August 16, 1953

Telephone Center

Aug 16, 1953 Sun

Dear Mom, Dad, & Snapper

It's about 8:30 here.  I tried to call earlier this eve but couldn't get through or rather no one was home.  I tried just now but still no answer.  I'll try again in a little while.  I thought I would call while I could.  I tried to call Margie around noon today but the phone was busy for a long time.

We are going to fall out tonight at 11 and eat around 2 or 1:30 and will start loading on the bus and then go to the ferry.  It will take about 4 hours to get to Frisco.  Then it will be quite awhile before we leave because there are so many going and it will take some time to load them all.  I am number 766 so I will get on the boat fairly good time.

I got another patch for Snapper.  I haven't done much all day but lay around.  After I call I am going to go back and clean up and take a  little nap.  I hope you don't mind me calling again I just wanted to call again before I left.

All the guys are going to be pretty close on the ship I think.  Our numbers are one right after another.  I think I will just put a three cent stamp on this letter so it wont be so it wont be so long till you hear from me.

Well not much more to say.  Hope you get home in a few minutes.  I am not very excited about going.  May be if I was a civilian again and going I would be.  I will enjoy the trip anyway.
Love, Ted

August 15, 1953-letter two

Saturday Aug 15, 53

Dear Mom and Dad

It sure was good to talk to you last night.  I went to town with Thiderman and Sipes.  We called home.  Wish I could talk more but it cost plenty the way it is.  Some of the guys left today and the others will leave about 1:30 Monday morning.  I sent a picture of the ship, you should get it in a few days.

I bought the camera I was talking about.  I took one roll already

We went to the show last night after I called you.  I might go to the show tonight.  We can't leave't leave the post.

I should have about $160 coming.  I am going to send some home if I can.  I am sure broke now.  I don't need any though.  All I need is cigarettes and I have money for that. Well I don't have much more to say.  I will write again later.
Love, Ted

August 15, 1953-letter One

Sat Aug 15, 1953

Dear Snapper

How are you.  I hope you have been a good boy.  I sure miss you.  It wont be to long till you start school again.  I am leaving here about 1:30 Monday morning.  I think I will ride a ferry boat to Frisco and then get on the USNS Meigs.  It's a big ship, about the biggest one there is for carrying soldiers.  I sent you a picture of it.  I am going to take some pictures on the way over so I will send some home.

All of us who went to school together  will be together on the ship.  It will take me about 10 days to get there.  I will be sent to an outfit after I get there.  I don't know where yet.  It wont be bad over there now the war has stopped, so don't worry about me.

I am sending you a patch a guy gave me who stays in our barracks.  I forgot the Div.  You can have Mama sew it on your jacket for you.  I will send you a new patch of the Div I get in.

Well be a good boy and go to Sunday school with Mama.  I'll write you again on the ship.  Please mind mama and remember your daddy.
Love, Daddy

August 12, 1953

Wed Aug 12, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I thought I would take a little time to write you a line.  I have been on KP all day.  4 am to 7 pm. There were 4 lines and 4000 ate.  I might have served about a 1000 of them. 

We got shipping orders tonight.  I am leaving sometime Sat on the USNS Meig. About 4400 are going on the ship. We are going to Pusan or Ponyong, Korea.  It is a fast ship and it will take almost 10 days.  Zink called his wife tonight and I told him to tell her to call you.  I am going to call Friday night.  By the way, don't say anything to anybody about when I am leaving, the name of the ship or how many guys.  We are not supposed to to tell that.

I am going to be reassigned in Korea  as far as I know.  Most of the guys know what Div they are going to.  Well I am pretty tired so I will close now.
Love, Ted

My address for the time is:    Pvt Teddy S McAnally
                                            US55337884
                                            Prov Co 715
                                            APO 2 Care P.M.
                                            San Francisco, Calif

P.S.  You might tell Jim my address because I may not get a chance to write before I leave and after I leave it might take a little while.

