V ^..._ MAIL

V-mail was launched by the War and Navy departments and the Postal Service on June 15, 1942. Correspondents drafted messages on single preprinted sheets of thin paper that, when folded and sealed, also served as envelopes. Gathered at three central postal stations – in New Your, Chicago and San Francisco – the letters were opened, sorted and copied onto microfilm. Flown overseas the film was then processed into small, sometimes almost illegible, 4 X5 photographs of the originals. Some 41 months later, when the last V-mail departed from New York on November 1, 1945 almost 1.25 billion had traveled to an from servicemen.

V-Mail Service provides the most expeditious dispatch and reduces the weight of mail to and from personnel of our Armed Forces outside the continental United States. When addressed to points where micro-film equipment is operated, a miniature photographic negative of the message will be made and sent by the most expeditious transportation available for reproduction and delivery. The original message will be destroyed after the reproduction has been delivered. Messages addressed to or from points where micro-film equipment is not operated will 6e transmitted in their original form by the most expeditious means available.

INSTRUCTIONS

(1)Write the entire message plainly on the other side within marginal lines.
(2)PRINT the name and address in the two panels provided. Addresses to members of the Armed Forces should include rank or rating of the addressee, unit to which attached, and APO or Naval address.
(3)Fold, seal, and deposit in any post office letter drop or street letter box.
(4)Enclosures must not be placed in this envelope and a separate V-Mail letter must be sent if you desire to write more than one sheet.
(5) V-Mail letters may be sent free of postage by mem6ers of the Armed Forces.

When sent by others postage must be prepaid at domestic rates
 (3¢ ordinary mail, 6¢ if air mail is desired).