Feb 26, 1954

Fri. Feb 26, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got a letter from Mom today dated Feb 19 with a picture that Snapper drew.  You said you got a letter form me that I wrote at Sasebo.  I stayed about a week there.  I was sure glad to leave.  I didn’t see anyone when I was at Pusan.  I was only there a little while.  I tried to call Arkie but he was on R&R.  I didn’t know whether Don Underwood would still be in Pusan or not because the 24 Div is moving to the north to take the 45 Div place. 

We haven’t done much all day but work around the area.  The Captain told us today that there is a new rotation system.  I think they to many men going home and that had only a short time to go and they had to assign them to a new unit for only a little while (like Carlin T.)  Now they will keep you here till you have less than 90 days to go before you are discharged.  If you are supposed to rotate 5 months before your discharge they will send you home 7 months before discharge.  So if you have 5 months less to do they will extend you one more month and discharge you when you get to the states.

I don’t think it will bother me either way.  They will probably change it before my time anyway.

Haven’t got any packages today, on the one letter.  Well I guess I will close for now.  I’ll write you again later.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 25, 1954

Thursday Feb 25, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got a letter from Dad last (Feb 18) night and a package (Feb 17) with two spice cakes.  One is gone already.  They sure were good and tasted like they just came out of the over.  Fresh as the day you baked them.  I haven’t got any mail today.  May get some later on tonight.

I got a letter from JQ yesterday.  I just wrote him a letter.

It has rained all day and all last night.  Most rain I have seen since I have been over here.  It isn’t cold.

We had classes most of the day.  This afternoon we had to dig around our tent more so the water wouldn’t wash the tent away.  I took a shower tonight.  The first one I have had since I left Sasebo.  I think I am catching another cold myself.  I guess you are having real good weather in KC now. 

You read the news about Marilyn Monroe I guess.  The 5^th went up in trucks to the 40 Div before I got back.  I didn’t get to see her, sure whish I did.  Might get another chance later on. (note: I have noticed dad is beginning to repeat himself.)

I talked to a boy who works in the orderly room.  He said Captain Book put me in for Cpl in Jan and Feb and I was turned down at Regt HQ because I didn’t have enough time as a PFC.  You are supposed to have 2 months in grade to get it.  I might make if this month if I get put in for in (March.)  They have more Cpls than they need right now, so it doesn’t look so good.

How do you like the pictures I have been sending home.  I still have a lot more.  Guess I’ll just send a few in each letter.  I didn’t realize I went so long with out writing any letters.  It is hard to write when you travel because each day you are thinking you are goin to leave where you are so you don’t write.  You should get them more regular from now on.

Well not much more new.  I’ll write you again later on.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 24, 1954

Wed Feb 24, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got a couple of letters (15 and 16^th) one yesterday and one today.  Sounds like you are having some nice weather.  Sure is nice here today.  Just like spring.

We trained some yesterday with the mortar and had a night problem last night.  This morning we had PT.  We ran a long way and I am sure tired out.  We cleaned stoves this afternoon and later we go take showers.  Nothing on tonight that I know of.

I haven’t received any of the packages you sent except the ones that were waiting. (the two boxes of cookies)  They sure were good and I am looking forward to the ones that are on the way.

I am sure the 5^th is going to move and I don’t know where or when.  There are three rumors.  One to Pusan, one to I Corps.  The other is to relieve a Greek outfit on the line.  Hope it is to Pusan. 

The rank drops where in today. (note: I guess there were certain time frames when ranks were submitted and decided.)  I don’t know whether the Platoon Sgt put me in for Cpl or not.  We have more Cpls now  than we need and I doubt if I was put in.  I am sure disgusted with the way things are now.  I wouldn’t mind getting into something else but I don’t know what.  It is fairly easy to transfer now. 

I am glad you like your robe etc. that I sent from Japan.  When I go on R&R I’ll send more things.  I am keeping the list you sent and am going to take it with me when I go.  I should go in April sometime but since all these new men came in the company I maybe longer in going.  We have 285 men in the Co now.  We are over strength. 