August 11, 1953

Tues. Aug 11, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well I've been here two weeks tonight and haven't left yet.  A guy we went through basic training with is here and is working in the orders room.  He said 1 of us were leaving on a ship Sat for Korea not on special orders.  There is a ship leaving Thur but our names were not on that ship list.  It is pretty definite that we will go Sat. Zink is the only one of us not on special orders but he is going on the ship with us.  We will probably  know for sure in a day or two.  I will call Friday night.

I got your letter tonight, also your package.  I haven't opened it yet but I am going to in a minute.

Glad you had Jim out Sunday.  I like him OK.

Yesterday we slipped off and went to the refreshment stand for a coke. 2 1st Sergent and a 2nd Louie took the whole bunch of us that were there and lined us up.  There must have been about 150 men altogether.  They had us separate into the company we belong to and then had a sergeant march us back to the company headquarters.  He stopped at the orderly room to see what they wanted to do with us.  As soon as he went in the whole bunch took off running.  They didn't catch us.  They were probably only going to put us on detail anyway.

I haven't done much today.  The other night I went to the show and saw Lew Ayers in No Escape.  Last night I saw The Sailor and a King.  It was real good.  You should go see it.  I might go tonight and see Martin and Lewis in the Caddy.  I think it is a new picture.

I haven't a camera yet.  I have looked around for one at the PX, they have one about the size of a pack of cigarettes.  It takes small pictures.  The film is 30 cents a roll with 14 pictures but you have to send them off to get them developed.  It cost a dollar I think.  The camera cost $8.  I might get one, it would come in handy.

I think the ship name is USS Meggs.  I will send a picture of it.  I can get one at the PX as soon as I know for sure.

The wheather is about the same only the nights are a little cooler.

Well I don't know to much more to say.  I will give you my address before I leave so you can keep writing.  Look for me to call Friday night.  You should get this letter by then.
Love, Ted

PS  No need to write any more here.

August 9, 1953

Service Club
Camp Stoneman, California
August 9, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I am in the service club now writing this letter.  I went to town last night with the boys.  Didn't do much.  Came back to camp last night and layed around the barracks all day.  Not much to do.  It sure has been hot here, the nights have been hot too.

We had another parade yesterday and then we were off about noon.

From what I hear we may be leaving here some time this week.  I'll try to call you before I leave.

This service club is real nice.  A swimming pool outside, pool hall, typewriters, bowling, restaurant, sod fountain, and most everything.  I might go swimming later on when it cools off a little.  The water looks good but I hate to get sunburned.

I didn't get any mail yesterday.  The mail service here is poor.  I get your mail fairly well but I don't get mine out to fast. 

In a way I will be kind of glad to get  away from here.  It's tiresome just fooling around here all the time.

What's new back home?  I guess it is plenty hot isn't it.  Wish I was there more than I was. 

I guess I will be stationed either in Korea or Japan because that is where the next ships are going.  I would rather be in Japan.

I might be gone when you get this letter but if I am not look for me to call.  I guess I will close now, can't think of much more to say.  I will write you when I know something else to say.
Love, Ted

August 7, 1953

Aug 7, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

I got 2 letters from you tonight, one had my money order.  I didn't try to call the other night.  Did you think I did.  Zink said he was going to call so I told him to tell is wife to call you ad tell you I needed some money.  I wrote you but I thought it would save time if he had his wife call. 

I haven't heard anymore when I will leave.  I heard it would be around the 15 of Aug.  There are about 3000 in our company.  They can't find enough for us to do so they take us on walks.  We went on a five mile walk yesterday.

I was on KP today.  5:30 to 6:00.  It wasn't bad. 

Last night we went to Pittsburg and fooled around.  Not doing anything tonight except write a few letters, take a shower and go to bed.  I don't know what I will do this weekend.  Probably not much of anything much.  I want to save as much money as I can.  I want to send some money home if I can so I can buy a car when I get back.

From what every one says Japan would be a good place to get stationed.  Everything is cheap over there.  All the vets say they would like to go back and stay all the time.

It is nice you had Charlie out to dinner.  He is a good guy.

I bought a crossword puzzle book to pass the time away.  It is interesting after you get started..

What is the whether like back home.  It's about the same here.

