Thomas
Hoke Compere
Barbara Collins’ grandfather was Thomas Hoke Compere (photo at left 1944 in Australia--click to enlarge).
Col. Compere was one of a group of 24th Division Officers who met mid-August 1945 at Taloma Beach on Davao Gulf - about 5 miles SW of Davao City to form what would become "The 24th Infantry Division Association." He also was Association President 1957-1959, and received the Verbeck Award in 1971 (photo from Taro Leaf, below left).
Barbara
recently (November 2013) supplied us with scanned images of many of
the letters Lt. Col. Compere wrote to his wife. We have converted
these scanned images to Portable Document Format (PDF) files of his
letters by year and month. You may access these below by Year and
Month, and within the month by progressing stepwise throughout the
month.
Some letters, especially a couple written early on by pencil are marginally readable, but do not be discouraged—these letters are fantastic.
Look especially, at October 31, 1944, where he describes a beach landing.
Ms. Collins offers these letters for your reading but she maintains ownership. Therefore all images provided herein are © Barbara Collins, 1560 Sappanwood Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, 805-376-3510, bnewcol[at]roadrunner.com
To view the letters please click on the following link: Tom Compere Letters © Barbara Collins