From Pvt. Howard N. Ollinger
The following V mail letter comes from Pvt. Howard N. Ollinger and was handed to The Shopper by his mother.
Dear Folks:
I have not written you since July sometime and I suppose you are anxious to hear from me. I am here "Somewhere" in Australia now and not even much that I can write about either. I am feeling just fine and hope you are the same. I'm having a good time over here but having quite a time getting used to the money over here. Their pennies are as big as our half dollar and almost twice as heavy as ours. The money is in shilling and pounds, different than our own dollars and cents. We have to forget all about the money we were used to at home as this is so much different than our own.
There is not much more I can write because of lack of space and can't think of anything more now, so I will close and write again sometime.
As ever,
Howard
Source: The Williamsburg Shopper, September 23, 1943, pg. 7, col. 1
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ollinger received a letter Monday from their son, Pfc. Howard N. Ollinger, stating he had received the Purple Heart while in combat duty in the Philippines. He was only slightly wounded, however, and is now back with his outfit. Pfc. Ollinger has been in the service two years and has seen active duty in the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, New Guinea and now the Philippine Islands.
Source: The Williamsburg Shopper, December 21, 1944, pg. 9, col. 3
Howard Ollinger arrived home last Thursday morning with his discharge from the army.
Source: The Journal Tribune & Williamsburg Shopper, Thursday, December 13, 1945, pg 7, col 1
Iowa, World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954; Application to State of Iowa for World War II Service Compensation form
Date of entry into active service: 12-19-1942
Place of entry: Camp Dodge, Iowa
Date of separation from active service: 12-05-1945
Date of departure from U.S. for foreign service: 05-09-1943
Date of return to U.S. from foreign service: 11-26-1945
Branch: Army
Military organization served: 11th Field Artillery Battalion
Source: ancestry.com
