(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photos show Vic posing in front of destroyed Japanese aircraft.)
Cagayan Valley, N. Luzon, P.I.
Sunday evening,
Dear Paul,
Many thanks for your three letters containing all those reprints as I'd previously requested. No I won't want any enlargements. These are very satisfactory. However, I hope that you sent copies to both Rudy and Ed as well as a set to the folks along with the negatives.
Today Ben. Mun Bing Louis, another fellow and I drove around some and took some pics. In several we had Nip planes for the background. Am sending the film in to the Army photo Service to-nite. Hope you've taken a few snap-shots recently and'll be sending me copies in the near future. 
Say you promised me a few of your girl-friend some time back. Please give me a few details about her. Sounds like you're going steady with her. Is she a student at Cal.?
Sorry to disappoint you but I won't be coming home for a long time. You mentioned having rented an apartment in anticipation of my arrival. Hell, I don't think I'll make it back stateside during the next six months. Only way one is fairly certain of getting prompt passage back that way is to sign an enlistment in the Regular Army and go home on a 90 day furlough. Such a character will either be a brass-hat with a racket or some island-happy lad. Most enlisted men want no part of this set-up.
Won't commit myself as regards college. Personally, I can't quite see it 'cause what I'd like to take up requires altogether too many back ground subjects and credits. Jake V. hasn't written to me in ages and I know nothing of his post-war plans. Regards. Write soon!
Your brother,
Vic
(You haven't told me if you received the 40 buck money order.)
September 2, 1945
August 26, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to older brother Rudy and wife Ann in Passaic, New Jersey. Top photo is of Filipino family in front of a house. Bottom photo shows soldiers posing with civilians.)
Cagayan Valley,
N. Luzon, P.I.
Dear Ann and Rudy,
It's Sunday afternoon here with time on my hands. Most of the fellows are indulging in the increasingly popular pastime of snoozing or just plain old cat-naping. We don't call it siesta as the local inhabitant smight but by the Army term "bunk-fatigue".
Since the surrender we've had little do do. Imagine less duties will be performed when and if units are disbanded. Imagine there'll be a certain amount of stevadoring or its equivalent. Back on the 'canal in '43 we caught plenty of that at New Georgia and more of the same just prior to embarking from Bougie. Boy, those were some details? Worst was working down in the sweltering holds loading or unloading heavy ammo.
Yes, there are units in the Army known as Port Battalions and those're also their duties, but it seems they can't do all the work. Anyhow, on our amphibious operations we've always been called upon to help load and unload supplies in our convoy. In addition to that it's not been infrequently that we've been called upon to furnish working parties to unload rations from cargo vessels onto barges and assist in transporting same.
Ruts, those copies of the Sunday P.M. certainly are long enroute. Just got another June issue. Don't believe they even all came thru. Has the Army been known to hold up on any publications? Or is it the postal dep't? Been reading that article about Philippine politics by Alexander Uhl and find his info to be OK. Wherever he gets it it's certainly straight. 
Have you known about the Huk Bal-Hob (spelling?) and their program. Soon after landing in Lingayan I picked up all kinds of reports about their activities and from all I've heard the balance is by far in their favor. they certainly eliminated collaborators that fell into their hands, and fought the Nips in some of the largest-scale and bloodiest battles with the Nips during the enemy occupations. Their operations closely resembled those of progressive partisans and they fought and're still fighting reactionaries here in the islands.
Can't tell exactly how the elections will turn out but believe the more progressive elevements should come into power. The strife is becoming more acute and politics concerns most Filipinos. That is, they're more ocncious of events to-day than they were in pre-war days. I've some good friends down in Manila (Filipino civilians) and now that we're corresponding regularly I've noted their social attitides are more advanced than they led me to believe when we used to talk over one thing and another.
Incidentally, I've sent some good reading material in the form of books and literature to several and they really appreciate it. Incidentally, Am. publications are not available to the civilian population on the commercial market - only material they get to read aside from their limited newspapers are currently popular Am. magazines that've ben presented to them by G.I.s or discarded by soldiers.
