On Christmas Day 1944, General MacArthur issued the following message to the men and women under his command: “May God preserve and protect you all—is my Christmas prayer.”
By December 1944, the momentum of the war in the Pacific Theatre was in favor of the Allies. Despite this momentum however, there was still major fighting to come. The new year would see continued fighting in the Philippines, battles at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, as well as the planning of the anticipated invasion of Japan.
For those serving in the European Theatre, the war continued as well. During the holiday season, American soldiers engaged in a fierce struggle at Bastogne received this Christmas message after a German commander demanded an American surrender:
