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,
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
1st 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
