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Wendell
Gilman Writes From Overseas Action
1943
Wendell Gilman, who has been in military service
over two years and overseas for a long time, is
now believed to be in the New Britain campaign,
writes several interesting letters to home
folks. Here are excerpts from some of his recent
letters:
November 25: Well Bud, we had
a good turkey dinner today and have had good
eats ever since we came up here. We are now back
in the beautiful romantic tropics. As yet,
things are ok but I don't know for how long. A
fellow just a few yards from my tent got killed
yesterday. He was writing a letter when a big
limb from a tree crashed down on him and broke
his neck. I'm a firm believer that when your
ticket is up, that is as far as you go.
November 27: You are
right about my coming home as soon as the army
is through with me. I rather think we have left
Australia for good as it is too far from the
theater of operations now. I'd like to go back
there for a while before coming home, but I'm in
the army now so I take things as they come. I
hope that I get home soon. I'd like to see China
and Japan and may before this thing is over. I'd
rather see them a few years after the war is
over though. I've had quite enough of this kind
of life, but it's just like any other job ...
you can't quit until it's over.
December 1: I'm going to send
some of my thing home as I don't need them up
here; rings, bracelets, billfolds, etc. So don't
think there is anything wrong when the package
comes. I made the stuff myself and could have
sold them many times. They aren't quite finished
as I would like to have them, but I can finish
them later. Have sent some pictures and will
send some money in a few days. Use it if you
need, but I may need it when the campaign is
over. Don't like to stick all my money into
Soldiers' Savings as one cannot get it back out
until after he is discharged.
I've had a long day today,
four o'clock this morning until dark tonight so
I'm very tired. But I wish you could see my boys
on these machine guns. They are very good shots.
I have the best section in the regiment and I'm
not the only one that thinks so. Some of the
boys were with me at Buna.
Take care of yourself mother
and don't worry. I'm quite confident I'll be
back. Love to all, Gil
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