(V-mail from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Top photo shows view of in Cagayan Valley in early September. Second photo Japanese officers leaving Ceremony.)
Cagayan Valley, N. Luzon, P.I. - Thurs. evening,
Dear Paul,
Since I last wrote you many rumors have been circulating throughout the division regarding our possible embarkation for the States. From some fairly reliable & high sources it's been stated that all personnel with over 60 points would embark to-gether in the near future to represent the division. Ohio wants this div. to come home as a unit & put on a big parade in Colombus. Their politicians have already made big plans for some gala affairs.
To-day Ohio isn't very well represented in the div. 'cause it's composed a very, very few originals now with the vast majority being former residents of every state in the union. 
Certain brass hereabouts including the div. commander, ass't. div. commander and div. art. commander plus their Ohio politico counter parts have been exerting strong pressure on the command over here and the War Dept. to have this div. sent home as a unit in the very near future.
Well, it's just possible that they may accomplish same but I doubt it. Still, things are shaping up so that I'll be home sooner than I'd originally expected.
Your brother,
Vic
September 13, 1945
September 9, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to older brother Rudy and wife Ann in Passaic, New Jersey. Top photos shows Surrender Ceremony at Battalion Theatre in Cagayan Valley. Bottom photo was taken in Bougainville.)
Dear Ann and Rudy,
It's a very quiet Sunday afternoon here and I've been listening to radio programs until I just picked up the pen. This morning we received the enclosed special supplement edition of our div. daily newsheet concerning the surrender of Nip forces hereabouts last Wednesday morning which took place at our division theatre. Believe I previously mentioned having witness same 'cause I was in the area on a dental appointment when it was announced and all personnel were invited to attend.
A fellow in my section took some pretty good shots of the proceedings and I hope to get copies of same. If Ed or Paul care to see this souvenir please forward it to them but kindly request that it be then sent on home to the folks.
Also note an old negative from Bougie that you may not have a print of.
I'd like to thank you again for all those re-prints that you've made and forwarded. Haven't received the last batch taken at the swimming pool on grounds we occupied during a rest in Rosario Heights, Manila, between campaigns last May. However, I don't think you sent them immediately after the last ones so maybe I shouldn't be expecting them for a few more days.
Last nite we saw the comedy "Affairs of Susan" which everyone enjoyed, and also were shown the best combat film we've ever seen entitled "San Pietro". This document has a good introduction by Gen. Mark Clark and an excellent commentary and records the fighting for San Pietro and surrounding terrain on the Italian front late in 1943. Did you see it? Don't miss it 'cause it's really a truely representative film of an actual battle. Write soon.
Best Regards,
Vic
September 7, 1945
(V-mail sent as letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows Japanese officers on their way to Cagayan Valley Surrender Ceremony September 5.)
Friday afternoon,
Dear Paul,
Well, I rather expected a letter from you for the past several days. You aren't writing very regularly of late. Please write whenever you have time and don't hesitate to give a few details on any subject you care to discuss. Censorship of personal mail was abolished here throughout the division yesterday. From now on we can write about practically anything.
To-day our highest point men departed. They went to Appari, a port up north of here and'll embark on ships with all the old-timers from our div. and attached units. 
We're so isolated up here that it's much closer and more convenient to have transport handled at that town than going the 350 miles down to Manila over bad roads. The last remaining Ohio N.G. men as well as the original vets who were with the division. when they sailed from Frisco back in May of '42 left in that bunch.
Only on or possibly two of the remaining groups will be ahead of me. The fellows in the 85 to 93 bunch should leave within a few days. There aren't too many fellows in the 65 to 85 group so I may make it within a few months on my 69.
Our liaison section was turned in for the bronze star cluster for work back in the Orieng Pass fracas. However, we won't get same because the brass here instead gave bronze stars to kitchen, S-1, and S-3 personnel 'cause they were all either N.G. men or royal brown-nosers. Ever since I've been in this outfit the men who take the most personal risks get the worst deal. In other words this outfit (and div. for that matter) has always been run by & for Ohio politicians. More later.
Your brother,
Vic
September 4, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo shows group of Japanese soldiers who have surrendered.)
Tuesday evening,
Dear Paul,
Well, I presume you're wondering why the sudden increase in number of letters from me. I've caught up on all of my correspondence fortunately, and have some spare time on my hands. Later this evening I'll circulate around the battery looking for some worthwhile reading material.
Had a tough day yesterday spreading gravel around the area and stood guard last nite. On my last trick I helped the baker make soughnuts. To-day I did quite a bit of bunk fatigue and wasn't clipped for any detail. To-day we went on a training schedule of sorts. This calls for early reveille, calesthenics, orientation lectures and what-not.
