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


<- PREVIOUS LETTER March 22, 1945
Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines
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March 22, 1945

Philippines

Hello Ma:

      Received your letter of March 4th and the booklet about veterans' benefits. Received Phus's letter of March 7th. Also, the Easter and birthday cards from Kitty. January 22nd Newsweek received yesterday.

      I was sure surprised to hear that Fred Roussey got back so quick. I identified the shoes that Phus sent me as being mine because I recognized her signature and also the card was from Hutzler Bros., Balto. Besides, I remembered you at one time previously asking what size shoe I wore.

      I would like to have a one-year subscription to Popular Photography.

      Here is some good news for you. One boy in my squadron went home on rotation yesterday. He was overseas only 33 months, too.

      Today, I finally received a card measuring about 4 inches by 5 inches from the United States Armed Forces Institute for the completion of the course on "Aircraft Engines." It's not too bad as a certificate, and you can have it framed if you want to. I'll mail it to you as soon as I can find an envelope of the right size. I am still awaiting another such card for the completion of another course, "Elements of Mechanics."

      Enclosed are 16 pictures.

      Picture #1 - The stage where we see the movies and sometimes stage shows. The draperies are of old parachute silk or rayon.

      Picture #2 - Taken on the boat on the way to the Philippines. Shows the boys passing by the serving line, mess kit in hand, at lunchtime. The guy with his back to the camera works the spigot on the tea can.

      Picture #3 - The main street in the nearby town on Sunday morning. Most all of the people at this time of day are in church - Catholic. Sunday afternoon, this street is usually crowded with people either going or coming from the market or cockfights.

      Picture #4 - Laundry being done by the natives. Here on Sunday is where the fishing boats tie up. Cement steps go down to the water level. Just to the left of this scene would be found the marketplace. The building shown with the highest roof is where the cockfights are held.

      Picture #5 - A native outrigger canoe - fishing boat.

      Picture #6 - Native kids. A couple have overseas caps on their heads.

      Picture #7 - A Filipina girl on her way home.

      Picture #8 - A boy of my squadron and a Jap flag. If you look closely, you can maybe see Jap printing on it.

      Pictures #9, #10, and #11 are various shots of Catholic Churches here. I told you about #11 in a previous letter.

      The five remaining pictures are just scenery shots which you might like to see.

      Well, that's all for this letter - am O.K. - so, until next time -

Earl




"Fantasia" stage where U.S. troops enjoyed movies and shows in Leyte, Philippines. The curtains were made from parachute silk or rayon.




On the boat to Leyte, Philippines in 1944.




A main street in the Philippines on a Sunday morning, when most people were in church.




Laundry being done by natives at a river in Leyte, Philippines.




A group of native kids boys in Leyte, Philippines.



 
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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