(Three V-Mails from Vic in Bougainville to parents and younger brother Paul in Racine Wisconsin. Photo is of newspaper Racine article on Vic.)
Dear Mother, Father & Paul,
In my letter of several days ago I neglected to mention several things hence this V-mailer. I hope you've already sent off a reply to my recent letters.
Several days ago I had a fifty dollar P.T.A. made out for mother. I wish she'd keep at least half to purchase something for herself and Pa as Xmas gifts from me and use the remainder to buy some articles for the rest of the family. Please acknowledge receipt of the P.T.A. check when it has arrived.
Should you ever meet Ned Sparks from Milw. in the near future please ask him for the complete address of the Frank Jones he mentioned being at this location. Apparently that G.I. is in one of the units within this division and I'd like to meet him. Kingly give Sparks my regards.
(2)
Paul, did I metnion to you that Representative Lawrence Smith claimed publicly that he was going to investigate the so-called War Dept. (Army) rotation plan as well as the shipping situation in the Pacific? Naturally this declaration got prominent billing in these G.I. inhabited parts and some soldiers even sent in multi-indorsed petitions encouraging his inquires and otherwise backing him.
It's bad that such a character be able to capitalize on such war conditions to gain publicity favorable to himself insofar as gaining votes from Wis. fellows in this theatre and others goes. Undoubtedly he's thinking in terms of the coming election and seeking to undermine faith in our government. His statement is particularly aimed at overseas service-men and their families and relatives at home. Unfortunate as the situation may appear regarding those issues he should be exposed and repudiated.
(3)
Recently I received quite a little propaganda in the form of a letter from one Karl Steinman in behalf of the J.I. Case Co. He asked that I write to Geo. Horst, Personnel Director, and state my desires regarding any requests I might have concerning my job at Case's.
Actually they want one to give reasons for wishing some different type job within the works or if one will be satisfied to go back to the old job. I don't imagine they're really "climbing out on a limb" or actually committing themselves, but they are evidently attempting to give the impression that the serviceman who was formerly in their employment will really go places when he gets back.
Say, does the Case Co. really intend to build a new main wks. or just some new depts. after the war, and have they signed a new contract with local 180?
Best regards,
Vic
October 6, 1944
September 27, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Paul sent to their parents home in Racine, Wisconsin. Photo is of entertainer Larry Adler in Bougainville, who performed at the USO show there in early August 1944.)
Wednesday evening,
Dear Paul,
Thanks for you letter. Was slightly surprised at the trend of your lecture. Apparently you didn't notice what I was referring to as regards the type of articles I mentioned. Will discuss this later in this letter. Am forwarding this home 'cause I presume you'll be in Racine within several days after the time of its arrival.
I'm sure the watch is OK and I quite agree with you on the present qualities of "Swiss" watches being manufactured nowadays. They compose the majority of the few watches purchasable overseas. At irregular intervals our supply gets a few which are 'raffled' off. The winners then purchase the watches. They range in price from eighteen to thirty bucks, and within a few days they're inoperative. In other words, they're just so much junk that someone's dumped on the market.
I haven't been fortunate enough even to qualify to buy one. The watch I received from Ed & Rudy is again on the blink. Everyone seems to develop watch trouble in these climes, and to top it off I had to break the watch-strap & lose the spring pin retainers. The G.M. watch repair only handles spare parts for G.I. Elgins, etc. (issued to 1st three graders) and even such maintenance is limited.
Paul if you'd seen all the correspondence I've been carrying on with the Armed Forces Institute merely to enroll for a course you'd realize that all isn't as well as appears. Believe it was last April or May that I wrote to Horlick High concerning info as regards credits. After some time they politely refered me to Madison for forms which I did. These then had to go to Ft. Sill & then back to Madison. They in turn wrote Horlick High and then both wrote to me saying I needed such & such credits, giving course numbers, etc. and evaluating my in-service training.
I then enrolled (more blanks!) for a course in Am. History. After about a month they notified me that I could switch to the South West Pacific Area U.S.A.F.I. which I did. Then SWPA said they didn't have that course number on hand as yet and suggested I wait. Later they re-turned my forms & money order, and suggested I re-enroll for the Am Hist under the old course number or else take another course.
Meanwhile, Madison sends me more dope on new courses offered. Well, about two wks. ago I sent in an application to SWPA for their new course in Economics and told them to forward me the old if the former wasn't as yet available. So now the spring & summer has passed and here I am still awaiting the first lesson in anything!
