciate hearing from you more often so please write whenever you can spare the time.
Believe Ed's birthday is the 17th August, so how's about sending him a card with both our names signed to it? Would you please do likewise when Mother's birthday comes due in September? I'll send you some dough that I wish you'd use to purchase a present with for her. Look around for something apropriate, will you?
Do you intend making a trip to Wis. before beginning college again? Did Cambell get on that Alaskan project? Is Ted Kaynik in Idaho now? Say, won't you be eligible for G.I. education under the newly passed bill? Understand anyone entering service since Sep. 15, 1940 will qualify.
Your brother,
Vic
July 14, 1944
July 11, 1944
(Letter from Vic to older brother Rudy and wife Ann, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Passaic, New Jersey. Photo shows Vic beside a radio command car.)
Tuesday evening,
Your letter of the twenty-eighth June arrived yesterday along with one from Git. Haven't heard from Paul within the past three wks. or so. Why don't you all write more often? Guess that film wasn't so hot, eh?
The folks'll be receiving some Kodachrome prints during the next two months (about five) that you might be interested in seeing. They're scenes from here taken months ago by a fellow in the Btry. The prints have to be made up at the Eastman plant in the States so his folks will mail my completed ones home. Is film available back there nowadays?
Am enclosing several articles from Time and Newsweek that you may've missed. I won't state that they're entirely authentic. Might be interesting to keep them on hand so I might comment on them with you personally sometimes. Incidentally that sometime will be anywhere between six or eight to twelve or fourteen months from now depending upon whether the two yr. overseas term is dropped to eighteen months in this theatre for rotation eligibility. Unless, of course, the war over here should be won in the meanwhile.
Even if the war ends rather abruptly at a reasonably early date I can't imagine all the troops being transported home immediately. Possibly a percentage of personnel will remain as occupational forces, and transportation for those giving back to the States won't be immediately available for everybody.
However, I'm not counting on us winning the war easily. But things are really starting to roll. When and where we go into action next is quite naturally a big subject with us and we hear it's going to amount to some show. Beyond that I couldn't state anything even if I had any info. Well, I'll keep my eyes open for something in the souvenir line for you in the future. At present we're still living a quiet life - one you might classify as a tropical version of garrison life.
George "Yuts" Conrad dropped me a line recently and said Mike Princippi, Sgt. in U.S.M.C., was at his former location. Mike might be able to fly up here too, 'cause he's in the Marin Air Corps. Yuts moved back down the line to another base so we probably won't get together again.
Max Mueckler wrote from New Guinea the other day and told about being 'busted' from Sgt. back down to Pvt. There's a good possibility that Jake Valentine is on his way home from that area at this time.
Write soon!
Best regards,
Vic
July 7, 1944
(V-mail from Sgt. Jake Valentine to Paul Petersen, sent from New Guinea to Berkeley, California. Map of U.S. military operations in New Guinea found in Vic's Trunk.)
Dear Paul,
Please be content with this "v" mail. It isn't much but I'm kinda busy and news is scarce. I'll soon write a longer and more informative script. And thanks for the letter and photos.
We're now back in the push against the Nips, again. At present the situation is pretty stable - mostly patrol activity. But the F.A. is just busy enough to stay off the dock and other cargodoring details which is the (illegible word) soldiers offtime duties.
I came off the field for a brief respite from duties at the 'front'. It wasn't too tough but a little damp, a little tiring and a little boring. It's too much early to bed and early to rise, or rather too early to bed and too early to rise business.
Time to close, keep writing, and so long.
Jake
July 5, 1944
(V-mail from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Photo shows Vic flanked by fellow soldiers.)
Wednesday,
Dear Paul,
Did I thank you for you recent letter which included the photos? Can't recall if I got around to answering when I last wrote the other evening. Thought those pics swell.
Mother tells me she's either going to New Jersey this summer or fall or otherwise Ed, Rose, Rudy and Ann may come to Racine for their vacations. I think the latter would be the best plan 'cause Pa probably wouldn't be able to make it Est.
