notsofancynancy

Posted by: notsofancynancy | June 26, 2024

28 Lt. John Roberts

It looks as though the Lieutenant is back in Okinawa. I am not sure but it seems, according to what I have read it may not be such a safe place to be. Let’s see what Roberts has to say.

17 June (1945)

Okinawa

Dear Mother,

I Received two letters from you a couple of days ago, dated the twentieth and the thirty-first of May. One of them is the letter I spoke of missing when I wrote last. That explains some of the things. I didn’t understand.

I’m having a rough time of this. There is so little to write about. That is a familiar phrase isn’t it.? Things are rather monotonous though. They say that war is ninety percent waiting and ten percent fighting. I believe it. I have done one hell of a lot of waiting. I don’t have any desire to stay in the army; but if I have to I want to be in on the showing and when we hit Japan proper not nearly so many cases of nervousness come from the fighting as some and to those cases caused by sitting on one’s can on a God Forsaken Island such as this for months.

I have known for quite some time that Helen Ruth was married. She wrote about it, giving as her reason the fact that she didn’t want to give me the wrong “impression” just because she was writing to me. I laughed. Some time ago she was writing about breaking the engagement. I told her to think it over for a while. She then writes that she is crazy about the guy and has gotten her ring back. Women! I’ll never understand them.

Say, while I’m thinking about it. I sent a footlocker full of clothes and junk home from my last location. Did it ever get there? The stuff in there isn’t valuable at all. Mostly underwear and socks, some (Illegible) a pair of pink trousers, a green shirt, and a raincoat. I’d like to have that locker get there though. It’s a damn good one.

My dad sent a locker home but I am told it had a couple of guns in it. I am not sure what else it had in it. Maybe those two wool blankets we had to use as kids. They were the most scratchy, uncomfortable blankets ever. After years of complaining about them Mom finally covered them in flannel. We were all happy about that.

I get a kick out of the natives here. The women walk along the road, staggering along under a big load on their heads, and the men amble along behind carrying nothing. That’s for me. I am going to settle down here and get me a gook to do my work when the war is over..

Guess this is all for now. It’s Father’s Day today, and here’s my best to Pop. Write when you can. My love to all.

Love

Johnnamus

29 June (1945)

Okinawa

Dear Mother,

I received your letter a couple of days ago, so I had best get down to answering it. You know how it is.

Things are going along pretty good here now. I’m in charge of a work party of natives, a regular “Simon Legree.” They are paid to equivalent of thirty cents for this work which is probably more than they made before. They work too. I have a couple of guards over them, but they don’t like to cause trouble for the most part, I believe, they are friendly to us. Some however aren’t.

I had to look up who Simon Legree was. It was not someone I would want to be like that’s for sure. In case you don’t know he was the horrible overseer in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” It was a different time back then but there is no excuse for such hatred, but I did not live or endured one nationality trying to kill me for days on end.

We still have some excitement here. Several nights ago, we had a small war. Several of us were setting here in the tent when suddenly all hell broke loose. Bullets flying everywhere. We put out the lights and hit the dirt but fast. During a lull I took off across the gulch where a bunch of guys were flat on the ground. Several of us went over where the shooting was to see what was going on. When we got there, they had already gotten one Jap. We stood around talking for a while when somebody yelled “There’s another one! Watch out for that grenade!” When they said grenade about four guys hit me at the same time, knocking me flat on my face. That was Ok by me. More protection if there was a grenade, which there wasn’t. That one was killed too. Nobody hurt of our side. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that the next day I had to take a detail out and bury them. That makes three I have planted. Guess I’ll be a mortician when this is over.

It’s hot as forty-seven bells here now. Take a drink of water and sweat rolls off. I’d like a little rain.

I haven’t seen Sapp for some time. Been too busy with my gooks.

I’m glad that you have gotten some news about my footlocker. I wouldn’t like to lose it.

It’s ok by me about the money. I’m not worrying about it. Hope Jimmie can make a go of that place. If he needs anymore let him have it.

I don’t know where Soloman Hawkins is located, but I wrote to him the other day. Maybe he can let me know, and I can locate him.

We are doing all right here now. Electric lights, homemade shower, Ditto washing machine, and believe it or not, honest to God steak and potatoes today. Of course, the steak would have made excellent shoe soles, but it was steak. The potatoes were delicious.

Guess I’d best knock off for now. I’ve just about covered the field. My love to everyone and write soon.

Lots of love

Johnnamus

P.S. I hope you can get that film. How are Jeff and Virginia?

There you go. They are finally feeling comfortable and safe and all it takes is one or two individuals to force them into fighting for their lives. Then to have to bury them? I don’t even know what that would be like. I reflect back on my Dad’s days in the European Theater and what he had to say about it. “I have delivered everything from the newspaper to dead bodies” Dad was a Quartermaster and his job was driving. I certainly have a better understanding of why soldiers come back with PTSD.

Until next time friends

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Posted in 193rd Tank Battalion, World War II | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, Army, Lt John Roberts, Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II

Posted by: notsofancynancy | June 11, 2024

27 Lt. John Roberts

Lt. Roberts describes a day in a soldier’s life, in his case as, “not much” Which more than likely means, not much is what I can share with you but there is a lot more I can’t. I know he probably saw his life go before his eyes many times with The 193 Tank Battalion’s fight now called Death Ride of the Shermans. Let’s see what he can share with us now.

M4A1 Sherman- Sherman II British service

2 June (1945)

Dear Mother,

I received your letter a couple of days ago, and am just getting around to answering it. There isn’t much, in fact nothing to write about so this won’t be much of a letter.

I received a letter from (illegible) the same day I got yours. He felt the same way I did about Ft. Meyers. Everything is so different that you don’t feel at home unless your are in your own house, and even then it is hard. Everything has changed there too. I’ll bet my bottom dollar though, that it won’t take long to become accostomed to it if I get out of the Army. (Illegible) has a darn good chance of getting out. He has enough points, and what is more important, he is in the states, and unassigned. That’s the important thing.

If you haven’t already gotten that Parker 51 pen for me don’t do it. As you might know I found mine right where I put it, as usual.

I’ve seen Howard a couple of times since I wrote last. He says that he had written to you.

