AL’S WAR
AL’S WAR
The picture story of one man’s triumph over
the juggernaut of the Japanese Empire’s military
machine during World War II
by Shaun Costello
Lt. Al, resplendent in his custom tailored Army duds from Saks Fifth Avenue. Portrait taken in New York in late 1943, before he shipped out to the Pacific to take on Tojo.
A Farewell party at New York’s Stork Club. My mother, father, Aunt Alice and Uncle Tommy – late 1943.
Lt. Al, before shipping out. Taken in the Bronx – late 1943.
Lt. Al arrives in Papua New Guinea, ready to rumble.
Lt. Al tells his army buddy, “My gun’s bigger than yours.” I wonder what else they compared.
OUT OF BEER, Lt. Al explores the alternatives.
Before Officer’s Training School Lt, Al was just a Private – (Nice haircut) In Basic training at Camp Crowder, Missouri.
FISH FOR DINNER – Lt. Al shows off his catch. Papua New Guinea 1944
Lt. Al in the Radio Room – Papua New Guinea 1944
Lt. Al – A man and his Bazooka. Papua New Guinea – 1944
Lt. Al knocking back a few cold ones with his Signal Corps buddies. Papua New Guinea 1944
Lt.Al sitting on his Jeep. Planning his next move against the Japs. Papua New Guinea 1944
Lt. Al buys pornographic wood carvings from naked cannibals.
The mail plane brings pics of little Shaun.
A C46 in the sky over New Guinea. Probably bringing photographs in the mail of little Shaun.
Lt. Al and the boys lining up to meet the mail plane. Maybe there will be pictures from home. New Guinea 1944
Lt. Al with his native pals. Papua New Guinea – 1944
Lt. Al looking like he needs a cold one. New Guinea 1944
BEER DELIVERY MAKES FOR HAPPY SOLDIERS.
Lt. Al and his signal Corps buddies enjoying a few.
A happy Lt. Al gets the news. He’s going to the Philippines to tangle with Tojo. New Guinea 1944
Papuan native visit Lt. Al’s tent. This was the first time their picture had been taken. New Guinea 1944
Lt. Al looking like he needs some R&R. Papua New Guinea 1944
Lt. Al in the Radio Room listening to the ball scores.
THE STORK CLUB – Lt. Al and his pals enjoy the tropical night life. Papua New Guinea
HERSHEY BAR DIPLOMACY – The natives line up for snacks from Lt. Al and his pals. Papua New Guinea 1944
Lt. Al and his buddies getting ready to move on to the Philippines.
Lt. Al photographing the Hospital Ship. New Guinea 1944
GOOD MORNING NEW GUINEA – Armed Forced Radio – Papua New Guinea 1944
On board ship heading to the Philippines, Lt. Al catches some rays.
On the way to the Philippines, Lt. Al snaps a few pictures.The swarthy Japs are out there somewhere,
CHRISTMAS 1944 – Lt. Al gets a Christmas Card.
LOOK OUT TOJO – Lt. Al and his pals kick the Jap hordes out of the Philippines.
BODACIOUS TATA’S BOUGAINVILLE STYLE – Lt. Al is delighted to find topless natives. Bougainville – Early 1945
Bullet scarred monument – Manila Philippines 1945
DOWNTOWN MANILA After Lt. Al kicked those Japs the hell out of there.
USO Dance in Manila Philippines. That’s Lt. Al on the far left.
P51’s lined up and ready to rumble. Outside Manila Philippines 1945
PHILIPPINO FOLLIES. Local band entertains the Americans. Manila Philippines 1945
SAILORS GALORE – The Navy boys secure their landing craft – Leyte Philippines 1945
SHOWTIME USO band helps the troops celebrate the JAPANESE SURRENDER. Manila Philippines 1945
Lt. Al joins the occupation forses in Honshu Japan. Here he is having his first Geisha experience. – Occupied Japan 1945
Lt. Al is getting to like this Geisha thing – Occupied Japan 1945
Lt. Al and his buddies remove their shoes before entering a Japanese Tea Room – Occupied Japan 1945
Lt. Al flexing his muscles after beating up on Tojo and his boys – Occupied Japan 1945
THANKS OF A GRATEFUL PRESIDENT – After single handedly laying the whup on the Empire of the Sun, Lt. Al accepts the gratitude of the Commander in Chief.
The boys in the Pacific carried family pics with them. Lt. Al was no exception. Yep, that’s me in the middle. Time to head home.
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