I went to the show the other night and saw the Master of Balanting with Earl Flynn.  It is a good show. You ought to go see it when it comes to KC.

Well can't think of much Else to say.  Told you about all I know.  I will write again this weekend.
Love, Ted

August 5, 1953

Aug 5, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

I got your letter last night. I was sure glad to get it.  Don't know much news.  Went to the show the other night and saw Kid From Left Field.  It was a good.  Dan Daily played in it. 

I was on detail today at the meat plant.  Didn't do much.  I ground up some meat to eat.  Played around most of the time.

I washed my clothes out last night.  They have a laundry mat here and dryers.

That was something about the bank being robbed.  Have you heard any more about it.

I don't know much of anything.  I don't know how long we will be here but you need not bother about the cookies because it takes so long for them to get here and I might not be here or something.  They just give us a days notice before we ship out.  From here we go on a ferry boat to Fresno then get another boat there.  It takes about 10 to 14 days to get to Japan.  There is a boat that leaves Friday the 7th for Hawaii.  Doubt I will be on it.

Have you heard from Jim or Margie.  How does Jan like the car now.

It seems like it takes a long time for you to get my letters.  Wish you would get them faster.  Well not much new.  I think I will go to the show tonight.  I'll write you when I know something new.
Love, Ted

August 3, 1953

Monday  3 August 53

Dear Mom and Dad

How is everything at home.  Friday I guess was the last time I wrote.  Friday night 4 of us went to Pittsburg (note to blog reader, I finally looked it up, Pittsburg is a town close to Stoneman, near SF) and fooled around.  Saturday we were in a parade. and then Sat night we went to the county fair.  They had a rodeo, carnival, etc. Had a good time. 

Zink, Sipes, Tiederman and I have been going places together.  Sunday we all had guard duty together starting 9:30 Sun morning.  We were on 24 hours. Guard is 2 hours on and off four hours.  We were all on it together at the same time and the same place.  We have been together quite a bit, hope we can stay together.  This guard wasn't bad.  It was interesting.  We had automatic carbines and live ammunition.  We guarded a stockade.  We stood in towers and they told us if anybody tried to get over the fence to shoot them. 

Haven't done anything today but watch a ball game this afternoon and we are going to have retreat at 4.  Wont do much tonight probably but sleep. 

Haven't been over to get my mail yet.  I should have some tonight because I didn't get any Sat.

There was a boat that left today for Korea and one leaves tomorrow for Hawaii.  There will not be another one until the 7th.  I heard today that after about 2 weeks that all the troops would be sent to Alaska or get duty state side.  Hope that's true and I get something like that.  Although everybody from here goes to Japan and then get sent to Korea from there.  They just say that is where the boat is going, so I could get to stay in Japan.

I guess I will get detail tomorrow, just hope it isn't KP.  I see some of the guys here that I went to basic training with.  Don't know why they are still here.  They don't know either.  There are a lot of guys here that have already been to Korea and Japan and are going back.  They say that army life is better overseas then it is here in the states.

Could you send me 10 or 20 dollars out of my account.  I guess I wont get paid while I am here.  All I got is 40 dollars so far.  That is not much.  I want to buy a camera before I leave.  I can get a good one at the PX for just a little bit.

Well not much more to say.  I'll write you again tomorrow.  Let me hear from you.  If I leave here I will call you.
Love, Ted
PS  Just send a money order.

Explanations for July

Dad received a pass for about two weeks and then headed back to California, where he was stationed at a Naval Airbase to start the special school he keeps mentioning..  He seems to like the Navy and the way they live and the freedom he has to leave and go where he wants.  Spends a lot of time in Fresno and Oakland and revisited Frisco.

He keeps referring to Steinman or Stoneman and uses several spellings and I haven't figured out where it is or what they do there.  I think it must be close to San Fransisco and have something to do with transporting him over seas.  His reference about going to Pittsburgh is puzzling,  I have no idea what he meant.

