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Technician Three Pink entered the service in April, 1943, while a sophomore at Iowa State college. He was first stationed at Camp Grant, Ill., and from there he went to the University of Illinois in the Army Specialized Training program. He was a Camp Crowder, Mo., prior to going overseas last December. A younger brother, Pvt. Bill Pink, is stationed at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Little Rock, Ark. ~ Newton Daily News Saturday, June 30, 1945. |
Finachafen, New Guinea Dear Mother and Dad:
I can now tell you where I am in New Guinea--check your maps and you'll see my home. It is a rear area and quiet, but a pretty good place for New Guinea, we are told. We are living well now. Sometimes we work hard, but we also rest hard. Finchafen is on the east coast about half way up, some 60 miles northeast of Lae. Maybe you remember reading of some of the battles here, the landing being "The Battle of the Scarlet Beach" -- you can guess why it got that name. Others were Song River, Snell HIll, Mission Road, and Saddie Mountain Drive. The war is all cleared for this area, except I understand the Japs are still back in the interior as the natives say, "Jap far in bush -- no good for Jap here." Some of our boys who were farther up the coast said that Japs came in there looking for food at night--the place isn't connected to our base. Roads don't connect bases here, all is done by boat along the shore. The villages you'll see--even the big name villages are but small native villages where in peace time ships--when they would come--anchored off shore and passengers come ashore in small boats. There are coconut plantations here, but no buildings. I guess they are owned by the popular soap companies. I can tell you where I first saw New Guinea. It was at Milne bay--from there on to here our time involved is for you to guess. It is very hot here, although a little cooler now than earlier in the year. Give my regards to all and keep writing. Love and God bless you, |