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[Japanese American] [Internment] [World War II] Extensive archive of 22 letters totaling 81 pages from 1944-1945, all written by Soldier Robert Ball of the 59th Medical Base Depot Co. Most letters span from Ball's time at the training battalion Camp Berkley in Texas in 1944 and span to Cebu City in the Philippines through 1945. The correspondences cover a variety of experiences in the Philippines, plans for after the war, and experiences with racism against Japanese Americans in the US with a perspective from being overseas. One letter dated October 17, 1945 from Cebu City in the Philippines discusses the treatment of Japanese Americans during the war: "This reflects the general attitude of most soldiers about the stupid, barbaric destruction's of Jap-American's lives and properties, especially those who gave their lives and devotions to fighting in Italy and elsewhere. But even Servicemen's (so-called) organizations have black-balled American servicemen of Japanese ancestry. I can't understand their bigotry." Key moments at the end of the war are also reflected upon: "MacArthur came out with a statement today that all civilian soldiers (draftees I suppose) would be home in six months. If that means these new men too, they are getting a good deal. That may mean we old boys will be home sooner, .we aren't going anywhere. Where is that largest Navy in the world, which could do unheard of miracles? As I mentioned, the boys are howling about that Manila shipping center's statement that freighters were impractical for sending men home, because as I said, we came over in a freighter, why the sudden change of policy for our comfort?" One letter from October 1945 reads: "I am fast coming to the conclusion that a sergeant is really a somebody in the Army. The newsboys sort of smirked at my corporals stripes (a corporal is a Junior, non-commissioned officer) (That word Junior got me too), but the additional stripe rates respect and hushed, reverent silence when I pass. Funny how I fumed about the ratings and how no one loved me for a long time and now everything has a different angle. Still, my own officer curls his lip, and I don't think he cares for me, He's just a small time grocery clerk who thinks his silver bar can buy anything. That's my greatest gripe in the Army, working under someone, not for, whom I wouldn't even hire in civilian life." Early letters begin with rough experiences during training camp: "I don't dare write too much now for fear I will burst out crying.To top it all off, I am in with a bunch of perfect strangers." But later on, the mood picks up, with Ball inserting jokes and a personality into the letters: "They gave me a tractor instead of a typewriter today, at least it's big enough to be a tractor." Some of the letters convey complex feelings about the war, especially toward the end in 1945. One letter dated August 16 1945 reads: "This is the morning after the victory celebration, and a few of the boys are still joyous. On the other hand at breakfast, one guy frowned and shook his head and said, 'I hate peace.' He'll feel better later in the day." All letters are dated with about half hand-written and half typed, all in very good condition.
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