(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 19, 1945
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
