Moss Letters

WWII Letters

9 December 1944

Dear Folks:

Instead of getting closer to home as I would like to, I’m going farther away.  I know you have probably been anxious since you haven’t heard from me for sometime and I’ve been equally as anxious to write you and let you know everything is alright with me.  Now I’m in the Philippines.  Pretty hot here in more ways than one.  But the most annoying aspect is the rain – it seems to rain all the time and everything is always damp.  However I’m now living in a pyramidal tent which is much better than a pup tent.  There are native Filipinos all around the area.  A few of them have stories about guerilla fighting and how the Japs treated them. And they are always bargaining for something–rations, clothes, matches, etc.  The people seem very small and their grass huts are built in proportion to their size. But I’m not much in the mood to write a newsy letter – the main thing is to let you know that I’m fine and the prospects are pretty good.  Our first night here we got a Fourth of July welcoming and much of it was spent in a foxhole.  Jumping in a foxhole together with the rain isn’t enjoyable, but I can’t complain when I think of the infantry fellows who are up there taking it without even the small conveniences we have.  The trip here had me worried a couple of times when the air raid sounded, but we got in without an attack.  If you are reading about this place you know what the Japs are doing to hold it and its no quarter fight on both sides.  The best thing that happened when we first got here was mail.  It was waiting – first class and a package from you – you don’t know how comforting they were.  The package had chicken in it and it was a good supplement to the K rations – and the pretzels went good with some beer we managed to ship over in an office box.  And then I had a letter from Dad and Mom and a card from Reader’s Digest about the subscription.  Would you write them and advise them of my new APO?

WelI thought I’d write this V-mail first for it might get to you a little sooner, but I’ll write again soon and give you more dope.  The siren might sound again at any time and then I’ll have to put the light out and won’t be able to finish.  So adios for this time.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

20 November 1944

Dear Folks:

I’ve let up on my writing this week for no good reason, so I better resolve to do something about it tonight.  I’ll pull up a bottle of beer and maybe I can think a little better.  Dan Gettman came in just a few minutes ago, bringing with him an armful of Star Heralds that I was anxious to read.  I glanced over them briefly but will read them more carefully tomorrow.  The latest one is dated September 8 so the news isn’t very current although it’s all interesting.  Yesterday four old Free Presses caught up with (the mail) and I’ve still got them stuck under my pillow to read over a few times more before they find their way into the wastebasket.  Well getting papers means also that some packages, the first in several months, came, and I received one from you marked Box 1 on the cards.  The popcorn was the first I’ve seen since leaving Oahu, and tonight we plan to pop it after the show, if we can mooch a little butter from the kitchen.  We have a small one burner stove that we cook on when the kitchen isn’t operating, and I think the pot will be large enough to do the job.  And for supper tonight I enjoyed the olives.  You know how I love ‘em, and of course I almost made a meal of them.  The mess sergeant just came by and said I could get the butter so we’re set.  On the humorous side, the can of Vienna sausages has made me the brunt of several jokes.  You see Vienna sausages are about as common on the menu as Spam, and served as often.  And knowing the jokes connected with Spam you can see what they’ve been saying to me.  But then you couldn’t know about that.  But that’s alright you know I can still use them.  Quite a sizable shipment of boxes came in so everyone is enjoying eats of some kind or another.

Had a letter from Bill E and one from Glen last week and both of them seemed to like the high life they saw in Paris.  At least those guys over there are around people that are about like us and not so foreign to them as the Japs.  I see a Jap plane is to be displayed at the County Fair-I wished you would have seen all the ones I did, wrecked ones, that is.

Saw the show “Bathing Beauty” last night and if you saw it too you know the howling that must have gone on.  I’d like to see more like it-no army or war in it.  Two nights ago a military band came over for a concert, but they were a pretty sick crew in my estimation.

I don’t know what I’m going to write about now, not much exciting has happened.  Washed out some clothes and other ‘unmentionables’ as the women say, and then after supper went up to hear the news.  From the Philippine station, I heard mention of Arthur Veysey, who used to report for the Star Herald now with the AP, I believe.  I can imagine how tonight the guys down there are having it and I hope it is ended before long.  Noticed in the Star Herald that Shirley Heldt is married, she had weak knees over J. Conklin for a time.  Haven’t played much bridge lately, but would like to get going again.  Our cards are getting pretty do-eared, but as long as we don’t lose one we’ll be alright.  Pinochle seems to be the big game around here but I’m not interested in it very much.  You should get two bonds sometime in November for September and October-they have a new deal on now-sent only when we get paid so if they don‘t come for a month you will know I didn’t get paid.  Think I’ll get a couple of GI bonds too.  Haven’t heard from Dick for some time-I’ll have to get on him and make him write a little.  Would certainly like to see him again.  About a week ago we started giving classes in shorthand to the clerks, but I don’t think the effort will be successful.  It takes too long and requires too much practice.  Don’t use mine much anymore but dabble around once in a while.  Was reading in the Star Herald about the university courses-sounds good and how I’d like to be in some of it.  I’ll bet I wouldn’t do any fooling around this time and I‘d get down to brass tacks.  I didn’t loaf while I was there but I’d get more done the next time.  The last few days have been corkers-rained all the time-got everything damp and put mud all over.  Aired out a few things today so they won’t mold.

