June 13, 1945

(Telegram from Vic in the Philippines to his mother, Emily, in Racine Wisconsin)

MY LOVE AND GREETINGS ON MOTHERS DAY WISH I COULD BE WITH YOU. REGARDS TO EVERYONE. VICTOR PETERSEN.

May 28, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows medics treating an injured civilian.)

Monday evening,

Dear Paul,

Well, herein you'll find four negatives that I'd previously mentioned I'd be forwarding you. Would appreciate that you get quite a few copies made and mail a set or whatever you please to various persons 'cause it'd take so much longer for same to arrive were you mail prints to me. However, I'll get rid of the prints if you wish. Would like a set sent home and some to Ann and Rudy, Ed and Rose, Bill Fiala, Karl Greubel, Ran De Faut, Akabe Gulbankian, Ray Reed, Phil Mascaretti, George Conrad, Ted Kraynik, Jake Valentine, Elmer Balzer and Sid Goldberg.

If you don't have the new addresses of any of these persons or correspond with them please let me know and best you sent me prints. Actually I've promised to send so many pics that I finally decided I might as well do it all at one time even tho the shots aren't very good. Have plenty of film on hand at this time so don't send me any. Hope the stuff doesn't get ruined before I get around to using same.

So Yuts is finally enroute overseas, eh? Do you correspond with him regularly? Where is Dick Symmes now? Do you hear from Ray R, Karl G, or Jake Valentine?

You should have plenty to tell about the S.F. Conference. Understand that you intended sitting in on a few sessions were any open to the public. Was there any noticeable atmosphere in the Bay area? Do you think any noteworthy steps have been accomplished. Understand that at this writing they're just underway. Leastwise, I haven't heard any reports of same for a while now.

We're still in a rest area but that can change overnite in these parts cause there's still too damn many Nips around. Certainly hope that sometime in the future our division gets a real break. By that I mean we really deserve a good, long rest in a fair bivouc area and receive sufficient replacements to fill our ranks.

Now, I won't get home under the so-called demobilization plan (only rate 69 points) and doubt if a furlough will come thru before the duration plus.

Your brother,
Vic

May 13, 1945

(Letter from Vic in Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley. California. Photo taken from vehicle moving on Luzon road.)

Sunday afternoon,

Dear Paul,

Didn't intend writing you for several days but just got these two negatives back and would like some re-prints made as soon as possible hence this brief line. Can you have five or six prints made of each and send all but one copy to me?

Please send a set home. The negatives may have to be cleaned and I suggest you have them intensified or something 'cause they're nothing as is.

We may go into a rest are and be re-organized. In my opinion we need replacements badly and deserve at least six months non combatant duty.

Don't expect me home on furlough for months to come. If this de-mobilization is actually inaugurated some guys may get a long-deserved break. Would certainly like to hit the States at least by hunting season but think it improbably. Understand the rotation (if ever it was such) plan may be completely dis-continued. Please write soon!

Best regards,
Vic

May 13, 1945

(Letter from Vic in Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows two Japanese bills from war. The top one is a 50 Sen note from 1938 showing Mt. Fujiyama, Sunshine and Cherry blossoms. The bottom one is a 50 sen note from 1942 showing the Yasukuni Shrine. )

Sunday morning,

Dear Paul,

Well, I guess it's time I commenced writing again. Several days ago I sent you a regular letter containing five negatives that I want prints made of. That was the first letter I'd written in over a month to anybody. didn't get to knock any others out since, but intend writing quite a few to-day.

Am enclosing two snap-shots that Elmer sent me and three German currency bills that Johnny Rody sent. Also you'll note a Japanese bill. Please send these items on home in one of your next letters to the folks.

Tried to get a refraction of my eyes but the Army in these parts doesn't seem to service us to any extent. Leastwise I couldn't get any satisfaction from the jerks after spending almost the whole day in a large hospital getting eye tests. Said jerks claimed supplies were short (but they did fit civilians while I was there) and that I could drop in at my convenience in three or four months and pick up a new pair. Meanwhile I continue to use these misfits with the cracked & tarnished frame.

