https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/4826876d-8944-468e-a409-3b034282f08f Released during WWII, this restricted newsreel consists of various segments. They include at :58, the debut of the battleship USS North Carolina. At 2:50, in a segment called "Tell My Boy", a letter writing campaign is seen — started by Estelle Becker of the Civilian Volunteer Defense Office in the Bronx, New York. It is aimed at people who do not speak English but want letters written to their sons at war. At 5:45, a profile of boxer Barney Ross is seen. Ross was an American professional boxer and became a world champion in three weight divisions and was a decorated veteran of World War II. The film shows Ross' description of the fighting at Guadalcanal. In retirement in his early thirties, Ross enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April 1942. The Marines wanted to keep him stateside and use his celebrity status to boost morale. Most of the athletes of the era, like heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, had ceremonial roles in the military, but Ross insisted on fighting for his country. This film presents a multifaceted portrayal of World War II efforts, beginning with the unveiling of a powerful and secretive American battleship symbolizing U.S. naval strength. It then shifts focus to a heartwarming initiative where immigrant parents, unable to read or write English, are aided in sending letters to their sons in the armed forces, preserving family bonds during wartime. The story of Barney Ross follows—a former boxing champion turned decorated Marine—who recounts his harrowing combat experience in Guadalcanal. A lighter segment features the humorous perspective of a military dog undergoing training and service, highlighting the diverse roles animals played in the war. Finally, the narrative turns to Malta, honoring its people’s extraordinary resilience under relentless Axis bombing, culminating in King George VI awarding the island the George Cross for bravery. 0:20 – A powerful and secretive new American battleship is introduced. Its speed, firepower, and operations are classified, but it's portrayed as a symbol of American naval dominance, capable of striking targets beyond the horizon and defending against any enemy aircraft. 2:55 – Focus shifts to immigrant parents in the U.S. who cannot write or read English. A volunteer-led program in the Bronx helps them send letters to their sons in the military by translating and typing their messages, ensuring their children receive news from home and feel supported. 5:43 – The story of Barney Ross begins. A former world boxing champion from Chicago, he enlists in the Marines. At Guadalcanal, he displays heroism by defending wounded comrades under fire, earning the Silver Star. His journey from the boxing ring to the battlefield is framed as patriotic and courageous. 10:52 – A humorous segment is narrated from the perspective of a military dog. It follows the dog's induction, training, and role in the Army, highlighting how dogs are used for patrol, rescue, and other duties. The dog describes military life and training routines with comic insight. The U.S. Army's efforts to use civilian dogs is presented using adorable images of dogs being drafted and then trained for use by the military police. Kennels are seen at 14:25, with dogs being trained for arctic conditions. 15:58 – The narrative shifts to Malta, a British island that endured over 2,000 air raids during a prolonged siege. Despite devastation, the people remained resilient. With the end of the siege, King George VI awards the island the George Cross for bravery, honoring both the living and the dead. 17:01 – Footage captured from German forces shows bombing preparations, underscoring Malta’s resilience during over 2,000 air raids. 18:31 – Children and civilians become adept at recognizing enemy aircraft, while RAF and American squadrons defend the skies relentlessly. 19:20 – The toll of war is shown through scenes of destruction—churches, homes, and schools reduced to rubble. 20:04 – The King of England awards Malta the George Cross for its bravery, honoring both the living and the many who died during the siege. Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. 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