August 8, 1944

(Letter from Lt. Col. John R. Crossen to Vic. Photo is of the original document.)

Subject: Commendation

To: Technician Grave V Victor Peterson, HQ Btry., 135th FA Bn.

Thru: Commanding Officer, Headquarter Battery, 135th F.A. Bn

1. A report of the grades attained by personnel attending the 37th Division Artillery Radio Technician School has been received at this Headquarters, and it is noted that you were rated Excellent.

2. It is gratifying to the Battalion Commander to receive reports of this nature from personnel of this command.

3. You are hereby commended for your excellent performance of duties while attending the above school.

John R. Crossen
Lt. Col. ,135h F.A. Bn.
Commanding

August 2, 1944

(In early August, Bob Hope and other Hollywood entertainers arrived at Bougainville as part of a Pacific USO tour for soldiers. Among the documents in Vic's trunk was a mimeographed copy of Hope's Bougainville version of his theme song 'Thanks for the Memories'. The photo shows Hope performing in Bougainville with Jerry Colonna and Tony Romano on guitar. The mimeographed lyrics are shown below. )

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Thanks for the memories>
For long nights in the rain
And sweat and mud and pain
You did your bit, you must admit
To drive us all insane
We thank you so much
Thanks for the memories
For headaches without cause
Your strategy with flaws
Ideas mixed, rotation fixed
Your simple childish laws
We thank you so much
Oh many the orders you have pasted
And many the days we have wasted
And much is the spam we have tasted
We must confess
T'was quite a mess
Oh thanks for the memories
You'd steal, lie, cheat, connive
We're lucky we're alive
We leave today - So now we say
We loathe the one three five
We hate you so much

Oh thanks for the memories
At least ten million men
Have roared and cursed and then
They've snarled and scowled and groaned and growled
But, still, they say again -
We thank you so much


Oh thanks for the memories
Of O.D. painted cars
And twinkling tropic stars
And G.I. stuff we've had enough
Of stripes and leaves and bars
We thank you so much
In mud we have scrambled and slithered
In sunshine we have roasted and quivered
In cold we have shaken and shivered -
But now w'e through -
So nuts to you -
And thanks for the memories With eighty-five and more
We leave this distant shorte
From now on in its cokes and gin
The Army will ignore -
Banzai! Goodbye

July 31, 1944

(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Photo shows several members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force stationed at Bougainville in July 1944. Note the Japanese writing on the back of this motor-tricycle.)

Monday afternoon

Dear Paul,

Had several letters from both Rudy and the Folks recently and wondered why you haven't been writing regularly of late. How's about a prompt replay in the form of a nice long air mail letter?

Had any recent word from Ted Kraynik? Is it possible he's back out to the West coast already? Did Yuts mention to you that he might be seeing you in the future? Talked like he was going back to least to Frisco. Seems unusual considering the relatively short period of overseas service he's put in.

Mike Princippi hasn't paid me the visit he hoped to. Perhaps he'll be coming up one of these days. Max Mueckler still writes regularly from New Guinea. Jake V. may've gone home considering two facts" he hasn't replied for some time, and I heard a large percentage of his div. went home under rotation enmasse. Still haven't had Phil confirm same but I believe Phil's outfit went up to the Admiralty Islands. Bob Hoey either saw action again at Saipan, Tinian, or Guam if he's still with his old unit.

Today I had a P.T.A. check made out to you for twenty bucks and it'll be forwarded to you shortly. Kindly use same for a straight present for Mother, and purchase something for yourself with the remainder. Have no way of telling what'd be most appropriate for you coming birthday so please excuse the outright money gift.

Last nite I saw a splendid performance given by the military band and dance orchestra sections of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band. It was the best show I've seen overseas, and it was rendered up at the Bosley Field Recreational center. Their (R.N.Z.A.F.) military band consisted of many pieces and their uniforms and techniques were unique in a gala fashion. Their dance orchestray changed into formal attire, and gave a show featuring practically every form of modern dance music from sweet swing and latest jive thru conga and rhumba. Guess the after G.I. would rate them top-notchers comparing with our best Am. bands after the show they gave. A New Zealander told me that their leader, Walters, had a large orchestra in pre-war times down in Wellington.

