Belgium Sept. 10.

Dear Mom & Dad,
      I will try to write you
folks a few lines tonight. It
is pretty hard to write any
thing just now. First of all we
aren't getting any mail. Half the
outfit is in Germany, and the
rest is here. The orderly
room has gone so we are
on detached service. I was
left here to pack the rest
of the propeller shop. So all
in all, everything is mixed
up. I had to move my bed
and junk so they could tear
the tent down. Where I am
living now there are no lights.
Some high point men have
already left our outfit. And

the 40 year olds are gone.
The 38 year old are leaving
this week. I expect we, with
less than seventy points will
leave in December some time.
I have sixty five points if you
are wondering what my score
is. It is all on service only.
     Saturday night, Pyle and
myself went to Brussels and
stayed all night. Had a room
in a hotel. It sure seemed
good to sleep between sheets
again. Woke up at 11 o'clock
the next morning.
     Well this will be all for
now. Tell the rest why I am
not writing just now.
                         Love
                              Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on September 18th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Detached Service: off on an errand, or simply reporting for duty at another unit/location

• Here is some information about the point system (which had changes from Sept 1945 - Dec. 1945). You can see where Ralph's 65 points put him.

Post-war changes[edit]

By September 1945, the War Department redesignated all units in Europe as either Occupation Forces (personnel with either the lowest scores or who were volunteers), Redeployment Forces (those with the highest score being sent back to the United States) or Liquidation Forces (troops with middle scores of 60–79 points) who were required to close down former front line facilities such as munition dumps or field hospitals.

Nevertheless, the ASR began to create problems for the US Army in post-war Germany as high-scoring personnel plus the attrition caused by sickness, compassionate leave and accidents meant continual loss of many experienced officers and NCOs.

By December 1, 1945, a new policy was started, which was based on a combination of ASR score and length of service. The points required were as follows:

• Officers (excluding Medical Department & WAC) = 70 pts + 4 years of military service
• Women's Army Corps officers = 37 pts
• Medical Department officers = 55 pts
• All enlisted men = 50 pts + 4 years of military service
• All enlisted women = 32 pts

All enlisted fathers with three or more children (under 18 years) were immediately eligible for discharge irrespective of their time in military service.^[1]

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]

Belgium Aug. 26, 45

Dear Mother & Dad,
      Received your letter of Aug
17 last Thursday and the letter
of Aug. 21 today. I can say
the mail is comeing through
real good. My shoes arrived
here on Wednesday, before
I received the letter telling
me your had bought some.
They fit ok and are just
what I wanted. Thanks a lot.
Say, on my bank account
just what do I have in it
now? I know you have kept
my insurance paid up with
it and I was wondering what
the balance should be. I figure
I should have over $900. by now.
     I guess by your two letters

to me you have really been
busy traveling around. I sure
would like to be able to go
up to Wampler's lake. I could
stand a good rest.
     Had a letter from Pearl Meyers
today. She said Kathyrn (her
niece) was in Germany some
where. Maybe I will get to see
her yet.
     As I told you before, I was
in London on VJ day. I bet the
news was just as welcome
back there in the states also.
     Today has been a grand day
here. We don't have to work on
Sundays anymore. I am on
Charge of Quarters tonight so will
have plenty of time to catch up
on my letter writing.

     There has been so many
rumors going around about what
is going to happen to us. I guess
no one knows but I think
we will be occupation for
awhile anyway. As for my
Christmas gifts I don't know
what to say. I doubt very much
if I will be home by Christmas.
I would like to have a package
again. Can you send me some
salted peanuts and the mixed
nuts? Anything esle you think
I would like to have.
     Over here the plums are
about gone now. A few apples
and pears are ripe and we
have plenty of them around here.
I had some grapes to eat in
Brussells the other day.

They really tasted good. We
get quite a few fresh tomatoes
in the mess hall now.
     Well I guess this will be the
end of my visit tonight. I hope
our mail does speed up a lot
faster now. Don't forget the
package.
                      Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on September 3rd.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph must have had good memories of going to Wamplers Lake with his family. In fact, a few of our family vacations took place there when I was a child.

