July 4, 1945

Western Pacific

Dear Father,

Fourth of July in former years was a bit noisy. So far this day has been quiet. But the Japs may pull a Doctor Pepper on us tonight and make up for the otherwise quiet day. I imagine that when gunpowder is again to be had the kids will start fighting the Battle of the Pacific. For my part [edited for content] one of those [edited for content] Probably before it is through I will have seen a couple [edited for content] pants.

I have been wondering if the Harvard Alumni News stops publishing in March because that was the last Issue I have received so far. I reckon that I’ll have to get after them pretty soon. That was about the only way I could keep track of some of the old boys. The other day I wrote to Philip Brooks House to see if they knew of any more boys at this APO. I don’t know what the system on the Marines addresses is so I’ll just have to sweat them out myself.

Last evening one of our trucks got stuck out in the hills a few miles away. The other mechanic and myself with a Tech Sergeant went out in a truck to see about getting it out. We got the truck out and in quick order so we had a bit of daylight to fool around in. The other boy had an M-1 rifle, which we took along. I managed to get off two clips at a tree about 300 yards away. We didn’t go over to look over the target but several times we could see stuff fly. The old Gerand is a swell rifle for my money. I much prefer it to the lighter Carbine. You can make a believer out of an old boy at a healthy distance. I just wish that tree had been a Jap. Then I would be cutting notches in the stoves. Or maybe painting a Jap flag on the barrel. Oh yes I also found a rugged hunting knife. It is a bit rusty but with a little work, I’ll have a fair weapon.

The laundry is still operating. In a period of 10 days of wash I have made a sum equal to half of the intake in the summer of 1943. This time I am keeping a mound of the day by day intake.

The other day I sent off $10 to the Washington Mutual Savings Bank in Seattle. That I believe makes 224. The two in NYC besides this one are the only ones outside New England. I haven’t heard from the Portland or Tacoma outfits yet.

In view of the fact that this is July, things are pretty hot. In fact is it getting rough urinating. I drink as much as possible because the business of stones in the bladder does not appeal to me. I know now why you could stand so much heat after Texas. This place is about as hot as San Antonio. Thank God that I am not along the Equator.

John