Within the next few days Bob Hope and Frances Langford plus troupe are expected on the island to give entertainment. They won't be here long and we may not get see them (our outfit) 'cause we begin some fancy training manuevers on Wednesday. The Div Arty rad. school I have been attending winds up to-morrow. Heard Jerry Colonna may be amongst the entertainers. I (rest of letter has been ripped out, likely by Army censors.)

July 28, 1944

(V-mail from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Photo shows P-39 taking off from Tokorino Airstrip.)
Friday evening,

Dear Paul,

Last nite I enclosed two negatives within a letter that'll travel via regular first-class mail. Probably won't reach you for a month.

What action have you taken as regards the books I requested? Having trouble locating copies? Don't go out of you way to obtain any of that stuff and spend a lot of time that you might need. How're you making out concerning a High Standard or Woodsman? If you get one let me know how much it set you back & don't forget holster and ammo. If they're practically unobtainable let me know as soon as possible and don't waste any more of your time on it. Coulnd't you send one item with, say, Baccaccio's "De Cammeron" or "Serenade: as packaged books?

Did Yuts write you that he might be seeing you in the near future?

Your brother,
Vic

July 27, 1944

(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Rudy and wife Ann in Passaic New Jersey. The envelope has two stamps from separate Army censors. The photo shows Vic outside bamboo tent bunkhouse with fellow soldier Pete Anderson.)

Thursday evening,

Dear Ann and Rudy,

Thanks for your two letters containing the clippings which arrived Tuesday. Have little to mention at this time so don't think I'll make this very lengthy. Having remained here for so many months I've practically exhausted any information from these parts.

A change of scenery is desired by most of us and we'll be getting it, but when so we won't be indulging in recreational activities. Far from that. Understand our next campaign'll be our biggest and toughest. Don't know whether it'll be the type encountered by the Marine at Tarawa and Saipan or what. Anyhow, it's supposed to embody some new tactics that we can't mention. Nor can our combat training, and our manuevering be described so please don't ask what we're doing and where we expect to go cause I'd have to ignore your enquiries.

Today we were sold a case of beer per man which bring our rations to two cases in about two wks. time. All the troops here get the same amount thru their respective canteens or PXs. Food rations have improved tremendously compared to what they were several months ago. However, they're still nothing like those luxuries considered everyday chow by GIs back in the States.

From our island gardens we've had a total of about three ears of sweet corn apiece, sliced cucumbers and a small portion of tomatoes. The cultivated areas (cleared of jungle growth & hand planted) don't yield enough produce for larger quantities to all the personnel stationed here. However, you'd be surprised at the garden acreage.

My own garden didn't produce so well. Only reaped some parsley and a few sweet peppers and some small tomatoes. It's been cleared away now under our area clean-up program. We've cut away practically everything of late.

Perhaps I won't be able to write you and Rose and Ed as often as I'd like in the future so would you mind passing my letters to them so they might read what I have to mention from these waters? It's just possible that things turn out so that we'll have ample time to write home regularly but I wouldn't count on it.

Thought perhaps the Allies forces in Normandy would be further advanced than their present positions indicate at this date after the good showing they made in establishing their initial beach-head. However the Russians are doing exceptionally well in their drive to crush the Nazis.

The amphibious forces over in this zone are doing very well too. What're your views on the war operations and general conditions back home?

Will you please send a small tubular shaped sewing kit with some rust-proof needles? Write soon!

Best regards,
Vic

July 27, 1944

(Letter from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. Photo shows artillery gun crew in action during late 1943 or early 1944.)

Thursday evening,

Haven't had a word from you for some time now and was wondering what's causing the delay on your end of the line. Please write as often as you can spare the time and in as great detail as possible. Should my letters appear less frequently in the future don't regard it as incourtesy. Just that we may not be able to write as often as usual when we become engaged in an operation. However, it might turn out that we will have ample opportunity to write as often as we care to do so.