Did you hear these parts mentioned over the radio in regards to the surrender of Nips? Heard part of a newscast earlier to-nite and they mentioned a nearby town where the Nips-ve been congregating and processed. The first delegation of them who came in several weeks ago said they thought 2,000 of their men will be accounted for in our div. sector, but some estimates run higher 'cause it's argued that some Nip remnants haven't had communications with other parties for many weeks. Such be the case, some Japs may stroll the hills for a time yet.
Paul, since you began studying radio back at Tri-State have you constructed any sets? Imagine some of that practical stuff is required. If you built a receiver how did it work? The post-war commercial sets should be a great improvement over the older models. Trouble is, a good set with several bands and phonograph rig runs into the bucks. Say, what do you think of future plans for the use of radar and television?
I've been thinking of hunting back home and would like to get a Savage 99 .300 cal. for deer and possibly an over-and-under .410 that's handle the 3 inch shells. Am not certain such a gun is in production but read that such a .410 will be popular and am enthused about it. Read a good brief on the use of rifled slugs for shot-guns and found they've a fair degree of accuracy. Up to a hundred yards it's easy to hit a buck with these power houses that weight 415 gr. and have a velocity of 1,400 odd foot seconds.
Remember when we were up at Ray's folks place in Nov. of '41? Bob Hoey & I both took a few practice shots with slugs at a good distance and found my auto more accurate than his pump. Remember the buck that strolled past him while we sat in the car in disgust after no luck? Do you ever figure on hunting in Cal.?
Last nite we had the pic, "Valley of Decision", (Greer Garson-Gregory Peck) at our bn. theatre. I thought it was good tho it skipped plenty of material on the union and didn't follow the novel thru exactly. That was the first mentionable movie we'd had in many weeks. For the most part, they're grade b-pcs and they're old at that. Saw the above mentioned film between tricks on guard, and it rained buckets during most of the show.
Do you own a bike? Don't recall you stating definitely whether you did and thought perhaps you rent one when going out cycling. Yes, there's certainly much worth-while scenery to enjoy out there, and you could go on innumberable sightseeing trips and still have plenty more places to visit. Did you ever get over to Sequoia or Yosemite? I got around some on hitch-hiking trips while stationed at Camp Roberts and enjoyed the State. Will sign off now.
Your brother,
Vic
September 3, 1945
(Letter from Vic in the Philippines to younger brother Paul in Berkeley, California. Photo show a couple of soldiers working on a tent barracks.)
Monday morning,
Dear Paul,
Having a break on our detail now between truck-loads of sand so I'm taking this opportunity to drop a few more lines your way. We're still building up this area even tho we probably won't remain here long. Expect to move down south somewhere within a hundred miles of Manila. Rumors have us occupying many different areas, but we know we'll never again get a set-up in the metropolitan area as we did after both the Lingayen-Manila and Mt. Pabawagan (Mariquina-Wawa dam area) campaigns. Can't tell when I'll ever embark for the States, but it probably won't be for six months at the rate of available shipping in these parts.
Imagine this letter'll arrive with the one I dropped you last nite. am enclosing three items herein that might interest you. Don't recall whether I sent you one of these ten sen notes that Yuts send down from the Okinawa theatre. Here're a few Tagalog expressions and their English equivalents. Also please note the propaganda leaflet that our planes dropped up in the Baggao area (Cagayan Valley) last June announcing the fall of Nazi Germany & telling the Nips they were by-passed and isolated & might as well surrender before their homeland is utterly destroyed.
Just heard a newscast announcing Gen. Yamashita surrender in Baguio yesterday instead of to-day as originally scheduled. Some Nip admiral came in down south & also turned in his forces. As yet we have still to see the mass of Nips within our division sector come in. They're up in the Sierra Madre mountain range and're in poor physical condition for the most part. Daily some of them pass near our out-posts & wave, shout, & smile. We're not allowed to shoot except in defense. Those Nips'll thrive in out stockades 'cause the facilities & chow provided represent such a vast improvement over the conditions they've been existing under.
Well, I also heard the 1st Cav. div. landed in Japan as occupation troops. Guess the 11th Airborne div. will also be in on that deal. We came pretty close to it, but were transferred into another command from the 8th Army just at the right time. When we hit the beach at Langayen last Jan. we came in as part of the 14th Corps, 6th Army. That was our old Corps from the Solomons, but that Army formerly ran all troops in the New Guinea theatre. In May at Pabawagan we were attached to the 1st Corps (that is, our combat team).
Yes, I did receive my specs some time back. They came thru in perfect shape after some delay. Would appreciate receiving those pics of you and your gal. Write soon & often.
Your brother,
Vic
September 2, 1945
(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.)
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
