Iowa Old Press
The Daily Times - Davenport, Iowa - Wed. January 17, 1945
RECEIVE LETTER WRITTEN IN JAP PRISON IN JULY.
A typed message, written in faulty English and signed by Cpl. Paul Gernandt of Davenport, Japanese prisoner of war, has been received by his aunt, Mrs. Mary Andersen, 1535 West Third street. The card, arrived Tuesday, but dated July 22, 1944, is the second she has received since her nephew, who made his home with her, was taken prisoner following the seizure of the Philippines. A previous notice of September, 1943, had informed Mrs. Andersen that Cpl. Gernandt was prisoner and that his health was “fair.”
The current one, which bears the address, Prison Camp No. 1, as did the last, describes his health as “good.”
It contains the following message: “Dear Folks: I was most overjoyed to receive your most long-for letter of which I really appreciate. Am glad everyone is o. k. Also received package and thank you. Wish this was over. Wish everyone the best of health and am sure glad everyone is alright.” Cpl. Gernandt, a former employe of the Rock Island arsenal enlisted in the army in 1940, and was stationed in the Philippines at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
His last letter was received by his family in November, 1941. The report that he was missing came in May, 1942, and the notice that he was a prisoner did not arrive until almost a year and a half later.
[transcribed by L.Z., January 2023]