I guess this is the last act-can’t dig up anything more so guess I’ll have to quit.  Think I’ve put on a pound or two lately and feel fine.  Keep the home fires burning and in church every Sunday when they pray, you add ‘and I hope he gets a furlough’.  Thank you so much for the box, and I hope the next ones won’t be far off.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

9 November 1944

Dear Folks:

Just about enough time to write you an abbreviated epistle before another day closes.  Just came from the show – this time it was ‘Deanna Durbin’ and last night it was the ‘Song of Russia’.  Both were darned good but colored up to suit the watching public of course.  So few stories are written as they truly are, but if they were held strictly to actuality they wouldn’t be liked, and authors couldn’t make a living.  How did I start on that?

Had a letter from you last night, which will be read over a dozen times before it’s finally laid aside, as all of yours are.  Some questions about Dick in it and I’ll tell you what I can.  He isn’t in either of the regiments you mentioned, but is in the cavalry reconnaissance troop.  Although he isn’t in the infantry he works with them and is usually where ever they are. He is in an infantry division, but such a division isn’t all infantry but is made up of several branches, although everything is in support of the infantry.  The story you read about the 100 Yanks being trapped on the beach must have included Dick because he told me about it, and told of being picked up by the amtracs.   He was sent in to help bring out the wounded when the Japs cracked the 105th and it was then that he got caught.  He said he picked up one wounded guy and started to carry him away but the Japs charged them and he had to leave him.  And Dick told me a lot of stories like these although he probably would not mention them very much to anyone else.  I know our outfit was never mentioned in the papers and some of (us) felt a little burned when everything you read said the 27th was the only army in the operation.  I’ll explain it at some future date.

I seem to be feeling much better than I have in some time—must be getting used to it.  We usually have the afternoons off and during that time play baseball.  The bulldozers scraped two cane fields down, and after harrowing it and putting a little corral around, they make nice fields.  And every week a band is brought in to furnish some music that isn’t canned.  The music isn’t always the best but the guys cheer anyone who can give them a little entertainment.  What I miss a lot is something ice cold–we get a little beer, and to cool it we put it in a wet gunnysack and let the breeze flow thru it, but the result isn’t too good.

Well this is about all I guess, better knock off and hope the Japs won’t come over and ruin my sleep.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

7 November 1944

Dear Folks:

The postman rang three times tonight, and every time I hear from you I feel like answering right away so here goes.  One was from Dad and one from Mom and one from Washington side.  Your letters are a job to read Dad and I’ll bet even the Free Press doesn’t have as much news in four pages as you do in one.  Sometimes I have to read lines twice or rearrange it, but I always come out (with) the right meaning.  This week’s beer ration was in the form of Pabst Blue Ribbon, and though it’s not very cold it tastes pretty good – we get six bottles a week.  I have a bottle of that liquid sunshine half gone now.

This Cannoneer’s Jive is a paper that was put out by another artillery battalion and if you will read it over carefully perhaps you can get some sort of what the GI thinks about.  Most of it is about Betty Hutton which I think was far short of what I expected – her show I mean.  Of course rotation is a much discussed topic among all and I think you will enjoy the humorous rambling on page 5.  And I like the article ‘Then and Now’.

Undoubtedly you have read in the papers of the air raids in this neck of the woods.  A lot of guys can sleep on through whatever goes on, but not me I gotta see what’s up.  When the raid sounded I was stark naked except for my helmet, and I must have been a comical sight.  I saw some of the planed knocked down and I don’t mind telling you I get a little uneasy.  But C’est le Guerre.  I’d like to tell you a little more about this but I guess I hadn’t better.

For the first time in six months we were paid and I had some money excess and no way to spend it so I thought an appropriate gift would be the money orders.  I hope you will use it for your own enjoyment for that is the way I want it.