There just isn’t anything more to write about. I’ll try to write more later. My love to all at home, and write soon.

Lots of love

Johnnamus

Churchill MkV w/ 95mm close support howitzer

I am so glad he found his Parker 51.

I bet Ft. Meyers has changed. Most of the United States has changed during this war. From getting an army together, training them, and shipping them overseas, as well as feeding them, clothing them and getting them their mail, must have taken a toll on the families as well as our soldiers. In researching my Dad’s letters I found that the young men from the farms were fighting and the German prisoners housed in Nebraska as well as other states, were working in said fields some having dinner at the farms while our soldiers ate rations. I know it pissed my dad off to no end.

I wanted to learn more about the point system with which the soldiers needed to have to come home. According to Wikipedia;

“As the end of the war in Europe became a reality, the US War Department began planning for the redeployment of Army personnel following the end of hostilities. The Veterans Replacement and Release Act of 1945 established the US Army Point System.[2] The Readjustment Regulations were first introduced on September 15, 1944, and revised February 15, 1945, and again on March 5, 1945.

The rules were simple in general principle: “those who had fought longest and hardest should be returned home for discharge first.”

You can learn more here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjusted_Service_Rating_Score

8 June (1945)

Okinawa

I received your letter several days ago and I expect that it’s time I got down to answering it. I haven’t been doing much in the way of work lately, but trying to make my part of the tent more livable has kept me quite busy.

It seems that I must have missed a letter in the rush. You mention some things as though you had written of them before. I didn’t even know that Elbert Acuff was missing. How and where did it happen?

I’m really burned up. You know I got into the National Guard when I was fifteen and have been drawing longevity pay for that part of my service. Well, now I have to pay that money back to the government. It amounts to about five hundred dollars. It’s not only me. It pertains to everyone with underage service in the N.G. I don’t owe as much as some do. Having the longevity stopped isn’t what makes me mad. It’s the fact they waited four and a half years to come out with this and now some guys are going to have trouble repaying it. I know one man who owes fourteen hundred dollars. There will be lots of men affected by it.

I found this Website that tells what Longevity Pay is;

“Some Soldiers Earn Extra Pay. For every 3 years you spend in the service, your base pay is increased by 5 percent. This is known as “longevity pay.”

I think I would be mad too. Did you catch that? Roberts has been in “Service” since he was 15 years old! I sure wish we knew how old he was when he wrote these letters.

SAS Jeep restored as desert patrol vehicle of Special Air Service by Joe Lyndhurst, Founder of Warnham War Museum, 1973

I received a couple of letters from Martha this week. Evidently things are better there now. Preston seems to be O.K.

My APO has changed again. Its getting to the place where I have to count up on my fingers and toes to remember which one we are using.

We are definitely living in the lap of luxury now. Cots, no less, Electric lights, too. I have spent quite a bit of time building a floor for my cot, table, and a cupboard, which I also made, and which would bring a big belly laugh from everyone if they were to put it on the market.

Guess this is all for now. Give everyone my love. Di’s baby isn’t cute either. Write soon.

Love,

Johnnamus

Well another two letters finished. Will Roberts get that $500 deducted from his pay? What about all the other soldiers that had longevity pay? We may never know.

Until next time friends

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Posted in 193rd Tank Battalion, Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, Armed Forces, Army, Lt John Roberts, World War II, WWII

Posted by: notsofancynancy | May 28, 2024

26 Lt. John Roberts

I feel like I won the lottery! Well maybe not. I reached into the next envelope and pulled out some funny money.

I wonder why the letter says hold on it?

It looks like all the other letters but the envelope says “Hold” on it. Then there is the stamp that says “Not for Carrier No. ____ 3.” And what about the stamp that is at the top, left corner? I don’t remember seeing that before. I wonder what that is? Now look at the stamp. It is beautiful but why would it be stamped from Ft. Meyers? If you have any answers please let me know in the comments. Now let’s look at what was in this envelope.

Now let’s look at them individually.

Very interesting! Apparently the Banquet De L’Indo Chini apparently is a bank (duh!) According to Wikipedia:

“The Banque de l’Indochine (French: [bɑ̃k də lɛ̃dɔʃin]), originally Banque de l’Indo-Chine (“Bank of Indochina”), was a bank created in 1875 in Paris to finance French colonial development in Asia. As a bank of issue in Indochina until 1952 (and in French Pacific territories until 1967),[1] with many features of a central bank, it played a major role in the financial history of French Indochina, French India, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Djibouti, as well as French-backed ventures in China and Siam. After World War II, it lost its issuance privilege but reinvented itself as an investment bank in France, and developed new ventures in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia and South Africa.”

Well that makes sense. Here is some more information I found on this money. You can find more info at Numizon:

https://www.numizon.com/en/banknote/5-francs-type-1927-papeete/tah-p11/

“BANQUE DE L’INDO-CHINE = Bank of Indochina; CINQ FRANCS = Five francs; NOUMÉA; PAYABLES EN ESPÈCES AU PORTEUR = Payable to bearer in cash; Le Président = President [signature: Marcel Borduge]; Le Directeur Général = General Director [signature: Paul Baudouin]; L’ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIÉ LES BILLETS DE BANQUES AUTORISÉES PAR LA LOI = Article 139 of Penal Code punishes with the forced labour those who counterfeits or falsifies the bills of the banks authorized by the Law; CH. WALHAIN. FEC. [designer: Charles Albert Walhain]; E. DELOCHE. SC. [engraver: Emile Deloche]; Back: denomination; Text: BANQUE DE L’INDO-CHINE = Bank of Indochina; L’ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIÉ LES BILLETS DE BANQUES AUTORISÉES PAR LA LOI = Article 139 of Penal Code punishes with the forced labour those who counterfeits or falsifies the bills of the banks authorized by the Law; Watermark: Vietnamese male head”

Next we have 2 notes just different colors.

Nouvelle Caledonia according to Wikipedia translates to New Caledonia. Numista (click here) states the top one is Two Francs whereas the second one is One Franc, but I am sure you figured that one out. I wish I knew the meaning of the back of these but I don’t. Do you?

