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


<- PREVIOUS LETTER September 13, 1945
Atsugi Airfield, Honshu, Japan
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Sept. 13, 1945

Atsugi Airfield,
Honshu,
Japan.

Hello Ma:

      Received your letters of Aug. 25th & 27th. Am glad that you finally received my skates and the Philippine slippers. They were made by a guerrilla in Leyte, P.I. They make good souvenirs. Wear them if you like - if they fit, that is. Today, the Army counted up the points once again. I now have 77 for a score. My squadron had the campaign star for the Ryukyus taken away. It seems that we didn't get there soon enough. Getting bombed every night didn't mean anything, so says the Army "big-shots." I do not want you to send me any Christmas gifts this year. I would rather have the gifts next March or April when I get home than have to take a chance of receiving them before I leave the country of Japan. So, save them for me. Naturally, do not get anything that would spoil during the awaited months. I soon will have 28 months overseas to my credit. Strange to say - it doesn't seem that long to me. It seems like only a short time ago that I landed in Brisbane, Australia. Time did, however, drag by rather slowly while in New Guinea. You asked me what I wanted for Christmas. Don't you think that it would be a good idea to wait until I get home; and then maybe, I will need some civilian-type clothing. I cannot think of anything else that I need right now anyway. What do you think? Most of the other boys are asking their parents not to send them anything. There are about 45 boys in my squadron who have 77 points for a score. We think that we will get home sometime next spring. The Army works so fast, you know, ironically speaking, that is. I am glad that the Congress is finally waking up to the fact that the Army is messing up the discharge of its soldiers. The layoff at Martin's was to be expected. I guess that by this time, Yvonne is back at school. Hope that she likes her teachers and new subjects.

      Now then, in connection with Christmas presents: I want you all to get whatever you want for yourselves (from me to you) as Christmas presents. In addition, I want you to send Christmas presents to my following friends in the Philippines:

      I. Susana Radaza,
            San Pablo Burauerr, [probably meaning San Pablo Burauen - Ed.]
              Leyte,
            Philippine Islands.

      II. Effie Radaza,
            San Pablo Burauerr,
              Leyte,
            Philippine Islands.

      III. Carmen Espirra,
            San Pablo Burauerr,
              Leyte,
            Philippine Islands.

      IV. Beatriz Tolentino [a.k.a. "Betty" - Ed.],
            51 San Jose Street,
            San Fernando,
            Pampanga,
            Luzon,
            Philippine Islands.

      V. Marciano Yap,
            51 San Jose Street,
            San Fernando,
            Pampanga,
            Luzon,
            Philippine Islands.

      VI. Ludy Sison,
            81 San Jose Street,
            San Fernando,
            Pampanga,
            Luzon,
            Philippine Islands.

      VII. Estelita Sison,
            81 San Jose Street,
            San Fernando,
            Pampanga,
            Luzon,
            Philippine Islands.

      For all of the girls (Susanna, Effie, Carmen, Beatriz, Ludy, and Estelita), I would like you to get a cosmetic set for each. Should include lipstick, powder, rouge, and cologne. Make the six cosmetic sets all alike. This will prevent one from thinking that another received a better present than she. Filipina girls get jealous very easy - I know. I would like you to get Marciano Yap a subscription to either Newsweek or Time. He is a lawyer employed by the Filipino government - one of the smartest Filipinos that I met. I will send you the money to pay for all of my Christmas presents, to you and my other friends, just as soon as I get paid. I now have two months' pay due me. Well, so much for the Christmas and presents concerned.

      About an hour ago, I had a lot of fun sitting in the cockpit of a Jap fighter plane and running up the 1,800-horsepower engine. We fixed it up to taxi around in it. They will not let anyone fly it, officers or enlisted men. I just finished drinking my second bottle of Jap beer. Bottles are much larger than our ordinary 12 oz. bottles. Pretty strong stuff, too. I hate whiskey or gin. Yesterday, I received two shots - one for cholera and the other for bubonic plague.

      Enclosed is a Squadron Pulse, a picture of two of [John] Hutchins' sisters (one on the right is married), and a picture of me (with negative). [These items are no longer in the envelope. However, all of the Squadron Pulse newsletters have been collected from other sources and can be found on the Squadron Pulse page. - Ed.] Incidentally, I could use some film about now. Send me either sizes 620, 120, 616, or 116. I can always borrow a camera from one of the other boys for any size other than 620. Also enclosed is a Dutch guilder (worth 53˘). This type of money is used in Dutch New Guinea.

      Well, Ma, that is about all for this letter. That is the news up to date. So, until next time -

Earl

      P.S. The Jap kids all seem not to be afraid of us now.
            [Also, our A.P.O. number has not changed yet.]


 
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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