I’m afraid I haven’t much else to write about tonight and it’s getting about time for lights out so I better go, and you keep that promise of two letters a week.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

5 November 1944

Dear Folks:

I guess it’s high time I tortured this typewriter again and see if I can’t take care of a few current unanswered letters.  Just finished off another Sunday, an easy loafing one although a ball game this morning took a little of the vinegar out of me, and this afternoon I had no trouble sleeping.  I play shortstop on the team but my prowess is doubtful.

Well last night after the show two communiques from your front were here–one with the drawing of the house layout.  Even though you’re no civil engineer Dad it was plenty okeh and I looked at it a long time before I had to go to bed because I couldn’t stay awake any longer.  Of course I have the whole thing figured out in my mind and I’m sure it’s fully as nice as I think it is, and you don’t know how much I’d like to make an inspection.

Hey you people when you see any clippings about me or any of the others, cut it out and put it in the envelope.  We haven’t received any 2nd class mail in two months and if I have to wait for the papers I may never receive it.  So the next letter be sure and get those articles you mentioned and send them.  I’m pretty anxious to see them.  I don’t know how many Free Presses must be on the way but I know the number is pretty high.

Perhaps the biggest thing since D-Day happened today.  We all had the long delayed pleasure of sinking our fangs into some fresh meat.  Good old steak, and besides this there was the rest to go with it, so my outlook improved considerably today.  After this I reposed in customary Sunday style on the bunk, read a while then slept until about four.  The Army should have more days like that.

Those much discussed but elusive furloughs were again given out a few days back, but its wait some more for me.  We had the drawings at the theatre, walking by a can and grabbing a slip, and the one I pulled out was the blankest looking slip of paper I ever saw.  I felt a little tense like the fellows you wrote about, and when it was over felt let down and a little defeated, but there’ll be another day (I hope).  To be eligible you must have two year’s overseas service, so Dick won’t be eligible until about next May or June, I believe.  If it is possible to get a quota every month perhaps my time won’t be far off, although getting the quota may be problematical.

Another high spot in last week’s seven days was the first payday in six months, and of course everyone is loaded with dough.  I arranged a sort of Christmas present for you and I hope I can send it in my next letter.  Working in personnel I’m glad to see everyone paid off as it means less paper work and liquidates a lot of little things to accumulate.

Also received a letter from Nancy last night and she sounds like she’s growing up.  I’ll be plenty surprised when I have my first look at Philip and her because probably I don’t realize how much they’ve actually changed.

I think I better take off for the cinema–our shows start at six so I have to hurry to write you.  I really enjoy your letters Dad.  You put all the stuff in that interests me more than you think, and your style doesn’t make any difference.  I wish I could tell you all I know because of course every GI has his ideas about what will happen next but I can’t say anything about that.  Probably you have read about the little excitement we had the other night.  Well I’ve really gotta stop and I’ll be around again soon.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

30 October 1944

Dear Folks:

Kind of a lazy Sunday morning with not very much to do, so a good time to write you a letter while I won’t have to rush.  Church services are in the afternoon.  For a while this morning watched some volleyball games and then walked up to the baseball diamond, but it was pretty hot so I came back.  While many things aren’t so convenient for us it helps a lot to get some time off and to be able to relax occasionally.

Since I started this I was interrupted and now it is about eight o’clock in the evening.  I received three letters just before the show and just now could read them.  This was the first mail in four days and I was beginning to think something had gone wrong again.  Two of the letters were from you and one from Washington, so I had a boost in my morale.  You once remarked Mom how I could write so much, well you are practically the only ones I write to, and many nights it’s a relief to write rather than trying to kill time and thinking about home so much, so I start writing, and when I’m doing it, it seems like I get a little closer to you somehow.

For the first time in several years I played baseball.  The battery organized a third team and today I played third base.   I guess I did alright although my hands are a little sore from catching the ball.  In the battalion we have two leagues, the American (and) the National set up, so there are a lot of games.  I’m on the first three graders volleyball team too, but not so hot at that racket.  But there aren’t many of us so I have to play.

Of course the news from the Philippines on the water and on land is drawing our attention as it must be yours.  I listen to every news broadcast I can, and we can get them from all sides, Australia, Japan, Germany and London.  Two nights ago I ran onto a particularly interesting shortwave broadcast while dialing around.  Correspondents for UP, INS and AP were transmitting their messages to ‘Frisco from Leyte and the procedure of getting the news to their agencies was interesting.  Of course the Japs are claiming victories on a larger scale than ours, and claim Task Force 58 was annihilated off Formosa.  The line of rot they propagate is really something to hear.  In connection with the war I happened to get a hold of some interesting stuff on (the) Saipan operation and thought you might like to read it.  Some of the commentators seem to think the Naval victory may shorten the war a few months and I’m not inclined to disagree.  I hope the Philippines don’t bog down into another New Guinea affair and drag on for many months.  Those yellow b___’s can live like gophers and it’ll take a lot to dig them out.  They use ‘em to haul garbage from camp and when I see them go by on the truck I wonder what they’re thinking about.  They are still bringing them out of the hills.  About a month ago three of them were seen in a cane field next to one of the batteries and after killing two of them the other gave up. One of them was almost out in two bullets.

