This second letter is from Wally Martin. If anyone has any information about Wally, please let me know. Thanks. Aug. 1, 1945 Philippines From: Sgt. W. J. Martin 33700239 375th T.C. Gp. 56th T.C.S. APO 74 c/o P.M. San Francisco, Calif. To: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Haylett 1541 Elk St. Franklin, Pennsylvania Hi Folks, I hope you’re not too surprised at hearing from me after such a long time. To tell you the truth, I’ve been meaning to write to you folks for quite a while but never got around to it. I have an ulterior motive though, as you’ll later find out. First of all I guess I’d better tell you a little about myself. I’m over here in the Philippines flying with the Troop Carrier Command. We’re flying Curtiss C-46’s and I’m more than satisfied with the whole deal. It’s easy work and the time seems to go pretty fast because I’m doing something I’ve always wanted to do and that’s fly. I’m a radio operator, often known as "static-chasers" but please don’t hold that against me. Our outfit has covered the Pacific pretty well and I’ve seen a lot of places but so far I haven’t seen anything to compare with the country back home. As far as I’m concerned, I wouldn’t trade one acre of Allegheny River bottom for all the islands in the Pacific. That’s what I think of this part of the world and am positive that my mind won’t change. Now comes the big important part. How’s the old Allegheny producing this year at Oleopolis? I’m sort of anxious to hear about it because Oleopolis is still my favorite bass hunting water, same as it is with Andy, and I’d like to keep tabs on it. Please help me out by writing and letting me in on the dirt. The last letter I got from Andy and Marie was about two weeks ago and from that I gathered that they were still doing good at Scott Field, Ill. I hope they get to stay there for the duration. Andy brought his Oldsmobile to Illinois with him so every chance he gets, he chases around the Illinois lakes and ponds catching bluegills and crappies. The fish aren’t as big but I’ll bet he has a whale of a good time. Wish I could do the same right now. Boy, I’ll bet Penny is really a big girl now. That’s the trouble with being in the Army. When you get back, everything will be so changed and different that you’ll feel like a stranger even among the folks you know. I guess it can’t be helped though, so there’s no use in griping about it. When this war is over, I think our entire fishing gang will be up to your place to rent your cottage. If that happens, you’d better anchor the place down because I know I’ve been dreaming about the place these last two years and Andy is in the same boat, so we’ll be plenty happy to get back and our over-enthusiasm may get the better of us. That’s just a subtle warning of what may happen. No kidding though, it will be heaven when that day comes. Well, I think I’ve blabbed enough so take care of yourselves and please drop me a note letting me know how things are going in my favorite part of the state. Your friend, Wally