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Letter from Smith Green to grandma and grandpaShow simple item record

dc.creatorGreen, Smith Lowry
dc.date.accessioned2024-10-22T19:40:10Z
dc.date.available2024-10-22T19:40:10Z
dc.date.issued1940-07-17
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/66467
dc.descriptionLetter from Smith Green to his grandparents, William and Mary Green, giving updates.
dc.format.medium8x10 paper
dc.relationSmith Lowry Green Collection (MS 179)
dc.rightsPrior written permission from TCU Special Collections required to use any document or photograph
dc.sourceBox 002, Correspondence to Grandma & Grandpa 1939-41, 1945-46 (not POW) folder, Item 017
dc.subjectGreen, Smith L.
dc.subjectWorld War II
dc.subjectUnited States Army
dc.titleLetter from Smith Green to grandma and grandpa
dc.typeDocument
dc.description.transcription1 Hq. Co., 31st Infantry Manila, P.I. July 17, 1940 Dear Grandma and Grandpa, Just received your letter dated June 19th and certainly was glad to hear from you. I am feeling fine except for a little sunburn on my back and shoulders. I certainly hope both of you are in the best of health by now. I'm sure the weather is plenty warm by now. It seems there is more war talk over there than there is here. Of course the native Filipinos are kinda fearful but the American troops are "spilin for a fight," as the saying goes. Every soldier I've talked with is hoping for a chance to go to China to protect American Citizens and property. Practically every American dislikes a Jap by instinct, I guess. Anyhow, that doesn't mean that there is going to be a war, expecially over here. However, if the United STates get into a European War, then its a certainty that Japan is going to attack the Dutch East Indies, French Indo-China and possibly the Philippines. It may seem like its raining there but you should see it here. It rains in torrents for days on end. SEven inches of water fell in one day. Some of the streets get knee deep so every body just wades through. The only 2 nice thing about the rainy season is that it cools off a bit. July 3rd about thirty of us had to go to the Pier to meet some 1800 odd evacuees from the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. They were all women and children; wives, daughters, and children of British Army and Navy personell. They came over on the Empress of Japan, a Canadian Pacific liner. The Army had charge of escorting them off the boat, looking after their baggage, putting them on trucks etc. About 500 were sent to Baguio, about 1100 to Ft. William McKinley and the rest stayed in Manila. They were all kinda lost and downhearted because they had to leave their husbands and parents and come to a strange land. We did our best to cheer them up. AFter getting off the crowded boat, they did brighten up considerably. I talked to a good many, expecially the good looking girls. It was a welcome relief to see so many blondes and red-heads. They talked kinda strange, too, but I guess we sounded just as funny to them. They couldn't understand what a truck was until they saw them, then they said, "Oh, you mean a lorry." You should have seen this bunch of soldiers carrying babies, pushing baby buggies, carrying suitcases etc etc.! There was newsreel cameramen, photographers, and reporters all around. 3 July 7th about 2400 more came in and since then I believe there has been more. They had to evacuate Hong Kong on orders from the English gov't because of Japanese threats. I don't know how long they will be here. Probably until Britain and Japan get their troubles ironed out or until provisions can be made for them in Australia or New Zealand. It was too bad about Odell Howard getting to years. I can't figure out what got into him. He should have known he couldn't get away with it. By the way, the Richardson boy came on the last boat, all right, and ended up right here in this company. Thats what you would call a coincidence, isn't it? When you first told me about him, I didn't expect to see him. Then one day a guy walked up and spoke to me and it was him. I didn't remember him but he knew me, all right. Yes, the Miss Brown I was referring to is Marie Brown. I thought I mentioned her to you while I was there. I have a small picture of her. I got a letter from Virginia today also. They are getting along just fine. Young Robert Wesley is fat as can be and has four teeth. She sent me a few pictures so I'll send one to you. "Dodie" is Miss Doris Elaine Anderson, 4 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Anderson. In other words, Doris's baby. Virginia and Claude are now the proud owners of an automobile and take trips out to the beach, down the coast etc. Say hello to all the folks for me. Only a little over fifteen months over here, then a long boat ride. I really must close now. Please write soon with all the news. Lots and lots of love, Smith. S. Green Hq. Co. 31st Inf. Manila, P.I. Rec'd Aug. 20. Ans Sept. 2 Mr. W.M. Green Box 426 Broken Bow, Oklahoma U.S.A.


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  • Smith Lowry Green Collection [250]
    Smith L. Green fought in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. He was a prisoner of war from 1942 to 1945. He also fought in the Korean War. Green attended graduate school at Texas Christian University, graduating in 1961.

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