He mentions a few new names.  Some were familiar to me.  JQ was his cousin, Edith was his aunt, and Arline lived down the street from him and was the bridesmaid to Dad and Mom when they were married.  Arlene lived down the street for many years and I grew up with her children.  Apparently he heard from Martin because he mentions him and I found an envelope addressed to Dad from Martin but no letter inside.  The envelop was addressed to Dad's Independence address so I suspect my grandmother opened it up and sent the letter to Dad.  We shall see.

It was a small world.  Running into the the nephew of his old ROTC instructor was a strange encounter, especially since they both were attending that "special" school.  I spell out what the special school was all about in a posting on my other blog, The Adventures of Conley McAnally, dated November 10, 2010. 
The school seems interesting to him and he showed surprise that such things existed.  He told me years later that they held the classes over a mess hall so it would look like they were getting some kind of training in mess operations.

Dad keeps going to movies, not getting all his money, seems to be broke a lot, and really looks forward to the mail. 

He was able to come home after the school for a second time after basic .  It must have been a real hardship on him and my grandparents given neither had much money.  But it would have been the last time he would have been able to because he was shipping out to some place he "doesn't know where yet."  I don't remember much about the visit home only that we took Dad down to Municipal Airport,watched him get on the plane while we stood on the observation deck.  My grandmother had her had resting on her chin and her elbow on the railing while she clung to the railing with here other hand.  Why would I remember something like that?  But the picture is just as to vivid now as it was back then.  I don't remember my grandfather even being there, but he had to be because no one else drove and he told me years later that he watched Dad get on the plane and didn't know if he would ever see him again.  The war was still going on when Dad left us this time.

Which brings up something I think is sort of odd if I have my dates correct.  The cease fire was declared on July 29, about the same day Dad left for California.  He mentions nothing about it in his letters of July 29 and 31.  I have a vague memory of seeing President Eisenhower on television and everyone in the room, which I don't remember who they were or how many, were listening intently.  What might have happened was that the President addressed the nation and told us that at a certain time on a certain day hostilities would cease etc.  So if Dad had been home on leave when the cease fire was declared it would have been no need to dwell on it in letters.  I guess I might find out later in my readings.   Or maybe there was a cease fire months before and the war ended on July 29.  But I don't think the war really did end officially, we just stopped fighting.  If anyone know let me know and I will make a correction to the blog.

Anyway, Dad is in Stoneman (I am settling on that spelling) waiting for a ship to take him to either Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan, or Korea, he has not received his orders yet.

July 31, 1953

Friday  31 July 53

Dear Mom and Dad

I got 2 letters from you today and the one you wrote to me at Alameda.  I was glad to hear from you. 

I guess I have finished processing.  Not much to it, just wait around now til our orders come.

They gave us a pass tonight, some of us are going to Pittsburg.  Our pass is just good till 5 in the morning.  We are going to be in a parade tomorrow. 

I am glad you went to the ball game the other night.  Wish I could have been there.  I went to the show last night and saw Mission over Korea.  It was a good picture.

I only got forty dollars pay so far.  I still have about 80 dollars that I should have got today.  Don't know when I will get it.

Well I don't guess it has cooled off there yet.  It's hot here in the day and it might get cool enough that we have to sleep under blankets.  Haven't much more to say.  I will write again this weekend.
Love, Ted

July 29, 1953

Wed July 29, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

How is everything?  I left at 3 am on Flight 5 to Frisco.  I couldn't get on the plane with the other guys.  I got into Frisco at 9 am and took a bus to Oakland.

I went to an early show and then met the boys at the bus station about 2 pm, then came on out to Stoneman.  We checked in at 4:30 and 4 of us got on the same Roster.  Three other guys that were with us came in a little later and were put on a different Roster.  We are all in the same barracks though.

We haven't done to much.  I went to the show last night and saw Band Wagon with Fred Astaire.  This morning we went to a couple of places and processed.  I got a shot.  We still have two more days of processing.

I am on guard duty tonight.  4 of us stand guard in the barracks and keep order etc. They gave us a helmet and a billy club.

I don't know how long I will be here.  The average time is 10 days.  I may be here longer.  They are sending guys to Korea, Japan, Okinawa, and Hawaii.  I could get any of those places.