Just a few minutes ago I opened a can of beer and even had peanuts to go with it.  The PX got a pretty good supply in and after waiting in line for 45 minutes finally was able to buy a few things.

Yesterday went to the dentist and had a small filling taken care of.  My gum had swollen a little but wasn’t too sore so I thought I better see what was up.  Luckily it wasn’t bad and he didn’t have to drill around too much.  My teeth are in good shape now, and contrary to my civilian habits I brush them regularly.

Well I think I’ve run out for this time.  Another Sunday gone by and another week on the way.  Time seems to be flying for me to and I hope the next year goes as fast as the last one, for then I will be eligible for rotation.  And pray that when we get our next furlough quota I will walk up and draw the little slip with the magic words on it.  I worry more about you folks than I do about myself and I hope you don’t upset yourselves too much.  Well there’s the curtain on another act so, so long –

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

20 October 1944

Dear Folks:

A little while before bed so maybe I can knock out a short communiqué.  Had a letter from Dick tonight – one of the longest I’ve received from him.  He sounded pretty good – but said you sent him some sour letters because he didn’t tell you about his getting hurt.  He thought you was a little fed up.  His only reason for not telling [you] was to keep you from being upset and we didn’t expect you would receive anything official about it.  Well he’s been through a lot more, and he’s a great guy, and I wouldn’t write anything to make him feel as he does.  Maybe it was just the way he took your letters.

Betty Hutton’s show is coming tomorrow and it will be something to look forward to. A look at a white woman with shoes on will be a treat in itself.  The boys scavenged some lumber and have built a pretty nice looking stage.  The seats are dirt filled sacks.  Last night at the show it rained in almost cloudburst proportions but it didn’t diter many of the customers.

We’ve been following the news pretty closely – especially listening to the events in the Philippines and around Formosa.  A Jap news broadcast today said they had sunk eleven of our carriers along with two battleships and several other ships.  They were painting a rosy picture for themselves and I hope it is all fiction.  Such news is discouraging.  I wish I could describe for you the great activity here and what I know.

It gets pretty hot here but morale is kept up partially by the fact that we get afternoons off except when something urgent comes along.  Baseball and volleyball take up the afternoon.  So far we’ve been unable to get PX supplies and we’re pretty disgusted about the fact – especially when other units are enjoying cokes, candy, etc.  An ice cold coke would sell for a buck easily.

Well enough for tonight – not much news so I’ll quite for this time.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

10 October 1944

Dear Dad:

I was all set to go to bed and call it another day but just received a letter from you so thought I’d answer it while there is still a little time before bed.

It’s about time you received the package I sent you.  I mailed it about a month ago and I’m anxious to hear what you have to say about them, the souvenirs I mean.  Dick is anxious to know about them.  I imagine they will make quite a stir.

As usual it rained plenty again today.  A guy from Nebraska would go nuts with all the rainfall here.  Everything is green now and the island looks very fertile.  Radio Tokyo a few nights ago answered that all civilians and soldiers had died on the island and raved about their glorious stand.  But all of them couldn’t see the ‘suicide’ stand and there’s still plenty of civilians around trying to get another start with what there is left.  Of course they can only move around in certain areas and of course don’t get around the military areas.  I don’t trust any of them.

I’m glad to hear, in a way, that you’re not moving to Bridgeport however whatever you would have done would have been okeh with me.  I’m very anxious to see the house for it must be a beauty with all the work you have been doing, and how super lovely it will be to enjoy it.  You don’t know how much I think about all the little things that you probably never think about.  How I’d like to pull a bottle of ice cold beer from the refrigerator and drink it with you.

I’m feeling pretty good after the dengue fever but I’m not overly fat, if you know what I mean.  Boy how I could sit down to a home cooked meal with all my favorites and eat forever.

Saw an Abbot and Costello show tonight that was a stinker.  You should see us at a show.  We sit in the worst rain and never notice it or wait a half an hour while they change a reel or get a bug off the lens.  The Aladdin at its worst was a palatial ‘Hippodrome’ beside ours.  In a few days Betty Hutton will appear with a troupe.  The guys will probably go nuts over her not having seen a white woman since last May.  And although we haven’t seen a white woman in a long time still we have our sex morality lectures and are told the customary things.  A little ironical.