What I find interesting about this one is the hole punches in the top of this bill. It very clearly says “The Japanese Government,” and we can see that it is 10 Centavos. According to Wikipedia here is some valuable information:

“During World War II in the Philippines, the occupying Japanese government-issued fiat currency in several denominations; this is known as the Japanese government-issued Philippine fiat peso (see also Japanese invasion money). The Second Philippine Republic under President José P. Laurel outlawed possession of guerrilla currency, and declared a monopoly on the issuance of money, so that anyone found to possess guerrilla notes could be arrested or even executed.

Some Filipinos called the fiat peso “Mickey Mouse money”. Many survivors of the war[who?] tell stories of going to the market laden with suitcases or “bayóng” (native bags made of woven coconut or buri leaf strips) overflowing with the Japanese-issued bills. According to one witness, 75 “Mickey Mouse” pesos, or about 35 U.S. dollars at that time, could buy one duck egg. In 1944, a box of matches cost more than 100 Mickey Mouse pesos.”

“These bills were often used by American psychological warfare personnel as propaganda leaflets. Japanese occupation banknotes were overprinted with the words “The Co-prosperity Sphere: What is it worth?”, in an attempt to discredit the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and dropped from Allied aircraft over the occupied territories.”

Well that was a fun post. I think I will go to the store and spend all my Mickey Mouse money.

Until next time friends

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Posted in Grab Bag | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, Army, Lt John Roberts, Lt. John T. Roberts, Pacific Theater, World War II, WWII

Posted by: notsofancynancy | May 15, 2024

25 Lt. John Roberts

Last month Roberts and the 193rd Tank Battalion fought for their lives. Now they are out of danger for the most part. Since they are still in Okinawa, as near as I can tell, there is still danger but nothing compared to what happened in April, 1945.

15 May (1945)

Dear Mother,

I wrote a couple of days ago and haven’t heard from you since; but being as how I have nothing more to do for the time being, I guess I’ll write again. I really don’t have anything to write about, but perhaps something will come to me as I go along.

Things are much different now. Instead of spending my time at the front I spend it in my sack as much as possible. I have always wanted to get into combat but now that I have be in, I would much rather not see anymore of it. I have changed my viewpoint on a lot of things I used to say that rather than lose an arm or leg I’d just as soon be killed outright, but no more after so many close calls a guy ceases to worry about being hit. He then begins to hope and pray that when he is hit, he’ll come through it. A guy adopts a fatalistic attitude toward it all. It’s really a funny feeling, then again it isn’t a bit funny. It’s hard to try to explain it to someone who hasn’t seen and been through it all because it’s impossible to visualize. It has to be seen to be understood. I guess that there will be lots of this told, and lots of exaggeration of the actual fact, when this thing is over. What I have seen and done, will be what I willl tell when I am able. In my mind the thing is bad enough without exaggeration, and enough had happened that I have seen happen so that it needs no untrue additions. Some of the things are to hard to believe now. Within the limited scope of my vocabular, the whole thing belies discrimination. All I have to say is that which I have said so many times before. Nothing that can or will be fine is bad enough for those who loose such as this upon a world. The letdown from what has gone before the present quiet is terrific. After days of nervous strain of the worse kind, all we want to do now is nothing. It’s hard to get enough energy to get up to eat. Our duties are very light, so we have plenty of time for rest. It is beautiful here. We are located very near the sea. Flanked by mountains on either side. There is a fairly decent beach to our direct front, which by the way, can’t even remotely compare with our beach at home or the other beaches in Florida. I have seen none in the Pacific that can.

This is the first time I have actually heard the feelings of war told. My dad never talked of such feelings. Even though he wrote to Mom about what happened. (Read “Dad Tells’s All” here)

As I have said before, we are getting much better rations than we used to. Better, actually than the rations I have eaten at many camps in the states, that legendary Garden of Eden popularly known as the soldiers of Utopia. The weather conditions are somewhat like that at home in the fall. We have only one gripe on that score. This place knows no happy medium. It’s either muddy or dusty.

I have just about made up my mind to go to school when I am released (if and when) That is my decision, but it is, of course, subject to change. There is no telling what I will decide to do after I see what it is like to be around a civilians. I have been in the Army so long that I can’t even visualize it. What would it be like to be able to come and go as one chooses, eat when and where you like, wear what you like, quit a job you don’t like, and otherwise be your own boss? God knows. I don’t. I’m very anxious to find out though and am looking to the day of my release from active duty with eagerness and anticipation. I don’t know when it will be, but I’m hoping without reason, that it will be soon. I have had more than enough of the Army. I don’t doubt that I shall miss it for a while for I’ve been in so long that I know nothing else, but I also have no doubts as to my ability to get along without it. I guess this has gone on long enough. Lots of time wasted and nothing said. I very anxious to learn of the outcome of Dianes trip to the hospital. Surely she couldn’t have held out this long, though I read somewhere of a woman who was pregnant three hundred and seventy four days. My love to all, and white when you can.

Love

Johnnamus

I wonder if Roberts journey was similar to my Dad’s. Dad joined the National Guards in 1940 and was mustered into the army in December 1940. They told him he would only serve one year. Dad ended up serving five years.

20 May (1945)

Dear Mother,

I received your letter a couple of days ago but have just gotten around to answering it. It took only eleven days to get here which is pretty good time considering the distance it had to travel. Some have gotten here in as little as eight days.

This was the letter with the pictures in it. All I can say about the new Roberts baby is that it’s a baby. It damn sure isn’t pretty. they needn’t feel bad about it though because I never could see anything pretty about kids as young as that. The other kids are cute as speckled pups though. too bad that Diane’s baby had to be a girl but at least she and the baby came through all right. which is the important thing.

IT’S A GIRL! Diane is the wife of Dit. He was killed last month in the Philippines serving in this same damn war.

Things are as good as could be expected here now. The only thing is the nightly air raid. We have shows here now and for the last three nights have been going to the same show. Just as the thing got to the middle of the second reel somebody would yell “Flash Red!” and that would be the end of the show. After three nights we gave up and got another picture, a sorry one. Just as could be expected, the sorry one ran all the way without a single interruption. I had seen the good one twice before but would have enjoyed it never less.