When we finish processing we will have details ad KP till we leave.

It is nice here and the food is fair.

I sure had a nice time when I was home.  I was glad I could come home again even if it did cost a lot.  I appreciated using the car too.

Well not much more to say.  I'll write you again later on.  Write me to the address on the letter.  I haven't got paid yet or got any mail.  I should get some tomorrow.
Love, Ted

July 28, 1953

(note to blog reader. This letter is dated July 28 but I don't think the date is correct.  There are a few things out of sequence.  The letter is one of the few that was not in an envelop so perhaps dad was a little sloppy when he wrote it.  My best guess after reviewing some of the previous letters that it was really written on July 8.  Anyone can throw in an extra 2 now and then.)

Wed July 28, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

I have time to write a few lines.  We didn't do much today.  They gave us a special pass that lets us go away at night and not return till 7:30 the next morning and we can have all our Sat and Sun off.  I don't know what I will do yet.

I'll have to take it easy because my money will run short.  I wont get paid till I sign in at Camp Stonman.  I will leave here on the 24th of July. (note: see it must have been around the 8th)  I wont have much time to go home.  Probably just as well anyway. 

They have a pool here.  If you don't think it would take to long send my swim suit.

I have a new address:   Name and serial no.
                                    CSSP
                                    U.S Naval Air Station
                                    Alameda, Calif.

We get a three day service on our laundry so that will will be nice.  I will probably send my boots and fatigues home when I leave here. (note: this last sentence confuse me)

I heard that  they were not sending any more through leadership at Roberts because they are closing down, so Martin will be sent some place else.  Maybe Ft Leonard Wood.

The Navy has funny ways.  You can't walk in front of the bldg where the Admiral is unless you are in class A uniform.  No fatigues.  That is about all they have told us as far as behavior on the Post. 

I went to the show last night and saw the Story of Robin Hood.  It was good.  About like the other one.

Well not much more to say now.  Hope to hear from you real soon.
Love, Ted

July 17, 1953

Friday Noon
(letter not dated but envelope was post marked)

Dear Mom and Dad

I thought I would write you a lie so you would get it by Monday. 

I found out this morning that we will leave here at 3 pm Tuesday and go to Stememan.  There we will have time off.  I will have seven days.  Almost all the guys are going home.  We are going to try and get a hop on a military flight.  If we can't we I am stuck.

Margie is coming out today.  If I had know before this I would have told her not to come out.  I am sure mad about the whole thing.

Do you think you will sell my car this week?  If you do call me and I may have you send me the money to get home if I don't get a hop.  I hate to spend that time out here. 

I have been getting your mail ok.  I should get about 120 dollars when I check in at Stoman.  That is a month and half pay.  They wont give it to me unless I check in and if I check in I'll have to wait till the 31st to get all of it. 

I hate to see Margie spend all that money to come out but I didn't think I would be coming home at the time.  I am sure fed up with the way the army does things.

I better close now.  Let me know something.  I'll leave here some time Tues afternoon.  If you can call Monday night.
Love, Ted

July 15, 1953

July 15, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

I got my swim suit today.  Thanks a lot.

You know I was reading an article in the paper here about Rabbi Stern.  He use to live 2 or 3 doors from J.Q. over on Chestnut.  I use to kill roaches there.  He is quiet a big shot in the Jewish Church.  I mailed the clipping to George Eden.  You might tell Edith.

I guess I will go to the show tonight again.  I saw Hangman's Knot with Randolf Scott last night, it was pretty good.  You all would like it., not much news.

Margie said in one of her letters that Jan told you that Margie and I didn't go with each other anymore.  Why can't she just leave me alone.  I guess I will have to put up with her for the rest of my life.  When I come home though it had better be different.

Well guess I will close now.  I will write again later on.
Love, Ted
PS I will be glad to get some place else so I can write about something. 

July 14, 1953

Tues July 14, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

How are you.  I got your letter tonight with the money.  I was sure glad to get it.  Thanks a lot.  Not much new here.  I saw Thunder Bay last night.  You would like the picture.  I guess I  will go tonight and see Hangman's Knot with Randolf Scott.  That is really all there is to do.

