Rabaul Letter

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HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES

WASHINGTON

August 14, 1944

I know you will have a very personal interest in the accompanying book which tells the story of the bold attack made on Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, on November 2, 1943.  The book has been specially prepared as a tribute to the intrepid airmen who made this fine accomplishment possible, one of whom was your son, Captain Arthur L. Peregoy.

The Story and pictures reveal to you the scope and daring of this operation - how our aircraft attacked at below masthead height and, in only twelve minutes, destroyed or damaged 114,572 tons of enemy shipping and destroyed 85 Japanese aircraft.

This is a bright page in the history of the Army Air Forces, indeed in the history of our country.  Aside from the importance of this raid for its destruction of enemy material, its morale value was incalculable: the aggressor was once again given a taste of barbed American steel, was purpose have made us the great nation that we are.

What was done at Rabaul was done by individual Americans working together as a team for our common cause.  The history of our Nation contains the names of stirring battles, and Rabaul has now been added to this list.  When its name is mentioned in time to come, and all our countrymen remember the glory of this day, you may contemplate with pride upon the part your son played in this historic event.