Why don't you go come for a visit before starting school this Fall? How much would it cost you for a round-trip fare and how much would the travelling time amount to? I'm sure the folks would be pleased to see you again.
Tell Ted Kraynik to write and give me his address.
Yesterday we observed Independence Day and had the day off. Saw the Div. boxing semi-finals and softball championship game. Had real fried chicken yesterday.
Your brother,
Vic
July 2, 1944
(V-mail from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Picture is of soldier, W.J. McGuirk.)
Sunday,
Dear Paul,
Thanks for the letter and snap-shots. Haven't received the books you mentioned sending. Can't think of any books or articles I like sent at this time.
When next you see Ted tell him to write me and tell him that a few gals back home have been inquiring as to his whereabouts. Who's the gal on the picture with you? See that you're getting around somewhat these days. That's something we'd like to do - take it easy, but still take it.
I've been registered for the elections at home thru the folks. Are you voting out there in the national? Still awaiting word from Horlick High regarding credit situation before signing up for A.F.I. Will write again soon.
Your brother,
Vic
June 24, 1944
(Typed V-mail from Lt. Col. John R. Crossen, Commanding Officer of 135th Field Artillery Battalion, to Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Petersen in Racine, Wisconsin. Note that this letter was also subject to censorship. The other photo shows a sharpshooting competition at Bougainville.)
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Petersen:
Your son Victor has been an important member of this organization for some time and we feel you should know how we value men like him. We have had the satisfaction of helping to furnish the punch that whipped the Japanese, both in New Georgia and our present base. We have had some difficult times and experiences. We have contended with the jungle, incessant rains, mosquitos, air raids, enemy shelling and fanatic Japanese attacks. We have missed our loved ones and all the pleasures of our home and families.
Our men have earned a well deserved rest. We are attempting to make their life as pleasant as possible under the circumstances, and to a great extent we have overcome the difficulties encountered. We have built a Battalion Theatre where moves are shown every other evening. There are volley ball and basket ball courts and a baseball diamond, pingpong tables and library with an unlimited supply of books where men can spend their leisure time.
USO Shows and various orchestras visit the battalion occasionally. Carved out of the jungle nearby is a Service Club with a complete recreation room. Our radio station on the island relays the best programs from the states. An arrangement for further education has been instituted by the Army whereby an ambitious young man can ready himself for civilian work or to continue his education.
With the sky and sea dominated by our Air Force and Navy, we are able to get more and more shipments of fresh foods and meats. Better equipment is available and the men are sheltered comfortably in tents with cots and bedding. There are wells all over the area and with showers constructed from oil drums we are able to bathe daily. A doctor is assigned to the Battalion to take care of the slightest ailment of any of it's members.
When peace has again prevailed over this chaotic world, and you son has returned to a normal civil life, I am sure that he will be proud to have served with a unit that has won praise and commendations from Army and Naval officials.
I write this letter because I am proud to be the commander of the unit of which your son is member. I write this to assure you that all of our officers will do everything in their power to make life as pleasant as possible.
Sincerely
John R. Crossen
Lt. Col., 135th FA Bn.
Commanding
June 21, 1944
(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Picture is of Ben Louie holding Japanese flag.)
Wednesday Evening,
Dear Paul,
Well you certainly owe me a few replies now. Write as soon as you can spare the time to do so. don't be too particular about the subjects you bring up - write about any material you have on mind.
Please don't expect me to be quite so free in discussions though, cause we still have censorship and it's not actually lenient. Jake keeps reminding me to give out a little more info, but every time I bring up anything about these parts the line bounces back. His censors over in New Guinea don't worry about any phony security business and tend to leave correspondence interesting reading material.
I hope you've mailed the copies of those negatives I sent you on to the friends I mentioned. Do you have any recent prints of yourself? Would please have a print made from one of the negatives I sent you of a Chinese-Am buddy holding a Jap flag sent back to me?
Paul, if you should come across a High Standard or Woodsman, preferably the former, in the 4 1/2" or 6" barrel within the next month and a half I'd really appreciate having it sent over provided ammo is available. Sorry I ever parted with mine. As you previously mentioned, they're scarce as hell so don't put too much effort into finding one. Don't bother seeking after a month or so 'cause the time elasped before it arrived would be too much.