Margie called tonight and said she might be out this weekend.  I hope she can.  The weekends get lonesome. 

I don't know to much about the school and what I do know I am not supposed to talk about let alone write about.  It is something that would really surprise people and it would be a great use to certain people.  It would be best not to say anything about it in your letters.  I can't say much more.  It is sort of a new thing anyway.

I guess when I leave here I will just have four days and I might have to go to Stenman first.  I am not sure yet.

Well not much more to say, I will write you later.

(not signed)

July 13, 1953

July 13, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

I got your letters today.  I got 3 at noon and one tonight.  We get our mail twice a day.  I guess I will write Martin a line tonight.  How soon do you get my mail?  I seem to get yours fast.

Do you remember that Sergeant Sipes that was an ROTC instructor at Northeast.  His nephew his here with me.  I was talking about ROTC and he said his uncle us to be an instructor there.  That is how I found out.  I remembered him, he was a Regular Army man.

My work here is real interesting, I enjoy it but would just as soon be learning something else more practical and perhaps useful for when I get out.

So you have not had any luck selling my car.  Hope you don't have to much trouble.

I went to the show last night and saw Raiders of the 7 Seas.  It was just a so so picture. I have seen better.

The weather here is about the same.  Sometimes it is foggy in the morning but it doesn't last long. 

I think I will go to the show tonight.  They have Thunder Bay at 8 pm with James Stewart.  It should be good.

I sure see a lot of jets here.  The Navy Banshes is one.  They use to use the J34 engine in it like we made at work.  I think they still do.  I watched some take off the other day.  They sure travel.

Well can't think of much to write about.  I will write again tomorrow,  Keep your letters coming.
Love, Ted

July 12, 1953

Sunday July 12, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

How is everything at home?  Haven't heard anything from you yet.  I got a letter from Margie Friday night.  Probably hear from you Monday.  Thurs night I went to the show here and saw The City is Dark and Hiawatha.  They were good shows. 

Fri night Theirderman and I went to Frisco and stayed over there. Went down town and fooled around.

Arlene told me that Kenny Kerkham was working out here in Frisco with his sister.  That is Alene's dad's brother and sister.  They told me she owned the Rainbow Restaurant.  I had forgotten all about it at the time and we were sitting in a place drinking a beer Friday night and I saw Kenny in there.  I was sure surprised.  I have known him for a long time.

Sat we went to the Rainbow and saw Gladis his sister.  They really have a swanky place.  Dinning room and bar.  She told us to come back later but we didn't.  I might go there again before I leave.  You might tell Arlene.

Saturday we rode on a cable car and went to China Town.  Looks about the same.  We must have driven out of our way a lot when we all went there because it is right down town almost. 

I kind of got a thrill riding the cable car.  You should have rode on it when you were here.

We then came on back to town to a 3D movie.  The Maze.  It was a pretty good picture.

You said something about Clift House once.  That is a modern restaurant now over looking the Seal Rocks on the the Pacific.  It use to be a resort in the 1890's.  I didn't see it but read about it in a pocket guide.  It must be a nice place.

We came on back to Alameda last night.  Here they serve breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30. 

I bowled a line this afternoon with the boys and that's about all.  I might take in an early show tonight and go to bed. 

The weather is sure nice here.  Gets cold at night and about 80 in the day.  What's it like back home?  I like here OK compared to Roberts.  We go to class at 8:30 till 4 pm and get 1 1/2 hour for lunch.

I think next weekend if I go to town I will wait till Sat night.  I spend about 20 dollars this week.  I will have to take it easy.  I am not sure what I will do the week after this coming weekend.  I may go to Steneman. I will let you know.  Some guys stay there a week and some for a month before their orders come through.  Some of the guys are being sent to Okinawa.  Hope I can get some place like that other than Korea.  It would not be bad to stay in Japan.  I wouldn't mind getting my orders changed to some place else too.  They do that once in awhile.

