Do you have a link to your father’s log book?
I just got a large box of letters that my mom had from my dad during the war. As a kid I would turn over the mop bucket and sit in our cellar and read those old letters. (Yeah - weird kid!)
Sunday, 4 Feb, 1945
My Very Dear Mother & Dad & Sister!
Good evening - how are you all tonight? That's good - I am just fine, too! It's nice & cool tonight & the weather is just fine! We are still at anchor on our station [small minesweeper]. Don't know for sure when we will go in so we can get our mail, etc. But it is nice out here and we don't mind at all. We gets lots of work done and we get lots of rest & sleep. We take it easy - & we enjoy life! I've been beating the Captain pretty regularly in checkers lately - we have lots of fun.
.....
The war is going good now isn't it? The Russians are only 47 miles from Berlin and our forces are closing in on Manila in the Philippines. Seems to me the Germans should fold up pretty soon now - and we sure are going to town out here in the Pacific! There is more big news coming soon, too! The Japs sure will wish they had never started fooling with Uncle Sam!!
I am still thinking a lot of the swell plane trip I took the other day! That sure was one of the biggest thrills I have ever had!! I'll never forget it as long as I live! I only wish I had colored movies of it!!
I am wondering if Harry has arrived at his destination yet. I hope not. Maybe it will be all over before he starts his missions! I sure hope so! I'd much rather see him fly his missions against Japan!! [My uncle Harry was a bombardier and completed all of his missions over Germany. He never said a thing about being in the war.]
I guess I'd better close now and get to bed. Keep your chin up & don't work too hard!
P.S. I heard tonight on the radio that Orrins’ [a friend?] 11th Airborne Division is fighting south of Manila!
Yes. I’m sending it by PM.