Aug 21st 1945

Hello Al,

Well youngster so I finally got a letter from you. For I was in great doubts what in the world became of you. For it has been so long since I heard from you that I was already beginning to give up hope of ever hearing from you. Then again as you stated, it took two months for my letter to catch up with makes the difference. I’m glad Albert honestly for dropping a line stating your affairs, I know that there’s times you don’t get ashore I realize it. I’m kind of glad to hear that you’re waiting for a relief to replace you. I understand and know your doings in the Pacific areas isn’t so easy, I suppose you’ve had plenty of stiff resistance from the Japs. No doubt is for the resistance stopped particularly in and around the areas of Manila. Well everything has its days to stop. I’ve completed sixteen months in and throughout Europe from Cherrabay up into Brno-Czechoslovakia, for it was a mighty tough drag from the beaches off Omaha, to Czechoslovakia before the further resistance stopped. And now I am in Plymouth, England waiting for a ship to take us back, most likely I figure that my duty will be state side from now on. Yes Al- I sail from Southampton England on Sunday morning Aug. twenty six for the states. And we get a 30-thirty day leave plus one months pay plus your subsistence which amounts to 19.50 cent a month for your 30 days leave. And then you get the choice of going back to the nearest receiving station were they assign you to state side duty at the nearest place to your home. That’s the new layout, the way the guys write back and told me, and honestly it’s the truth. They even pay your way home from whatever receiving station you embark from then they assign you with a 30-day leave. Plus your full rations of 4 weeks, plus your money that’s due to you, plus a full month’s pay in advance. Then you report to the nearest receiving station to your home town after your 30 days leave is over then they give you home base receiving station duty or in any other part of the state you want to go to. I’m going to get either Philly or Pittsburg duty. Shore patrol in fact, not like the duty we’ve been doing over here. The only place I ever did shore patrol in Europe was in Te-Havey France. But when the Nazis made the breaks through, in, and above Belgium, well, everybody was thrown into the Army lines to reinforce the Army. And boy o boy you should’ve seen that. Hell Al, we were part of the Army all the way up and throughout the fighting areas, left and right. The passing of the Rhine is the one I’ll never forget, because a bomb hit our ship and the darn drink was cold as ice. Boy o boy if you ever saw anybody swimming. You should have seen us guys. Hell, the water was cold and bullets were dropping all around us, boy it sure was tough. But things turned out great. There are lots I could say but I hate to ever think about it. I know darn well that you guys had plenty off hot times down your way also. There can’t be a war without hard times, regardless where it maybe. I know that the Limey and the Aussies are no good; I understand that. We have our trouble with them screwballs up here, but the Yanks always make them eat their words, something to remember the Yanks by. Glad to hear that you’re watching out for yourself. May you continue doing it until we meet again. Yes Al. I’ll probably be finished with my 30-day leave by the time you get this letter. I will be waiting for a reply from you. May the good God above watch and guide you safely throughout your duty, I remain your Uncle Andy so long and take care of yourself Al. Thanks for letting me know that everybody back home is in good condition. In fact I just received a letter from Harry stating that everything and everybody is in good spirits and the best of health, with the best of luck to you and me. That’s nice of them, may they continue doing good upon earth as they have been. Well, so long Al we’ll be seeing you in the states when you get back.

So long

P.S. Al, don’t answer this letter to me over here with the above address, because I’ll be in the States. So when you write, please write home to your mother because most likely I’ll be there reading your mail at home. My base duty will be either Philadelphia or Pittsburg; then again if Harrisburg is open I’ll like to do duty there instead of either one of the other mentioned places.

P.S. Al. Here’s what you get when you come home: a 30-day furloughs with subsistence, which amount to $19.50, plus a month’s pay in advance. Then all you do is pay your own way back to the nearest receiving base for shore duty in your own state, or for other duty or sea if you want it with its shore duty in another receiving station. Not bad that’s what the other guys are all getting. I was told by a fellow that went right before me. It concerns all Navy personal I’ll let you know more when I get in.