This limited supply has brought on such a demand that you can now find black-market book dealers 50 centavos (25 cents at official rates) per hr. to read such mags as Time, Life, etc. The cost of such as mag or a new novel is astounding. Don't recall exactly but I learned mags in Manila were being sold for five or ten pesos ($2.50 to $5.00) a book would bring from five to fifty pesos depending on demand. It's been estimated by some sources that our dollar is only worth seven cents in goods over here.
Well, that goes for the Manila metropolitan areas and certain other areas near big Army centers but not up here as yet. Our wants aren't many, and little is to be bought so prices haven't run away completely in these parts to date.
Youo asked if I'd had malaria previous - yes, about five times in all. Great majority of us've had it. Don't think it effects us noticeably in a temperate zone tho. Write soon & regularly!
Best Regards,
Vic
August 19, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows solider playing violin.)
Dear Paul,
Received your last two letters dated 24th July and 3rd August respectively almost a week ago, but have previously mailed you a brief reply accompanying those pics that several friends sent some time back.
No, I don't have any requests for books or film at the present time. However, I'd appreciate a sub to George Seldes' "In Fact", the highly enlightening weekly newsletter. If you're not in position to arrange this due to lack of that L.I. address please ask Rudy to arrange same at the earliest possible date. Will you let me know how you make out?
According to last nites' news broadcast, the Army will discharge around 1 1/2 million troops of the estimated million eight hundred thousand troops over here in the Pacific during the next ten months. Thus, I hope to make the States for good sometime during the next six to ten months. If they give priority to combat troops (which I doubt) I might even make it in 4 or 6 months. You must remember that from experience most of us over here are outright pessimists insofar as the Army's concerned. Everything the War Dept does that says will effect us we say is either impossible or improbable.
Was intending having Mother purchase you a birthday present but it's too late how hence I'm enclosing 40 bucks that you might get yourself something useful.
Your brother,
Vic
August 16, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows Japanese prisoners in 'civies disguise hustled along by Filipino civilians and turned into us'. Bottom photo is of Manila swimming pool.)
Cagayan Valley, N. Luzon, P.I.
Thursday morning,
Dear Paul,
It's still quite early in the day and very comfortable. Have been back to the battery for two days now. Came in off liaison with a bad cold and some infected insect bites. Slept in a cot for two nites now and really rested.
Saw my first movie last nite in a very long time. Yesterday we had roast chicken but due to my cold I didn't even enjoy the taste. Drew my back beer rations which amounted to 42 bottles. Still have most of it 'cause I can't taste the stuff either.
Yesterday Pres. Truman declared the war over but there was no wild celebrating hereabouts. There was we understand much excitement down in Manila but the fellows took it comparitively calmly in these parts. Last nite we heard the cities of the U.S. madly carousing over the radio. Strange that we shouldn't get half as excited as most civilians are.
Large numbers of Nips are expected to come in from the hills now. Those taken several days back knew about the peace rumors and atomic bomb. I'd say they're only about 12 hrs. behind us on the news. Evidentally they have better radio communications than we give them credit for having. Several wks. ago they were bloodily contesting our every advance in this remote sector of northern Luzon. Our last mission was to drive up a rugged mountainous river gorge into a hidden valley and disperse remnants of once strong Jap formations. After this was completely we pushed the remainders on East up into the wild Sierre Madre mountains near the coast. Guest I can tell this now that the war's over. Incidentally, all censorship should cease very soon as it did in Europe almost immediately after V-E days. 
Am enclosing eight pics that friends have recently sent. Thanks for those re-prints. have you received and gotten prints of any of those negs I sent of us swimming? Please write soon.
Best regards,
Your brother,
Vic
July 28, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. The photo shows signs of army censorship, two small holes that removed the number of the battalion.)
Saturday morning,
Cagayan Valley,
N. Luzon, P.I.
Dear Paul,
You most certainly haven't been very prompt to reply of late. Are your studies taking up most of your time? How're you doing at the university? Do you have a fair job on the side now?