Well not much more to say.  Hope to hear from you real soon.  I will write you more tomorrow.
Love, Ted

PS The picture I took of myself is in Fresno.

July 9, 1953

Thurs night

Dear Mom and Dad

Haven't heard from you yet.  Guess I will get a letter about Mon or Sat, not much new here.  Don't know what I'll do this weekend yet.  I might go to Fresno or Oakland.

I went to the White Hat Club last night.  That's a club where the Sailors and Waves go here at the base.  It's real nice and they have a band here about 3 nights a week.  I went with the guy I traded blankets with.

From what I have seen of the Navy I wouldn't mind being in the Navy.  It's for four years though.

I haven't gotten any post cards yet.  If I find some I'll send them to you.

We had strawberry shortcake for dinner.  It's pretty good.

What's new around home.  Have you tried anything with the car yet?  Well not to much or to say.  I haven't done much of anything to tell about.  I'll drop you a line later and write me as soon as you can.
Love, Ted 

July 7, 1953

July 7, 53  Tues eve 530

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well I got to Fresno about 8 am.  We stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico to refuel.  I got a bus to Alameda and reported in.  I was about the 3rd out of the nine to get here.  There are six of us here now.  I don't know much except that we will have classes from 8 to 4 and our nights and weekends will be free.  There will just be the nine of us to go through the school.  This is a nice place here.  A lot different from an army camp.  We stay in a nice building and eat all we want.  I haven't done anything all day.  I took a nap this afternoon.

I sure did enjoy myself while I was home.  I sure felt bad after I left last night.  But I feel better today.

One of the boys from Chicago said his plane stopped in KC and he drank coffee there.  It is funny we missed him.

About all there is here are sailors.  We eat with them and sleep in the same building with them.  I haven't seen any other soldiers around here.  It is right on the bay and water is almost all around us.  A lot of planes fly off from here.  I came over the bay bridge again.  It sure brought back memories.  It looks about the same.

It was cloudy here  this morning and kind of cold.  I will try and find some picture postcards of this place and send you.

I don't know if I will be able to come home or not when I finish here.  I would like to but I will have to get a hop in order to get home.   I will probably have 6 or 7 days when I leave here.

Well don't know much more to say.  I will write you again tomorrow.  I haven't got my address yet but you can write me at this address for awhile.  I'll let you know my new one as soon as I can.

Love, Ted
(note to blog reader:  This letter was sent from WP Naval Air Base, Alameda, California.) 

Explanation for June

My grandparents maintained a bank account Dad used back in Independence.  I suspect it was the Standard State Bank in Fairmount.  That is where he sent his money and had them draw from now and then to send him money orders.

The Martin he refers to several times seems to be his closest friend and it will be interesting to read if he keeps in contact with him after basic.  My own experience was that you made very close friends in basic but when the basic training was done you never saw or heard from them again.  Years pass and you don’t even remember their names.  I never heard Dad mention anyone by the name of Martin.  We shall see.

I was stunned to read that he and Martin got a hotel room for $3 in LA.  I was not surprised that he did not think much of LA but found Hollywood enjoyable.  I felt the same way when I visited there years later and wonder now what sites he and I both saw but never talked about.

The Playmore was a large entertainment center in Kansas City where they had dances and had several bowling alleys.  It was a big deal in the 40’s and 50’s. 

He must have been on a roller coaster about his orders.  First he is going to be sent to New Jersey and assigned to the Signal Corps and was planning his 24 day leave at home only to find out moments before he was to leave that his orders had been changed to go to that “special school” and only get a 14 day pass with out the benefit of getting what amounted to a paid trip home due to the travel money he would have received to go to New Jersey. 

I have no idea where Camp Stoneman is and not sure I deciphered it correctly.  Perhaps that will be made clear later.

He seemed proud to be picked as one of the outstanding soldiers of his cycle and didn’t seem to think it ironic that after he received the commendation he was put on guard duty the next day.  I cannot believe that FTA didn’t run through his mine.

