Based on the letters of Earl Philip Reinhalter (1922-1953). Edited by his son, Earl Philip Reinhalter (1950-).


<- PREVIOUS LETTER April 23, 1944
Saidor, New Guinea
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      April 23, 1944

Somewhere in New Guinea

Hello Ma:

      Well, since my last letter to you, there hasn't been much in the way of mail coming into my squadron. I received three birthday cards, one each from Phus, Kitty, and Yvonne. The other night, I borrowed an M.P.'s motorcycle and rode it around the base for about an hour until it got dark. It was a pretty dusty ride, but it was some fun anyway. The boys all pitched in and bought a Coca-Cola-making machine. So, now we get about one or two canteen cups full of Coca-Cola per day. The machine costs about $1,300.00, I believe. [That’s about $19,308 in 2020 dollars. - Ed.] Did you receive the snapshots yet? I stopped writing to Margie. She was beginning to get too serious, if you know what I mean, and I am not for that. I want to go places and do things after the war. Well, it's been eleven months now. Nine to go before I will be eligible to return to the States. [This is incorrect. In his January 17, 1944, letter, he said: “A new law has just been passed by Congress which states that after eighteen months of overseas service, Army personnel will be sent back to the States.” Eighteen minus eleven is seven, not nine. - Ed.] Well, this is just a short note to let you know that I am O.K. Life is becoming monotonous. I guess I have stayed at this base too long. The Jap planes don't come over anymore. Life is very dull. So, until next time -
Earl


 
NOW AVAILABLE AS A KINDLE BOOK!

The Kindle book includes the letters; all 23 issues of the unit’s wartime newsletter “The Squadron Pulse,” which was originally edited by Leonard Stringfield; all 12 issues of the “Pennant Parade” newsletter that Stringfield published while sailing home after the war; complete text of the U.S. government booklet “Pocket Guide to Australia,” which soldiers heading Down Under were given to read; more than 200 photos; pre-war and postwar family history; and over 700 explanatory endnotes.









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