The Dillon collection contains 178 letters (12 in V-mail format), 4 postcards, 4 telegrams, 4 photographs, and many miscellaneous souvenirs from Dillon's time in India during the Second World War. The letters can be grouped into three periods documenting Dillon's experience in the war:

1. March to December 1943, when Dillon was in training in the United States
2. late December 1943 to May 1945, while Dillon was in India. These letters are heavily censored and consist mainly of reassurances that he is doing well
3. May 1945 to February 1946. These letters are less heavily censored and describe some of Dillon's experiences in India as well as his anticipation of returning home.

Almost all of the letters are written by Dillon and addressed to his family and friends, although a few are from his older brother, Henry, who was also in the army serving in the European theater. Dillon kept a number of small souvenirs from his time in the service, offering a sometimes colorful sense of his experience, including a V-E Day menu from a meal served in the Punjab, a train ticket from India, ration cards, newspaper clippings, and military orders.

Most of the correspondence from Dillon to his family consists of small talk, inquiries about life at home, requests for money or supplies, and apologies for not writing more often -- even though he writes several times a week. Perhaps out of self-censorship, there is very little information regarding Dillon's specific duties while at camp, although he mentions how army life is a lot of sitting around and can get monotonous. Dillon's more enthusiastic letters are those describing new places he visits and the touring around he does with occasional freedom. It is clear that he had not strayed far from Ware as a child, because even the west coast of California is fascinating to him. In letters to his mother, Min, he sends home pressed flowers and sand glued to paper as evidence that he has been across the country.