Wampler's Lake (796 acres) is a large all-sports lake, while Round Lake (100 acres) is a small no wake lake. The lakes are connected through a channel that is used by smaller and lower profile boats. Type of Fishing: Shore, Pier, Boat Typical Fish Species Available: Carp, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Sucker, Sunfish, Yellow Perch Bait: Worms, Minnows, Artificial Hours: 8 am - 10 pm Fees: Yes (Recreation Passport) Driving Directions Access to both, Round and Wamplers, lake is located in W.J. Hayes State Park 1220 Wamplers Lake Rd. Onsted, MI. 49265. The park is located on just north of M-12 on M-124. Address: W.J. Hayes State Park, 1220 Wamplers Lake Rd. Onsted, MI. 49265 County: Lenawee City/Township: Onsted and Brooklyn- Michigan

Belgium Aug. 19.

Dear Mom & Dad,
      Your letters and everyone's at
home have been comeing through
in about one week's m. In
you last letter you said you
believed you wouldn't like riding
in an airplane. It really is
pretty flying over this country.
The fields are small and they
plant there grains in irregular
shapes to stop the errosions. It
really makes a beautiful scene
from the air. When you get up
around 5,000 or 6,000 ft it really
is pretty. The other day comeing
back from England I could see
clear across the channel. It
really was a beautiful sight.
The white cliffs of Dover are

really pretty when you are flying
over them.
       When I was back in England
I use to tell you about flying
once in awhile. It was a test
hop in a B-26 Maruder. We
would go up to 12,000 feet in these
and the hottest days were cool
up there.
     Mother, if the movie "I
Live in Grovenor Square". This
is an English picture, but it is
the life of an American while
he was living in England. It is
a true life picture. I know you
will really enjoy it. See if if
you can. You can well understand
the work of the Air Force and how
the English people live and work.
I saw this in London on my last

trip there on VJ day.
     Well those Japs aren't getting
around to there part on the peace
are they? A couple of more bombs
would hurry them up.
      Well, today was a day off for
all of us. I got up at 11:30 this
morning and it has rained all
day, so I have just laid around
the tent. Gosh, I get so lonely
these Sunday afternoon's. I always
wonder what you folks are doing.
I would like to drop in without
anyone know I was anywhere
around. But, I won't. I will
let you know when I am
comeing home. I don't know when
it will be. Everyone has his
opinion of it. Some think we
will be home by Christmas.

    Other fellows say by next
 June. I figure I will be lucky
by Easter. We have plenty of time
overseas so maybe it won't be
much longer. I sure hope not.
     I guess this is all for
now. Hope your letters continue
to come through fast. Goodbye
for now.
                           Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on August 26th.

Background Information (and comments):

• The Martin B-26 Marauder is an American World War II twin-engined medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in Middle River, Maryland from 1941 to 1945.

• Here are 2 pieces of information about the movie Ralph suggested his mother should see:

I Live in Grosvenor Square is better known by its American release title, A Yank in London. Anna Neagle, whose husband Herbert Wilcox produced and directed the film, stars as Lady Patricia Fairfax, who enters into a brief wartime romance with American air force sergeant John Patterson (Dean Jagger). The plot proper is based on a true WW II incident, wherein an Air Corps crew deliberately sacrificed their lives to save an English village of no strategic importance. The multinational supporting cast includes Rex Harrison, Robert Morley, Jane Darwell, and real-life American PFC Elliot Arluck. At the time of its release, I Live in Grosvenor Square was praised for the authenticity of its settings and characterizations. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

An Army sergeant John Patterson is taken off combat operations for medical reasons and is billeted in the London home of the Duke of Exmoor in London. There, he meets the duke's granddaughter, Lady Patricia, and they fall in love.

