May 13, 1945 (Mother's Day)

Air Mail From Dip

Philippines

May 13, 1945

Happy Day Mother!

This is the day I’d like to be home to help you celebrate. Church in the morning, a long Sunday aft. ride, supper out, and then maybe a good show at the State, Minnesota, or Orpheum. It’s early we might as well stop at Elmer & Esther’s and take some money away from them in a poker game. Oh me – I’m just dreaming now but shouldn’t be long before it’ll all be a reality.

Now that the European war is over, all attention ought to be focused on this theater over here. No doubt we’ll get lots of help. I can’t help but think tho that it’ll still be the end of the war that’ll see me out of the army or back to the States. There are a lot of boys over there who have a lot less time, both in the army & overseas, than I. But considering the situation I’m afraid those over there are in the driver’s seat as far as discharges go. Of course lots of them will come over here to help out, but the fact still remains that their fight is over & ours isn’t.

Our Division has been in continuous combat for 4 straight months now – one of the longest stretches of continuous combat of any outfit in history. I guess we don’t get much publicity, but it has been a long hard go. Don’t know how much longer before we get relief. The doughboys are sure tuckered out and should have a rest soon. I guess Armies don’t figure & reason the way an individual does – to them it’s all a matter of a “mission.”

We have moved up another few thousand yards since I last wrote you, however, we’re pretty well settled again and not too overworked. All our guns are pushed nose-in to a big hill – we have to fire all high-angle which I’ll explain to you someday. The officers quarters is a rectangular bulldozed hole about 10’ x 30’ stacked & reinforced with sandbags on all sides – tarp over the top. We all have cots to sleep on which we procured by “moonlight requisition.” They’re not issued you know – to the combat troops while they’re fighting. The way we figure is that any fool can be uncomfortable.

I see by Cedric that Mpls. just doesn’t want to warm up & the spring is pretty delayed. It’ll probably pop out all of a sudden one of these May days.

Say Dad for gosh sakes your 78 score on your first game really amazed me. Told all the boys around here & they all think you must be a professional. I still don’t see how you did it – sure that wasn’t 9 holes? I remember on my first session each year I couldn’t even hit the ball let alone hit it straight.

Surprised to hear about Lesch’s marriage – I’ll have to write him if I get a chance. No, he never did write me.

Had a letter from Dorothy & she enclosed a picture of Nancy & Larry taken on his birthday. Gee – those two kids are really cute & have they grown! I’m certainly anxious to get home & see them.

Just purchased a pair of combat boots from the Q.M. With all the rain we’re getting now, one needs boots to cope with all the mud.

Well I can’t think of any more to jabber about except that I’m still in good health & miss you all very much. And hope I’ll be back soon. Take care of yourselves. Hope Dot & Arlo get to Mpls. soon. G’bye.

Love, Dorance

Philippines

May 13, 1945

Dear Marion –

Happy Mother’s Day – yeah I know, but at least you can wish your Mom one for me. I just wrote mine & told her how much I’d like to be home this day. I’ll tell you the same - & not only for this day but for always.

The last time I wrote you I was at the air-strip enjoying life. Since then I’ve been up front sweating out the yellow b------ and am now back in the battery for a few days. No rest for the wicked Marion. You can’t imagine though how much this rough life is going to make me enjoy every minute I’m awake when I’m back home. If you ever catch me grumbling about a thing, Marion, I hope you’ll give me a good swift kick.

Well, how does the world look to you now that Germany is out of the war & the world is half free. It means that a lot of those young males that were so scarce will be back home again. I can mention one tho that will probably have to sweat out the end of this fray over here. I’ve been in the army & overseas longer than the average man in Europe, but as I look at it, those boys in Europe who have the job done will be sitting in the driver’s seat for discharges. Oh well – at least we’ll get lots of help over here soon. Wish we had it right now & here.

Did you know that our Division the 25th has the record of one of the longest stretches of continuous combat in history. We’ve been at it now for 120+ days without rest. The doughboys are getting mighty tired & low in spirits – we ought to get some kind of relief soon.

Was pretty tickled to find three big letters from you when I got back this time Nothing like it to cheer a guy up. Thanks.

I especially got a big laugh out of the one from all the girls. I could just see by the “mood” of the different notes that you were all riding high & having a big time. You mentioned that you had a wonderful time, but were good girls. Listen, gal, you don’t have to try to convince me about that – I’m not the doubting or suspicious type. You forget that I knew all those girls pretty well before I went away & I know they can go out & raise a little hell without getting into trouble. If I didn’t think so, do you spose I’d be spending all this time, ink, & paper? Are you straight now? O.K. that almost sounds like a reprimand – didn’t mean it that way. We’ll have to have a long discussion on morals some day – an interesting subject, but it doesn’t write well. Write?

My Dad writes & tells me that he opened the golf season with a sizzling 78. Isn’t that amazing? I wrote back & asked him if that score wasn’t for 9 holes. Gosh, I’m like you, & have a h--- of a time hitting the ball the first time out.

You asked me about some of the fellow officers I’ve mentioned. Here’s the line-up:

Mac = Capt. McQueeney my B.C.

Tony = Lt. Serrianna – a fellow officer in our battery.

Lt. Pichette – Exec. of our battery

Lt. Eckroth – an officer from the Bn. who I chummed with in New Zealand – he’s from Mandan, N.D. or was it S.D.?

Well, Marion, on account-a I can’t think of anything else to jabber about right now, I’ll have to say so long.

You can tell all the galfriends how much I enjoyed their friendly notes – if I had time I’d write them all & tell ‘em myself, but I haven’t so will you? Give them all my love too, and incidently you can short-stop a little for yourself.

G’bye now, Dip

P.S. I know how your brother Marv feels.

(Now can I have the key?)