Phil Moss Archives - Page 3 of 3

18 July 1944

[Harold types]

Dear Folks:

Dick came down to see me today and I thought while we were laying around we just as well write you a letter – or try to. Right after we had dinner we walked along the beach road from Charan Kanoa to the end of the island looking for an army cemetery but couldn’t find it. While we were looking for the place, Dick showed me the places where his outfit landed and even where he dug his first foxhole. And we found a lot of Jap caves that were well concealed and topped over with a lot of dirt and leaves. They dig in like [illegible] caves are transforming the face of the [illegible] saw several thick walled concrete [illegible] from the point we had a good view of Tinian [illegible] over there must be thinking – if they can see what is going on [illegible] there is (a) sugar factory that stands out on the landscape. It took quite a beating from navy shells and girders and machinery are flung everywhere. From the factory runs a number of narrow gauge railroad lines. The army captured a few locomotives and now you can hear their high pitched whistle as the guys chug along using the cars to haul supplies, etc. The trains are small and look more like oversized toys. We haven’t had a look at Carapan yet and I have been itching to get up there and see what goes. The town is about ten thousand so there must be quite a lot to see. I haven’t seen a newspaper or magazine since I left Oahu and today Dick walked in with a Time magazine. I’m anxious to review it from cover to cover. I was asking Dick what I should write about and he said to mention that we will be sending home some souvenirs soon when the situation permits. I told you about the bayonet and the flag. In addition to those Dick got a wallet with quite a sum of Jap money in it, and many pictures of the officer’s family and what must be his wife. Also he got his insignia of a 2^nd lieutenant. He’ll probably have some more before it is all over. The weather here is about the same as on Oahu but right now is the season when the monsoons begin and the past few nights there have been heavy rainstorms. They say hurricanes strike near the island about once every two years and I hope this isn’t one of them. Today is pretty hot and sultry and the sand all around is hard on the eyes.

We were both wondering about Phil and whether he has come into the army yet. Every once in a while you see a crude handwritten sign over a foxhole saying Frisco 7752 miles, Tokyo 1521, and then we realize just how far away we are. Guam lies about 103 miles to the south and just to the north are the Bonims(?). It’s going to be a long boat ride home someday but we’re ready to accept it any time. And remind us never to take another ocean voyage when we get home. The food was pretty good on the boats but the chow lines are hard to buck, and the accommodations are hardly first class. Well I’m going to turn this over to Dick and let him add a few lines.

[Dick handwrites]

Today being Sunday I went to communion and then to see Harold. We’re taking it easy now after a little uneasiness. I’ll write some time later.

Love,

Dick

7 July 1944

Dear Folks:

Before I walk over to the jeep and hear the world news over it’s radio, better write you a brief epistle. Everyone is anxious to hear the news in fact, any kind of program is welcome, and in the meantime quite a crowd gathers to listen in. Well [illegible] with has passed by. I don’t know how [illegible] it but mine consisted of a first class meal from the kitchen. More of a treat than you think. I’m still very much okeh, perhaps and gaining a pound or two. My bed isn’t on a Simmons mattress but I manage to get enough of it – sleep I mean. Wish I could describe to you what I did today. I know it would make good reading for you. I hope I can write you all about it soon. And thank you for the letter Nancy and Phil – I sure [am] anxious to see you both. You must both have grown so much, I won’t know you. Well so long for this time.

Love,

16 March 1944

Dear Folks:

The mail dammed up for a while and today the dam broke and a deluge of letters came – at least it seems that five is a deluge. I had been wondering what (was) the matter but knew that it wasn’t your fault. Two came from you and one from Dad. Your letters are the only ones I pay any real attention to and the ones I look for the most. Also had a letter from Helen Barton Hartnett in Lincoln. She has a brother in the Air Force here and I saw him last December. Guess I better dig out the letters and see what I can put together. I’m glad you heard the Army Hour Program and about the Jungle Center here. You guessed pretty good. I wish I could tell you more about it. Although I didn’t hear the program I hope they did it justice, for it is certainly something. It must seem like old home week around there with Gram and Gramp back with you. I certainly hope they will find all they expect to in the farm, and that Gram doesn’t become to sick to enjoy it.