Initial release: 1945

Director: Herbert Wilcox

Box office: 1 million USD (US)

Screenplay: Nicholas Phipps

Music composed by: Anthony Collins

• Cast

  View 5+ more

  

  Anna Neagle

  

  Rex Harrison

  

  Dean Jagger

  

  Robert Morley

  

  Ronald Shiner

Belgium, Aug. 16

Dear Mother & all,
        This is my first letter
to you folks with Peace all
over the world. It came sudden
and I guess hardly anyone was
looking for Japan to quit so
soon after Germany.
     Well I suppose you want
to know where I was, and
how I celebrated. To begin
it I was in the largest city
of the world. London England.
Now how did I get there?
Well to make a long story
short here is how I got there.
I had been working on one of
our transport C-47. The crew
chief asked me if I wanted to
fly with it to see if everything

worked ok. I accepted and
before takeoff the C.O. said,
"you fellow better take your
O.D's along. Maybe VJ day will
come." We had to bring furlough
troops back from England. It
was bad weather anyway and
he figured maybe it would close
in before we got back. Well it
did.
    I was in the Red Cross at
Marble Arch when the news
came over the radio and then
the celebration began. Fellows
that had gone to bed heard the
noise and out they came just
there underwear and shoes on.
Even the people of London came out
just as they were. I have never
seen such a crowd before in my
life.

   All day Wednesday Picadilly
Circus was jammed. Wednesday
night they had flares, skyrockets,
firecrackers, and a little bit of
everything for making noise. I
guess a lot of the celebraters
had never been on the continent.
A lot of the Yanks that have
been through it on the continent
felt as though a lot of it was
just a lot of foolishness. I guess they
have lost to many buddies over here.
    Well, I am glad it is all over.
Now maybe before another year
rolls around I will be able to get
home. I see by the paper gasoline
is off the rationing list. I bet
everyone will be out driving now.
    Well I arrived back at our base
this afternoon and found out a

two day holiday has been granted
to us. So there is no more working
now or tomorrow. I don't epect
we will be busy anymore. We
were getting planes ready for the
Pacific.
     I wonder what will happen to
Harley now? I see where the points for
discharge has been cut to 75. He
probably won't have to go to the Pacific.
I hope they send some over here
that have never left the states. They
could release a lot of men that
have been over here two years.
I don't think they will keep fellows
over here for occupations that have
been over her two years. I sure
am sweating out now to get home.
Once I got there I want to stay.
Well I guess it is about time

for me to put a finish to this
letter. Sure hope I won't have
to write many more. Mrs. Setzler
wrote a letter me. Said she
wanted to see me if I came home.
     Well goodbye for this time. I
start 26 months overseas tomorrow.
                                   Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on August 19th.

Background Information (and comments):

• The following are articles, photos, and a video link to many items Ralph mentioned in this letter:

Victory over Japan Day (also known as V-J Day, Victory in the Pacific Day, or V-P Day) is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war to an end. The term has been applied to both of the days on which the initial announcement of Japan's surrender was made – to the afternoon of August 15, 1945, in Japan, and, because of time zone differences, to August 14, 1945 (when it was announced in the United States and the rest of the Americas and Eastern Pacific Islands) – as well as to September 2, 1945, when the signing of the surrender document occurred, officially ending World War II.

Marble Arch

Marble Arch is a 19th-century white marble faced triumphal arch in London, England. The structure was designed by John Nash in 1827 to be the state entrance to the cour d'honneur of Buckingham Palace; it stood near the site of what is today the three-bayed, central projection of the palace containing the well known balcony.^[1] In 1851 it was relocated and following the widening of Park Lane in the early 1960s is now sited, incongruently isolated, on a large traffic island at the junction of Oxford Street, Park Lane and Edgware Road. Admiralty Arch, Holyhead is a similar arch, even more so cut off from public access, at the other end of the A5.

Historically, only members of the Royal Family and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery are permitted to pass through the arch; this happens only in ceremonial processions.^[2]

The arch gives its name to the area surrounding it, particularly the southern portion of Edgware Road and also to the underground station.

C-47, also called Dakota or Skytrain, U.S. military transport aircraft that served in all theatres during World War II and continued in service long afterward. It was used to haul cargo, transport troops, drop paratroops, tow gliders, and as a flying ambulance.