In three or four months from now I could possibly even be in China or Japan. Yeah, it's the ole Army game of passing the buck. Army dentists operate under the same rules - "come back again in six months and we may be able to fix you up." Trouble is, they keep better hrs. that bankers could possibly hope to and don't recognize the war. Wish someone had the authority to get these rear-area commandoes off their fat asses and put them to work. Best thing could happen would be to have them all broken & transferred into the infantry as much needed replacements to fill the ranks of the guys who do all the work without the comforts, credit or recognition.

Received a swell letter from Fred Blair from Milw. the other day. It certainly is lengthy & deserves a somewhat detailed reply.

I saw Nick Julian again the other day. Max Mueckler is some distance from here at present I've recently learned. May run into him within the next few weeks however.

Please write as often as you can.

Your brother,
Vic

May 12, 1945

(Cover letter and citation for Bronze Star Medal awarded to Vic. Pictures show the original documents.)

RESTRICTED

HEAQUARTERS 6TH INFANTRY DIVISION
APO 6

SUBJECT: Award of Bronze Star Medal
TO: CO, 135th Field Artillery Battalion, APO 37

1. Attached is citation to accompany Section VI, General Orders No. 71, Headquarters 6th Infantry Division, dated 8 May 1945, which awards the Bronze Star Medal to: Technician Fourth Grade VICTOR PETERSON, 36262157, 135th FA Bn.

2. It is desired that one copy be furnished T/4 Peterson and the second be retained in the enlisted man's 201 file.

FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:

E. LEE CARTERON
Major, A.G.D.,
Ass't. Adj. Gen.


CITATION

Technician Fourth Grade VICTOR PETERSON, 36262157, Field Artillery, United States Army. For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on Luzon, Phillipine Islands on 24 April 1945. Technician PETERSON performed outstanding services as radio operator with an artillery liaison party. As no cover was available he was forced to set up his radio in an exposed position and relay fire commands to his battalion. He carried out his mission while enemy sniper and mortar fire was falling within fifteen yards of him. Technician PETERSON's courage and devotion to duty reflect high credit upon himself and the military service.

Home address: Mrs. Emily Peterson Wife (sic - she was his mother) 1950 Prospect Street Racine, Wisconsin.

May 11, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows Bronze Star awarded to Vic for action on April 24, 1945. The ribbons are: Two Bronze Star ribbons - similar to pattern on Bronze Star cloth; Two Philippine Liberation ribbons - two flanking red bars with thinner blue and white centre bars and small bronze star; Two Good conduct - the red background with two flanking triple white stripes; American Defense Service ribbon - yellow with two thin red, white and blue stripes - and two stars; 1945 Victory ribbon - solid red middle flanked by two multi-coloured bars; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon - yellow with two flanking white/red/white stripes and a thinner blue/white/red center stripe.)
Friday morning,

Dear Paul,

This is the first letter I've written in over a month. Will get busy & write the folks to-day and also try to catch up on my correspondence in general.

Came in off liaison two days ago after a month on the line with our infantry. We're up in the mountains and it's one tough and dirty war. The Nips have good positions and plenty of supplies - food, clothing, equipment, & ammo. In fact, they don't hesitate to share with us their lead in the form of rifle & machine-gun slugs and grenade, mortar & artillery shells.

If you think the war is over in the Philippines I suggest you talk to someone just back from the line - not the rear area commandos. After we take one mountain we can look forward to taking another, and they continue on over the sky-line out of sight. Nips have all underground positions and tremendous supply caves.

Your last letter dated the 26th April arrived OK. Yesterday I 4received your package containing the six roles of 620 film. Thanks for them, Paul. It's impossible to obtain film over here & we must depend upon getting them sent from the States by our families & friends. I realize how tough it is to obtain same back there and fully appreciate the pains you took to get ahold of so much film.

I put in for furlough tho it means if I'm lucky enough to be picked I'll have to return to my outfit & this theatre. If I don't hit the states soon I figure on blowing my top. And still we have some original N.G. vets with us who can't get home come hell or high water it seems. Can't understand how they can take it and so damn much of it. Wonder how many troops will come over this way now that the show over on the other side is over. Boy, that Okinawa deal sounds like a tough nuts, and it's Army troops who're doin' all the fighting & pushing there.

