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December 14, 1939

We sailed yesterday on the S.S. Cleveland, via Hong Kong-Shanghai-Kobe-Yokohama-Honolulu-San Francisco. In Shanghai we are doing some shopping, principally with respect to fur coats, of which Mamie has ordered two. I hope she gets some use out of them.

There were many despedidas. Gen. & Mrs. Valdes gave us a nice dinner; Oak Room of Hotel. The Air Corps gave me a luncheon, an aerial review and a present of a desk set, including two Shaeffer pens. Sec. Vargas gave us a dinner, with a present to Mamie of a full luncheon set in Piña. The P.A. gave a review for me (the Camp Murphy command) after which Capinpin and his officers presented me with a Hamilton watch. The President gave us a very large, official luncheon at Malacañan. That was the day before we left, and the climax of the whole round of parties. At the boat were many friends, both American and Filipino. Gifts included lots of flowers, champagnes, whiskies, books, etc., etc. The P.A. Band played on the pier until we were through the breakwater. Coupled with all this were many speeches, flattering comments, etc., including a newspaper editorial, so that all in all we not only felt we had made many fine friends, we were made to feel that our going was sincerely regretted in Manila.

As a final gesture, Sec. Vargas told me that, with the approval of the President, he was giving me a bonus of two months per diems (not including hotel allowance). This will be $1000.00 –which will be a real help when we start buying uniforms, auto, etc., etc. We have succeeding up our Riggs Acct. to approx. 10,000.00

So now we go back to the American Army –and I’m looking forward with the keenest anticipation to service in a regiment.

[This concludes the Philippine Diary entries]