June 20, 1953

June 20, Saturday

Dear Mom and Dad

I thought I would drop you a line and let you know what happened.  About 20 of us got Signal Crops at Ft Mammoth, New Jersey.  I didn’t have to be there until July 14 and we were going to leave here today.  The other boys left on the charted plane a little before noon.  It would have given me 24 days home and I would be in the states for 16 or more weeks.  I got $203.04 for travel pay.  

When we went to pick up our orders they didn’t have any for us.  Nine of us altogether.  We all knew what had happened then.  The deal on the special school came through.  They said it would be 3 or 4 days before our orders came through.  I was sure sick.  I had wanted the other so bad.  

About 20 guys got orders for Korea, 20 for Alaska, 10 for Austin, some sort of medical corps and the rest for Europe and Leadership school.. I would have been home tonight sometime.  

After everyone left our company commander told us that our orders were for Alameda, California naval station and we were cleared for secret work.  We will be in Alameda for 3 weeks and then we go to Camp Stoneman, California to go to Korea.  I don’t know what the school is or anything.  I get my orders starting Tues 23 June to the 7^th of July.  I will have 14 days.  So I should be home Tues sometime.  

I don’t feel as bad now as I did for awhile.  I was counting on being home Father’s Day.

We finished up Thur and was graduated Thur evening.  I was one of the outstanding soldiers of the cycle.  All the squad leaders got to go up before LTC Pruitt and shake his hand and salute and get their diploma from here.  I was the only one that was not a squad leader to go up.  I was the third one to go up.  I was sure surprised.

I had guard duty Wed night.  I didn’t write because I thought I would be home by now.  Well not much more to say.  I’ll be home soon and will sure be glad.  

All my love, Ted

PS  I got a pass today at noon till tomorrow.  I might be able to get away mon night I hope.  Everything ok at this end.

June 14, 1953

Sunday June 14, 1953

Dear Folks

How is everything at home?  Everything is fine here.  I got the two money orders you sent.  I think that should be enough.

We got a pass Sat evening.  Martin and I went to Paso Robles hitching hiking and decided to keep going south to some other towns just to see what they were like.  The MPs picked us up and gave us a lift to where ever we wanted to go.  They said they were going to Santa Barbara so we just went with them.  We got there about 9 pm.  It is a pretty nice town.  It is right on the coast.  When we decided to return to camp we got a ride with a Marine officer as far as Paso Robles.

Well I just have four more days of training.  I sure will be glad to get home.  I don’t guess you will be getting many more letters from me here.  I will be home almost before they get there.  I guess you wont send to many more letters either.  I might not get them.

I hope I get my orders this next Thur or the weekend.  If I don’t I may have to stay here at Roberts for a few weeks or till they come.  I haven’t heard anything about that school yet.  It may hold me up or something.

Did I tell you they are going to close Camp Roberts?  They are going to completely close it down by the first of the year.  It will take them 6 months to close it.  I can’t see why they are.

I got a high rating in the field in a Field Forces inspection a few weeks ago.

Will close for now.  I’ll try to write you again before long.

Love, Ted

June 10, 1953

Wed  June 10, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

How is everything at home.  I got you letter tonight.  Everything is fine here.  Haven’t done much of anything new.  Days seem to go by slower now.  We have been getting through early now in the field lately.  I thought we were going to have it easy but our platoon has to drill 2 hours every night to be in some kind of contest next Saturday.

I went to church Monday night.  Mr. Clark never did say anything so I didn’t either.

Tomorrow we go down and give blood.  Everybody gives.  We haven’t much choice the way they put it.  We have all day tomorrow off though.  They said we might get a pass this weekend.

I haven’t heard what my orders are yet.  I guess I will find out about the 18^th or 19^th . 

I haven’t got that money yet.  Hope I get it before to long. 

I don’t think I can send my clothes home yet.  I can’t until I get my orders anyway.  Most of my clothes are in the laundry now. 

I haven’t decided what I will do yet.  They will only let us take 40 lbs in the chartered plane.  I may take what I need with me and send the rest express.  If I come some other way I’ll keep it with me.

Well not much more to say.  I’ll write you later on.

Love, Ted