Saturday, April 19, 2014

April 19, 1944 - Letter from Cape Gloucester


Dear Mother & All,

I am writing you V-mail again today only because my time is limited & don't think I could get in a regular letter but will do so tomorrow.  I'm still fine & hope you are all the same.

Had three letters today, and was certainly glad to get them, two from you and a V-mail from W.D. Hope your Easter was a nice one & bet that was an awfully nice sunrise service & only wish that I could have been there.

Guess that's about all for now -
all my love,
Son

(Click Here For Full Size)

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

April 2, 1944 - Cape Gloucester

Daddy arrives at Cape Gloucester, New Britain as part of the 41st Replacement Battalion on April 2, 1944.  He could not recall, when asked in the interview my sister conducted with him, his exact duties when he first arrived on the islands as part of the replacement battalion.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

December 1943 to May 1944 : 12th Defense Battalion on Cape Gloucester

The light antiaircraft artillery of the 12th Defense Battalion on the deck of an LST approaching Cape Gloucester, New Britain, is poised to fire on Japanese aircraft. Department of Defense photo (USMC) 71623

By late March 1944, Daddy was still considered as part of the 41st Replacement Battalion, but was on his way to Cape Gloucester (arrived April 2, 1944.)  The 12th Defense Battalion, as part of the 1st Marine Division, had been there since the invasion on December 26, 1943.