Pacific theater, Dec. 25, 1945: In December 1945, Stars and Stripes Pacific published this holiday souvenir edition for the U.S. Occupation Forces in the Pacific. “In that this is our first Christmas in five years that is free of the grim spector of World War, it should have special significance to all of our gallant men and women of the Armed Forces and should be an inspiration to all of us to do our part to insure that all future Christmases will be celebrated in the true aura of peace and goodwill between all nations and peoples,” wrote Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge, commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces in Korea in the issue.

Stars and Stripes’ Archive Photo of the Day team would like to join Gen. Hodge this holiday eve and wish all of you a merry, peaceful and hopeful holiday season.

You can check out the entire souvenir edition here.