September 15, 1945

Luzon, P.I.

Sept. 15, 1945

Dear Mom & Dad –

No I’m not on my way home – thought maybe you’d think so, seeing as I haven’t written for about 10 days. Don’t worry – when I’m coming you’ll know about it. I won’t just come ‘round the corner whistling the way I did the one time.

It certainly seems like ages ago since I took those miners up to Cp. McCoy & stole home for a couple of days. And I thought I was an Army veteran then. Now it seems like I was born an army brat & just never got off the post.

I guess you read about the new point system for officers. Company grade officers (that includes me) need a total of 85 pts. for discharge – I now have 89. That’s 4 points more than I need. Looks nice in print doesn’t it – but I can’t get home on paper. Some of us still have to occupy Japan & we’re the ones that are stuck. None of we Div. officers are getting out now, but we’re all hoping for some replacements when we get where we’re going. If I’m real lucky we’ll all get together & celebrate my next birthday – that’s about as soon as I can make it.

Did I tell you we got our monthly beer ration again. This time it amounted to two cases per man & Budweiser at that. Mighty good on these sweaty tropical nights.

The rainy season still prevails. It rains without fail every day for an hour or two – usually right after supper.

We’re not training at all right now – instead we’re busy packing & crating. We do still have a little close order drill each day to keep the boys looking sharp for the Nips.

I read that the boys are being treated very well in Japan, so I don’t exactly dislike the trip. Guess it’ll be nice to see the conquered land now while we’re so close.

We still play volleyball each afternoon to keep in shape. Ah yes I’m learning a new sport too – you’d never guess it so I’ll tell you – horseshoes. Don’t laugh – it’s really lots of fun.

I keep wondering about the Gophers this year & what kind of a team they’ll have. I read once that Bernie B. was coming back to coach them, but since then have heard of his coaching some All Star team. What’s the latest football dope?

Dad – I’m glad you suggested that I wait ‘till I got home to buy a V-8, cuz I was just on my way to Manila to get one. I was going to get one complete with pontoons, so I could drag it along behind the ship. In the meantime be looking around for my little “31” roadster – maybe I’ll but it back for $70. I bought it for $60 & sold it for $50, so that price ought to be right considering inflation. No – I’ll naturally want a better car when I get back, but I know I’ll never get one I’ll enjoy any more. I sold lots of fond memories along with that little jalopy.

I see by the clipping you’re still burning up the links & upholding County Club’s honors in the Senior League. Your game really seems to be improving with age – gosh, by the time you’re 45 you’ll be giving Snead & Nelson some competition.

I’m going to catch h--- from the Jordans one of these days soon. I haven’t written for a month. It’s funny how the days slip by before you realize it. Anyway I must get busy right now & write them.

Hope you’re all OK at home – your letters are coming thru regularly & fairly fast. One of these days soon our mail will be cut off ‘till after the move – don’t worry about the little lapse of time. G’by for now.

Love, Dorance

Manila, P.I.

Sept. 15, 1945

Dear Marion –

I’m in town again for the weekend – this time on a detail. I’m in charge of 165 boys from the Artillery who are here on a 2 day pass. I have to get them here, see that they have a place to eat & sleep, and then get them back to camp tomorrow. It’s like trying to pick up quick-silver keeping tab on all of them. All the details are taken care of now, & all the boys are in town probably getting pleasantly ossified. Hope they keep out of trouble. Oh me, what a headache.

I plan to take in the boxing matches tonight at Rizal Colosseum. The 38th Div. is pitted against some Service Command outfit – naturally I’ll pull for the fightin’ soldiers. I’d like to stay for the football game tomorrow afternoon, but our trucks leave right at kickoff time.

Say young lady when are you going to get rid of that pesky undergarment? Anything wrong or did the doctors just guess wrong on the expected date of removal? Certainly hope it’s the latter. You better take care of yourself from now on – that’s a direct order.

Yes, I think I’d know Dick Ramstack if I saw him, but as yet I haven’t. He probably had his 3 day pass during the week, & I usually only get in on Sat. & Sun. Would like to see him.

I was surprised to hear that the Spring Park Casino burned down. Too bad – would liked to have gone back just to recapture a few old memories.

(Just ran into that word “incubus” again – gee, that’s a dilly! Where the devil d’ja pick that one up – had to consult Webster before I knew what you were talking about.)

You say “Oh, my aching back!” Over here it’s, “My bleedin’ back!”

Although my 89 points are 4 more than the critical score for officers I’m afraid I’m not going to get the nod from Uncle Sam for a few months yet. None of the Div. officers are getting out ‘till sometime after the move to Japan. When we get there & if things go smoothly, we may get some consideration. We can only sweat it out & hope.

In a way I’m sort of looking forward to seeing Japan, because it’ll probably be my only chance to ever see the orient. It’s much better than sitting here in the Philippines bored to tears. It’s hard to keep up the morale now that the war is over & everyone is thinking of home. The move will do us all good. (And anyway I hear the GIs in Tokio are being served breakfast in bed.)

Rumors are the vogue these quiet nights around camp. Everyone assembles in our little tent (cuz it’s the nicest in the Bn. as I’ve bragged before) & discusses the latest ones over a cold bottle of Budweiser (we just got our ration). One rumor has the 25th parading in Wash, D.C. on Dec. 7th, the Pearl H. Anniversary. Of course no one believes these tales, but it’s fun to talk about them & dream. everyone is grasping for straws these days. Have you any good ones to contribute?

Marion – have any of the boys returned from E.T.O. or other theaters lately? I haven’t heard from any of them for so long that I thought they might be on the way home. I imagine Lee will be stuck out here for awhile like me.

Funny thing happened this afternoon – a big bloated (& stinkin’) Jap came floating down the Pasig River right thru Manila. I was standing on the shore as it came by – the odor was terrific. Can’t figure out where it came from unless one of the strays committed sideways when he heard about the surrender.

I’m learning a new sport now – don’t laugh – it’s horseshoes. It’s really surprising how much fun it is. Takes a lot of skill to get them to open up just at the right time to hit the stake. Ever try it? Our favorite pastime is still volleyball – we have 3 or 4 games every P.M.

Well Marion, gotta go – no, silly, not that – to eat! Remember take care of yourself & be careful of vinegar & other jugs. So long now. Write soon.

Love, Dip

P.S. Who’s this guy who’s been writing you those “Do not open until” letters? I know nothing about it. Hmmm.