Did you know that Dave Altman was killed over here several months ago? His unit was on our right flank, and recently I intended going over thataway on some pretense & looking him up when I received a letter from Johnny Rody from Germany giving me the brief news about Dave. I was shocked to hear of it, and intend looking up his buddies some day & asking how he got it. His outfit is in rest area now now but I can't locate his particular unit.

Was sorry to hear of Kingsfield. A lot of home-town friends certainly have been getting it lately.

Hear from Phil quite regularly now. Was in to town yesterday on a one day (actually about 10 hrs.) pass and looked up Nick Julian, Lt. Floyd Hillier, and some Filipino friends.

Had my ole case of jungle-rot came back. Need a new fitting (refraction) of my G.I. Specs. The frame is cracked & out of shape so I should get a new one plus different lenses.

Am enclosing five negatives that I took about two months back. Have two good prints made of each and send one set to me & one set home.

Best Regards,
Vic

Am sending this via regular mail which means it won't arrive for thirty to sixty days. Won't travel any other way with negatives enclosed.

May 8, 1945

(Nine page Army comminique of awards for four classes of Silver Star and three classes of Bronze Star for soldiers acts of heroism by soldiers. More than 20 soldiers received medals, several posthumously. Picture shows apparent battlefield action in the Philippines.)


Restricted
Headquarters 6th Infantry Division
APO 6

General Orders
Number 71

Section 1 - Awards of Silver Start - Posthumously....
.... Section VI - Awards of Bronze Star Medal

.... page 7
Technician Fourth Grade VICTOR PETERSON, 36262157, Field Artillery, United States Army. For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on Luzon, Philippine Island on 24 April 1945. Home address: Mrs. Emily Peterson, Wife (sic - she was his mother), 1950 W. Prospect Street, Racine, Wisconsin.

April 10, 1945

(V-mail from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother, Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows soldiers playing violin and guitar in field.)

Tuesday evening,
Dear Paul,

Thought I'd drop you a few more lines in addition to the letter with nine pics enclosed which I just finished mailing to you. Shortly I'll be sending you some negatives of film I've recently exposed. Can't seem to get a satisfactory print job done hereabouts. So I'd appreciate it if you'd get me a few copies made from each negative. You won't be receiving them for some time 'cause they're not allowed to go via air-mail.

Received a recent letter from Phil Mascaretti and he doesn't expect to make rotation for a long, long time even tho he has 30 months overseas. Incidentally, I can't quite picture myself coming home for another year under the present set-up. Max Mueckler (over 3 yrs. overseas) has about given up hope.

Ted Kraynik wrote recently and stated definitely that he is not married. He's over in these parts somewhere. Ray Reed hasn't written fro some time.

Best Regards,
Vic

April 3, 1945

(Western Union Telegram from Vic in the Philippines to his mother in Racine, Wisconsin.)

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY EASTER REGARDS TO EVERYONE

VICTOR PETERSEN

March 10, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows soldier standing with Filipino civilians.)

Saturday,
Philippines

Dear Paul,

Thanks for your letter of the 24th February which I received yesterday. Believe you still owe me several replies, but they might already be forthcoming on your part at this date.

Say, when next you write Yuts will you please convey my thanks to him for the role of 120 and 116 that I recently received from him? Each time I receive word from him he's at a new address and he tells me that no letter of mine has arrived for months. Evidentally my letters bear the wrong addresses or else there's some other screw-up 'cause I've been writing him at regular intervals.

Also I wish to thank you in advance for Snow's "People On Our Side" as well as the stationery and pics. Haven't received the package yet but it should be due shortly. Joanne Hetts sent me Cains' "Three of a Kind" while Ann sent Louis Adamic's "My Native Land", Ray Joseph's "Argentine Diary", & Howard Fast's "Freedom Road." Those novels should keep me pretty well occupied for the present.

Have been back at the btry. for the past two days and the set-up is OK. Can't tell how G.I. this life may become but I've a hunch it'll be ole Army garrison style shortly. With us that means a headache. Can't give the actual dope on the situation 'cause I'm afraid it'd conflict with existing censorship regulations.

