Painting depicts several figures working in separated sections under a tent-like structure; at least one figure appears to be at a sorting unit; main central figure of a man dragging a sack behind him, sack reads "US MAIL"; small sign near top center reads "POST / OFFICE / 3rd DIV."; signed in bottom right twice "Paul E."
USMC Captain E L Frase, 3rd Marine Division Postal Officer, sent a letter and painting from his field post office to Chief Post Office Inspector J. Donalson in Washington, DC enclosed in a bamboo mailing container (see also 2009.2004.54.1). The painting by Marine combat artist Pvt. Paul Ellsworth depicted the V-Mail station constructed of similar bamboo stalks and canvas. Frase described the scene and action in the painting in his letter of 14 December 1943.