Don't think that I'm coming home, now! You've probably heard of the 2 yr system over in this theatre. Well, one only becomes eligible for rotation after 24 months and any amount of time (in months) may elaspe before one's name is drawn for the meager percentages, and then you sit it out for any spell awaiting transportation back to the States. More red tape is probably involved than paper comes off the Wall Street stock exchange tickers.
As you know, Jake Valentine is still in N.G. and he just passed his twenty-fourth month overseas while Max Mueckler wrote me some time ago from the same theatre saying he's 27 months rolled up.
I just finished "Under a Lucky Star" by Roy Chapman Andrews. Have you read Alexander Saxton's "Grand Crossing"? Let me know of any literature you've found interesting in recent months? What books have you sent?
Whenever you write Karl Greubel and Bill Fiala please remind them that they're non too prompt to reply thisaway and word will be appreciated. Rudy has been fairly prompt to answer some recent letters, but Git seems to be the only one with any initiative up at Ed's place. The folks write that none of them write very often to them at home. Can't you prompt them any or don't you get correspondence very regularly as far as they're concerned either?
Tell me of your plans regarding college re-enrollment this Fall? Exactly what will your course consist of? What events of interest have taken place in the bay area? Let me hear of the social activities as well as recreational you're participating in.
Enclosed are six prints that you can dispose of in the usual manner.
Best regards from your brother,
Vic
June 19, 1944
(V-mail from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Picture is of a soldier, possibly George (Yuts) Conrad on airplane wing.)
Monday,
Dear Paul,
Several days ago I sent you a brief letter and enclosed some negatives. The mail regulations provide that film must not travel air-mail so this letter will probably arrive a good wk. in advance of the previous one. That makes two letters I've sent you via regular mail containing negatives, and please send prints to the persons I've designated.
Can you enclose a few air-mail stamps in your next reply so that I can use the envelopes and stationery you sent? Please wrap them in wax paper so that they won't be all stuck to-gether.
Have you heard from the folks and Rudy and Ed recently? Have the latter forward you any negatives & prints of late? Mother says you're enrolling in college again this Fall. What subjects do you intend taking?
Your brother,
Vic
Paul, will you have a good print made from the negative of Yuts on a plane-wing sent to his family?
June 17, 1944
(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Photo shows a soldier washing up using a rations can as a basin.
Saturday,
Dear Paul,
Just have time to write you a brief line to-day. Am enclosing five negatives within this envelope. Please inform me if they arrive OK; and, if so; have a few printed and send the folks a set and a couple of the best ones to Jake Valentine, Elmer Balzer, Bob Greubel, George Conrad, Ray Reed, Bill Fiala, and Sgt. R.M. Mueckler (address follows). Perhaps Rudy & Ed would like to make some prints so forward them on to them with a reminder that they please send the negatives home to the folks when they've no further use for same.
Say how long do these letters require for passage to you? notice some of our out-going letters may be within the battery for quite some time before local censorship passes same. These with negatives travel via normal route and must pass base censorship somewhere enroute. I'll write an air-mail letter soon.
Best regards from you brother,
Vic
June 10, 1944
(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Photo show Vic sharing a beer with Ben Louie and another soldier.)
Saturday,
Dear Paul,
Just thought I'd jot down a few lines to accompany the four negatives enclosed within this envelope. Please excuse the inferior paper, but I thought it best to save your stationery (which arrived several days ago) for a while ' cause it's scarce.
I had a nice long letter from Elmer Balzer to-day and he enclosed two swell snap-shots in the envelope. He mentioned he was about to write to you (at one of your old addresses) to request those prints I told him you'd send. Have you written him & forwarded the pictures? Who else have you gotten around to mailing copies?
A wk. ago we were issued our beer rations which amounted to the astounding quota of one case per man! I drink a bottle or two a day to get the greatest enjoyment from it. Probably be many a day 'fore we get any more.
The fall of Rome and European invasion were well received here and we listen to most all States broadcasts now to get the latest dope on the situation.