There's an acute cigarette shortage hereabouts. Five days ago the men were issued one pack per man. Expect another one to-day. Up front I smoked two packs plus daily when available but sometimes the inf. rationed out only eight of ten fags per man daily which crimped us. Smokes'n'Java will almost keep one going up there (temporary) but it's not the best thing for the nervous system.

No, I haven't been able to send in any Armed Force Insti. lessons in over three months. Have only one to go on my economics course and'll start on it in the near future - I hope.

Best regards,
Your brother, Vic

P.S. - Noticed I missed a few topics that I'd previously intended covering briefly so here goes.

The GIs are rapidly becoming acquainted with the people here, but most of them are inclined to be attracted to the opposite sex. Dances are now being held and social affairs will probably be shortly organized. Our films are mostly old stuff we saw last year, but the Special Service must have at least a few recent releases.

Which reminds me that I intend taking some snap-shots with some old film I now have on hand. Will have to look around for some good scenes, but don't have ambition to chase all over for shots.

Say, did Mike Principe ever hand over those 14 or so pics that I gave him about six months ago when he visited me? Does he ever write you or vice versa? Do you correspond regularly with Ray Reed & Bill Fiala? If so, how about requesting them to drop a line thisaway?

Did I tell you that I met Max Mueckler here? His outfit moved but he promised to look me up. Had a letter from Ran DeFaut that I answered last week. Write!

Regards,
Vic

March 2, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows Japanese soldiers looking out to sea.)
Friday

Dear Paul,

Well, to-day is my birthday but I can't get to celebrate here in the hospital. Can't say how long I'll be here but it'll probably be for another week. Regardless, please write to me at my outfits' address. I should be back with them by the time a reply to this letter and yesterday's line arrives from you.

About a week ago I received a bunch of Xmas packages of which at least one was from you. All of the perishable goods such as fruit-cakes were moldy. Some of the packages had evidently been under salt water as well as a few of the letters I received.

The picture you sent me some time back was ruined when my duffle bag was in the surf at the beach landing. About half of my equipment and personal articles are shot.

How about those books I requested some months back? Can't you obtain them or what? Ann sent me three books but I haven't gotten around to reading them yet. What good stuff has been printed recently?

Am enclosing ten more Nip snap-shots that you can dispose of as in the usual manner.

Your brother,
Vic

March 1, 1945

(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to parents, Peter and Emilie Petersen in Racine, Wisconsin. Photo shows young Filipino woman holding large crock on her head.)
Thursday,

Dear Folks,

Thanks for your recent letters containing the clippings. I received a number of Xmas packages of which at least two were from you. The fruit cake was moldy and quite a few of my packages and letters had evidently been in salt water.

At present I'm in a large Army hospital with foot trouble. That jungle rot came back and became infected. They're giving me Penincillen injections every three hrs. so it should begin to clear up soon. Can't say how long I'll be here, but address all mail to me at my regular address.

On Monday our artillery Liasason and forward observation parties were released by the infantry because we could no longer use our artillery in our particular sector. After coming in to the battery for the first time in weeks I took my first bath in nine days, shaved and put on clean clothes. Shortly afterward I went on sick call and arrived here Tuesday. I located Bob Mueckler who's stationed here and we had quite a jab-fest.

(A page appears to be missing)

Nips performed at their usual brutality. Filipinos said the Nips would confiscate most of the foods, clothing, & tobacco sent to prisoners by relatives and the Red Cross, and sell some of it for fabulous prices on the black-market. The Nips are always up to something and that didn't surprise me.

Earlier to-day when I wrote to Joanne I asked that she tell you that those repaired glass of mine should not weigh over eight ounces to pass the air mail package maximum weight. Did you receive my letter of a week ago requesting that you have new, lightly pink-tinted lenses mounted on that frame and a new case be obtained. I also enclosed some lense specifications that might've enabled the Racine Optical Co. to make a more accurate fitting.

Ed and Rudy have been replying my letters fairly regularly of late - especially Rudy. Paul doesn't write nearly as often as formerly, but perhaps his studies are taking up most of his time.

I'll close now hoping to hear from you soon.

Your son,
Victor