I am about a mile from Howard Sapp now and was over to see him day before yesterday. There isn’t a whole bunch that I can say to him, or that he can say to me. We have just about run out of common acquaintances. He is cooking there which gives me a good belly laugh every time I see him manicuring the utensils.

Can you get Sol Hawkin’s address for me? If you can I’ll try to look him up. He’s a pretty good egg, except that he is in the (illegible). That is about the worse thing I can say about him.

I’m a schoolboy again. I’ve taken up a subject through United States Armed Forces Institution for review of some of my high school work so that maybe (when and if) I get out I’ll have a fair chance of passing a college entrance exam. I’ve started on plane geometry and from there expect to go to trig or algebra, & college algebra. It’s self study off time of course. I get a kick out of it.

I had a letter from Gene Sumerall the other day. He Jack Strausburg and four other guys who came in with me are on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines now and they seem to be getting along pretty good.

I guess I’d better cut this short. Will write again within the next few days. My love to all. I forgot to mention Mother’s Day when I last wrote so I’ll mention it now. I believe I did write on that day. I hope that you went out bought something. Write Soon.

Love

Johnnamus

P.S. Don’t forget the Parker 51 if you can locate one

He is still wanting that Parker 51 Pen. I hope somewhere along the lines he will get it.

Until Next Time Friends

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Posted in 193rd Tank Battalion, Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, Army, Lt. John T. Roberts, Pacific Theater, World War II, WWII

Posted by: notsofancynancy | April 30, 2024

24 Lt. John Roberts

In case you need a refresher course, Lt. John Roberts friend/relative (?) from home Dit, was killed in action sometime in April 1945. He left behind, his wife Diane “Di” who was pregnant. Roberts himself has just endured the biggest fight the 193rd Tank Battalion was in. You can read about “The Death Ride of the Sherman’s here.“

Our next letter in numerical order,by the post marks is one sent to John’s mother from Lt. Ed Coffey, from the 38th Bomb Group. When I see these letters from Roberts comrades it worries me that something may have happened to him but then I remember we still have about 20 letters left from the Lieutenant.

Philippines

Friday

May 11 (1945)

Dear Mrs. Roberts-

I received your letter the other day; and was real glad to hear from you. I’m sorry about the way Di has taken things, but I think in due time she’ll perk up a bit. We are all waiting to see if the baby is a girl or boy.

I never did write Dit’s folks a letter as it turned out to be something one would rather put off from day to day. And it got to the point where I figured it would be better not to write, as it would just bring up memories again. There is nothing I can add except that Dit and the other fellows were buried by Guerillas. One had gotten out and was picked up by a rescue boat, but he died the next day of exposure, and other complications. That’s about all I know that maybe you didn’t know. Henry had Dit’s camera, and I believe he said he would mail it. But I think he should keep it until he goes home, and then you will be sure of getting it.

Strain, our engineer is back with us again, and looks pretty good now. Henry and myself are getting along to finishing up pretty soon, which we are both glad of. If anytime you hear from Dit’s folks I’d wish you would tell them why I didn’t write. Please if there is anything that we can do for any of you or anything you want to know, just write. Please let us know whether it is a girl or or boy.

Yours Sincerely,

Lt. Ed Coffey

The next letter is From Roberts and although it is postdated on the 11th it was written May 5.

5 May (1945)

Dear Mother

I received three letters from you a couple of days ago dated the second, sixteenth, and the twenty-second of April. In one of them was the letter from Howard. The day after I received it I took off and located him It was easy to find him due to the nature of his unit. He hasn’t changed a bit. When I got there he was cooking for lunch. He had been looking for me, but I found him first. I hope to be able to get down to see him again sometime, but you never can tell.

I am strictly burned up. On the way down here, I broke my sunglasses. Now I have lost my Parker 51 Pen. The only thing I have left now are my billfold and my cigarette lighter. If you can find one, I wish that you would send me a Parker 51 pen. Definitely don’t want yours so don’t send it. If you can’t find one don’t send any at all. I can get along without a pen because I will be able to borrow one. I would like to get a Parker 51 though.

I took a stroll into internet land to see what I could learn about this Parker 51 pen. It is quite a collectors item nowadays. It seems like they were made from 1941 until 1971 by the US Company, Parker Pens, which was established in 1888. The Parker 51 was introduced in 1941. The price range was $10.00 to $50.00. Those are the 1941 prices.

It was interesting to see General Eisenhower used a Parker 51 to sign the surrender orders in the European Theater and General McArthur signed the surrender orders for the Pacific Theater, also with the now famous Parker 51.

Things here are much quieter now. We are in an area where there isn’t any artillery fire which makes for better sleeping. The only thing we have to worry about is the infiltrating Japs, but they don’t bother us. I was always positive that I would come through this war without a scratch. But there have been many times when I had serious doubts. Just as I always say though, I guess I was born to be hanged. By the way did you hear the NB news broadcast wherein the 193rd was mentioned on a nationwide hook-up? It was somewhere around the twenty-third of Aprill. It also mentioned the twenty-seventh division to which we were attached. That was the first time in the history of the Pacific War that an individual tank battalion has been mentioned in a news broadcast or newspaper. They have been in action here since the beginning. This battalion, in fact made the first action where tanks were used in the Pacific. These boys have, plain guts than any bunch of men I’ve ever seen. That is a common place thing here. Lots of men have done things which deserve award who will never get it. It’s really a tragic thing to see men pile right into something from which few of them will ever walk out of, but they go right into it never the less. I guess it all goes back to the celebrated optimism of the American soldiers which is aptly illustrated by the story of an officer who goes up in front of a group of one hundred men and asked for volunteers for an exceptionally dangerous mission. All of them volunteered so the officers felt it necessary to tell them that ninety-nine men wouldn’t return. Every man said, “I’m going to miss the rest of you guys” and they took off.

We have a fairly good deal here. The food is so much better than it used to be in overseas areas that there is no comparison. We have what is known as 10 in 1 ration, which is three meals for 10 men for one day. The food is canned, and includes, bean, (green), bacon, pork sausage, cigarettes, candy, gum, corn, Toilet paper, and paper napkins, We appoint three men as cooks & K.P.s, and they cook for the whole bunch. We haven’t much to do now, because we’ve done our stint in hell, for a while at least.