Understand one has to send in at least a lesson a month so I wonder what happens if there's a campaign going on. Well, I hope to get something done on this score when and if a course arrives. Can't say now how I'll progress, but at this time I have ambitions to get several courses completed.
Sunday nite, the twenty-fourth, I saw the world premier of the new film "Marriage Is a Private Affair" starring Lana Turner up at Bosley Fields. Leastwise it was advertised locally as a first showing and don't believe it's been released back there yet. Anyhow, Lana gives a short talk to the G.I. audience in the first few feet of film preceeding the actual titleheading, etc.
In the Arts Building up at B.F. a swell Art Exhibit has been showing now for several wks. Some excellent work is featured & I believe I'll see it again. Naturally, the works deal with typical scenes hereabouts and are very realistic. Better than I thought could possibly be done overseas. Much time was put into many of the water colors, oils, sketchings, carvings and butterfly collections.
I sincerely appreciate the efforts you've taken to try to have had prints made from those faulty negatives and in endeavouring to purchase a High Standard or Woodsman for me. Please don't bother with them any more. I'm sorry to've put you to so much trouble. Discard those two negatives and forget bout the hand gun. Can't think of anything I want sent over for Xmas so don't bother about seeking any gift for me. Yes, I'd appreciate receiving those phamplets you mention. No, I haven't received your package containing your photograph and "Decameron" and "Man's Fate".
Paul, that was some verbal going-over that you gave me, but I still don't think that you realize I was merely refering to some articles refering to G.I.'s in these parts that have appeared from time to time in those previously mentioned magazines. Of course, I realize what their editorial policies are, whom they're dictated by, and what they represent or attempt to represent. You'd be surprised at the number of fellows who're enlightened to the point where they can begin to see what's what concerning the press. Will continue this discussion later.
Regard,
Vic
(In the margins of the three page letter, Vic writes....)
Two & a half wks ago (the tenth & eleventh of this month, to be exact) Mike Principe visited me for two days here. He was flying back to his base south of here after a run up above and managed to stop over, catching another air-ride out the next day. We had quite a bull session & he has fourteen of my prints that he'll give or send you when he gets home in October or so. Please keep them for me.
Imagine you're wondering what I'm refering to when I mention old and new course numbers in the same subject. Well, it seems the latter are much more simplified & consist of less lessons. Quite a few fellows within the Bn. are subscribing to various courses.
Which reminds me that my stationery supply is nil. Would you please enclose a few sheets in your next letter as well as some stamped air-mail envelopes? Put a strip of wax paper between the sticky gummed surface & the envelope itself. Send only a moderate supply of paper & envelopes at one time.
September 8, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo is of entertainer June Bruner in Bougainville, who performed at the USO show there in late August 1944.)
Friday
Dear Paul,
Enclosed within this envelope you'll note eleven snap-shots that I wish you'd keep for me. The extreme humidity isn't doing them any good over here. Had some others spoil and some unexposed film deteriorate as well.
Say, can you possibly send me any film? Most any type can be readily used such as 120, 620, 110, or 616 because cameras requiring such sizes are usually available about the btry.
Today I received a brief letter from Ted that came by regular mail that was a month or more enroute. Please remind him to use air-mail and write in more detail. I'll drop him a line before the week-end is up. How's he doing with the gals thereabouts?
Have you gone around with Yuts yet since he came back from furlough? Where does he expect to go next and when's he shoving off?
I read that that Joe "Red" Trentadue died of wounds received at Saipan. Too bad. The war news from the European front sounds extremely good.
Your brother,
Vic
September 5, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo is of entertainers Martha Tilton and Jack Benny in Bougainville, who performed at the USO show there in late August 1944.)
Tuesday evening,
Dear Paul,
This evening I obtained four prints that were taken here last month. They're pictures of stage and screen stars that you'll recognize. Did you receive the other three snap-shots of screen starts that I forwarded you several wks. ago? Will you please send these on to Rudy and Ed and ask that they send same on home to the folks in the near future?
Also included herein are two clippings from Time Magazine that you might find interesting. Perhaps you've already read same. In any case, kindly save them for me. When next I write I'll be enclosing most of the snap-shots I've received from friends since being overseas because they're deteriorating in these climes.
Yesterday I received letters from the folks and Ray Reed. Please write soon!