The heat has been terrific in these parts lately. Quite often it looks like a terrific storm is brewing and then nothing develops. Once we were even forwarned of a typhoon or hurricane that never struck here or effected us. However, bad weather is long-overdue, and it's just possible that the sky will drop out for weeks at a time commencing most anytime. I'd welcome such would it bring relief from this torrid weather even tho it'd mean wet clothes, bedding, equipments even dozers and weasels.
Do you correspond with either of the Greubels or Bill Fiala? If so, how's about asking them to drop me a line? The folks said they met Ray Reed in Racine, and that when Rudy & Ann were recently home Ruts met Wally Puchinsky. Guess Pooch might've been discharged if his health is OK.
Did I tell you that we're more or less out of combat and in a tempory rest area? The inf. bn. hq our arty. liaison section is attached to has arranged tents in a flat area and we're actually sleeping on bunks and using mosquito bars. Have films every other nite but we're still sweating out that oft-promised beer and PX ration supply. Guess the rear area base commandos down Manila way and points enroute are relieving us of these simple but cherished luxuries so as to lighten the strained supply and transport problem.
Only the brass are permitted to go after and consume the only legit liquor available here in the P.I.s, Mano;a Tanduay Distillery "Old Special" Whisky (65%). G.I.s that crave a slug or drunk now and then purchase native booze of questionable sources. Some of these brands are terrific! Most of it tastes terrible and can be harmfull.
Forgot to mention that they're still Nips out in the bush but mostly confined to isolated pockets. Patroling and ambushes constitute most activities at present but the war's not completely over here yet. Did you receive that last batch of negs and can you get enlarged re-prints made?
Your brother,
Vic
Am enclosing two old Nip occupation currency notes that might interest you 'case you haven't seen same. One's from N.E.I. and the other F. Indo-China.
July 22, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows soldiers in Manila swimming pool. Bottom photo is of Stan Valandia, a Souix soldier from North Dakota.)
Cagayan Valley, N. Luzon, P.I.
Sunday morning,
Dear Paul,
Well. it's a rather cool morning and we've actually relatively little to do for once hence the correspondence. Why haven't you been writing more frequently? Please drop a line whenever you can find time. What do your studies consist of now? Are you working part-time? If so, where and what're you making?
Am enclosing seven (7) negatives that we took just before leaving the Manila area two months or so ago. Most of them were taken out at the swimming pool on grounds that our outfit rented. Those were the days. Didn't get much of it tho 'cause we were pulled out once to go back into combat for over a month, but then returned to that general area for a little over a week. After that we came up here and we've been in action since.
Could you possibly have eight or ten prints made of each and forward the pics to me? I promised the gang copies of same. Some of them have already gone home or either rotation or points and several others are waiting for the call. Also you'd best send a copy to the folks, and also Ed and Ruts. Send the negatives on home. Believe you could have fair enlargements made from those negatives 'cause they're pretty fair. Will you kindly ask the photo developer to clean the negs and make enlargement of about three inches by four and one-half (3"x4 1/2")?
Has Ray completed his furlough yet and is he stationed on the west coast temporarily awaiting re-assignment. Do you see much of him? Did he go up north while in Wis.? Do you know if he tried his hand at a little fishing or poaching? Come to think of it, I guess venison isn't very good eating at this time of the year.
Say, there are quite a few Philippine mallards hereabouts but I haven't bagged any yet. Numerous wild turtle doves also - got a few of those and also wild chickens with the carbine. One fellow here in this inf. bn. hq. picked up a perfect 12 gauge double parker from a Nip but can't get shells for same. If he does, we're going out pot-hunting. Nips seem to like shot-guns and usually carry Jap buck-shot loads as anti-personnel weapons. All the pieces I've seen were Am. made and probably confiscated them from Filipinos. The Nips sometimes put on bayonet attachments and mount a wicket blade on same. They sure can improvise but usually it's a fizzle - especially their improvized mines and booby traps.
Speaking of guns, what was the condition of my Rem auto when last you seen it and how's the shell supply? Do you do any shooting out there? 
We're still in combat and I've had about enough. Had some close calls during the past two weeks or so. Once it was a bomb during an air strike and more recently it was heavy Nip mortar and machine gun fire - but altogether too damn close. Also some other rather mildly exciting incidents but nothing harmful developed. Sure hope we get a break and go into a rest area - better still I'd like to get back Stateside or at least go down Manila way. Please Write!