I read in the Free Press about the hot basketball team and Phil being high point man, and now your letters tell me that the team is going to Lincoln. It reminds me of the fall when I was at the university and saw the boys lose out by one point for the championship. I hope they come through and this time bring the bacon home.

You sound like you are really keeping busy with the Red Cross and getting the house cleaned up. But even with this I imagine you don’t have all the work you used to have riding herd on the five of us. What a busy bunch of years those must have been for you.

Yes, meeting anyone from the North Platte Valley would seem good. Anyone from Nebraska is a rarity here and even if they live four hundred miles away you can usually find something in common to talk about.

Dick called last night and it looks like we may be able to spend the weekend together although very little is certain. Monday he came in for a short visit and had supper with me. I know you are anxious to know something about him but I couldn’t intimate whether he may leave or not, and if I could say anything it would at most be only as the rumors have it. The prospect of seeing India appeals to me for having seen Hawaii, I want to get a look at more places of the world. It seems funny to us here how so many troops are still stationed in the states and especially outfits as what Berg must be in. And reading in the Free Press about fellows back on furlough brings a good howl.

When I first read about Swindell getting mixed up with the FBI over the draft deferments I had to laugh good and hard, but then thought I would like to choke everyone like him. Perhaps when I was drafted I should have offered to slip him a hundred bucks or so and maybe I would still be around. Perhaps the trial will bring out some even more surprising facts. How did they happen to catch up with him – did someone squawk after paying him?

Right now I’m deep in an outline of one of the law books I received and every evening I finish a page or two. It’s a big job but self-satisfying knowing our time is not being entirely wasted. Give Grandma a good kiss for me and my best hopes that she will get better quick. She has always been so kind to me that I kick myself for remembering the times I’ve been unkind towards her. I know it must be an effort for her to write and I do appreciate it. And the same goes for Gramp too. Well, quess this is ‘pau’ until the next time. As you never sit down at the table without remembering something or me so I never go to bed without thinking of you and wondering just how I would act the first minute I could walk in the door, and say hello to you both.

Love,

25 January 1944

Dear Folks:

I’m so far behind in my writing that I hardly know what to write to start off. Recently I’ve had a change of station and that has meant a lot to do and little time to do it in. I suppose you have been wondering what has happened and maybe worried a little, but as a matter of fact I think this place is a better deal than before. Now I am where I can see Dick pretty often and call him up once in a while. Last Saturday I called him to make arrangements on a pass day, so Sunday morning he came around and we went to town and spent a civilian Sunday walking around the beach and looking at fish in the aquarium. He’s looking good and seems a little more talkative and lively than ever before. We heard a good band in the afternoon – Claude Thornhill. We talked about a lot of things and one of them was Phil. From what he told me there’s a little difficulty some place and I’m a little worried about him. I can imagine what you feel and know you wonder what to do about it. Also in Kate’s letter she mentioned it but made me promise that I would say nothing to you. I would be sick too if he should quit school to do what he has in mind, and I would do everything to keep him from it. Fellows on the outside see only one side of this military life and never hear of the other. I wish I was around to help you out. My spirits will drop a good deal if I hear that he has quit and taken the other road. I hope it isn’t as bad as I fear.

Around the lighter side – I have a new APO number now 958 and I’m on Oahu. Having visited here twice before on pass I was broke in a little and knew a little what to expect. The big city is a cauldron of fast moving traffic and big crowds of people hurrying to get someplace. With the…..cut out by the censor. Every bar, theater and café has a line in front of it with people waiting a long time for a little service, and it’s hard to escape the crowds no matter where you go. It’s hard to imagine that there was a time when everything was plentiful and all you had to have was the dough. But with all this activity we were moved into a quiet secluded cool spot that makes me forget once in a while that there is a war going on. This would be the spot for you Mom with the big trees and numberless shrubs everywhere. Adjacent to our area is a large open lawn space with a baseball diamond and volleyball court. Each afternoon we put in a couple of hours at volleyball and absorb a little sunshine. Yesterday while we were out the ‘Mars’ – the new flying boat that recently flew to Brazil and back – flew very low overhead and gave us a real idea of just how big it really is.

I did receive the packages from Colson’s and Carroll’s and I will answer them with a little letter if I can first find time to answer my ’must’ correspondence.

