WALDO OTT IS IN HOSPITAL
Pvt. Waldo Ott, who recently entered the service, is in the hospital at Camp Hood, Texas, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ott. Waldo says he is undergoing examination this week and will write again as soon as the doctors tell him what his trouble is.
Source: Spencer newspaper, February 1, 1945
WALLY OTT IS HOME ON FURLOUGH
Pvt. Wally Ott arrived home end of last week from Ft. Hood, Texas, for a ten day furlough. He will leave again for Maryland, where he will report for further duty. He and his wife and family visited ---- from Tuesday until Friday at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ott. They returned to Spencer today. A family dinner will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ott in honor of Pvt. Ott.
Source: Spencer newspaper, April 26, 1945
WALLY OTT WRITES ABOUT TRIP ACROSS
My Dearest Mom, Pop & Dian:
Well folks, I’ll tell you a few things that I can. This is May, and Sunday, and our fourth day at sea. I had the awfullest feeling when we left the U. S. something I can’t explain, something I never dreamed of, it happened so fast, and here I am, where to, I don’t know. We went under the Golden Gate of San Francisco, and after we were out a day we went through a school of wales and I really mean some big ones, saw a few sharks and some eels, today we saw some flying fish and they sure are pretty, they fly about 50 yards and then drop down in the water, they are as blue as the sea. Last night I saw a movie on board ship, it was a good show, “Tonight and every night.” This morning I went to Church. They really feed good on this ship, they bake all their bread and it’s just like yours, Mom. Today we also got a package from the Red Cross with different things in it.
Well folks, I don’t know when you will get this, nor do I know when I will hear from you. I suppose it will be sometime. I am in the best of health and hope this finds you all the same. Write soon and often.
Love, Wally
P. S. The ocean is quite rough today, several of the fellows are sick or getting sick, so far, it has not bothered me.
Source: Spencer newspaper, June 21, 1945 (photo included)
WALLY OTT WRITES FROM THE PHILIPPINES
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ott received the following letter from their son, Wally Ott, who is a member of the paratroopers. He writes:
My Dearest Mom and Dad:
Well, folks here I am somewhere in the Philippines after 34 days on the ship and we are now living in tents. When I said it rains every day, that’s what I mean. Maybe it will miss one day out of a week, but very seldom.
A few of us drank some cocoa nut wine the other night, it’s pretty rough. Guess I will stick to bananas, pineapple and cocoanuts.
Saw several soldiers graves and also a Philippine funeral, very quaint. They have a band and nearly all of them walk. They have a sort of a carriage drawn by a pony for the babies.
They are very short of cloth and homes here now. I guess it was a lot worse, lots of them starved to death.
I am sending you some Jap money that was issued by the Nips when they had possession of this part of the country. Inflation is bad here. $1.50 for a bottle of beer. I did a little roofing the last couple of days, but it won’t last for long. I guess I will join the Paratroops after all here. It is quite easy to get in. They want them pretty bad. Only two weeks training. Hope and pray for the best, don’t feel bad. I guess I was made restless or some such thing and then if your time is coming, I would just as soon get it in the air as any place. But don’t worry, I think I have several years left.
This may not go through, but we were in (censored). That is where Bob Scharnberg is stationed, but I don’t know his address.
Well, folks, I guess this will be all for this time. Write again real often and soon. Sorry to hear your weather isn’t suitable but this beats anything yet.
All my love to you all,
Wally
Source: Spencer newspaper, July 26, 1945
