Letter from Mindinao P.I. 1945
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Letter from Mindinao P.I. 1945
Recently I was going through some old family stuff looking for any information I could find on my grandfather who served in the Pacific theatre. I found this letter written to his parents on August 15,1945:
(some words may be offensive)
Well Folks,
I hear this mans war is over, thats mighty fine news, we have some nips up here in the mountains that don't like the idea at all. Personally, I don't think it is very wise to even bother with them. If one more American boy is even scratched I'll lose all my reasoning power, and I haven't much to start with. The only thing I want is to come home, to hell with everything else. A job and a damn good letting alone by all outsiders. There are a very precious few things to do. You will please see that I have at my disposal an automobile with plenty of gas and oil for a few days, If my brother doesn't take care of that.
By the way, I forgot to tell you about my gettina Bronze star, I don't deserve it and that is a fact. But, You know how it is, I always did get all of the breaks.
Oh I know what you are thinking, you thing I haven't been being very careful, but you are very wrong.
When ever I do come home don't be sitting by a telephone waiting for a ring, I am just going to walk in. Theres no cause for celebrating. Of course, we're glad its over but too many have paid too great a price to be happy about a damn thing. I guess that doesn't sound very nice and I am sorry but that is just how I feel.
My whole family is what I want and I have the personal satisfaction of knowing that I have a fighting mob behind and beside me.(of course about half the time we're fighting each other).
So, What? the worst is yet to come. When you win a war and have to wait an eternity to go home its hell. My Brother will tell you about that I don't know whether or not I'll be about able to stand up under this or not. I'll try like hell.
So tell my wife and kids I won't be writing anymore. I just can't do it again and again. I think about nothing but landing in Frisco. So long Mom, Love Earl
This letter gave me a whole new view of my grandfather and I hope there are others who are as effected by it as I was. Thanks Gramps!!!!!
Jenni Winkler
(some words may be offensive)
Well Folks,
I hear this mans war is over, thats mighty fine news, we have some nips up here in the mountains that don't like the idea at all. Personally, I don't think it is very wise to even bother with them. If one more American boy is even scratched I'll lose all my reasoning power, and I haven't much to start with. The only thing I want is to come home, to hell with everything else. A job and a damn good letting alone by all outsiders. There are a very precious few things to do. You will please see that I have at my disposal an automobile with plenty of gas and oil for a few days, If my brother doesn't take care of that.
By the way, I forgot to tell you about my gettina Bronze star, I don't deserve it and that is a fact. But, You know how it is, I always did get all of the breaks.
Oh I know what you are thinking, you thing I haven't been being very careful, but you are very wrong.
When ever I do come home don't be sitting by a telephone waiting for a ring, I am just going to walk in. Theres no cause for celebrating. Of course, we're glad its over but too many have paid too great a price to be happy about a damn thing. I guess that doesn't sound very nice and I am sorry but that is just how I feel.
My whole family is what I want and I have the personal satisfaction of knowing that I have a fighting mob behind and beside me.(of course about half the time we're fighting each other).
So, What? the worst is yet to come. When you win a war and have to wait an eternity to go home its hell. My Brother will tell you about that I don't know whether or not I'll be about able to stand up under this or not. I'll try like hell.
So tell my wife and kids I won't be writing anymore. I just can't do it again and again. I think about nothing but landing in Frisco. So long Mom, Love Earl
This letter gave me a whole new view of my grandfather and I hope there are others who are as effected by it as I was. Thanks Gramps!!!!!
Jenni Winkler