TLS signed “Ike,” one page, 8 x 10.5, December 7, 1937. Addressed from Manila in the Philippines, a letter to friend L. K. Phreaner, in full: “Your letter was a delightful surprise to Mamie and me, and to Norma[n] Randolph who is here in the islands with us. It inspired a lot of reminiscing about ‘Pigeon Hill,’ Gettysburg, Hanover, and the rollicking times we all had together.
I had previously heard of Uncle Lewis' death, but have largely lost track of the rest of the Byron family. I assure you that if our next assignment brings us into Eastern United States we'll be running in on you — and probably sticking around until you have to call the sheriff to throw us out.
The small youngster we had at Gettysburg died at the age of three. Another — his twin in looks — was born in 1922, and is now a sophomore in high school. Since leaving your section of the country we've been to Panama, France, almost nine years in Washington and, now, after two years in the Philippine Islands, I'm beginning to think of getting home once more. However, Norman will get home ahead of me and he says to tell you he'll come to see you and guarantees in advance to eat anything in the house. Out here one is bound to work up an appetite for American food. Norm and his wife are delightful people, and all of you will surely have a fine time when they get to Pigeon Hill.
I think Arthur Sheets came to your home occasionally with the rest of us of the Tank Corps gang. He is still in the Army, married, and I believe has one or two youngsters. Whittengham lives in Delaware, in some kind of automotive business. Where the others are, I don't know.
We've had an interesting tour here in the Philippines. Under existing laws the islands are supposed to achieve independence in 1946, and in the meantime they are trying to get an army ready to provide for their own security. I'm assigned to the job, under General MacArthur, of assisting the local government in developing their army. There are lots of difficulties, such as lack of money, language difficulties, illiteracy, and many others. But all in all, we've made some progress and soon I'm going to call it a day and let someone else worry along with the job.
I've written this out in my undecipherable style, but out of consideration for you I'll type it. And while doing so I'll put it on what we call ‘Clipper’ paper — which is nothing but a light-weight variety that we use to avoid excess postage on the airmail route. With warm regards from Mamie and me— in which Norm joins us.” In fine condition, with a tear to the lower right corner, affecting nothing. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, with Eisenhower incorporating his signature, “D. D. Eisenhower,” to the return address field.
In 1935, General Douglas MacArthur was invited to return to Manila by his old friend Quezon, President of the newly created Philippine Commonwealth, to serve as head of a U.S. military mission charged with preparing the islands for full independence in 1946. Dwight D. Eisenhower would serve four long years in the Philippines under General MacArthur, accepting the position with some reluctance but content with the knowledge that his old and dear friend, James ‘Jimmy’ Ord, was going along and they would work together. In addition to his duties as assistant military advisor to the Philippine government, Ike continued to write MacArthur’s speeches, letters, and reports. Because MacArthur thought it beneath him to meet with President Quezon on a regular basis, Ike became an important liaison to the Philippine leader. Nearly nine months after his arrival on July 1, 1936, Major Eisenhower was automatically promoted — as was the rest of the class of 1915 — to lieutenant colonel.
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