Your brother,
Vic
August 30, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo is of entertainer Carole Landis in Bougainville, who performed at the USO show there in mid-August 1944.)
Wednesday evening,
Dear Paul,
Was surprised to receive a letter from Yuts on Monday that was postmarked in Racine. He certainly didn't waste any time getting home. Mentioned getting thirty days furlough! That's more than considerable when I learn that two-yr.-plus men that go home from over here (the lucky few) are only getting twenty-one days. I'm naturally referring to Army enlisted personnel.
Does Yuts know how fortunate he is? I sent him a prompt v-mailer on the spur of the moment the other nite and asked that he visit my friends. Find out if he got around much back in Racine. Incidentally, remind him to write immediately and give me the whole story when next you see him on the west coast. Noticed he has a new address so he must have been reassigned to another unit.
Had a brief line from Jake Valentine the other day and he mentioned that his name was finally drawn in the August quota to go back Stateside under rotation. Imagine the slap-happy character is almost blowin' his top! Execuse me, I know Jake better than that, but I don't think he'll especially regret leaving these jungles, but then too I can't imagine the ole Army red tape back there will please him either. Guess he's seen his share plus, and deserves any breaks they might possibly throw his way.
If you should see him in the bay area, I presume you gave him your address, show him a good time by all means but kinda take it easy. Quite a few of the lads who've been around here can't take too much at one time. There's any number of reasons for this as you must've heard. My guess is that Jake won't make the Frisco beach-head until Sep. or Oct. Have you heard from his recently?
Do you read Time, Newsweek and Yank regularly? Time is quite authentic in its report of these parts and a spring or early summer issue of Yank carried an interesting article on cannibalism in the Solomons. Have you noticed any interesting news items lately? Best you take most of them with a grain of salt.
The folks wrote to me from New Jersey and seem to be really enjoying themselves down there. However, at this time they must be well settled back home. Guess they had a vacation coming, eh? Do Ed and Rudy write you often? They haven't been too prompt at replying my letters of late. I imagine they're quite busy tho, and the summer heat down there doesn't instill any too much ambition in a person.
The war news from the European fronts is very encouraging and things seem to be coming along pretty good over here. Well, it's coming around to lights out so I'll sign off.
Vic
Paul, were you ever able to obtain copy of "Seranade" by Cain? None of your packages have arrived recently other than the air-mail envelopes.
August 21, 1944
(V- mail from Vic in Bougainville to brother Paul in Berkeley, California.)
Monday afternoon,
Dear Paul,
Just recalled that I forgot to thank you for the air-mail envelopes which arrived Sat. The paper that you placed under the flaps is closely stuck. In the future uses wax paper if I ever request anymore. The large size makes them quite handy for mailing snap-shots, articles, etc.
Please keep me informed of your progress regarding filing benefit claims under the G.I. "Bill of Rights". Did you file it with the Vets Admins.? What reply have you had to date?
If you still can't pick up a Woodsman or High-Standard plus holster or haven't any leads at this time forget the matter 'cause you seem to've spent too much time on it already. Should you be fortunate enough to make good connections please enclose a bottle of Hoppe's #9 nitro-solvent plus screwdriver (small) or other tool for disassembling pistol.
Regards,
Vic
August 20, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo is of entertainers Patty Thomas and Francis Langford in Bougainville, who performed at the USO show there in early August 1944.)
Sunday afternoon,
Your last letter of the 10th arrived Friday with the four prints enclosed I'd asked for. No, I haven't read "Man's Fate" and I appreciate you sending same along with a copy of the "Decameron". You mentioned a picture of yourself will it be with the books or was it supposed to've been enclosed within your recent letter?
Has my previous letter arrived with the three snap shots of Hope, Langford, Colonna and Thomas? Did the twenty buck P.T.A. check arrive?
Well, Jack Benny, Carole Landis, June Bruner, Larry Adler, and Martha Tilton did arrive here early in the week and toured the island for three or four days. I saw their show and thought it was swell.
Was reading the special service bulletin about coming films to be shown in this theatre and noted that the Army is not accepting anymore melodramatic war films and flag-wavers from the Overseas Motion Picture Service (Hollywood) for overseas consumption.
Give Yuts and Ted my regards the next time you see them and urge them to write frequently. Phil hasn't answered fro some time and I was wondering whether he had a new address when last writing you. Did you remind Bill Fiala to write? That boy isn't exactly prompt when it comes to replying. Have you heard anything as to whether or not he's set the wedding date? Did Yuts and Ted get home on furlough?