VJ Day Celebration in London video link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KbrkjYbF5U

Photo of : Picadilly Circus on VJ Day - August 15, 1945

Belgium Aug. 10, 1945.

Dear Mother & Dad,
       I feel as if I must write to
you tonight, after receiving your
letter of Aug 1 yesterday. Also the
news of today is so good. It
looks as if (le gare finis)
the war is finished. It really
doesn't seem possible if two
bombs would bring it about
so fast. From what news hase
come out about the damage
the bombs did it is almost
unbelievable that such power
could be made. The Japs found
out we weren't fooling.
     I suppose this makes every-
one feel very happy at home.
Harley probably is very happy
also. Well I don't blame him.

I hope this will mean that
some outfit which was suppose
to go to the states and the Pacific
will relieve us. We are about
the oldest depot over here, and
not up for redeployment. There
are some with a few months
only. I hope they decide to
send us home. Twenty five
months over here is enough.
     Luella sent me some photos
yesterday. I will need an intro-
duction when I get home. Gosh
how there kids have changed.
The picture of Duke. It is ok.
He looks as he always did.
How did he act when Harley
came home?
     Well, I guess a lot of the fellows
at home now can enjoy there

leaves much more. I suppose
a lot will still be sent to
relieve some of the men that
have been away for so long a time.
For me to get 85 points I will
have to be over a year yet.
     I had a nice letter from Marie
Luella, Freeman and you yesterday.
That is the way my mail comes.
It is alway about four letters and
then not for a week any mail.
    Well I guess this is all for
this letter. Keep your letters
comeing this way. Goodnight.
                              Love
                                    Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on August 16th.

Background Information (and comments):

• During the final stage of World War II, the United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively

Aug. 4, 1945

Dear Mother & Dad,
        Saturday night and nothing
much doing. It is sure different than
a lot of Saturday nights I remember.
How I wish I could be back
home and spend a few more of
them.
      Well tonight I am working.
I am charge of quarters in our
orderly room tonight. Not much
to do but answer the phone, wake
the cooks and guards. So this
gives me plenty of time for
writing letters.
     Received your letter telling me
about Jim's misfortune. They sure
ought to sue on that. I cant imagine
Jim wearing false teeth already.

     Your mail has been comeing
through in about a week's time
so far. Luella, has been bawling
me out for not writing to her.
It is so hard for me to write.
It seems as if we have the
same old routine and if I wrote
what I was doing it would be
the same thing all the time.
   Had a letter from Charles Stutzman
the other day. He is be moaning
the fact that he ownly has a few
points. Well I have only a few myself.
Not enough to go out and I have
been away from home over two
years. He has been lucky and able
to get married. I think every man
in uniform should serve overseas
from six months to a year.

     Now the war is over it would
do a lot of good if they would
send a lot of them over here for
the occupational forces. I probably
will he here about a year yet.
Everyone at home is thinking I
will be home soon. Don't worry
about me. I would rather be
here than in the Pacific. I believe
this 30 day furloughs is going to
make a person more homesick
than if he went direct to the
Pacific from here. When I come
home I want it to be for good, and
then I can get a job and settle down.
I did hear from Irene again. She
is thinking I will be comeing home
soon. No doubt we will forget what
happened while I was away from home.

   Please don't say anything to anyone
about this. After all when I get home
I think things can be patched up.
   Luella's last letter said you were
haveing plenty of hot weather lately.
We have it rather hot during the
day, but about 9:00 at night we
light a small fire in the stove.
We have made an oil burner so
it is no bother at all.
   I was in Brussels this past week
on a pass. Took in a few shows
and a few sights. Things are begining
to get dull again aground here. It
seems like a person has seen
most of it.
    Well I must close for now. Can't think
of anymore to write. Write when you
can                       Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on August 10th.

Background Information (and comments):

• I'm hoping someone reading this blog knows more about "Jim" and his misfortune that ended up with him getting false teeth.