7^th July 1944

My own dear Father and Mother,

Time is rushing by and we are still fighting a bloody war that is gradually being won by the life blood of America – Where do we go from here and when will we get home are the two questions on the lips of all – The answer is very simple – When we win the war. So here we are in the Southwest Pacific on a beautiful tropical island with nothing but Jungles, [edited] and Japs – Where is this funny Island? What do we do? How do we live? Are we well and happy? Do we miss our homes and families? Is there any civilization on this island? Are there any forms of amusement? – These are likely a few of the questions you would like answered and I shall do my best to give you the answers:

First - I can only say that we are somewhere in the Southwest Pacific in the war zone whose life is something that we have at stake, in a beautiful island of dense jungles, mountains including an active volcano and rivers, swamps and mud, which make the going tough.

Second – We fight to kill, train to fight and fight to live. When we are not doing these things, we write letters, read, swim, hunt, fish, and see moving picture shows all out of doors – We like to be entertained so much that we will sit for hours in the pouring rain just to get a touch of civilization through pictures.

Third – We try to make our quarters as comfortable as is possible and they are made out of the greatest variety of things one could imagine – Log cabins with tents for roofing or quartered tin cans as shingles on split banana tree trunks laid in tile roof fashion – There are many ways of building shelter and I think all are used here. The furnishings are the most unique of all – there are more uses for wooden grocery boxes than you could ever dream of – An antique dealer would be in heaven here. There is nothing that Johnnie Doughboy can’t make or do – He is a most remarkable fellow.

Fourth – Outside of the usual wounds, cuts, sores from the jungle insects, we are in the pink and leading a healthy life – (to damn healthy) and we are happy when we know that all is well at home. At least as happy as can be under the circumstances.

Fifth – No one could ever miss home more than I do and when ones family is as dear to one as mine – Yes you are right – but that is why I keep going and whenever I’m out in enemy territory sleeping (at least trying to sleep) in the mud – I think of what a swell family I have and I live and relive those good old days many times – then wonder what each one of you are doing and picture you doing it or whatever I think you are doing – I get more fun out of that and can live with each one of you that way.

Sixth – This island is teeming with civilization – all one has to do is listen to the many birds, crickets, frogs and insects – They are the only civilized people or I should say form of life – We are the barbaric, wild men of the jungles disturbing their peace – We are as far from being civilized as one can guess – Even the Indian savages as we called them were more civilized than we – Who are we to judge anyway and what do we set up as an example? War is nothing but damn foolishness and proves nothing except that man still holds greed, foolish jealousy and hatred in his makeup rather than love, understanding, education and generosity. Until man can learn and live these things, there will always be war.

Seventh – There are many forms of amusement – To live is one, to be able to write to you is another and when I go to sleep I enjoy dreaming of the best family in the world and all the good times we have had together and all the good times that are ahead of us. This war won’t last forever and when we win and all this nightmare is a thing of the past we can get together and make life worthwhile. Elizabeth and I are going to have a ranch in Oregon and live – We will want you to come out and enjoy living with us.

Goodnight and may God bless you – I love you to pieces and miss you all terribly.

Lovingly,

Willard