Regards,
Vic
I haven't had any prints made from these negatives so let me know how they come out but you don't necessarily have to send me copies. After you've made prints for yourself kindly send the negatives on to Rudy with a reminder to him to send them on home to the folks after he and Ed have finished using same.
June 1, 1944
(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. It is written on stationary stamped United States Navy at the top. Photos are of Cemetary Chapel at Bougainville and a shooting competition on the base.)
Thursday evening,
Dear Paul,
Don't get the idea I'm at sea by seeing the stationery. Just that we only had this stuff available hereabouts for a time. Say, would you mind enclosing air-mail envelopes (Gov't type with impressed stamps) in your next letter to me, and please put some wax paper between the gummed flap and envelope proper to prevent these climes from sticking same shut? Seems quite a few things are rather scarce hereabouts.
There is actually little of interest to mention at this time so I may bore you somewhat with the following lines. You're pretty well informed of the war moves I won't delve into that.
On Tuesday afternoon, our division held memorial services at the island cemetery. Each F.A. battery sent ten men (couldn't possibly accommodate the entire div. personnel within the grounds nor could we all have been so assembled due to security) and I was included. The Corps C.G. gave a speech as well as several chaplains and the program was dedicated to those men who'd died on this island.
To pass time we participate in many recreational activity and I've been playing an awful lot of chess and checkers. Getting quite sharp in the latter, but most of the lads in my tent from the rad. section can beat me at the former. We're going to have tournaments within the bn. for these games as well as carbine firing, boxing, volley-ball, basket-ball, base-ball, etc. 
We can even join the fishing and go on detached service. These fishermen use dynamite and T.N.T. charges which are exploded in river mouths. Naturally this entire program is intended to raise and hold morale.
As regards books I mention: you're view on "Postman Always Rings Twice" was mostly correct. If that Steinbeck book is as dull as his "Cup of Gold" don't bother with it. I asked Rudy and Ed for several books but they haven't acknowledged my letters as yet. They're none too prompt at replying so you can't kick them when the don't answer you for a spell. Write me as often as you find the spare time 'cause I really appreciate hearing from you.
Yuts tried to make it up here last Tues., but couldn't quite manage it so he sent a letter with a radio-oper.-gunner for me. Said he was moving down to the Russels.
Your new job sounds very interesting. Glad to hear it interests you. Boy! That sounds ideal as far as machine shop work is concerned. I've always wanted such a job working on experimental parts. At case we got some of it, but the tool room dept. & experimental (floor above my old dept.) did most of that stuff. No doubt you should be a capable machinist after enough time and practise around your job. Nice thing about it is that you operate most machines & get good training in advanced techniques. The equipment is probably of the best. Imagine it's neat and sanitary too. Give me more dope on it. Do they provide showers, lockers, cafeteria, etc.? How many employees?
Well, it's getting late now so I'll sign off.
Your brother,
Vic
May 22, 1944
(V-mail from Vic to his brother Rudy and his wife Ann in Passaic, New Jersey. Photo shows Tokorina fighter strip on Bougainville in early 1944, a P-39 taking off.)
Monday,
Dear Ann and Rudy,
Thanks for your recent letter. By now you should've received the air-mailer I sent you last week. The pics you mentioned being in none too good condition must've been those from a Jap. You can keep them if they interest you whatever. However, the others that Paul & Ed may've sent you kindly forward on home to the folks.
George Conrad, AMM 3/C, dropped in on me last Sat. morning. He flew up from a navy air base some distance south and visited with me for a few hrs. We had quite a bull-session.
Yesterday we were issued our luxury rations: 2 cokes and 6 beers per man. We're getting recent movies now and have recently seen "Thousands Cheer", "Is Everybody Happy", "Lost Angel", "Song of Bernadette", and "Miracle of Morgan's Creek".
What's in the package you mention? In your next letter will you please enclose a few air mail envelopes and good stationery?
Regards,
Vic
May 22, 1944
(V-mail from Vic to his parents, Emilie and Peter Petersen in Racine, Wisconsin. Photo shows a plane taking off from the Bougainville airstrip.)
