7 March 1944: Elizabeth (Ft. Mason, CA) to Richard (New Guinea)
The third paragraph of this letter deals with an issue that afflicted the Armed Forces until 1948: racial segregation.
Happily, in this case an agreeable solution was found.
24 December 1944: Richard (probably Leyte, P.I.) to Elizabeth (Camp Stoneman, CA)
This is a moving letter written on Christmas Eve, 1944.
1 January 1945: Richard (probably Leyte, P.I.) to Elizabeth (Camp Stoneman, CA)
This letter starts with New Year's countdown and best wishes, then describes an excellent dinner with
a well-educated upper-middle or upper-class Filipino family. The description of languages spoken is especially
interesting, since all members of the family were at least tri-lingual.
18 March 1945: Richard (Manila, P.I.) to Elizabeth (New York, NY)
An extensive description of cockfighting in Manila less than two weeks after the very destructive Battle of Manila
and the Manila Massacre. Illustrates the resiliency of the Filipino people.
11 August 1945: Richard (Manila, P.I.) to Elizabeth (Lexington, VA)
Letter describing celebrations in Manila on the evening of 10 August, when news arrived that Japan had agreed to
accept the terms of the Potsdam declaration -- but only if they would not "prejudice the prerogatives" of the Emperor.
15 August 1945: Richard (Manila, P.I.) to Elizabeth (Lexington, VA)
Brief letter expressing joy at official news of Japanese surrender.
24 August 1945: Richard (Manila, P.I.) to Elizabeth (Lexington, VA)
Describes Douglas MacArthur being awarded an honorary Dr. of Laws degree at Santo Tomas University, with remarks about
his showmanship, followed by a discussion of swimming in the Pasig River, which was apparently possible at that time (though would be unwise now).