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


<- PREVIOUS LETTER May 11, 1945
Floridablanca, Luzon, Philippines
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May 11, 1945

Philippines

Hello Ma:

      Received your letter of April 23rd containing a picture of Yvonne and also a painting by Yvonne of a flag. Thanks. Well, the war in Europe is over now or at least almost so. I guess that some of the infantry will come over here to give us a little help. I think that they will find the Japs a little bit different than the Germans as fighters. The Japs do not usually surrender when trapped, as do the Germans. So, Phyllis saw Jack Fink with six overseas stripes on his sleeve. I wonder just how much time he did have overseas in excess of the three-year period? Did you know that you can only wear a total of six such stripes and no more, no matter whether you had enough time over for a seventh or eighth stripe? I guess that Grandpop is glad to be working again. Does Gordon like his new position at Martin's? Did Uncle Bernhard get to see you over the weekend? [Possibly meaning Bernard Reinhalter (1889-?), his father’s brother. - Ed.] Today, I received a letter from Fred Roussey. He says that he is in Hawaii, awaiting transportation back to his base. Gus Fetting is still in Italy. Today, over the radio, the reporter announced a new point system which the Army has adopted in regards to being discharged from the service. If it's anything like the past such plans that the Army has adopted, it isn't worth the paper that it's printed on. Maybe it's just like the "Rotation Plan" was, it primarily being for home consumption. At the end of such written laws, the Army always adds a little notation which would probably be in small type. It says something like this ... "If, however, the combat conditions existing are such that it necessitates the retaining of certain types of skilled or trained personnel, these men will not be discharged, but will be held until said combat conditions permit their release."

      The radio commentator casually mentioned that Air Corps ground crew members were among such trained personnel. So, you see, this new point system is just meant to be some sort of a morale builder or something for us. We take it with a grain of salt. However, all men over 42 years of age will be released, the Army says. I think that there may be something to that.

      Well, we received another star for our South West Pacific ribbon. It seems that where we are now has been declared a separate campaign from that of my former Philippine base. We received a star, too, for that former base, as I told you previously.

      Well, Ma, that's about all for this time. Things are beginning to get routine here. No excitement anymore. Time is beginning to drag once again. I guess that it may be a little difficult for me to get accustomed to the dull civilian life after the war. Oh well - until sometime later -

Earl

      P.S. - Am all right as usual. You can give some of the enclosed Jap invasion money away as souvenirs if you want to.


 
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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