September 9, 1945 (to Marion Sneen)

Manila Leave Center

Luzon, P.I.

Sept. 9, 1945

Hi Marion –

Yup I’m in that shot-up town of Manila again. It’s Sunday afternoon – just thot I’d pause here in the R.C. and say hello to ya. I have about an hour before chow time.

Sure wish you were here we’d go out dancing tonight at Cielito Lindo’s or Ciro’s – They’re the two nicest. Of course if you want lots of room to dance & a good band we could go out to Santa Anna – it’s very much like Excelsior only twice or thrice as large. But seeing as I don’t guess you can make it I’m going back to my lonely camp right after chow. It’s a three hour ride from here to Tarlac where I’m stationed.

(There’s a boy at the piano playing some beautiful classical numbers. He’s really good. Amazing the talent you find in these Red Cross Canteens.)

I just came back from the football game at Rizal Stadium. It was the same type of game as last week – there wasn’t one good run all afternoon because the field again was a sea of mud. Score: 0 to 0 – very boring.

Marion – have you seen anyone wearing our Div. shoulder patch around town yet? It’s really a beauty – a deep red Tarro leaf (Hawaiian) with a gold border & a gold streak of lightning though the middle. Like so:

It denotes Tropical Lightning Division. We’ve never had a patch up ‘till now, so we’re much impressed. We’re supposed to wear them on the left shoulder of all our shirts & jackets, but they’ve only issued 3 so far – expect we’ll get more. After all we have to look our best for the Nips.

Our training is over now, except for close order drill and spit & polish – they want a military & snappy occupational army. In our spare time we’re packing & crating.

Did you see the announcement about a point system for officers? According to the papers & radio a 1st Lt. needs 85 pts. to be eligible – your’s truly has 89. Looks nice on paper doesn’t it? But don’t let that figure fool ya. I’m still in the Pacific and on the way to Japan so I know it’ll be a while yet before they catch me. The lucky ones are those in the States & those coming back from E.T.O.

Well Marion, I don’t have one of your letters to answer, so I’ll have to wait ‘till I get back to camp & look in the mailbox. I’m sorta out of news right now. Maybe in a month I’ll have much more to talk about. And when I get home – well, that’s another story. Gee, Marion, we’ve got a lot of catching-up to do when I get back – just think of all the “Sat. nites” we’re behind.

Keep you fingers crossed for me & maybe I’ll get a lucky break or something. And be good. G’bye.

Love, Dip