World War II Letters from "Chuck" Pressentin

August 16, 1944

Postmark on the "air mail" 6-cent pre-stamped envelope is dated Aug 17, 1944
The envelope has a stamp "Passed by US Army Examiner 25790" and written initials

South Pacific

Dear Pongee,

Received your V letter of the 9th today. Believe it's the fastest one of them has ever gotten here. Usually they take 10 days.

I can't understand what happened to my last V. letter. It must have been damaged when it was photographed.

Say I like that. Did I receive your last air mail letter of a couple of months ago? Of course I did. I answered it twice, didn't I? Come on Sister, catch up with me.

What's this about Neil Dameron? Give out with some more details. It's the first I've heard. Where and how was he killed?

It's now supposed to be winter down here. The climate here now is about like that of Underwood [WA] in June. It's still too hot to suit me. Lord! I sweat 24 hours a day but so far I seem to be taking it as well as any of my boys.

I had a nice letter from Lucy only last week. She's now ticket agent for United Airlines in Portland. She checks all passengers in and out of there. She's stationed out at the airport now. It's really an important job.

Guess I mentioned before about corresponding with L. Glover. Here lately, her daughter has even been writing. Between the two of them I'm getting caught up on all the Underwood scandals. Do you ever hear from Clover?

Well, Pongee, you haven't a thing on me. It's been 26 months now that I've been away from home. From the looks of things now maybe another year will see everything wound up. Never thought when I was inducted that it was going to be such a hunk out of my life. Oh! Well it's quite an experience.

How about a snapshot of you and Al and Barbs and Noel. I'd like that.

Love to all, Your Brother, Chuck

Sept. 23, 1944
Postmark on the "air mail" 6-cent pre-stamped envelope is dated Sep 25, 1944
The envelope has a stamp "Passed by US Army Examiner 25790" and written initials

Same old place

Dear Pongee,

Well how's my big sis feeling these days? The reports I've been getting from home haven't been too good. We'll have to do something about that. How about some vitamin pills to perk you up a bit.

Things here are rolling along fine. I really haven't a complaint to make unless it's that life here is beginning to get a bit monotonous. It will soon be a whole year now since we set up and started in on this routine job. Wasn't so bad at first because it was pretty rugged. Now it's just the opposite. It's too damn civilized. There's just one inspection after another. It's nearly as bad as being in a camp back in the States. Any day now they're apt to say we'll have to have a pass just to leave our area. Perhaps I'm exaggerating a bit, but sure wish we'd move on up closer to action. I'm tired of being a mosquito commando. I'm not bucking for a Purple Heart but I certainly want one chance at those yellow bastards before this mess is over. I've got to have some satisfaction for 2 ½ years of this Army life.

Here's a picture for you. Can't take any more so I want to be sure you get this. Do you think I look the same?

Betty Meiggs passed away a couple of weeks ago. Had an awfully nice letter from little Patty telling me all about it. Guess there was oodles and oodles of flowers at the funeral.

Lucille C. has been writing quite often. She's now one of the head gals at United Airlines terminal at the airport in Portland. She sent me some swell pictures taken of her on the job where she works. She looks cute as heck in her uniform. Don't see how she keeps away from Hollywood. I think she could put a lot of Hollywood gals in the backseat if she wanted to take a crack at that sort of thing. She's a smart gal.

A friend of mine was going to stop in and see you. He's from Oregon City. I'm wondering if he's visited you yet.

Well guess I'd better roll in. It's past my bedtime by hours.

Love to all, Your brother, Chuck

Nov. 4, 1944
Postmark on envelope is dated Nov 10, 1944
The V-Mail has no censor's stamp.

Dear Pongee and Family,

Received your V letter of the 27th today, so here's one right back at you.

I'm certainly glad about Brownie stopping in to see you. Imagine you must have had lots of fun asking him questions.

About the $5.00 cup of coffee. Brownie had a Silex perker at his tent and I used to stop in for a cup whenever I passed by his area. Just to pass the time we used to play one hand of showdown poker for a dollar. Well the last few days Brownie was here, we were playing for $5.00. Brownie was lucky three days in a row. Guess you see now what he meant by $5.00 cups of coffee. It was damn good coffee though and nearly worth the price.

Things are starting to open up a bit over this way. Have hopes of seeing lots of new places in the near future. Maybe in another year I'll be able to poke my nose in your back door.

Love to all, Chuck

California