Do you hear much from Ray Reed these days? Recently I had a letter from hims - first in several months. Mike Principe still has visited me and I doubt whether he'll be able to make it. To whom did you send prints of those negatives I forwarded you some time back.
No, I've never been to Carmel but from your description I gather it must be quite scenic. Just inland from there the old Hearst ranch (Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation) must begin. That's where the C. Roberts lads get manuevers. I don't know what the coast-line up thereabouts looks like, but I've followed it from a town just west of San Luis Obispo down thru Santa Maria & Santa Babara. That section was swell.
Do you get out on such interesting trips very often. Are you a fiend for salt water swimming? I've just about had my fill of it and won't be complaining about the lake, quarry, or even Root River once I get home. However, the beaches here undoubtedly surpass even Atlantic Center or Jones Beach and the surf is big
(sometimes terrifically so!) and the water clean.
Still, most G.I.s prefer fresh water bathing. There are a few streams around but they're never more than waist-deep. I once did find a place where the swift current had gouged out the soft rock to a depth of about six feet, though. One can't swim just anywheres 'cause these streams supply our drinking water. In our btry. area we rely upon well-water for showering and clothes-washing. We dig down to depths ranging from five to fifteen ft. (depending on the water level) and place empty drums with ends cut out one on top of the other. Then the sides are filled in with dirt and a cover fitted over the top for screening purposes. Another drum with piping is supported on framework for a show.
Well, guess I'd best close now. Write soon!
Your brother,
Vic
August 14, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo is of entertainer Patty Thomas in Bougainville, who performed at the USO show there in early August 1944.)
Monday evening,
Dear Paul,
Surprised not to've heard from you at this date. Are you kept very busy these days? Please write whenever you have time and make it a long air-mail letter.
Received a letter from Yuts yesterday. He was writing from Calif. and said he intended seeing you presently so I imagine you two have gotten together already. He certainly was lucky to get home after such a relatively short time down in these parts. Tell him I won't write him until he sends his permanent address. However, that shouldn't stop him from writing regularly in the least.
Mike Principe wrote me a again recently and said he'd try to get up here in the near future. I answered him last nite and urged that we make it soon. Otherwise it's quite possible we won't get together over on this side.
I'm enclosing three snapshots of some of the entertainers who performed here recently. I got these prints from a friend of mind who's in another btry. Please forward them to Ed and Rudy and remind them to forward same on home after they've looked at the pics.
Did mother receive and forward on to you the five Kodachrome prints that were taken over here several months ago? The fellow I ordered them from is in this btry., and had his parents get the copies made back in the states. They were then sent home to Racine from Illinois.
You'll note a clipping from Time herewith enclosed that I wish you'd keep for me as it gives quite an accurate picture of G.I.s and their opinions of Hollywood products. Time is mostly reliable in reporting from the war theatres as well as the home front. Do you read it regularly? Write soon.!
Your brother
Vic
P.S. - Just happened to remember several other things I meant to've mentioned.
Last night (rather Sat. nite) I saw a good show up at Bosley Field. Re-knowned violinist Steven Hero, a ballet dancer, and met. opera singer Agnes Davies performed then and another divisions' dance band was also featured. Did I tell you that I saw the tenor Felix Knight down on the 'Canal last year along with a USO troupe? Perhaps Bill Fiala would be interested to know the above-mentioned so kindly mention it to him when next you write his way and please urge him to write me a very long letter in the near future. I wrote to him again but he's still not replied.
Did I tell you that Jack Benny, Carole Landis & troupe are due here shortly? Boy! We're finally get some entertainment up this way and it's surprising everyone.
Some time back, I inquired of Wm. Horlick High School of my total credits and the necessary work required to get a diploma. After much red tape and filling in forms to the Armed Forces Institute I got an evaluation of in-service credits and Acting-Principal Smith wrote and said they were crediting 72.5 credits fro work done in the Army. They added this to my previous 127.8 points and now I total 200.3 credits. How many are required normally for graduation? The catch is that I still require the completion of Am. Literature, and taking a course in each to the following: English Literature, Am. History, and Economics. I've already enrolled for Am. History and certainly hope I now have time to knock out the lessons.
I'd like to get into the U.S. F..S. after the war. Can you give me any dope on required Civil Service exams?
Please don't ask me what we're doing 'cause the censorship regulations are getting very strict again.
Best regards,
Vic