Tonight the open air theatre the local USO put on a variety act affair that to me was very boring and corny. The big part of it was hula dancing and that’s pretty tiresome by now. But there were girls in it so we had to go. Mentioning the Carroll’s, another change has taken place with Shirley now taken out of circulation. So she married a soljer? I hope she got out of the usual Carroll rut and picked someone with a little better prospects. Duane is pretty lucky to stay in the States and been near his wife and get home once in a while. If I am here much longer when people ask me…..(cut out by the censor) where I am from I will say the Hawaiian Islands, and strolling around the better sections of the big city that idea doesn’t sound bad.

You have been doing a good job of writing – all of you – and I especially liked your commentary on the Christmas holiday. I could visualize the whole affair and know having Stevie and Kate and Tom with you must have made the celebration especially happy. You can’t imagine how much Dick and I would have given to have been with you, and when we get back to the next (Christmas) it will have more meaning than any before. Everything I did as a kid and in school and later in Lincoln seems like a short dream I had last night after eating too much before going to bed.

I have the books with me after carefully packing them for the trip and I try to find time to study every day and I hope in the near future I can put things on somewhat of a schedule. Being here perhaps I can get a taste of things more urban. This month there is a symphony concert of 65 pieces and I want to hear it so darn bad. My experience with the Nebraska symphony is now a most valued experience and a cherished memory. The University of Hawaii is also here but probably I can’t do anything about that. Well I think I’ve said my speil for tonight and I hope you will forgive me for not answering as I should. Watch Phil and I hope everything works out to a happy solution. I’m glad you liked the picture – I thought it was pretty good too. Well goodnight – the time seems endless before I will be home.

Love,

Mom:

Advise Reader’s Digest of my change of address

10 August 1943

Dear Folks:

Two of your letters came today so I better show my appreciation and get together a little letter. Dad’s letter with the pictures came, and the ones of the girls didn’t ring familiar until I looked close for a few seconds to really recognize any of them but Nancy. They all look so grown up and like ladies that the pictures were hard to associate with the girls as I saw them last. When I had the visit with Dick he said there was a rumor that Kathryn Aulick was about to marry, and I thought he was kidding for awhile. I guess they do it though.

Last night I saw a good show with Fred Astaire, the first I had seen for a couple of weeks. Most of the movies are relatively recent but many of them are old-timers—for instance last week ‘King Kong’ was showing. There is a different show every night, and they offer something to look forward to. Once a week a USO troupes of some kind, from the island, puts on a show, and between long stretches perhaps one from the mainland. More mainland shows have been promised, and I hope so for they never fail to produce a real treat for the fellows. It’s something of a novelty to see a white chorus girl as they usually dress. The ones from the states are pretty breezy and rare but in no sense, in my opinion, could they be called ribald or dirty, just enough on the rare side to make all the ‘dogfaces’ happy.

I read the clippings over carefully regarding the ‘Eagle Café’ incident, and I find it hard to get on either side of the fence when it comes to justifying the action. Of course in times like this about everyone looses his rationality to some extent. But it seems that even as much as you try to believe that there (are) some loyal ones, a suspicion always hangs around the back of your mind. Probably the guy was so drunk he lost his balance and wouldn’t have done it if he was sober.

Sometime ago we had a newcomer to our billet, a young fellow about like Dick, from New Jersey who hadn’t been in the army very long. For the last few days he has been feeling pretty homesick, and for two days wouldn’t say or do anything, just keep to himself and looked at some pictures he had. Most of us adopted a motherly attitude and tried to get him back in spirits again. And it looks like we succeeded, for awhile anyway. But I couldn’t help feel sorry for him and know how he must have felt. But in contrast with the youthful ones, there are also the older ones, many married and some (with) two or three children, and I don’t see how they take it, at least I don’t think I could. I don’t know whether you’re interested in this stuff but you might just be curious sometimes.

My correspondent in Washington is very faithful and for over a year now she has been writing regularly regardless of how long it takes me to reply. She always has nothing but compliments for me, and her letters offer much encouragement.

As to the item of Christmas (in August) I haven’t very much to request although there are a few small things that I could use. One of them is a cheap pocket watch, if such things are still available in the states. They are impossible to buy here although the expensive ones are plentiful. And while I was nosing around the library last week I ran across a book that interested me, but I’ll reserve that until later. I’m still hanging on until the law books get here. I wish more than anything, that I was out of the army so that I could devote a lot of time to it. Although there is plenty of bitching among the fellows, which is common I guess with every doughboy, I find this a good opportunity to study and also to store away a few shekels, which I didn’t do at home. I should have well over a thousand dollars in another year if I don’t get busted, but the chances of promotion are better than going down. My job now is Personnel Sergeant with seven clerks under me, all good guys who make the office a good one. I guess I started this paragraph with reference to Christmas but I seem to have sidetracked myself. With the exception of the book and the watch there isn’t much else I need. Perhaps I’ll think of something in the meantime.

Back to the pictures I couldn’t help but notice how Nancy is shaping out and looking like a young lady. The change in Nancy and Phil is very noticeable, and I even feel that I’m getting old. I can imagine the experience you had in Dan’s automobile and more so what you looked like breezing along with no top.

Well this is pretty long and not much in it and then I must have something to put on the next one, so I’ll call this ‘pau’ as everyone here says for ‘finished’.

Love,

3 August 1943

Dearest Folks:

I’m slipping on my writing again so better make this typewriter burn for a while. Just received Nancy’s letter a few moments ago and I especially noted that Glen and Bill E are home on furlough. What we wouldn’t do during a reunion leaves little to the imagination. A fellow in our billet just returned from furlough to the states and during the fiesta we had last night, asked him a bushel of questions about everything. He also brought back with him some spirits by smuggling them in a barracks bag and so that added a touch to the party. We must have acted like a bunch of kids the way we wanted to know a little about everything he saw and did while he was away. He is from a small town in Oklahoma. Of course I can’t describe just how I would act if I ever walked down the main street again, but I, like everyone else I suppose, try to imagine what it would be like before I go to sleep.

I just received the pictures from Dick and I suppose that probably you have yours by now. I think they are pretty good although I don’t think we took enough. I was a little surprised that some of them were passed, but I’m glad they didn’t object because you can get a good idea of the place where we spent most of our time.

I had intended to go to the show tonight and all in all take it easy, but I ran into a volleyball game and finally ended up doing exactly the opposite. My nights are all free and duty hours reasonable and with my type of work I escape some of the rigors of the outdoors, although we take part in some lengthy hikes occasionally. I haven’t lost any of my love for the island, and continue to hope that I will (be) lucky enough to remain here until I step on the boat for ‘Frisco.

I continually mention this subject but I hope you won’t object and that is the books. I hope that nothing arose that prevented your sending the volumes although it might have been necessary to send them in two separate packages depending on the weight.

Katie writes occasionally and everything sounds well with her, and I’m beginning to adopt a parental complex from my coming title of uncle.

I wish I was free to tell you how fast your mail arrives, for I know you would (be) surprised. But it does make good time in some cases although a few occasionally are delayed. I have no less than six letters to write tonight, but I’ve lost the initiative to write except to those that are close. I think I’ll throw in the towel on this issue and hope I can muster a few more words for the next one. I was amused at Phil’s newly acquired car and I can easily imagine how he must be beaming and grinning over his new treasure. And I suppose Nancy has her share of the fun from it. Well this is la finis, but before I go just keep the home and town like it was when I left.

Love,

10 July 1943

Dear Dad:

You probably have noticed, and maybe with a little concern, the fewer number of letters that I have been writing, but I find it so discouraging to write a good letter that I put it off ‘for just one more nite’. Well my guilt has been gnawing on me pretty strong tonight so this will be ‘that one more nite’. The first thing I should do, and I do feel bad about it, is for neglecting you on Father’s Day. I know it is a little late, but I hope you will not feel it was intentional. As a sort of a ‘peace offering’ I’m sending you an electric razor. I didn’t expressly buy it for you, but after I got it thought I made a mistake and not knowing whether I can always use it just as well send it home. The razor is (a) good one but I know the toughness of your beard and perhaps you can’t use it. Perhaps Phil is getting to where he can get some good of it.

Tomorrow is the Sabbath so possibly I will go to the beach or to a dance. Ordinarily the afternoon is given to recreation although it is never a certainty. In the morning the chaplain has services in the rec hall but he seems to me to be so lacking in what I consider a good ‘sky pilot’ that I can’t feel as I should (think) about going.