Well I wasn’t lucky enough to draw a furlough but maybe my luck will change someday.  The quotas seem to be getting bigger and I’m hoping I’ll soon be lucky, however don’t be expecting to see me because anything can happen and then it’s better to be a little pessimistic.  But after three years it seems something ought to happen.

Mom intimated I might have somebody in mind back there – feminine I mean but that’s not the case.  I haven’t written to a girl in a long time but I’m thinking I ought to do something about it.  I’ll have to start from scratch when I get back.

Been playing a little bridge lately but it’s hard to find players in this outfit – they all play pinochle.

Well I’m about finished for tonight.  Just wrote Gram a letter – should write them more often.  You’ve been doing a good job of writing – it’s depressing to not get a letter at mail call and you’ve been seeing to it that that doesn’t happen often, so I got to keep up my end too.

Well better stop and do some more dreaming.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

8 October 1944

Dear Folks:

We’re having an early chow tonight and I only have a few minutes to write but there isn’t much news anyway.  Last night a furlough quota was given the battalion and in order to pick the lucky ones, a drawing was held.  Of course I sought the help of the gods but they were all drawn before I got a chance to pull out a ticket.  It would be too good to happen I guess.  Now I’m hoping we will get another quota next month and perhaps I’ll get lucky.

Received your letter with Katies (letter) in it – hope she gets settled soon.

So you saw a movie The Battle of the Marianas?  We haven’t seen any newsreels of it yet and I’m sort of looking forward to it – wished I could have seen it with you.

Last night it rained a pouring downfall and my house started leaking and was finally forced to abandon it and set up in the office.  Boy was I sore.  I’ll tear the damn place down if it leaks again.

The office is still very busy and it doesn’t seem it will let down.  Now it’s payrolls.  We haven’t been paid in five months and preparing the rolls is a big job.  Having completed 3 years service I get a five percent increase which will give me a little over one forty now.  You may not receive my bond (until) after September as a result of a new issuing system but you will get them as soon as I get paid.

Well not much else and it’s show time so, so long for this time.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature

20 September 1944

Dear Folks:

Started out to see a show tonight at the Seabee camp but after getting there found there was no show there.  I’m back in camp again ready to spend a monotonous evening.  I’ll try to write one [letter] in longhand tonight although my writing is getting steadily worse.  Don’t know where to begin – not much has happened.  Got into a bridge game last night with some real competition but we finally came out on top.  Haven’t been a low man for sometime now.  We had several fine howls and missed a small slam three times.

Some of the civilians have been released on [faded] you can see a few of them walking with packs on their backs or driving two-wheel carts carrying whatever they can find to begin building again.  Of course they are under restriction and can only move in certain areas.  I still hate the looks of all of them – they look too sour and mysterious to me.  Yesterday I saw four men and a woman walking along the road.  The woman was carrying a load that I don’t think I could carry and the men paid no attention to her difficulty.  I guess Japanese women are handy gadgets instead of human beings.

In order to find something to write about I’ll take a couple of Dad’s letters and see what I can comment about.  In the first place we’ve got our house pretty well waterproofed now, although an especially drenching rain may cause a little leak.  It rains almost every day without fail and sometimes a rain comes out of a clear sky in five or ten minutes. We catch the rainwater in buckets and use it to wash clothes with and occasionally take a bath in.

I’d like to see Nancy as a cheerleader and I’ll bet she makes a good one.  I suppose Phil plays his heart out in football and will probably get banged up plenty before the season is over.  [illegible next sentence]

Every time you write about Gramp’s melons I drip at the mouth and my head begins to swim. Boy, how good an ice cold watermelon would taste – I would eat a 100 lb. one myself.

I’m always wondering what the house looks like now and don’t forget the pictures if you can possibly get them.  And it does my heart good to know that you are now able to fix it up as you have always wanted to fix a home up.

Am getting around to Christmas again.  I think a fruit cake is a darn good idea. And here’s another, I can use a pen and pencil set.  I still have the one you sent me about two years ago but I have good [faded] one in the office  – and can you put my name on it?

For some reason tonight I was thinking back to my younger days of mine when things were a little tougher for us and Dad tried to explain to me just why they were that way and I couldn’t quite see it.  Now I hope all that has changed and you can both carry out some of the yearned for plans you must have had. And you know whatever I have can be used by you.

Well [faded] says it’s time to think of bed and I feel like a good sleep tonight so better slip this in an envelope and get it on its way.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature