Point system Archives - Moss Letters

21 September 1945

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,

6 September 1945

Dear Folks:

For the first time in over three years I can write you an uncensored letter. Censorship was called off today. I imagine the mailbox will be overflowing tonight. In a day or two I’m leaving the outfit and going to the personnel center to await transportation to the States. I don’t know, but it shouldn’t be long. I hope to get back around the 5^th of October but you realize I could be ten days off either way. That’s the way it looks now. If Nancy was excited about going to Denver you can imagine how I feel. You must be getting bored at hearing me say that.

Dick was located at the far north end of the island and that’s where I visited him. He flew to Tokyo and was to land at Atsurge Airfield. He was looking forward to it, but wants to get home as bad as I do.

Our camp is a half mile from the southern tip of the island, south of Naha.

Had a letter from Phil and Nancy today. I’m afraid Phil will be in for more than six months – it depends on how they decide this duration business. I hope they don’t stop the draft or cut the points way down for overseas service or else guys like Dick already overseas will be over quite a long time. It kinds of burns us up to see how the guys in the States get the breaks. But I hope to be one of them before long.

Well so much for this time – saw a show ‘Roughly Speaking’ last night. I could see so many things that were typical of our family. Better see it.

Don’t write any more. If things change any, I’ll let you know.

Love,

15 July 1945

Dear folks,

Been lazy as the devil today, slept most of the afternoon and didn’t write the letters I intended to. Last night I thought a typhoon was on the way when it began to blow but it just turned out to be a strong wind, although it almost took my shack.

Had a letter from Phil a few days ago. I hope he can stay in his present assignment. The battalion commander left today under the demobilization plan. In his little farewell speech he said that as far as he knew we would all be out by September. Boy how I hope he is right. He also said it was definite that those of us with over 85 points would not be in any more combat, which means that I will be sure of coming home. It looks like a part of your prayers have been answered, and mine too. I think the commanding officer was just a little optimistic on getting home but even if it is by Thanksgiving, I can sweat out the time.

Received a course in advertising from Armed Forces Institute so I can have something to put my time in on. Quite a nice book I got too.

Saw a pretty good show last night “Twice Blessed”—plenty of laughs. I wish civilians could see some of the films shown only to GI’s. They are very good and typically GI but probably a little rough for civilians.

I wish I could think of something more to write but I believe this is the best I can do tonight. Enclosed is another commendation from General Hodge of the XXIV Corps. I guess we did pretty good. I hope you will read it over.

Love,

Attached with the Letter

HEADQUARTERS XXIV CORPS
Office of the Commanding General
APO 2356 July 1945

SUBJECT: Performance of Corps Artillery on Okinawa

TO: Commanding General, XXIV Corps Artillery, and APO 235

1. As a member of my staff and as the Commander of the XXIV Corps Artillery you are aware of the great interest I have taken in its operations and the extensive knowledge I have of its accomplishments in the campaign just completed. I take this opportunity to express to the fine command so ably handled by you, my pride in, my gratitude for, and my appreciation of, its outstanding performance in the highly important Okinawan Campaign.

2. Those in position to make comparisons have called this the bitterest battle of the Pacific to date as well as being of the highest strategic importance. The Corps Artillery, although having prior combat in its various components, was assembled in its entirety for the first time in Okinawa. Its teamwork, cooperation, enthusiasm and high standard of performance of all assigned missions, have won expressions of high confidence and unstinted praise from all units it supported. Its effectiveness has had great influence upon our success in the winning of a battle where Artillery has played a major role.

3. The artilleryman does not have the stimulation of hand-to-hand combat with the enemy to spur him to great heights. His task is exacting and tiresome and too frequently he cannot be kept fully informed of the devastating effects of his hard labor through the long days and nights. Nevertheless, the praise of our doughboys for the medium and heavy artillery, the statements of enemy prisoners as to the great destruction wrought and the hundreds of enemy guns and installations destroyed by the Corps Artillery all attest to the fact that it turned in an all-out performance of highest caliber. Furthermore, your command demonstrated its ability to take care of itself in combat under all conditions in that it furnished all of its own protection against infiltrators, sustained low casualties and low sick rate, and did not totally lose a single gun to enemy action in the entire 82 days of combat. A fine example of esprit as good fighting men is the fact that when the enemy area became too small to use artillery, the Corps Artillery voluntarily and enthusiastically did a superb job of infantry patrolling and blocking in mopping up areas surrounding their bivouacs, killing several hundred of the enemy with small arms with almost no casualties of their own.

4. The XXIV Corps was highly successful in the Battle of Okinawa. The success of any command in combat is due primarily to the teamwork, perseverance, determination and the will to fight on the part of its individual officers and men. Individuals of the Corps Artillery have demonstrated those characteristics in high degree and it is my desire that you bring the contents of this letter to the attention of all members of your command.

/s/ John R. Hodge
JOHN R. HODGE
Lieutenant General, United States Army
Commanding

1^st Ind.

HEADQUARTERS, XXIV Corps Artillery, APO 235, 8 July 1945

TO: Each member of the XXIV Corps Artillery

I forward this letter with a deep feeling of humility and pride, to each member of the XXIV Corps Artillery as an individual, because each of you, by your outstanding performance of duty and will to fight, is responsible for the superior results achieved by your organization in this battle.

(s) J. J. Sheetz
J. R. SHEETZ
Brigadier General, U. S. Army
Commanding

6 July 1945

Dear Folks:

Expect to see a show again this evening but first I better take care of my obligations. Had a letter from you Dad today. Mail is good.

Well yesterday General Stilwell spoke over Radio Okinawa. It was in his usual undiplomatic, colorful style. During it he said, “As soldiers you know what war is and no one else does. I’m not going to talk about glorious victories, because I know you would say ‘horse feathers’, or worse, and turn off the radio.” My first speech to hear from him left a good impression. And of course I caught this, “For those of you who have the points and will be going home, we will be sorry to see you leave, and will have great responsibilities to carry on.” It was a good speech.

Just for something to write about here’s something funny as hell that happened, and let you know a little how we feel. One of the guys found a brassiere someplace and at evening mess of course he was forced to put it on. This guy is a born comic anyway and the antics he did with it put everyone in stitches. It was really funny.

The wheels of demobilization seem to be turned a little and I look forward to being home as I’ve said before. But the main thing that (this paper is not good to write on) [Harold moved to another sheet of paper, leaving over half of this sheet blank] that is that I’m sure there will be no more combat for me. I can sweat out what time remains.

Boy, was I surprised about Major Bowers and Fred Meyers.

I’m afraid I can’t dig up anything more for tonight so I’ll call this quits.

Love,

24 June 1945

Dear Folks:

Another Sunday just finishing and it had its small share of something different. Today at three we had Protestant services and I find myself liking the chaplain more every day. Also a super special treat this morning was fresh fried eggs – the first since Leyte and one of (the) few specials in the past year. And almost as good as a big red apple. I could eat a bushel of them.

My morale was braced somewhat today by the rumor that all men with points over the critical score would be home by September. But I can’t let myself believe it because it would be too big a letdown if no soap. All kinds of stories have their followers – here’s another – men with enough points will be kept in a pool until sent home. I hope a few of the good ones materialize.

Had a letter from June a few days ago. She says she may head for Europe to see Loyd.

Have you done any ‘casual’ investigating about Wylma? I’m very anxious to hear from her.

Well I can’t find much else to write about but at least it’s a letter.

Love,

16 June 1945

Dear Folks:

While I was eating chow tonight someone brought me two letters, so I sat over my coffee and read your two good communiqués. It seems that I’ve been gone so long and things have changed so much since I left that a letter means so much and puts a good touch to a rough day. I’ve been very poor on my writing lately but I’ve been so busy that I couldn’t find the time. But I do want to write you as often as possible.

In your letters you both mentioned the heavy rain but since I wrote that letter, the rain has subsided and it has been very dry and now the dust is bad on the roads. Yesterday I was traveling quite a bit on an inspection trip and passed thru Noha and had a better look than what I last described to you. It must have been a picturesque city and by far the most modern since leaving Oahu. There are many large brick buildings of stores, government offices, theatres, etc. You know Noha had one quarter which housed the geisha girls and prostitutes and a general entertainment area. They say the girls numbered some four thousand. Through Noha there is a paved road and as I drove over it I couldn’t help but think of our own highway. The first paved road since Oahu. In the estuary were several Jap bodies floating, and in the harbor, masts of sunken Jap ships stuck up out of the water.

Well it looks like some boys will be leaving soon on demobilization but I won’t hit the first quota, as some have more [points] than I. But the general feeling is that the plan will continue to work, and I feel personally that sometime in the next six months I will get my orders. Just hang on a little longer and I’m sure I’ll soon be out of it for good. Also I understand the critical score may be lowered and that makes my chances better. Guess you know I have 91 [points]. If I don’t hit another operation before I leave, everything will be hunky-dory. I know being away so long is getting both Dad and you down.

Got the little clipping of Dick and Duane and I liked it. I haven’t been able to see Dick or Ike yet because we are so far apart but soon will get around to it.

Well kind of short tonight but got to save something for next time. So adios.

Love,

11 June 1945

Dear folks:

My writing has been delayed considerably because of a succession of events that made writing difficult. And I know you’ve been anxious too.

I’ve been bouncing over the roads today and I feel pretty tired and let down tonight but not so I can’t write you. On my travels today I saw Shuri and Noha including Shuri castle or what is left of it. You know the struggle it has been to take those places. I couldn’t describe to you the desolation and wreckage. Hardly a structure stands and everywhere there is rubble of stone and wood. Only a long two-story brick building remains to what was a city of 65,000-Noha. Bulldozers nudge around through the debris clearing roads and cleaning up, and preparing areas to live in. Shuri is equally wrecked. Shuri sits in a valley surrounded by hills and ridges that shelter catacombs of interlocking caves and emplacements. Every ridge is specked with these holes. From a high view the fields are potted with circular shell holes and occasionally a huge crater of a bomb or a large naval shell. And I saw our burned out tanks, many of them, stopped in a low place where the Japs probably used their suicide tactics of planting satchel charges on the tanks and blowing themselves up. Shuri castle has a few remaining pillars still standing. They immediately remind one of the Greek ruins. Now the Japs have been pushed into a very small pocket and there they will probably repeat their banzai charge and the remainder dive into the sea as they did on Saipan. It seems that the Japanese are entirely alien to what we believe about life and the standards we live by.

Yesterday I had a look at four freshly killed Japs who were killed in their cave. They had thrown a grenade at one of our men from their hole about half way up a steep bank. After we sneaked up and threw grenades and plenty of ammunition at them, someone looked in and they had died for the emperor. One had apparently held a grenade to his chest at the last minute for his chest was blown open and his face gone. In peacetime our government will spend thousands of dollars to find the murderer of one man but here a life seems worth little.

After coming in tonight I found I had four letters, two each from Mom and Dad—one from June. They certainly were appreciated and I’ve already gone over them many times. And I’ll read them many more. Now I’m the one who isn’t keeping up, but pretty soon I should be on a regular schedule. Yesterday had two Free Press dated back in February. I’m looking forward to the recent ones you kept.

Haven’t seen Dick or Duane yet but I think it won’t be too long. Probably the island will be secured soon and then it will be easier to get around. I would like to have Dick come over and stay a few days with me if it is possible.

I can’t say much about the demobilization deal except what I read and hear. I have more than 85 points and weighing everything I feel more optimistic than pessimistic about getting home in the next few months—although I have nothing to go on. Maybe it’s like a women’s 6^th sense. But if something doesn’t materialize I will lose faith in everything. I can hardly imagine being home again. A rumor today said those over 85 will see no more combat, but as I say it’s just a rumor.

Bob Meyers and Guyla Steele now—golly I can hardly picture it and Guyla a Russian. I don’t like that. Glad to hear Jim S. is getting married but sorry to hear his folks are leaving. I thought perhaps Phil and Carol would get married on his leave and was slightly surprised to hear they didn’t. Phil sent me a picture of her. She looks pretty sweet.

On the fruit orchard deal it would be mostly oranges and grapefruit and for the first couple of years a small truck garden to alleviate expenses. Our area is in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I thought I would put some money into it and let Dick run the place and build up a first class orchard and do everything to produce a good orchard. To make expenses until the crop begins to produce Dick would raise a small truck garden and with the equipment I would buy, he could make money helping others spray etc. And I would come back and get the best job I could and make up some of the first year’s expenses. If I get home soon I’m going to look into it but of course I’m not going all out on it until I can find out a little more. I am anxious to talk to Dick about. I think he will like it. I know my buddy would not let me down, he’s square and honest as the day is long. He is a great guy. He is anxious to help me and he wants later to expand and then go together on a business of hardware there. We had great fun going all over it one night in a foxhole. And I know Dad would fall over backward to advise me. I’m very anxious to see the picture of the store. Nancy and Mom and Phil all write about what an institution it is getting to be.

I’m glad you had a nice birthday and I wished I could have sent you something. (The Noha department store is very short on items). I know Dick and I and Phil will all be home soon to give you an inexpensive but most wanted gift—a big kiss.

And Mom I wouldn’t want you to go out west. Stay where you are and keep home what it has always been and always will be. Many people may soon regret having done that.

And I too want Nancy to go to school and for my choice, Nebraska University. And to have every advantage of graduating. I wanted to graduate in the worst kind of way and feel very badly sometimes because I didn’t. If I were still in school and took law, I would almost be out. I hate to think I will never get a degree. My days there were filled with association and acquaintance with learning, that are long remembered. I surely want Nancy to go and have all she needs to enjoy it.

I’m sure you finally got straightened out on my outfit and I have never been able to tell you. I’m feeling fine but I think I must feel like Dad sometimes—ready to blowup and sometimes I feel nervous as hell. I just hope I can soon see you. Minor differences will seem like nothing after this.

Well it’s beginning to get a little late (9 o’clock) and today may be another heavy one. But I’ll try to write often. You can now feel much reassured for it is almost over on this island and then we can have it easier.

Better stop sometimes although I feel like writing on and on if I could dig up the items.

Love,

22 May 1945

Dear folks:

Two letters from the home front today—one from each of you so that deserves a letter from me.

I see Mom tried to figure points and I knew you would. Yes, I have more than the required 85 and I hope it means something.

Reading a newspaper clipping today it says that over three hundred thousand are to be released from the Pacific this year. We heard a lot of stuff but it’s a little early to see how it will work, but I can’t help but feel that eventually something good will come of it. Dick gets 5 points for his Purple Heart. A few fellows left from the battalion this morning for a furlough in the states and they came around and shook hands and said goodbye. It’s quite an occasion. They had their choice of taking a furlough or waiting for rotation and decided on the former.

I just took a bath in that shower I described to you last night and right now I feel good. The Jap artillery has considerably slackened off and that helps my nerves very much.

Last night the Japanese pulled another of their fanatical bonzai attacks for an hour and a half. Our artillery and naval ships laid down an unending hail of shells. There was a constant distant rumble. Often the ships sitting offshore use tracers, and you can easily follow their trajectory as they go high in the air and lob into Jap territory. At the same time they attempted another landing, and you could see our ship’s lights and flares showing up the beach like daylight. Jap barges were barely discernible from where I was, and I understand not a one of them got to shore. The fighting on the south end of the island must be a classic example of the fury, the slaughter and devastation that erupts from war. They say Noba is completely leveled and the stench of the dead is nauseating. With some two hundred thousand civilians cramped in the little area you can imagine the suffering and death that must be everywhere.

But my own situation continues favorable and less dangerous. I am fortunate to be behind the lines. Once in a while some infantrymen come over to listen to our radio and I notice a surprising number have graying hair.

The last few nights I have found something to do. I’ve been working crossword puzzles. I go over to the aid station where they have lights, and the evening goes very fast that way. As a matter of fact time seems to slip by very fast. It seems like I no more than get started in the day, before it’s over.

The rain hasn’t been bad lately as a matter of fact the weather has been good, although tonight the sky looks like a storm may be brewing.

I’m sure you don’t reread my letters any more than I do yours. Every time I get a free moment I pull one out and read over and over the letter and reread some parts I like. But I know how anxious you are and I worry sometimes that you may worry too much, but I’m sure if we can all stick it out for 6 or 9 months longer, all will come out alright. I keep your mail and save it for Dick.

I know last Sunday was Mother’s Day and I hope very much that you received my V-mail card.

Well it’s beginning to get dusk and I better make up my bed and get this letter off. I have to make my bed a special way so that cold won’t leak in.

So much for this time.

Love,

11 May 1945

Dear Folks:

What sounded like good news came over the radio this morning, and while I’m putting in time this afternoon, perhaps I can tell you about (it). The War Department announced it had defined the point system for discharge with 85 points necessary to be eligible. Of course everyone has figured them up and mine stands at 91. Although we hear a lot about rotation and discharge it hasn’t made much effect but now I’m hoping that I will at least make it back on rotation or discharge, one or the two. If they are going to discharge 1 1/3 million as they say, it looks like I would have a chance. Anyway the morale has taken quite a boost around here since the announcement of these two plans. Now I’ve got to preserve myself until one of them affects me.

Had a letter from Phil a couple of days ago – he sure is doing the writing. He’ll get along alright once he finds out what the score it. Heard from my friend in Washington today and she is getting married the 5^th of June. Said she had a big party in the club where us used to go once in a while.

No more packages have come in but fourth class seems to drift in everyday so the rest of mine will probably show up one of these days.

I wished I had something to write about. There seems to be just nothing at all. Last night was pretty quiet. I’m feeling very good – I think it is this cool weather. Well I’m forced to quit here but perhaps the next communiqué will be longer.

Love,

23 April 1945

Dear Folks:

Another evening just before dark with nothing to do so I just as well write. Yesterday afternoon Dick stopped in for a short visit so we talked for a while. I was glad to know he was alright and he seemed in good spirits under the circumstances. I hope he will be able to see me again before long.

Been pretty busy all day and the time goes faster. I can hardly realize it is April.

The big fad in the battery right now is figuring points. A new rotation plan has been started based on the point system – so many for campaigns, overseas and a few more items. This outfit has quite a few points – probably not too many troops who have more, but return will depend on how many replacements can be sent this way. There must be a man to replace you and if he isn’t available you stay.

It’s beginning to get dark and I haven’t anything more to write about so I’ll knock off. I’m fine. Wanted you to know I had seen Dick.

Love,