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HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES
WASHINGTON
August 14, 1944
Mr. Arthur B. Peregoy,
919 W. North Avenue,
Baltimore, Maryland.
Dear Mr. Peregoy;
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.
| Very sincerely yours,
H. H. Arnold,
General, U. S. Army,
Commanding General, Army Air Forces. |
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