1943 WWII Alaska Cover With Kilroy

I bought this cover from a local gentleman. He was the a relative of the sender/recipient. I find this cover fascinating on a couple of levels. First J.C. Rice was partners in the "Delaware Punch" soft drink started in San Antonio in 1913 with Thomas E Lyons. The sender, his son, wrote on the back he was a captain. He was stationed in Sitka Alaska. He was an officer on the USS Vega (AK-17), a cargo ship. Second, the letter was sent on hotel stationery but carried to Seattle where it was post marked with an APO 702 oval hand stamp dated Sep. 6, 1943. I haven't seen an oval one like this. Third, on the back there is a drawing without the motto "Kilroy was here). Wikipedia says the drawing may go back to WWI. The use of the man looking over the wall in Alaska would have probably come from some of the personnel being in the European theater.

I forgot to mention the letter wasn't passed by the base censor or stamped before delivery.

Any thoughts on the cancel?

This is a nice cover, 1847bill. Thanks for showing it.

Kilroy was here! lol Nice cover I like APO markings.

Some quick research indicates that the Vega (AK-17) was never commanded by a Navy captain (during the period in question the commanding officer was either Commander Smith or Lieutenant Commander Rice). The USS Vega did provide logistic support to the area in question during WW-II. My guess is that the author was an Army or Marine Captain stationed ashore who was transported there by the Vega. Another point, had he been assigned to the Vega, it seems likely the postmark would have been an FPO. Great & interesting cover.

Thanks Cal, I thought about that as well. I don't know if he made Lt Commander shortly after writing the letter or if it a coincidence there was another person with the same initials. It could also explain why there isn't a censor marking on the cover. I doubt higher ranking officers would have their mail censored. I'm a bit confused about the 12 cent airmail rate. The rate would have been in effect from Alaska but there isn't any markings to say that is where it was posted.
Also here is a url that explains the history of Delaware Punch.
http://home.comcast.net/~the-parker...%20Punch.htm