World War II Letters from "Chuck" Pressentin

Feb. 28, 1944
Postmark on envelope is dated Mar 1, 1944
The V-Mail has no censor's stamp.

Dear Pongee,

Believe I've received all your letters with the exception of the one with Noel's picture enclosed. It will probably show up one of these days. I received four letters the other day which dated clear back to the 1st of Dec.

The flowers arrived just in time for Valentine's Day. Was happy the way it all worked out. Was the only Valentine remembrance Lucy received this year.

Phil Taylor [Charles' uncle, brother of Jessie Taylor v. Pressentin] wrote me a nice letter last week. Also had letters from Alice Pressentin and Ruth Pressentin. I sent the last two on home to the folks.

Boy! I really carry on a correspondence, don't I. Hope you've all licked the darn flu and etc. Guess it's really been raising hell.

Thanks again for sending the flowers.
Your brother, Chuck

March 25, 1944
Postmark on envelope is dated Mar. 28, 1944
The V-Mail has no censor's stamp.
Charles was 30 years old on Mar. 4, 1944
Chuck has a new rank: First Sergeant

Dear Pongee and family,

Received your V. letter today. Have been meaning to write you, but I just haven't had time.

Did you notice my new handle in the upper corner. Yep! Your brother finally got to the Top. It all happened rather sudden-like. Some of the boys got in a little trouble and the next thing I knew I was called in and promoted.

Guess will have to send Noel some new stripes now. Do you suppose he's ready for them yet. These promotions are coming too fast and easy for him. Let me know if he's ready for them. I'd sure like to have a snapshot of him in his coveralls with the stripes sewed on. How about it?

Well must get back to my work.
Love from Brother Chuck

[Postcript] Boy! I'm starting to get tough on these guys.

April 23, 1944

Postmark on the "air mail" 6-cent pre-stamped envelope is dated April 24, 1944
The envelope has a stamp "Passed by US Army Examiner 25790" and written initials "GWH"

South Pacific

Dear Pongee, and Family,

Things have certainly been happening at home, haven't they. Gee! It was surprise enough hearing about Tink [Charles' sister, Caroline] but then to learn that Emmy [Charles' sister, Erma] had also up and done it. Well I just wasn't expecting it. Guess you feel the same way. Too bad the family couldn't have been at Bunk's wedding.**

Just had a nice letter from Poly [Elwin Dameron, husband of Mildred v. Pressentin, Charles' older sister]. He's now T/Sgt. Sure didn't take him long to get up there. Well he's entitled to such a break. It will sure help to be making that extra money. He'll be able to send Tudy at least $100 which will help keep up the payments on their home.

Pop wrote yesterday. Says he's telling them all to go to hell on evening and Sunday work but I'll bet he's still doing it. [Charles' father was a plumber in Sedro-Woolley, WA] He'll never change.

I've had several letters from Pat Kane (Patty Glover) and Lucille. They are living in Los Angeles now. Pat's grown up into a beauty no kidding.

I'm getting pretty well squared around in my new job. Now that I've got it, I mean to hang on to it. Lord! I've got to keep ahead of all these brother-in-laws now. Competition is getting keen.

Just had a phone call—wanting some men and a truck to pick up some lumber so I'll say goodbye and scoot. Write darn it.
Love, Chuck

**Chuck's sister, Caroline married Fred Chatterton in Bremerton, WA on Mar. 18, 1944. His sister, Erma, married Marion Follett in Bremerton on April 7, 1948.

May 25, 1944
Postmark on envelope is dated May 29, 1944
The V-Mail has no censor's stamp.

Dear Pongee,

Well how's my big sister getting along these days. I can just imagine how busy those two kids of yours must be keeping you. So Noel's celebrated his seventh birthday [on May 3]. It certainly doesn't seem like it's been that long. Makes me feel like a real old man. It was nice that Mom and Tink [Charles' sister, Caroline] could be there for the occasion. Makes me feel good to hear about such goings on in the family. Wish Pop would have closed shop and also went along. He needs a vacation too.

Well Roosevelt says this will be over by Xmas. Do you suppose he's right. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed—and it isn't just because I'm a Republican. Boy it will be a happy day to get back home again. Oh! To be just a plumber's son again. That's for me.

Love to all, Chuck

July 6, 1944
Postmark on the "air mail" 6-cent pre-stamped envelope is dated July 7, 1944
The envelope has a stamp "Passed by US Army Examiner 25790" and written initials

South Pacific

Dear Pongee, and Family,

Gee! I'm getting to be one heck of a brother aren't I. It's been at least a month and a half since I've written you. Well! It just seems like I can't keep up with my correspondence since I made Top. I'm really not working any harder than I did before but I do have many more responsibilities than before. There's always things that must be tended to. KP details, construction that's going on, inspections and etc. As long as I'm in the area someone always has troubles or things that I'm supposed to see to it that they're straightened out. It's my job to see that all the enlisted men are on the ball and doing their jobs.

We had quite a party here for the men last night. The Red Cross girls are now here on the Island so my BC made arrangements to have five of them come down for an evening. They had chow with us and took part in a little quiz show we put on. Was a four piece band from another outfit and believe it or not we also danced. We wound up the party with ice cream and cake. Everyone had a wonderful time. Guess you can see how the fellows appreciated a chance to talk and dance with a girl after 10 months of bachelorhood. At first some of the men were a bit shy but it didn't take the girls long to make them get in the spirit of the party. These few girls have been doing wonders to boost the old morale around here and are entitled to a lot of praise. I still think this is no place for a white man, let alone women.

Well Pongee, guess the folks keep in pretty close contact with you. Jesus, how I wish I could telephone the folks. See, you're very lucky. I hope Pop gets over this back trouble he's having. I don't like the sound of it. You kids make him quit working, at least for awhile.

So for tonight—

Love to all from you brother, Chuck

California