Am enclosing two negatives that cannot be satisfactorily printed up over here. They're old but in fair condition so I'd appreciate copies whenever you can have some made (if so). You may not notice anything unusual about them but they happen to be positives. By that I mean that if printed the copies would come out in reverse, or as negatives. That's why I'm in doubt as to whether or not you can successfully get prints made.

There's no particular hurry for this work on my part so please don't inconvenience yourself merely to have it done. Most anytime'll do should it be possible to get a negative made of this film in order to make up positives. Sorry I couldn't enclose them at the time I last forwarded you film but I didn't have them here on hand. Would've been far better to've sent them then,I realize, so that I could've had these few odd things made up. Won't be sending anything more in this line for probably months 'cause there just isn't practical scenes and subjects to photograph hereabouts.

Now don't get the idea these are good. Just that they're of some fellows I was out on liaison work back around Xmas, and I'd like to have something to remember that particular time & place by. What are your views as regards to the so-called G I Bill of Rights? Won't you be able to qualify for financial assistance from the Gov't for educational purposes under that law? Heard it covers anyone entering the armed forces after Sept. 15, 1940 and that was under 25 yrs. of age at that time. Didn't you join the navy shortly afterwards and have you fully investigated the qualifications.

Most close now 'cause lights are going out and I'm quite fatigued this evening. Will write you via v or air mail within a day or two 'cause this letter'll probably be en-route for four or five weeks. Write soon and regularly.

Best regards from
Your brother,
Vic

July 15, 1944

(V-mail from Vic to younger brother Paul, sent from Bougainville, Solomon Islands to Berkeley, California. The photo shows three soldiers - including Ben Louie at right - holding Japanese Flag.)

Saturday evening,

Dear Paul,

Received your letter dated the third containing the three prints and air-mail stamps. Thanks for sending same. Hope I won't be putting you to too much trouble by requesting another print of one of those negatives. One of the fellows from my section here would like a copy of the negative showing three fellows holding a Jap flag stretched between them.

If you've already forwarded these negatives to Rudy would you mind requesting him to send me a copy of the aforementioned negative? Did you receive some new prints from Ruts of negatives that I forwarded to him? Have you sent me any package that I haven't acknowledged receiving?

No I haven't read "High Man on a Totem Pole" by Smith but I did read London's "Iron Heel" several yrs. ago. We saw "Up In Arms" several wks. ago and on the whole the fellows thought it stunk. As for Danny Kaye - well he doesn't rate very high in these parts.

Your brother,
Vic

July 14, 1944

(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Rudy and wife Ann in Passaic New Jersey. The envelope has two stamps from separate Army censors. The photo shows a soldier reading, apparently at entrance to bamboo bunkhouse.)

Saturday evening,

Dear Ann and Rudy,

Thought I'd write you to-night as I have ample time. Had a very heavy rain late this afternoon that practically caused a flood. Well, it all helps to keep up the water level in the section's well. We rely on this water for showering and general washing whereas drinking water is brought in by trailer from up-stream towards the hills.

The bad weather to-day brought about the cancellation of the boxing matches. They were to've been held up at a large sports field that's the official island recreation center. Quite a few building are located there which includes the new PX, library, radio broadcasting "studios", arts center, etc. Yes, this place certainly has changed for the better since our arrival months ago.

Incidentally, yesterday we received our beer rations which amounted to a case per man. Well, I guess they figure we're finally qualified for a few luxuries. Hear that (section of letter ripped out, several words missing, possibly action of censors) will really be something. Had some practice operations but we naturally can't say whether we'll follow such form in coming operations. In case that we do, I believe it'll be really hot and I'm not referring to anything climatic. However it's easy to be mistaken - in which case I certainly hope I'm very much so.

We've innovated some entirely new tactics (I believe), but what they are I can't mention. Perhaps in six months or so we'll be able to describe them somewhat.

Am enclosing an old negative that you may want to have a copy of along with an article from Newsweek that I wish you'd keep for me. Kindly send the negative home when you're through with same. Are you going to send any prints this way that you may've taken recently?

Please remember to write as often as possible and kindly remind Rose, Git, and Ed to do likewise.

Best regards to you all,
Vic