WW II War Letters |
Alton "Oz" Grobbel, Private, US Army
Letter written on 16 July 1945 from Manila, Philippine Islands
Pvt. A.C. Grobbel 36487856
Co. #282, 17 Bn 1st Platoon
APO #711 c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.
Postmarked July 21, 1945
Manila, P. Isle.
Monday, July 16th
Dear Dad,
Sorry I haven't written sooner, but you know how it is getting
organized whenever you move into a new camp. About one more move
and we ought to be permanently settled. I suppose you probably
heard by now that I'm stationed in Manila. It's pretty nice
around but rather shall we say damp. The natives are really
friendly and the little kids are cute little devils. They're
friendly and always holler to us, "hubba-hubba Joe" or
"cigarette Joe?". I think that's all the English they
know. At one time I imagine this country was really beautiful but
they sure bombed the hell out of the city of Manila. It's typical
tropical climate around here so I leave it up to you to figure
out what I mean.
Leontine wrote and said that Vince was home. I imagine he had one
hell of a good time while home. He probably had quite a few
stories to tell. Boy, when we all get home there shall be one
hell of a big bull session at all times. The stories ought to be
big enough to fill a book, most likely a couple of books.
So Mom got home, I hear. How did she like California? Of what I
saw of the state, it's really quite pretty. She probably had a
lot of the fruit brought back with her. The oranges are really
good, I know that for sure. Remember how we used to swipe Mrs.
Hall's cherries? Well, that's how we got the oranges. They always
taste better that way, anyhow.
How's the city of Center Line these days? Much building going on
around now? I hear Vince Schimmel has been discharged. The lucky
stiff.
Have you heard from Bob lately? Every LST we passed I used to
look for me but no luck. Remember I told you about meeting up
with that fireman from Detroit? He's still here with me. It sure
is lonesome around here though. Not too much to do. We sleep in
big tents on cots. It's pretty nice, at least a heck of a lot
better than we expected. The chow is really good and man, there's
plenty of it.
It's getting pretty late Dad, so I'll be signing off for now.
Your son,
Alt.
PS Say hello to Mom and all the kids for me.
This site created and maintained by Mike Grobbel
This page may be freely linked to, however the content
may not be copied for republication without my consent .
Created: 01 May 2008
URL for this page is: http://misc.grobbel.org/warletters/oz16Jul1945.htm
visitors to Mike's pages since
May 24, 2004