Last Wednesday nite the first USO troupe from the states did a show for us and I laughed all the way through it. It was a breezy streamlined affair but just what the guys like. Even a half dozen chorus girls danced in front of all the whistling. The girls were quite a contrast to the willowy hula girls that dance slow and easy and with no shoes. After seeing the local females for so long, these looked pretty good.

I just heard the news that you have probably been following pretty closely and that is the landing on Sicily. It appears that perhaps from now on, we will do the choosing as to where and when the fighting will be done, but despite this I think it will still be a long time before it is all finished. Sometimes I get into some good arguments on this subject. You have often been right on your ‘out of the blue’ hunches and I hope this is one that is no different.

As a supplement to my excuse for not writing I do considerable reading in the evenings and I think this stops the letters a little bit. If you have not gotten a book yet forget about the first order and try to get the one ‘Titles’ that I mentioned. Perhaps I should have asked Katie to do this for she would have much better access to them than you. Maybe I’ll do that.

Tonight we assumed the roles of scrub women and cleaned up the billet with mops, etc. With my household experience in washing dishes, mopping, making beds, etc., I should make somebody a good wife. Maybe if the women keep working after the war, I can put it into practical use.

All of you have been doing a swell job of writing and I do appreciate it, although maybe it isn’t evident from my end. You know there is nothing dearer to me than home, and of late I have realized that more than ever, at least it has been impressed with greater meaning. I guess it’s about time for the final sentence and I never know how to write it to leave you with how much I miss and love you all.

Love,

31 March 1943

Dearest Folks:

I had been wanting to write you for two nights but at both times something interrupted my schedule, now perhaps I can get the letter written. Yesterday I had some different and delightful experiences and at the same time got rid of some of the sluggishness I am developing behind a typewriter. Yesterday was pass day and instead of following the usual routine of passing a monotonous day at a show I took a hike and finally ended my itinerary at a convent. Together with a fellow from New York, we talked the cook into throwing together a makeshift lunch of two sandwiches and two tomatoes, then put on our ‘elephant hats’ and loaded with plenty of film, started on a foot inspection of the island or what we could see of it in a day. We started from camp and walked through fields of blue and white morning glories and grass shoulder high, and groves of tall, straight eucalyptus. The dew was heavy on the grass and we (were) drenched and tired when we finally reached a highway but nevertheless ready to tackle another field. After about a half an hour’s walk and talk, together with a few snapshots, we came across an Hawaiian community that adjoins a ranch….this is inextricably a part of the island’s history and development.

If you have made reference to “Born in Paradise” you can visualize much better where we were. Walking on further we came upon the ranch with its large layout of stables, corrals, buildings and beautiful horses. I saw the ‘Paniolos’ and their characteristic joviality that Miss Von Tempski so often wrote about. As I saw all this it didn’t take but a meager amount of imagination to feel the color of the old ‘Laus’ and festivities that must have been so colorful and unique. Surrounding the ranch home was a broad expanse of lawn ornamented by dreamy willow trees, shrubs and hedges of brilliant orange flowers. Together with the old touch there is the new with the concrete drives, lawn lights and automobiles. We took a lot of pictures and glamorized them as much as we could for our amateurish abilities. I hope they develop fairly well. Finally we had to leave this place, so we choose a quiet tree shaded road and started to look for the Von Tempski home that was built for them after her father gave up managing the ranch. While we were walking along gazing in all directions like a couple of immature ostriches, a person cantered by who said hello in a woman’s voice and kept on going. The person was dressed in dungarees and was riding a lively, wiry sorrel. We had an idea it was Miss Von Tempski and felt sorry for ourselves because we weren’t able to meet her. About a mile further she came by again, but this time stopped long enough to ask us if we were making an inspection tour, so that was the chance we wanted. We introduced ourselves and she returned, then after a few brief words she rode off again. She is not the author but a younger sister. Finally we came to her home and like a couple of burglars walked into the yard and looked around like a couple of FBI men. We took several pictures and marveled at the natural beauty, the broad rolling lawn and exquisite flowers. About this time it was getting dinnertime so we sat down with our backs against a log and took the lunch from under my helmet and took our time eating. During the afternoon we kept on walking and finally at suppertime, ended up at the Catholic convent where we were invited to supper. I had a few qualms about going in after my observations of the nuns and their straight-laced manners, however my companion knew them well and was a regular visitor so he promised to stand by me all the time. I became more at ease and even helped me cook supper and wash dishes. I was a little taken aback by their good humor and consideration and interest. Finally I was at complete ease with them and we were slinging sarcastic comments the rest of the evening. The meal was the best since I left home. After supper I played Chinese checkers with Mother Superior who kept the game lively with her witty remarks and good-humored excuses for losing the first round. She is a very good player and plenty hard to beat. She is very kind but you can never get the best of her in an argument. Later we played bridge and I soon found out I was playing with someone who really knew the game. Sister Jerome was my partner and she kept us ahead all the time. She was well up on the modern slang and knows baseball like Joe MacCarthy. After it was all over with, I made a quick turnabout on my impressions of Sisters and especially the ones I met tonight. They are completely human and could take any amount of ribbing. Before supper we helped them correct English papers and it was a big kick to see some of the interpretations of the comparison of adjectives that the kids with the screwy names thought were right.

