In a fourth letter from mid-October 1944, Franklin finally learns where he will be deployed:
Dear Mother,
Don't think that you would ever recognize my bracelet -- the outside of it has turned completely black! [probably from his insect repellent].
Seem to have lost track of how many birds we have. But then the egg record has been excellent all summer. Ever have "two yolks", anymore? Naturally you've killed those old hens from the small coop. They were tough eating, weren't they?
How many good hens are in the large coop -- and of those, how many are Rocks and Reds? (Leghorn still laying?) And what others are there?
Censorship regulations now make it possible to state that I am aboard ship. Naturally it is crowded, and terribly hot. The water situation presents quite a problem -- and we "shower" with 1/2 gallon of water. We shave, wash our clothes, etc. in our helmets. Cold water for drinking is a luxury.
Much love, Franklin
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| Leyte in Philippines (click to enlarge) |
By underlining some of the letters, he spells out “Leyte” which is an island in the central Philippines that is about half the size of Connecticut. Upon figuring out the clue, his family must have had to look for Leyte on a map.
The Japanese had previously conquered the Philippines in March 1942, brutally killing many of its civilians. At that time, General Douglas MacArthur made his famous speech to the people of the Philippines, saying “I shall return.”
The Philippines were an important objective for the Allies, to further cut off oil and other critical supplies to the Japanese military, while allowing them to launch attacks closer to the Japanese mainland.
This letter may have been the last time Franklin's family heard from him for several weeks.
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