Monday,
Dear Folks,
Many thanks for you two letters containing the newspaper clippings. Please make your letters somewhat longer. Write about the local events, etc, if you can't think of enough material.
Paul hasn't replied to my last two letters and I was wondering whether he's moved to a new address again. Rudy wrote and said he just mailed me another package, but didn't mention the contents of same, while Ed and Rose still haven't replied.
George Conrad dropped in here last Sat. for a few hrs. visit with me. He flew up here from a Navy air base that's some distance south. We only spent about four hrs. together 'cause he had to leave when the pilot left again. Well, perhaps he'll be able to come up again.
Your son,
Victor
May 19, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to his parents, Emilie and Peter Petersen in Racine, Wisconsin. The envelope has been passed by a U.S. Army Inspector. The photo is of Camp Tiki, the Royal New Zealand Air Force headquarters near the beach airstrip at Bougainville in April 1944. The photos of the letter is from a longtime Bougainville Missionary from New Zealand. Click on them to enlarge. )
Thursday evening,
Dear Folks,
Your letter dated the first arrived last week, but as I'd just mailed you a letter about that time I thought I'd best let a week or so elapse 'cause I really have little to write about.
Yes, Bill Fiala has started to write me at more regular intervals again. However I haven't heard from Karl Greubel and Phil Mascaretti in months. I don't know Bob Hoey's whereabouts 'cause he likewise isn't very reliable at answering. Jake Valentine and Bob Mueckler are both writing often from New Guinea tho.
Why do so many people neglect to register and vote in the primaries? Aren't we in the first precinct or is it the second?
Is Pa working steady? Is he still at Walkers or back outdoors for the summer? Will there be any new building work in Racine this summer or have they ceased constructing homes entirely for the duration?
I imagine home-grown strawberries will be on the market when this letter arrives. Do you intend canning any this season. Wish we had some such fresh luxuries over here. However, about a month ago we had fresh apples for several days!
Why don't you write on both sides of your stationery and make your letters somewhat longer? There must be things you can mention that take place daily in Racine and the States as a whole that I'd find interesting.
Did you find that copy of a letter from the N.Z. missionary interesting? 
Perhaps Paul, or Rudy and Ed would care to read it. Incidentally, have they forwarded you any of those photos and negatives I mentioned sending to them?
According to the clipping you enclosed the people back home aren't very interested in exercising their right to vote.
Our censorship regulations are as strict as ever and we're still not allowed to mention our location or describe it in any manner although we receive newspapers that go into detail about us and give all the latest dope. 
This censorship business is simply the bunk! I had a letter turned back to me on Wednes. that I'd mailed on the previous Fri. and couldn't pass our local battery censorship officers. There was practically nothing contained in that letter (which was to Rudy). Once even the title of some books I mentioned were clipped out so you can understand how screwy things stand.
Best regards,
Vic
No, Jack Johnson has never written.
May 18, 1944
(Letter from Vic to brother Rudy and wife Ann, written from the South Pacific to Passaic, New Jersey. Photo is of the 'new' burial grounds at Bougainville, 1944)
Thursday,
Sorry about the delay in answering. However, I expected the additional letter or letters you promised to write me to supplement your last reply which was rather brief.
I find it impossible to answer your inquiries concerning or whereabouts, operations, etc., and even to reply to the comments you stated I'd mentioned. Earlier this month I mailed a letter to you on a Friday and had the same returned the following Wednesday! In all that time it had never left the battery 'cause our local censorship officer refused to pass it.
In the contents of that letter was only some vague references to some of your questions that would pass any other censor. Once I wrote of reading various novels, etc. and the titles of those books were clipped out so you can judge for yourself as to our screwy set-up.
Will you please pass on my thanks to Ed, Rose, and Sit for the film and candy they recently sent me? I mailed them a brief card at the time, but , as it travels via regular mail, it may not have reached them yet.
Have you received or seen all of the pictures I sent you and, Ed and Paul? Did you forward same on home?
