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USS PCE (R) 855 c/o FLEET POST OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
7 May 1945
Dear Gordon,
Your "Victory Flashes from Berg" dated 23 February arrived today amid numerous reports on short wave of the "Victory Flashes" in Europe for which we have waited so long. Good news from home and front from the European war front simultaneously is manna from heaven. I poured over your news items with great en- thusiasm and pride. The basketball club sure more than did itself proud this last season and I literally have pointed with pride to that list list of impressive victories the boys turned in saying to my fellow officer's aboard here, "There she is - that's Muhlenberg." It's tough to argue with the boys from across the country who never heard of Berg, but gradually I can see a marked gain in prestige here, won only through "bragodosio."
I hope that soon we can announce out here sweeping victories in Tokio's backyard which will mean the end of the war in the Pacific. That day of victory cannot come too soon for me or for any of us aboard or at home - right?
USS PCE (R) 855 c/o FLEET POST OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
Just today I visited George Giube (45') aboard the LC(G)77 which I found, much to my amazment, when the dawn came just off our starboard bow. I haven't run into many Berg men but then I haven't has a chance to - my feet have not touched old terra firma for many weeks. I know there must be a lot around on the other ship's and we all are waiting to get together ashore when the Japs have been licked or should I say annihilated.
A PCE(R), no doubt you are wondering, is a rescue ship, small but we like to think darn important. we have been very busy of late picking up survivors, giving aid to the wounded marine casualties etc. It's gratifying work in that its more on the constructive side altho in the process of being constructive self- defense makes us destructive. I left the states only 5 months ago but my transition from occidental to oriental was indeed rapid.
Thanks again for Alumni Flashes and lots of luck to you all in you job back there.
Sincerely, Bob Hale
Now viewing Letter from Robert Hale to Gordon Fister, 07 May 1945.