August 12, 1945 (to Marion Sneen)

Luzon, P.I.

Aug. 12, 1945

Dear Miss. Marion –

Didn’t get to write you before I left on my 3 day pass, so guess this Sunday morning lull is a perfect opportunity. I’m sitting in the U.S.O. club at the Manila Leave Center where I’m staying. Just got rid of three cups of steaming coffee & several doughnuts. I was hungry cuz I slept thru breakfast. Anyway this is one of those well known “morning-afters” when a guy needs a bracer.

Marion – we just got the big news of Russia’s entering the war and also about the peace negotiations. Doesn’t it sound too good to be true?! If it’s true and this is the end of the long nightmare, about a month from now I’ll start to believe it. Of course I’m not feeling myself – even if the fighting does end there’s got to be occupational troops. And you know who’s going to get stuck with that nasty little assignment don’t you? You don’t? Well I don’t either, but I’m just unlucky enough to be one of the chosen many. Oh well – at least if the bullets stop flying now while I’m still whole I know I’ll be back to live all those pleasant moments I’ve been day-dreaming about for so long.

The other Lt. – Chuck – & I dated a couple of nurses last evening. We went dancing at a night club called Cielito Lindo on the outskirts of Manila. It’s one of the few spots that wasn’t hurt by the shelling. Wish you could have seen it – a beautiful terrace & patio with all types of flowers and palms – a swimming pool – fountains, etc. It was used as a Jap officers club when they were here & was a private club before the war. The band is tope – as good as anything back home. They play lots of rumba & tango music – ah yes they also had a little floor show. Of course with inflation at it’s worst here it cost us a young fortune – it was worth it cuz we did have a good time.

It was fun to date a white girl again after so many months. I have to laugh tho the way these gals over here act. They are so much in the minority over here that naturally they’re rushed to death. Gals you wouldn’t look twice at back home are social butterflies over here. The two little “queens” we had last night were good company tho – I mean they ended all their adverbs with “ly” & knew how to hold an intelligent conversation. That’s all I wanted anyway – and you can get those eyebrows down right this minute young lady.

You know that formal beginning was just in case I haven’t written you often enough to stay on your good side – honest Marion it’s not that I’m not thinking of you but there’s nothing much to jabber about. And right now Chuck is on my neck & wants to go to chow. Writecha when I get back to camp. Till then – here’s my love – “Reserved”

Dip

P.S. see you soon, eh?