(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo is of a Japanese soldier.)
Thursday
Dear Paul,
Can't recall whether I've previously answered your letter dated the 26th January which I rec'd several wks ago. However I did drop you several lines since arriving here in the Philippines.
At present I'm in a large hospital with foot trouble. My old case of jungle rot came back and I got infection. They're giving me penincillin injections every three hrs so it should clear up shortly.
One Monday there was not further use for artillery in our sector so the infantry released our liasason and forward observation parties. My feet and legs were bothering me plus fever so I made this place Tues. nite.
Am enclosing two Nip occupation currency note (a one shilling job and a P100 affair) that you might not already have. Also please note the ten snap-shots that I took off Nips. Evidently most of them were taken in these parts. Send them on to Rudy & Ed with instructions to send them on home.
No, Bill Fiala hasn't written in a dogs' age but was surprised to hear from K.G. Also have recently heard from Jake V., Yuts C., Phil M., Dave Altman, Sid Goldberg, & Ray Reed. Met Max Mueckler who's stationed in an outfit out here on the grounds.
Best regards,
Vic
March 1, 1945
February 10, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Written on Chinese stationary. Photo is of Japanese occupation money used in the Philippines.)
Somewhere in the Philippines
Saturday
Dear Paul,
Just a short line to let you know I'm OK so far. Thought my number was up more than once and had plenty of close ones. Quit hunting souvenirs but have some junk on hand that you might get a kick out of. Enclosed please find two five centavo notes, a one, a five, a ten, and a hundred peso note plus a negative of a deceased Nip.
The mail situation isn't so hot. Worse yet are our stationery supplies. Must resort to this cheap stuff 'cause there's nothing else available.
Please urge everyone you know to contribute substantially to the Philippine Relief 'cause these people really need & deserve all the help we can give them.
Best regards from your bother,
Vic
February 1, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to his parents, Peter and Emilie, in Racine. Vic's 135th Artillery Battalion was part of the U.S. Sixth Army landing on Luzon on January 9, 1945. Photo is of U.S. forces advancing through Philippines.)
Dear Folks,
We're getting a little break this afternoon so I'm using the opportunity to write this letter. We've really been around and seen plenty. Per - (rest of sentence has been cut out by army censor) It seems like a very long time ago that we landed here in the Philippines. Censorship is still strict so we can't mention much. This is the dry season and it's very hot and dusty - something like the back country of Calif. or Arizona.
Am enclose the Jap occupation currency in the following demarcations: a 1 peso note, a 5 peso note, a 10 peso note, and a 100 peso note. Also contained herein are three Nip post-cards. Hope the contents of this letter will still make air-mail.
Please tell Paul and everyone I'll write them soon. At present one can hardly tell where one'll be five minutes from now. Trouble is, we done quite a bit of foot hiking which isn't good.
Best regards from your son,
Victor
November 31, 1944
(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to his parents, Peter and Emilie, in Racine. Photo shows Vic holding a bottle of beer.)
Friday
Dear Folks,
During the past several days I've written to Paul, Rudy, and Ed, and urged each of them to write you more regularly. Let me know if any response on their part has been forthcoming. Notice none of them've been too prompt to answer of late.
For about ten or twelve days we had no rain and the dust caused by heavy traffic was terrific. The sky was cloudless and it was very hot and unusually dry for the tropics. However on Wednesday some rain fell which amounted to at least temporary relief from the dust. Since then it's been cloudy and rain seems iminent.
I understand that Ran DeFaut was expected home. Did he arrive, and if so, did you talk to him?
Paul said he wasn't very lucky while hunting in Wis recently so don't imagine you had any pheasant during the past season. Boy! I'd certainly like to be home now for deer and rabbit hunting season.
I sent you a $50.00 P.T.A. check the other day. Please inform me upon receipt of same. Are prices very stable now? What foodstuffs are still rationed?
Last week I saw an exceptionally good film on the past campaign here that was filmed by an Army photographical unit. The screen journal completely covered all the operations and was so detailed as to indentify specific units in the engagements. A good commentary accompanied the film and it was very well edited and arranged. However I don't believe you'll be able to see it 'cause it may contain too much info for public release at this time.
During recent months the Japs have been working overtime jamming the Frico shortwave news broadcasts so I don't imagine they intend we should be getting any straight dope. On their own programs, Jap announcers will say something like "Any interference on the frequency is caused by American authorities in Hawaii." Thus they intend to discredit us but still continue to interfere with the reception of Am. programs being broadcast for Allied forces overseas.
A short time ago we were given a lecture on security measures. The counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) is really on the ball but deserve more cooperation than they normally receive. Surprising to learn of some incidents that've happened in the past.
Has Bob Hoey been home yet? If he arrived when expected, I imagine he's already completed his furlough and is now back at some Marine base. Did he visit you? Once I thought he was in a Marine Division that we had occasion to work with but later learned I was mistaken.
I still haven't been able to find out whether Jake Valentine arrived Home yet. If he has, I believe he must've visited you. What did he have to mention concerning his travels down in these waters? Jake was fortunate to've spent so much time in Australia. I understand he got around there considerably.
It's fast approaching chow time so I'd best sign off so that I can wash up a bit. I'll write again at my first opportunity.
Best regards from your son,
Victor