By the way, Howard said that he saw Dit many times while he was stationed in the Philippines. He talked as though he didn’t want Diane to know it because it would make him feel badly to have to tell her a lot of stuff about which she would naturally ask him, he wouldn’t be able to tell her much. He didn’t know who Dit was at the time or at least he didn’t know his connection with the family. He said Dit had gotten weather information from him many times.

I guess I best close for now. The captain is clamoring for his pen. Hope Pop is feeling better and is able to catch some fish. My love to all. Write again when you can. How is Diane?

Love

Johnnamus

That is an interesting letter. I am glad it is quieter and the food is better. I can’t imagine what they were eating before if that meal was better than the meals before. These soldiers really went through a lot. They really are The Greatest Generation.

The next letter is dated 1 May 1945 and is one of those tiny V-Mail. I have my magnifying glass out lets see if I can transcribe it.

Dear Mother

Here I am again right on time with another edition of the latest news such as that is. Just the usual line. I’m fine how’re you? How is everyone getting along? I expect that Jean has had her baby by now. How is Di getting along? How are Jeff and Jimmy getting alone. any more news about Dit? How are Jeff and Jimmy getting along? Pop and all the rest? These things aren’t big enough to say anything. So I can just say again, that I am fine.and hope that you all are getting along as well.

Love John

Well that is the end of these letters and the end of this post.

Until next time my friends.

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Posted in 193rd Tank Battalion, Grab Bag, Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, Army, Lt John Roberts, Parker 51 Pen, World War II

Posted by: notsofancynancy | April 16, 2024

23 Lt. John T. Roberts

Interesting enough the next two envelopes are from a Sgt. H. Sapp, his APO is the weather service. (See the picture of the envelope below.) There are no letters from Roberts between March 27 to May 7, 1945. Although I have an envelope from Sgt. Sapp, sadly there is no letter in it. The second one does have a letter in it but before we open it lets take a look at what is going on in The war in the Pacific. The first letter envelope is stamped April 20, 1945. The second one is stamped May 7, 1945. The time between the Lt’s. letters are an important time in the history of the 193rd Tank Battalion. When we look at this event, we must realize that according to his letters Roberts is part of the Medical Attachment so I am not sure how involved in this event he would be, but no matter what he would have to have seen things only a soldier would see.

Please go to this article and see exactly what the 193rd had to endure, at this time. I was going to quote a lot of it here below but found that there is just too much to the story so please, if you are interested click the blue text below and read about what these men endured. There are also some great pictures. I looked at each soldier and wondered if any one of them may be our Lieutenant.

Warfare History Network, the article is titled “Death Ride of the Sherman.” By Nathan N. Prefer

I will add this “Of the 30 tanks that had entered the fight that morning, only eight were able to return from the front on their own power. Of the 22 tanks left behind, 17 were later salvaged and returned to battle. It was the greatest single battle loss of American tanks in the entire Pacific War. And, as the Army’s official history of the Okinawa campaign says, “The big attack of 19 April had failed. At no point had there been a breakthrough. Everywhere the Japanese had held and turned back the American attack.”

On to the letter. It is written from Sgt. Chas, H. Sapp, written to Lieutenant Roberts’s mother.

May 5, 1945

Western Pacific

Dear Mrs. Roberts & All:

Just a few lines to let you know that I have finally met Buck. Shore was surprised & glad to see him & we talked for a coupla [sic] hours. He says that he will drop around again soon.

Buck is looking really good— I am not telling you this just to make you feel good— but he looks as healthy and fit as anybody I know. lived a darn ruff life for awhile but now he back in a much safer area.

We are blacked out & I am writing with a flashlight so I am gonna close this & hit the sack-

Tell Jeff to write & you do the same.

Yours

Sap

Well, there you go. It seems like the history may just match up with the letter. I am assuming “Buck” referred to Roberts. I am so glad he made it through the Death Ride. I cannot imagine having to live with those memories. I guess that is why the USA is the home of the free, because of the brave. Thank you, Lt. Roberts, for fighting for us.

I am going to add the next letter from Roberts here as it pertains to what he has gone through the last month more or less. It was actually written a couple of days before The Sgt. Letter but was not posted until the 7th.

Okinawa

2 May (1945)

Dear Mother,

I haven’t written in quite sometime, nor have I received any mail in about two weeks. I have been wondering what the sex of Dianes baby is. I figure that unless the brat is stubborn it should be here by now. I’m hoping that soon I’ll get a letter saying that everything came out alright.

Things are still about the same here. It is raining, and this rain is cold as the dickins. Conservatively specking I’m very uncomfortable at the present time. I expect that before this is over, I will have spent many an uncomfortable day as I have already. We are getting along pretty good otherwise I have come through this thing all right so far with the grace of God and some good luck and expect to continue to do so until it is over. There are a lot of things that I could say which neither are pretty, nor will they pass the censor. It’s really a wicked deal. It’d hard to see the sense of it all. Not that it’s hard to understand the reason that we are in the war, but it is hard to understand why any country, no matter how barbarous, should want to start such an orgy of killing, and waste, and the multitudinous detriments to civilization that get into the composition of a war. It is also hard to understand and to grasp the reasoning of people who will sanction such a thing. I believe that it is generally admitted that it is impossible for a person to grasp the reasoning much less understand it. If the Japanese, you can’t think of them as human, because that are so inhuman in their actions. To us a dead Jap in no worse of better that a dead dog. Just so many rats who have to be exterminated, unpleasant though the job maybe. It is something that can be expounded on for days, and you will arrive at the same question, “Why?”

This is my last sheet of paper so I had to bum it off the Captain I had best use the back. There isn’t much more that I can say. Little as I have already. I guess I had best close for now. I hope to hear from you soon. My love to all at home

Love

Johnnamus

Wow just wow! Fresh from the battlefield he speaks his mind.

Until next time friends.

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Posted in 193rd Tank Battalion, World War II | Tags: 193rd Tank Battalion, 1945, Armed Forces, Army, Lt. John T. Roberts, Pacific Theater, World War II

Posted by: notsofancynancy | April 2, 2024

22 Lt. John T. Roberts

March 1945 finds Roberts, along with the 193rd Tank Division making their way to the fighting. In another month, after being attached to the 27th Infantry Division they would finally fight.

