Personnel Center Archives

Dear Folks:

Well I have taken the first step towards getting home. Two days ago I left my outfit and have moved to the Personnel Center where we are processed and grouped prior to departure. I will be discharged at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. I tried to get it changed to Ft. Logan but said they couldn’t do it. But I guess it doesn’t make much difference as long as it is in [the] States. I think I will be here only a day or two before we get on the boat. I feel like a rookie all over again going through this processing – checking records and equipment, but as long as it means getting home, it’s okeh.

Had a letter from Dad the day I left my outfit. It was certainly a good one. I can imagine how Mom feels about us boys getting home and I feel the same way. The boat ride will seem forever. I heard today that points are lowered to 70, October first. Now Dick will be eligible although it will probably be several months before he gets back.

I know I won’t be disappointed in either of you. Being away so long, being more around all the time, and seeing so much construction, home will be more of a castle than ever. I just hope I haven’t changed too much and can be successful someday and be what you expect me to be. I really intend to try. As we are so near to getting home we often talk about what we will do after the war and I think that a decision now will make or break a lot of guys. More and more I believe Dad’s philosophy that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. I want to get a good education first and I would like to put what dough I have into something for the future and maybe Dad has some ideas. But [we] will talk it all over soon.

Saw the stage show ‘This is the Army” last night. Very good. Some liberated prisoners of war were guests.

Well I may be on my way in a day or two so get ready and don’t let Mom faint when I walk in.

Love,

Dear Folks:

Well I’m still on Okinawa and still waiting. We are supposed to leave either tomorrow or Friday for the Personnel Center but I’m afraid it may be postponed until next Monday. It’s still the old waiting game and the old cry ‘no transportation’. The harbor is so packed with ships you could hardly throw a stone without hitting one, and the airfields are running over with planes – but still there’s ‘no transportation’. Sometimes it’s hard to contain yourself. I heard today that some kind of a congressional investigation is underway about it – I hope so. Everybody seems concerned about it. Certainly no large numbers of eligible personnel are being shipped out of here – I believe the number is very small since VE day. I can’t for the life of me figure why everything moves so slow. Well that’s enough about that, and that’s the way I sit now. Let’s hope it won’t be postponed any further.

My life is very monotonous these days. It’s more a matter of keeping out of sight and trying to find something to do to pass away the time. Yesterday I rode down to the Personnel Center to attempt to pick up some rumors, but couldn’t find out much. Then a little later went on to Yontan Airfield. It has been hot and dry the past two days but in this place we may have a cloud burst in five minutes.

Chow is still terrible but yesterday we had two fresh eggs for breakfast. Now I suppose it will be another month before we get anymore.

A couple of nights ago seven Japs got into one of the neighboring battalions and injured several guards. The guys killed three of them and next morning found one of them was a woman dressed in full Jap uniform.

Well I believe that’s all. Plan to go to a show in a little while and then call it another day.

Love,

21 September 1945

14 September 1945