Your brother,
Vic
June 23, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to older brother Rudy and wife Ann in Passaic, New Jersey. Photo shows truck loaded with soldiers. The bottom photo appears to be a smoldering volcano.)
Cagayan Valley, Luzon
Saturday
Dear Ann and Rudy,
Received your letter dated the first about a week ago. That first batch of prints also arrived. Don't send any film over 'cause I've still five roles on hand to be exposed whenever I get an opportunity and camera. Did you receive those other negatives and did you make prints of same?
As I may've told you or Paul may've informed your our division is making the big drive down the Cagayan Valley along National Highway #5 up here in northern Luzon. We've come a long distance - I'd say it's almost comparable to the U.S. drives across Normandy and most of France last year. We've knocked out numerous Nip tanks and captured most of their transport plus much of their supplies.
You wouldn't believe the large numbers of Koreans and Formosan laborers along with Nips that we've captured. Naturally the former two peoples are more than happy to be captured. 
Of course the opposition has been spotty for the most part, but in the mountainous passes we come thru they really raise hell until they're cleared out. Sometimes out in the plains here it's almost like chasing rabbits down. They retreat by night and we pursue by day. Since they have no airforce what-so ever they're getting plenty of straffing and dive bomber strikes which more than demoralize them. Whenever they decide to slug it out our artillery and armed force knock hell out of them so that they're becoming more and more disorganized.
We're allowed to mention this because the division censorship regulations have eased up considerably. Only souvenirs I've been seeking are a Nip saber and nambu automatic pistol, but haven't had any satisfaction as yet but I mufted several opportunities.
At present I'm in an Army Field Hospital recuperating from malaria which you needed mention to the folks.
Am enclosing a Nip or Taiwan bill plus a superior privates insignia which I wished you'd forward Paul to have sent home.
Regards,
Vic
Incidentally, since I have no more stationery on hand would you mind letting Rose and Ed read these lines?
June 21, 1945
(V-mail from Vic in Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photos shows front and back of a 'surrender pass' air dropped on Japanese units.)
Cagayen Valley, Luzo, P.I.
Dear Paul,
Thanks for your recent letters. Did you send pics to the persons I listed in a recent letter? To whom did you forward copies? Are you still having difficulty getting reprints made? Done send any film until I request same cause I have five roles on hand.
Heard Kodak was coming out with a new post-war camera featuring an improved plastic lense giving 40 or 60 percent better clarity. When I get home I'm going to get a good camera and try out some of this Kodachrome.
At present I'm in a Field Hospital recovering from another malaria attack. Getting some needed treatment of my feet which are still somewhat jungle-rot infected. You don't have to tell the folks of my illness. I'll just write and say I'm hospitalized.
Our division is still making considerable gains down this valley & I don't think we'll be hitting any more mountain passes which the Nips always strongly contend.
We'll soon reach the northern end of the island and thus complete this campaign and possibly get a rest. Hope you're feeling health and your eyes have improved. Still haven't received any new specs.
Regards,
Vic
June 14, 1945
(Letter from Vic in Philippines to brother Paul in Berkeley. California. Photo shows U.S. military column moving on Luzon road. Bottom photo appears to be photo of soldiers in the European theatre, possibly photo sent to Vic from his friend, Ran De Faut, who served there.)
Luzon, P.I.
Dear Paul,
Haven't time to write more than a brief line to-day. We're making terrific gains these days and are continuously pushing ahead. We're now allowed to say that we're on the National Highway #5 pushing down the Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon.
The Nips are becoming more and more disorganized and're being hunted down and eliminated like rabbits by everyone. Our arty. bn. has been right up there and each day we bag some Nips by small arms fire. Now and then some Nips'll band to-gether with a few m-m guns and put up a little fire fight.
Received two packages from you containing "Life In A Putty Factory", "Candide", "People On Our Side", etc. Many thanks for same. 
Here's a pic and three Russian bills that Ran sent me. Kindly forward same on to Ed & Rudy & ask them to send them on home.
Your brother,
Vic