Written on the back of this letter. Now we get to wonder why it was written

10 March (1945)

Dear Mother,

I Received your letter today but for once I can’t say that I enjoyed hearing from you. This is one letter that I have been hoping I wouldn’t receive. Not the letter, but the news about Dit. I have been hoping that he would come out of it all right. Now what can I say? I’m not the type who can write as one fellow did, “It isn’t every man who can die for something.” I can’t feel that wat about it. I don’t know what to say. I just wonder who in the hell do people think that are to take it upon themselves to start a mass murder such as this? The people of a country must be in back of the armies or a war would never get started, therefore, I say or ask, why should we show then any sympathy? I say show them the same mercy that the show to captives and also that they showed in starting this thing in the first place. But, what good does it do? It doesn’t help Dit or the hundreds of thousands of men who have died? It doesn’t help Dinah or the other girls like her.

I don’t feel much like writing today, so I’ll close for now. I’m getting along fine. Everything is going well as usual. Give everyone my love and write soon. Will write more later.

Love

Johnnamus

Well that just about broke my heart. I had a feeling that when we got the news in the last letter that Dit was MIA they got him, but I was hopeful, as was Roberts. I can actually say I cried tears for Dit. as well as for his wife. I didn’t remember she was pregnant. I really didn’t know that I was this affected by these letters. But as I typed in those words tears leaked from my eyes. May God bless his soul.

20 March (1945)

Dear Mother,

I received your letter today and certainly was glad to hear for you again. I work a V-mail letter to you yesterday and also another change of address cark in case you get this before you get the card. The new address is APO is “27”

Gosh, I guess those kids are growing. By the time I see them again they’ll probably be going out on dates, maybe applying for a marriage license. I’m glad to hear that they are getting over the chicken pox. I guess they’ll be having all of the minor diseases before too long. It must be something to see Freedy getting fat. He was as skinny as a tent pole last time I was home. Two quarts of mile a day! Gosh, could I go for some of that. Gosh I haven’t had fresh milk since I left Stewart. I’ll bet Missy will be a grown up and prissy little squirt before long. She has the making of it now. Is Butch anywhere as Reedy? Buy I’ll bet those two will be getting into some wicked scrapes when they get a little older.

It is good to hear “Di” is getting along better now. As long as she has hopes, I guess she’s O.K. Seems to me that it would be better to accept it, than then it wouldn’t be so bad in the long run. It Doesn’t seem odd to me that she received her notification the way she did. Maybe it would be better if you don’t let her see this. I don’t want to put a spike in her hopes. They are usually pretty sure of the thing when they send the notification out. I know that they slip up once in a while, but it isn’t often. There is always a slim chance though. It’s nice of General Ditto to come down to see her. I can imagine that he should feel badly about it. I too didn’t have the slightest suspicion that “Dit” would end up this way. That’s the way it goes though I thought a lot of him, even though I was there such a short time. I have never known a better guy. That’s over though. It’s “Di” and the baby I’m worried about now. Don’t forget to let me know how she comes out of it.

I have seen in the movies how that moment plays out. The wife is home and the military comes to her door with the notification. I am sure nothing can prepare one for such a moment. My heart hurts for what it was, all those years ago.

How is Jean now? She is due about now, isn’t she? Tell her to have her twins and come through O.K. and in return I’ll promise to not take her husband out and get him stewed again.

I hope that Jimmie doesn’t have to come into the Army. It’s kind of late in the game now. If he has to come, though he will just have to make the best of it. With any luck at all, he should be able to come up pretty fast.

How are Jeff and Jimmy now? Give them my love and tell Jeff I don’t give a damn if he is busy or not, if he doesn’t write I won’t let him celebrate with me when I get back. There are going to be some husbandless wives are there the first night I get home. That will by an occasion for a celebration.

I Can’t understand why you aren’t getting my letters. I write everytime I hear from you, which is usually once a week, and not over two weeks at the most.

I Hope that Pop comes around. I can sympathize with him, though. Because I am a lot like him, I guess. If they won’t give him the gas to fish when he wants to, and he isn’t well enough to work, what can he do? As far as trying something else is concerned, I think that it’s a little late for that. If things get tight, I recommend you use that money in the bank. It’s as much as yours as it is mine. Also, the bonds. If I decide to go to school when I get out I can get my tuition plus fifty bucks a month for four years, so I can get by just as well without the money. Or you can start using the allotment check each month. Makes no never mind to me, but I want you to use it if you need it.

Y’know these lizards here are the most immoral creatures I have ever seen. They don’t care whose bed they get into Tsk! Decidedly not the most desirable of bedfellows.

I searched for lizards in New Caledonia and found the following picture. Although it may be the one Roberts has encountered it may not be. This is a New Caledonia Gecko and grows to about 14 inches long. Regardless any lizard in my bed would scare the heck out of me.

Picture courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo Education Website

Seems like everything happened to “Di” at about the same time. Guess this is enough for awhile. Give everyone my love, and write soon. Tell the others to try to drop me a line sometime, the jerks!

Lots of love

Johnnamus

In reading this last paragraph makes me wonder if she just learned she was pregnant. If that is the truth, did Dit. actually know? Some questions may never be answered.

Until next time, friends

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Posted in Grab Bag | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, Army, Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II

Posted by: notsofancynancy | March 25, 2024

21 Lt. John T. Roberts

February of 1945 finds our Lieutenant still safe somewhere in the Pacific. As near as I can figure, he and his fellow soldiers are no longer in Oahu but that remains to be seen. Roberts can’t stay out of war. He will soon fight for his life.

26 February (1945)

Dear Mother,

I received your letter a couple of days ago but am just getting around to answering it. It was the first letter I have received in weeks, and I haven’t received any mail since. I did get a newspaper which was exactly three months old the day I received it. I guess things are rough all over though, so who am I to judge.

I just got back from one of those U.S.O shows. We have seen both of them. The first one was pretty good but this last one was the better of the two. It was Martha O’Driscoll’s show but in my opinion she wasn’t the star of the show. There were a couple of other girls there who were darn nice. Especially a contortionist who was just a joy. All in all these shows are worth something. They do give us some good laughter.

