Belgium Sept. 3.

Dear Mother & Dad,
      September already and it
doesn't seem as if summer
should be started. Today is
the day Brussels was liberated
one year ago. I was in Brussels
yesterday and they sure were
doing a lot of celebrating. Gee
it doesn't seem possible today
could be labor day. It was
three years ago I came home
for my first time in uniform.
I never expected to be away
this long.
     Well mother, in your
last letter you asked me
what I wanted for Christmas.
Don't feel hurt but I don't
think you had better send

me anything this year for
Christmas. As rumors have
it now, there is a good chance
of me being home by Christmas.
If I don't make it home by
Christmas it will be soon after
and that will be Christmas
enough for me. I sure will
be glad to get home. I don't know
just how soon we will start
home or how long it will take.
Everyone says it will be by
the first of the year, and that
is only four months to go.
    If you do send anything just make
it something to eat. Nothing expenses
or that I will have to carry
around. I have all the clothes I
need. Tell the rest of the folks
the same as I have told you.

   I think this will be my last
letter from Belgium as we are
moving into Germany. Then we
will turn over the depot to
some other outfit and homeward
bound. Gosh that sounds good.
Quite a few 85 point men and
35 to 38 year old men in our
out are sweating it out to move.
   Well this is about all for this
letter. About the best new
you have had from me. Don't
be over anxious for me though.
This is the worse part for me.
Just waiting around. Goodnight
for now.
                               Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on September 10th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Here is some information about the point system:

History[edit]

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 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." The US Army divided units of the European Theater of Operations into four categories:

1. Troops already designated as Occupation Forces (such as the Third and Seventh Army)
2. Troops that had been overseas for less than one year, or those: a) to be redeployed directly to the Pacific; b) to be redeployed to the Pacific by way of the United States; c) to be redeployed to the US to be placed in strategic reserve.
3. Troops or units to be organized (or re-organized) in the European Theater for roles as either Occupation Forces or as troops being redeployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations.
4. Troops with long overseas service that were to remain in Europe only while needed, and then to be returned to the US for inactivation.

New replacement troops would replace the "veterans" returning home.

Initial criteria[edit]

An enlisted man needed a score of 85 points to be considered for demobilization. The scores were determined as follows:^[1]

1. Month in service = 1 pt
2. Month in service overseas = 1 pt
3. Combat awards (including campaign medals and battle stars) = 5 pts
4. Dependent child under 18 = 12 pts

Time of service was calculated from September 16, 1940.^[2] The four criteria were the only ones from which points were calculated. No points were issued for age, marriage or dependents over the age of 18. Battles and awards were also only accepted from a predetermined list.^[1]

Classes[edit]

Liberty ships that would be used by the U.S. War Shipping Administrationto transfer men and equipment from Europe to the Far East in May 1945.

Different scores were set for troops in the US Army, US Army Air Forces, Women’s Army Corps and holders of the Medal of Honor.

Officers[edit]

Before the surrender of Japan, officers who may have had to serve again in combat were assessed not only on their ASR score but also on their efficiency and military specialities. Most high-scoring officers could have expected an early discharge after VE Day. The qualifying score was revised down to 80 points after VJ Day. In the coming months it would be lowered again.^[2]

Medical personnel[edit]

Scores varied before the end of May 1945 by varied department in the Medical Corps.

• Medical Administrative Corps (MAC) = 88 pts
• Medical Corps (MC) = 85 pts (plus specialty)
• Nurses Corps = 71 pts
• Physical Therapists = 65 pts
• Hygienists and Dietitians = 62 Points

The discharge program continued until the end July 1945 until the demand to ship personnel and equipment to the Pacific became so great that Medical units were prevented from shipping back to the United States for inactivation. However all transfers to the Pacific were abruptly halted with announcement of the Japanese surrender on August 14, 1945.^[3]