Well this ended my day and it was a full and worthwhile one. I hope the pictures I took will give you a better idea of what happened.

The Free Press came yesterday but it didn’t take me more than ten minutes to read it although I haven’t thrown it away yet. Dan seems to be getting a lot of orchids from the women. Had a letter from Dick today after quite a delay and I will answer it right away. I guess this is finis for tonight, but I will never let go as you say ‘Mom might regret later’. I’m not homesick; it is just a deep yearning—but the longer I’m away the more I will appreciate the place I left.

Goodnight and I really hate to say it.

Love,

12 January 1943

Dear Folks:

It’s high time I got around to writing you again. Been several days now. Time seems to slip by faster than I can keep up with it. Was on pass today and saw a couple of things in a store that I thought you might like so they are on the way. I mailed them from a store so let me know if you get them. Quite a while back I sent Dan a knife among some things for you. Did you get it? You never said but I suppose you have.

Here I am at the end of the first paragraph and I’m stymied already. Had a letter from Katie today and it was full of pep and life. Said she mailed me a picture of her and Tom but I haven’t gotten it yet but it takes quite a while I guess. The gal in Washington is very faithful in writing. Had a picture from her yesterday. I sure miss the midnight turkey we used to have. Sunday afternoon took in the civilian dance and had some fun and arranged for some in the future. Just a few minutes ago came back from the show. Having movies every night helps a lot. I was going to put in another request for something but I see that packages from the mainland have been curtailed except on request from an officer. Lately I’ve been reading some law books and have read all in the library in town and can’t get anymore that I want. That’s why there has been fewer letters. I get to reading and forget to write. Saw “This Above All” last night but didn’t go for the film version as much as the book. The ending especially seemed to dampen its dramatic punch.

I hate to nip this off in this stage but I can’t do very much about it. It’s hard as heck to write a letter. I’m really feeling fine and getting a lot of good grub and developing a stenographer’s spread working in the office. Tomorrow night means the weekly battery get together in the rec hall. They are quite a bit of fun and everyone that comes seems to have a good time. I’ve almost forgotten what winter is like although it gets pretty cool in the evenings and early morning. I’ll stick myself with a pin where it will do the most good and write more often.

I want to get back to all of you as soon as possible and when I do I won’t take anything for granted as I did before.

Love,

6 October 1942

Dear Mother and Dad:

In order to write a little more I’m not using V-mail but hope you will get this in decent time. Yesterday was a boom day for mail so I’ll have plenty to answer although I’ve been writing almost everyday.

Got Dan’s letter and I’ll answer it tonight.

Today had the opportunity to get away from camp and ride around in a jeep to different parts of the island. If you could get a look at these flowers along the road and the beautiful landscape you’d think you were in a greenhouse. Guess I get a little daffy over the sights and the ocean is really blue seen from a high point. I’m so drastically awkward with words that you’ll have to use your imagination.

Expecting a pass tomorrow or the next day—it will give some diversion, a show, a swim and perhaps a round of golf. Theatres are quite modern with good films-in fact the towns near would be likened to any small town on the mainland, excepting the coconut trees and vegetation. Liquor is rationed to a quart a week for civilians but is not available for soldiers. Beer is plentiful but weak. On pass we must carry our gas mask and helmet and have it with us at all time. Civilians have them too but many

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