Interestingly enough I found a picture of Ms. Driscoll on the website “The Digital Collection of the National WWII Museum.” (You will find the picture by clicking on the blue text.) What I found interesting though is she is this picture is in New Caledonia, which in the Pacific Islands, in February of 1945. This is about the same time as this letter. Could this where our Lieutenant is?

I don’t know what is going on at home, or anywhere else in the States. Things, especially mail, get here slowly. I have no doubt that it is on the way. I am anxious to learn how Pop is getting along. Hope that I didn’t say that I might been up on the Bis- (business) I said I would like to. There isn’t much chance of that though.

I am still getting along fine. Working pretty regularly. Nothing much to do except read, write, and go to the show when the day is over.

Guess I’d best go to the sack. Getting late. Give my best to the folks at home. Write soon.

Lots of love,

Johnnamus

And so it goes in the military service, no mail, and the soldiers feel like no one cares enough to write. Meanwhile the mail is stuck somewhere between home and the Pacific. It’s a vicious cycle. I hope things are better for our military these days.

4 March (1945)

Dear Mother,

I received two letters from you today the first I have received from anyone in quite some time. In fact it has been so bad that I quit asking about it. I can’t understand why all my correspondence (friends) should quit writing at the same time. I don[t owe any of them letters, and I am damned if I am going to keep writing to people who don’t answer my letters. Makes me mad when the rest of the guys get four or five letters every two or three days, and I don’t even rate a post card. I naturally don’t begrudge their mail, but it makes me mad when people won’t write. Maybe it will catch up to me someday. Now that I have that off my chest, I can go on to something else.

How (illegible name) ever got fifteen thousand dollars in insurance. I don’t know. Ten thousand is the most you can get in G.I. insurance. Must be outside insurance. Ten thousand is enough for me. I don’t intend that anyone should get any good out of mine. I’m figuring on coming out of this thing all right. I’m also not worried about how I’m going to spend my time when this thing is over.

It always tickles me when someone says a guy can’t be far from somewhere. Uncle Wade should know how large the Pacific is, so he should know that there are millions of places I could be, but a guy can just be in one place at a time. Close is an arbitrary term anyhow. It all depends on how one interprets the word in reference to distance.

I don’t quite know what to say about Dit. The fact that such a thing could happen to him never entered my mind. “Missing” isn’t dogmatic at all though. There have been innumerable forced landings in the jungle and getting back. O.K. it takes time. The jungles on these Pacific islands are beyond distinction. You’d have to see them to believe it. I guess it is quite a blow to Diane.

I’m still getting along fine. Guess I’d best close for now. Write soon and give everyone my love.

Love

Johnnamus

What? Dit is missing? MIA? This is bad news but Roberts is right. Landing on the Pacific Islands, a jungle would be a hard thing to do. I just hope that Dit shows up healthy and fit. I hope there will be more mention of him in the letters. I am praying he is found but I do have to remember this was 78 years ago.

Until next time friends

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Posted in Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, blogger, Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II, WWII

Posted by: notsofancynancy | February 20, 2024

20 John T. Roberts

Once again according to Britannica, By February 5 the XI and XIV Corps had established contact inland at Dinalupihan. Meanwhile, on January 31, the U.S. 11th Airborne Division had made an amphibious landing at Nasugbu, south of Manila Bay. On February 3 a team from the 11th Division parachuted on Tagatay Ridge, soon linking up with the amphibious units from Nasugbu. The division then pushed northward toward Manila.

During the first week of February 1945 three divisions reached the outskirts of Manila and prepared their attack. The city was bitterly defended by the Japanese in house-to-house combat, and it was not until March 3 that the XIV Corps could announce that organized resistance was over. While Manila was under siege, further steps were taken to open Manila Bay for Allied shipping. On February 15 an infantry unit secured the southern tip of Bataan and the next day paratroops dropped on Corregidor Island, supported by an amphibious assault force. Within two weeks the occupation of the island was complete. The east and west coasts of Bataan Peninsula were cleared by elements of the 6th Division while other troops occupied smaller islands in Manila Bay during March and April. The 11th Airborne Division cleared the bay’s south shore.

I wonder if our Luitenient is now attached to one of these divisions?

7 February (1945)

Somewhere in the Pacific

Note: he is now “Somewhere in the Pacific.” I am sure he is headed to the fighting. Now I am starting to worry.

Dear Mother,

I received your letter some time ago but haven’t gotten around to answering till now. Hope this is the last time I wait so long.

I haven’t heard from home in a long time. In fact mail has been non-existent here. All I have received is ten newspapers the latest of which was dated the first of January. I did receive a notification of marriage on one of the “Unholy Three” as we were known in Camp Stewart. Two boys from New York State and I raised more cain and had more fun than all the rest put together. One of them was already married and had a baby girl. It gave me quite a surprise when I heard that the other one was married. That’s all the mail I have gotten with the exception of four or five letters which were awaiting for me when I got here. Oh, yes there was one from Ruth, Harg Henderson, and you.

Congratulate Mama of course a little late, on her birthday from me. How is everyone getting along there? Give them all my love.

Gee who would have thought that the family went back that far Bleeding’ Bluebloods, Bi-gosh!

Whaddaga know? What grade does the Runt hold? 3rd class? Flying pay too? What a life in the navy?

Well, guess I’d best close for now. Everything is “Roger” here. Write soon, and tell everyone there ‘Hi” from me.

Lots of Love

Johnnamus

Next in the que is another V-mail. This one is a Valentine card to his family. It is quite interesting as it would probably be politically incorrect today. It says: “Things here in the Pacific to some may seem quite fine, But I’d gladly trade them all for you, my Valentine.”

20 February (1945)

(No location listed)

Dear Mother,

The Old Army Mail system is holding true to form. A couple days ago I received a letter written February Fifth and today I get another one written the twenty-ninth of January. I’m not griping, not, no way, not, no how. I was very glad to hear from you. Mail has been unusually scarce around here for sometime.

