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World War II Letters from "Chuck" Pressentin

Charles William von Pressentin was born March 4, 1914, and died on June 4, 1967

Discovered among my mother's effects were letters sent to her by her brother, "Chuck" Pressentin, from February 1942, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, until December 1945 when Chuck happily announced that he would soon return to his family and home.

Chuck's experiences in World War II probably mirror those of the thousands of men who were well-trained for battle but never saw action. His sister, Erma, put it succinctly: "Chuck was too close to the front to wear a tie, and too far back to get shot at." His letters to his sister, "Pongee," the family nickname for my mother, Pauline Pressentin Kemmerich, reflect Chuck's early optimism as he trained to be a soldier and later his frustrations at being "too far back to get shot at."

Following are excerpts from Chuck's letters and photos of the locales of his Army service--from Alaska, to the Army training camps in California, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey and finally, through the islands of the South Pacific, New Guinea and the Philippines. Like most of his fellow soldiers, World War II took him far from his home in Sedro-Woolley, a small town in northwest Washington State. Trying to figure out just where Chuck was while overseas is challenge. He could not mention his location in his letters. The Military Postal Numbers (APOs) are a general indicator and I've used them as a guide.

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BACKGROUND
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Chuck was born in 1914 to Charles and Jessie von Pressentin. His father was a plumber in Sedro-Woolley, Washington and his grandfather, Karl von Pressentin, was a prominent pioneer in the upper Skagit River valley. Charles' given name soon disappeared, as his father had a penchant for bestowing nicknames on all of his six children. "Chuck" was the fourth child, and only son.

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SITKA, ALASKA
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The first letter from Chuck was written at the "Hotel Mayflower" in Seattle, WA. Chuck was a civilian, enroute to Sitka, Alaska where he would work for the Siems Drake Puget Sound Company, a civilian contractor in Alaska for WWII military construction. He stopped in Seattle and joined the Steamfitters Union. His sister, "Pongee," her husband, Alphonse ("Al") Kemmerich, and their two children, Barbara and Noel, were living at Clackamas, Oregon, about 20 miles from downtown Portland.

Feb. 1942

Dear Pongee and Al & Family,
Just thought I'd let you know that I'm on my way in the morning. I'm leaving Seattle on the " North Sea" for Sitka. I'll wait there for another boat to take me on out to Kodiak. I landed a good job, and should make some money—may even get a chance to shoot at a Jap. I'll be gone for the duration whatever that is. But at least I'll be working with pipe wrenches.My address will be Siems Drake Puget Sound Co., Sitka, Alaska.

Please don't worry about me and drop me a line when you have time.
Love to all, Chuck

 

Feb. 17, 1942. Sitka, Alaska I hope Mom don't worry about me. I'm making out fine and dandy. It's taking me awhile to get adjusted but I'm not complaining. I have a very good job and make about $125 to $145 a week. I joined the steamfitters union in Seattle and the scale is $1.55 per hour straight time and $2.32 ½ per hour for overtime. We are working all the daylight hours. Well I've gained 15 pounds since I left home. I now weigh 203. Maybe I'll catch Pop yet [Charles' father, Charles von Pressentin]. They do feed good though. Lots of spuds and gravy. Must close for now. Will write more later. All letters are censored and it really makes it hard to write. Please write. Chuck [Left: Chuck, probably at Sitka, 1942]

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