World War II Letters from "Chuck" Pressentin

Actions of Chuck's 475th Battallion on Luzon

July 1945 The month of July 1945 saw the final preparations of the units to be used in the assault on the Japanese home islands.[The 475th Battallion was one of these units.]

July 13, 1945The 475th AAA AW Bn A/T was assigned the mission of supporting a reinforced regimental combat team that would precede the initial landing.

July 14, 1945 After service in New Guinea, the 475th Battalion moved to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Apparently Chuck's unit was north of "San Fernando" and on the South China Sea.

August 14, 1945 President Truman announced that Japan had surrendered. All combat training for Chuck's Battalion was ended.

September 13, 1945 The 475th Battalion relieved the 32nd Division in the vicinity of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, to arrange the surrender and processing of all Japanese troops in that area. The Battalion established outposts near Ibung, and Prisoner of War Stockades at Kiangan, Solano and Aritao and Headquarters at Bayombong.
Chuck's unit was based at Solano.

September 5, 1945 (approx.)
This is a single page from a letter apparently written to Charles' sister "Snooks" [Louise Pressentin Ledbetter]

You know Snooks—It's sure a good thing this ended when it did. We were really hot as hell when we got the news of Japan's first acceptance.

Our outfit was attached to the 6th Army and we were scheduled to make an Airborne invasion on Japan on D-3. We were going in as guinea pigs to draw the Japs into a trap. We were told our casualties would be as high as 60%. The big show wasn't to start until three days after we landed. Guess you can see now why I'm happy about this damn thing ending when it did. You'll never know what a big plan they had worked out for the invasion of Japan. Believe me; it would have made the Normandy invasion look like a sideshow in comparison. Christ, we were all set to hit them with everything and everywhere. It still would have been a bloody mess.

I doubt very much that I'll be sent to any other zone. Think they'll just keep us here and use us as service troops until our time comes for heading stateside. All the troops have already been picked for the occupation army as far as I know.

Yes I'm only 2 ½ hours' drive from Baguio. I'm 48 miles north of San Fernando and our camp is set right on the ocean which is the China Sea by the way. Get a map and look at the N.W. coast of Luzon.

I'm going into Manila on a three-day pass next Monday the 10th Sept. I'll try and look Tom Soules up. Maybe we can pitch us a good drunk. Hope he's got some stateside whisky. I can't go this local stuff.

Love to all, Chuck

[Postscript] Well how do you feel now? Some letter, huh.

California