Gene Offered Pay of Lt. Colonel (71)

Maj. Eugene Pfile was a modest, capable, quiet man, but with his own opinions!


June 27, 1945  Starting the 3rd year [in the army]!  No word about leave.  We may move to the lowlands.

June 28, 1945  We are to turn over our patients to the 41st Field Hosp. on Sunday, July 1st, and trade cots and blankets.  Then we move to Caba, near Buang and Aringay.

Japanese shrine near Baguio

June 29, 1945  In the process of closing down.  Again, after being here almost 2 months.  We hate to leave this cool climate.  I took pictures of Jap shrine.

June 30, 1945  Our last day here in Baguio.  Lt. Col. Coulter of the 32nd Div. [according to Wikipedia, the 32nd Division logged more days of combat than any other division in WWII] offered me the job of Division Surgeon, or C.O. of the Med. Bn. [medical battalion], either on a Lt. Col. pay.  I refused, feeling myself not capable of that.

Modified Rand McNally map showing Caba and
San Fernando

July 1, 1945  Moved to Caba, right on the beach, a nice area.  I drove the jeep.  [Maj.] Hi [Armstrong],   [Maj.] Sparky [Adams] and Gentry [an enlisted man?] being with me.

July 3, 1945  3 years and here I am near Caba, La Union Province, Luzon - only 67 points and hoping for a leave in the States!  But healthy, thank goodness.

July 4, 1945  Some jellyfish in the water are causing painful reactions to some of the swimmers.  Still setting up.  The natives like to sight see in our area.

July 5, 1945  Damn the menagerie of dogs that we have - bark all night!  The old sow and 6 pigs were moved from our area last evening.

Pig sty where pigs were kept in the middle of the 92nd Evac Hospital

July 7, 1945  Still no word of leaves.  We have fresh potatoes to eat.  Also ice cream.  Not receiving patients yet.


July 13, 1945  [Col.] Huey went to San Fernando 6th Army Hq to see if he could get the natives out of here and to see about more leaves.  The suspense is terrific!  Apparently it lies between Max and I [sic].

July 14, 1945  This is a bad day!  Donovan won the draw.  Darn the luck!