81) "Some of this stuff we have to take over here teaches us a lot about life & people."---Early March, 1945

APO 70-- Lingayen Airfield, Luzon, Philippines

This letter is not dated but the postmark indicates that it is the next letter in the sequence. The return address is APO 70 (Luzon), so it is written after the 9th squadron arrived at Lingayen Airfield, Luzon, Philippines.

Dearest,

I know what you mean about the dream and you aren’t connected with it, you ARE that dream. I have made up my mind and don’t intend to change it. I naturally can’t do anything about it way over here. So you see we will have to wait. Whether or not we like it. I don’t see how you could see it any other way.

As far as that being a serious matter, I fully realize that & appreciate the fact that you realize it. We are young but we’re not getting any younger. All that I’ve gone through over here may have changed me but I’m sure I’ll be a lot better when I get back. Some of this stuff we have to take over here teaches us a lot about life & people.

I don’t think I could be anything but sincere in what I tell you. No good giving a girl a line when I’m over here. What good would it do me?

I really don’t see how you can get ideas like that as many years as you have known me. Really now don’t let going to college & being a sorority girl change your simple, sweet, honest way of thinking. Please darling it means so very much to know that you are waiting back there. Not anyone OR some particular “dream” girl. But you, just you! See how bad it is?

We are very comfortable here and will probably get a chance to write more often.

Say hello! To Anne & your Mom for me.

Sweet dreams till next time
I love you with all my heart.

Jack

NOTES :

• The early part of March found the squadron in the process of getting settled in their new camp area at Lingayen, Luzon. For the first time in the Philippine battle of camps, the Ninth got a decent break insofar as they moved into an area already partially built up by the 44th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group of the 13th Air Force. The whole move was an unusual one in that we left all our heavy equipment, vehicles, tents, cots, etc., at Mindoro and effected a trade with the squadron into whose area we moved, this being the first time in our history that such a complete exchange of campsites had occurred.--From the 9th FS Unit History (Ken Clark)
• The camp area we moved into is situated about one-quarter of a mile from the west end of Lingayen Strip and extends from the beach to about 600 yards inland, bordered by a road leading to the town of Lingayen. The beach itself is a wide, clean, sandy area, and extends into the Gulf in a gradual slope, which makes it a wonderful bathing resort and is being utilized for that purpose. The 9th Officers' Quarters, two rows of Nipa shacks, are built about fifty feet from the water's edge and the cool sea breeze constantly keeps the quarters comfortable. The gray-white sand of the beach, interspersed with sparse grass, extends throughout the entire camp area and the Filipino-built Nipa huts on that background of sand and an occasional palm tree gives the camp a definite South Pacific "Paradise Island" atmosphere.--From the 9th FS Unit History(Ken Clark)
• Operationally the squadron got right down to work, under the control of 308th Bomb Wing through Group, and for the first five days we flew cover for convoys, C-47's on dropping missions, minesweepers, and started on a phase of close ground support missions under the direction of various ground controllers. Using instantaneous bombs, our planes dive-bombed Kato and Koshun Airdromes and the Hosan Rail Yards all on Formosa. Also Jap held areas at Cabuyo, Dupax and San Fernando on Luzon.--From the 9th FS Unit History (Ken Clark)
• The ground fighting in the Luzon area has been slow, painful work for the infantry, digging the Japs out cave by cave in the Yamshita Line east of Manila and constantly patrolling the Baguio area, still a Japanese strong point. Consequently the work of our planes against inaccessible Japanese positions had been highly appreciated and the use of instantaneous demolition bombs, and the new napalm bombs under the close direction from ground controllers has proved to be very successful.--From the 9th FS Unit History (Ken Clark)
• Napalm is any of a number of flammable liquids used in warfare, often jellied gasoline. Napalm is actually the thickener in such liquids, which when mixed with gasoline makes a sticky incendiary gel. Developed by the U.S. in World War II by a team of  Harvard chemists led by Louis Fieser, its name is a combination  of its original ingredients, coprecipitated aluminum salts of naphthenic and palmitic acids. These were added to the flammable substance to cause it to gel. (Wikipedia)

80) The 9th Squadron Moves North to Lingayen Airfield, Luzon, Philippines

Lingayen Gulf Liberation---This area was occupied by the Japanese from December 1941 until it was liberated by the US 6th Army who landed on January 9th 1945. During the initial landing over 60,000 troops were used. The number rose to over 200,000 in follow up landings. Link to more information: Invasion of Lingayen Gulf

Lingayen Airfield---After liberation the old airfield was repaired using Filipino "sawali" (finely woven split bamboo mats) with "marston matting" over the top to form a runway surface.  There is a community airport still in use at this location, serving the area of Lingayen.

Marston Matting--- Also known as PSP (Perforated Steel Matting) was developed by the U.S. and used during WW II to construct airfields. Steel strips were made with holes punched through and it was designed so that the pieces interlocked with each other. A runway could be created within a couple of days.




9th Fighter Squadron Unit History (Late February)---Early on the morning of the 25th the squadron loaded on C-46's and C-47's; before the day ended we were firmly settled in the campsite just evacuated by the 44th Fighter Squadron, 18th Group. The exchange was most profitable for the 9th, as the new camp is on the shore of Lingayen Bay, and the majority of personnel were proud possessors of bamboo constructed huts which were built off the ground - a far cry from the meadows of Mindoro. The 27th we flew routine local patrols, which wrapped up the flying for February.

9th FS Headquarters on Lingayen Gulf within 50' of the beach--1945--Courtesy of Ken Clark

Curtiss C-46 Commando--- a military transport aircraft used during WW II. It had powerful engines that enabled it to climb with very heavy loads and it had a very large cargo volume, twice that of the C-47. But, it was referred to by some pilots at the "flying coffin" and had at least 31 known instances of fires or explosions in flight.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain--- a military transport aircraft used in WW II.  It could cary up to 6,000 pounds of cargo.  As a troop transport it carried 28 soldiers in full combat gear.