When next you write me will you please enclose a few sheets of stationery such as this material and several air mail envelopes with wax paper protecting the sealing gum edges? Paper is virtually unobtainable over here and air mail envelopes aren't very readily available.
Are you getting a vacation this summer? If so, where do you plan to spend it? Have you been up to Nature Friends recently?
Say, Ruts, haven't you been re-classified? Read where most married men and many fathers will be inducted regardless of present status shortly.
Sid Goldberg just wrote (V-mailer again!) and mentions having been home on furlough. Boy! I could sure go for one of those fabulous things, and in the States on top of it!
What has Dick Loss to tell of the situation over the other way from what he's seen? Is Nick still maneuvering in the States?
Jack Valentine and Bob Mueckler have some yarns to spin from over New Guinea way. They can get away with most anything in their correspondence, including beefs about their officers, set-up, etc. Not quite the story with us - amen! Write soon.
Best regards,
Vic
May 2, 1944
(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. The photos show a derelict cannon on Bougainville, and a 1939 picture of, from left to right, George (Yuts) Conrad, Paul Petersen and Clarence and Harvey Hansen posing in Civilian Conservation Corps uniforms in 1939. Both Hansen brothers joined the Navy; Harvey died at Pearl Harbour on the U.S.S. Arizona; Clarence on a ship in the Atlantic in 1942.)
Tuesday evening,
Dear Paul,
Your letter with the picture enclosed arrived Sunday. I hope the six snap-shots I'm inserting in this envelope arrive OK. Yes, I had a hunch those two prints you mentioned wouldn't get there. However, this mail is rapid and what won't pass the base censors via correspondence won't pass on one's person should a fellow be going back to the States. In other words, a fairly thorough search of one's possessions is made before boarded a U.S. bound vessel and what stuff is prohibited is thereupon confiscated.
Not that I'm going home - by any means! But I thought perhaps you'd care to see a few snap-shots from over thisaway before I get back (which won't be soon). One of these prints shows a Jap market and another one of their field pieces. Nothing new about these items so they should get thru. Let me know if they all arrived OK, and send same on to Rudy & Ed and ask them to forward them on home to the folks.
To say the least, your decision to leave the university came as a surprised. Of course you're old enough and intelligent enough to make your own decisions, but I can't agree with your action in this case. After the time, money, & effort you've already expended upon a college education I see no sensable reason to suddenly abandon the intention unless you're so thoroughly fed up with school that you in no way wish to attend. Well, we'll let it go at that.
However, the folks mentioned receiving one of your Vets checks at home recently so perhaps they've re-commenced sending you your monthly compensation. What's the story on that?
Say, last week I had a small G.I. Personal Transfer Allotment check made out to you. Don't send the money home. Use it to cover some of the cost of any books I mentioned that I'd like to receive.
Please give me more dope about your job. I hope you don't intend trying to work a sixty hour week or some such tough grind. If I were you I certainly would not put in more than fourty-eight hours per week. If you wish to bring on another relaspe that's your business. How is your general health at present?
Do you intend to remain at this address? Should you move please forward me your new location immediately. How many of you are there at your present apartment? 
Yuts Conrad has written me about three times during the past month, and says I haven't replied since before the rumpus starter here. That's not the case for I've answered him several times, but there must certainly be some delay enroute. Jake V. and Max M. write me regularly now and I just received two V-mailers from Bill F. The Symmes family said Dick is in Sardinia having left N. Africa. Write soon.
Best regards from
Your brother, Vic
P.S. - Could you possibly send me a copy of "Serenade" by James M. Cain or "To a God Unknown" by John Steinbeck or both? If the latter novel is of "Cup of Gold" or "Tortilla Flat" level please don't bother to forward it. Thought perhaps it was on a par with "Moon Is Down" or "Of Mice and Men". Did you read Cain's "The Postman Always Rings Twice"?
April 22, 1944
(Letter from Vic to brother Rudy and wife Ann, written from the South Pacific to Passaic, New Jersey. The envelope shows it has twice passed U.S. army censors. Photo is of an unnamed man standing in front of a camp kitchen at Bougainville.)