I certainly am glad to hear that Dada’s looking and feeling better. Hope that he continues to feel that way and improves. It surly would be swell to have him the old “Mr. Jeff” we think so much of. I can’t help hating to see him suffer so, and for that reason I didn’t care to be around.

I haven’t heard from home in quite some time. Seems that they haven’t received my letter yet, or they just haven’t gotten around to answering it. I can’t see Jimmie volunteering for service. No percentage in it.

Dit may have gotten my letter, but he has yet to answer it. Judgeing from past accounts of the many activities in. I guess he has a good reason.

It’s too bad about Gordie and Marion. Seems to be happening to quite a few people these days though.

Let’s take a minute to talk about this. So many relationships were fast forwarded and people who were just dating made the jump and got married before their men shipped out, never really getting to know their significant others before they left. A lot of those soldiers came back, changed men. They didn’t understand PTSD back then and I know with my dad he had minor PTSD and never got any help for it. I am sure many were excited when their significant others came home but when they got to know the man the war created it was not a happy reunion

I am sorry to hear about Pop. I think that he will be ok if he will do what he is told. Does he have the wet or dry type? Vitamin B Complex should clear that right up. Does the doctor have him on that or digitalis?

Well Ma, guess I’d better close for now. I am getting along fine as usual. Only thing is that there is nothing to do here. Give everyone my love, and write soon,

Lots of Love

Johnnamus

P.S. Is Brin still able to walk through a door without brushing the sides?

I sure hope Brin never reads this blog but what are the chances of that.

So now with our lieutenant on the move, headed towards the war I am anxious to get on to the next letters. That’s right, I have no idea what happens to our soldier. When I know you will also.

Until next time friends.

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Posted in Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II | Tags: 1940 Army, Army, Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II

Posted by: notsofancynancy | January 29, 2024

19 Lt. John T. Roberts

According to Britannica in January 1945 this was going on in the Pacific Theater:

“On the way from Leyte Gulf to the landing site at Lingayen Gulf on the west coast of Luzon, the invasion armada suffered damage from repeated kamikaze attacks. One pilot plunged his plane onto the bridge of the battleship New Mexico, killing more than 30 persons, including the captain of the ship. The troops of the I Corps and the XIV Corps that went ashore at Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945, met little resistance because the Japanese had not expected a landing at that point. The Japanese commander in charge of defending the island was Gen. Yamashita Tomoyuki, the conqueror of Singapore and Bataan, who commanded the Japanese 14th Area Army. Realizing that the diversion of forces to Leyte and the inability of the Japanese High Command to send reinforcements to Luzon gave him little hope of defeating the 6th Army, Yamashita decided upon static defense aimed at pinning down Allied troops on Luzon for as long as possible. He established three principal defensive sectors: one in the mountains west of Clark Field.”

lieutenant Roberts is still safe on Oahu but will he stay there?

23 January (1945)

Dear Mother,

I haven’t written in several days, so I guess I’d better get on the beam and catch up to you. I have two of your letters to answer plus four or five from other people, including one from Diane. A little behind, but I’ll get them answered in the next two or three days

Roberts is using this beautiful stationary

Yep, time certainly flies I have to laugh when I think back to this time last year. I was hoping that nineteen forty-five would see the war over. I guess forty-six will find it still going strong.

I guess Jeff is working hard there must be a terrific demand for men in his line of work these days. Tell him and his “child bride” hello for me and give Jimmy regards. Does Jimmy still get mad at him being called that?

Far be it from me to predict or even attempt to predict, what will happen to a marriage. If Martha and Preston can’t get along it is their fault.

I guess Pop must be out of bed by now. I hope so, because I know he hates being away from the other fish. Now if I were there the fish wouldn’t have a chance. I bet his condition is purely exhaustion at not being able to hook a few.

Jeff and Jimmie don’t have to come into the Army this late in the game. If they have to come through, I guess there isn’t anything that can be done about it.

Well, Gotta go hit the sack. News is short so guess I’ll close for now. I am still getting along fine. Tell all the folks in Georga hello for me and give them my love.

Lots of Love

Johnnamus

All this time I have been hopeful that our Lieutenant would stay safe in Oahu. It seems he is on the move. I have to believe he is headed toward danger.

31 January (1945)

Somewhere in the Pacific

Dear Mother,

I received your letter a couple days ago but am just getting around to writing. You probably already know by now that I am no longer on Oahu. I am not allowed to say where I am at presently but there is no need for you to worry.

I am glad that you were able to get to Georgia without any trouble. I would like to run up on bus there sometime. I am sorry to hear Dada isn’t any better. I had hoped to hear that he had a change got the better and was almost his old self at least, but I guess that is too much to expect.

I can hardly believe that Fort Meyers had a quiet New Year’s Eve. Maybe the reason I always thought they were noisy is that I was usually in the right place to hear most of it.

There are some things that I can say about this sack. The main thing being that I wish I were back on Oahu. The climate there was wonderful. This place is strictly for heat and boredom. The natives are a couple shades darker than black. Not content with that, they have to dye that hair red. What a combination! They wear bones in their schnozzolas, and platinum rings around their neck. In some islands of the group, they still believe in cannibalism. Though fortunately not on this one. This place is also inhabited by pythons and other species. of snakes. As far as I’m concerned, we can move out and give the place back to them.

Wow what a description. I wonder if he has seen this with his own eyes or if he has been told that is what to expect. Since we don’t know exactly where he is it could be either.

I have written to Diane, and I guess I’ll have to depend upon her for my news from home. Guess that is about all for now. Give the folks there my love. Write again soon. This is Parker Pen is a wonderful Instrument. It can even improve my writing and that’s saying a lot.

Lots of Love

Johnnamus

I did some checking on the Parker Pen here is what I found out:

Materials and Craftsmanship: Parker Pens are often made with high-quality materials such as premium metals, resins, and finishes. The attention to detail and craftsmanship in the manufacturing process can contribute to a superior writing experience and an aesthetically pleasing design.

I am not sure where he got this “Parker Pen” but it probably cost a pretty penny.

Now that he is on the move Roberts has to be moving towards the fighting.

Until next time friends

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Posted in Lt. John T. Roberts, World War II | Tags: 193 Tank Battalion, 1945, Lt. John T. Roberts, Pacific Theater, World War II