“No darling, I did not get a chance to meet Mr. Pyle, much as I wanted to. I caught a glimpse of him in Oahu before he went to Iwo, and had an idea he would show up here. As you know, he died on IE Shima, which is another island in this group.”
“Glad to know the kids got the Poi Dog story… tell them to change Figi to Loo Choo, all the way through it, and I will continue the adventures when I get a chance.”
“Night before last we had a sniper near our tents and the GIs plugged away at him from time to time, the bullets whistling over our heads. Am much more scared of a stray one than of the damn Japs, who are lousy shots, thank God.”
“Had some excitement around here night before last. Some huge star shells came in, their cases screaming to the ground, and their “stars” floating down making the area as light as day. We thought the Japs were upon us, and made a mad dash for our holes. Joe Graham, asst. director of operations and a very tough little guy, who is always making fun of people who dive for holes, dove into his hole so hard and fast that he injured his back, and has been in hospital since. No fracture, but he is damned uncomfortable I understand. In the confusion I caught my foot on a tent rope, fell on another stake, catching it right in the center of my nose. Have some beautiful lacerations, but nothing serious. It knocked me cold so the boys put me back to bed, and I awoke in the morning with a splitting headache.. Feel much better today, however. We found out later that the star shells came from some misdirected fire, but they scared the hell out of us, just the same.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Instrument_of_Surrender
The war with Germany was finally over in in 1990: (from Wikipedia)
The Potsdam Agreement (German: Potsdamer Abkommen) was the agreement between three of the Allies of World War II, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union. It concerned the military occupation and reconstruction of Germany, its borders, and the entire European Theatre of War territory. It also addressed Germany’s demilitarisation, reparations and the prosecution of war criminals.
Executed as a communiqué, the agreement was not a peace treaty according to international law, although it created accomplished facts. It was superseded by the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany signed on 12 September 1990.
“Incidentally, the story can now be told. I indicated a desire to come on this operation last December. Our work on Oahu could not be considered “overseas” in any sense… we were still on U. S. territory, and further more were hemmed in by a false military social system that was the result of countless years of development.. one of those things that just grew. I wanted to get a taste of the real thing.. and believe me I have it.”
“The package came! And here that mail officer on ship led me to believe no pkgs! Six weeks travel time – not bad . We can’t make the rubber dollie do tricks as I left the instructions in Oahu – but the boys say she feels real enuf. Speaking of real – 1st 3 ARC gals landed today!”
“Honolulu papers May 7 in tonight – “Germany quits” – we hear newsies in the States were getting $1 copy for papers on V-E day.”
May 11, 1945, 8 pages, handwritten
“This morning, however, a letter came in from Lt. Col. Deglin, ARC PRO (who has since returned to the states) who said my first article, “Red Cross Girds for Battle” (mailed on ship) had been received… was very good, and had been turned over to Colliers. He also said an assistant editor of Colliers might be out this way and get more stuff from me. The second half of the article, “Red Cross Invades Okinawa”.. is somewhere on ice at Navy– Forward Area offices of Cincpac. What a mess. By the time I get it all straightened out the war will be over.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyu_Kingdom
Okinawa is the main island in a chain formerly known as the Loo-Choo Islands.