How did you like the pictures I have been sending.  Kepp them all and when I get home I can have something to remember about the Army, good and bad.  (note: for someone who took so many pictures so few remain.)  Well don’t know much more to write about so I will close.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 22, 1954

Monday  Feb 22, 1954

Dear Snapper

How are you.  Mama sent me a list your grades.  You sure are a smart boy.  I am glad you do so good and like school.  I have some more patches for you.  You should have quite a few now. (note:  I still do.)  Are you putting them all on a jacket. (note: yes.)  Thanks for your valentines.  What did you do with the two dollars I sent you.  I bet you can’t guess what I wrote on the side of the letter.  If you can figure it out let me know. (note:  On the side of this letter Dad wrote some Japanese characters.)  A Japanese girl showed me how to write it.  It says  Watoshy Annata Ai.  Well be a good boy and write me a letter.  I miss you and love you.

Daddy

George Washington’s Birthday

Feb 22, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Haven’t done much of anything today.  I have just been fooling around.  I wrote Snapper a letter a while ago.  I sent him a IX Corps, 3^rd Division and a 10^th Div patch, also some PFC stripes that I wore on my uniform in Japan.  I would like to keep them.  How many patches does he have now.  Everything is about the same.

I am sure disappointed that all these Cpls came in the company.  They sure messed things up.  The captain said today that we are finished up with our 26 weeks of training.  He said we may be moving some place now.  There are three places we might move to.  The I Corps area, Pusan and one more place.  It may be awhile before that takes place.  It would be nice if we moved back to Pusan or Japan.  The 187 RCT moved back to Japan in November.  They have it nice back there.  Pusan is OK too.  I’ll let you know.  I think myself that if we move we will move up on the line.  Time will tell.

How did you like the color pictures I sent.  I am going to buy a roll of color film and take some pictures of the area around here.  I’ll send them to you.

It is nice today.  Sun is bright but it is cold.  It doesn’t seem to be thawing  I will probably get a letter from you today.  Well don’t have much more to write about for now so I will close.  Will write again later on.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 21, 1954

Feb 21, 1954

Sunday

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Will didn’t get any mail today.  Thought I would write and try to answer some of the things you wrote in your letters.  I wrote Jim at the address you sent and also a letter to Marian.  I was writing this afternoon when Lewellen came in.  First time I have seen him since we got off the ship in Korea in Sept.  He has a good job and works in supply.  He came down in a jeep.  We went down to see Zink.  He said the same thing happened in his company as ours.  They put a lot of Cpls in and he lost his job too.  That’s the way it is.

Last night I went to the show and saw “Island in the Sky,” with John Wayne.  It was a good picture.

It sure is cold here at night.  It must get below zero now.  The days seem to be longer so it might start warming up some. 

We are finished with our 26 week training cycle and now we are starting another one.  We have tomorrow off because of George W’s birthday.  Next time you get a hair cut tell Reynolds the women are just like the girls in the states.  Show him a picture of the girl I sent, he will get a kick out of it probably.

I didn’t tell you I called to Arike on the phone when I came back to Pusan.  He was on R&R so I didn’t get to talk to him.  I might take a pass some Sunday and go see Richard in Seoul.  I never take a pass here much.  I will find out what he does if he writes me.

My thumb is OK now.  My nail is coming off and it doesn’t look to good but it is OK.  I am glad you liked your valentines.  I sure enjoyed mine.  I didn’t have much to pick from.  Did you say you got the book Baby-san.  It is a good joke book.  I don’t remember McFadden. (note: I guess he is answering a series of questions she asked in the letters.  The McFadden’s were the mother and father of one of my school mates.  They were from Florida, about my grandparents age, and I knew them will while growing up.  Interesting family.  I might write about them some day.)  They don’t have any movie equipment over here so you better not send any films.  I wouldn’t be able to see them. 

I found out I don’t have to make out and income tax form till I get out of the army.  I wish I could get it done now.  Why don’t you find out how I can go about it anyway.  I don’t think I would have to pay much.  Let me know just what you do about Snapper. (note: My mother was my legal guardian but I lived with my grandparents.  Dad’s child allotments went to my grandparents, but no one really knew how I should be claimed for income tax purposes.)  Jan had better not claim him.

I am glad you liked the things I sent at Xmas.  Glad they got there OK.  I think they were chop sticks weren’t they.  I will have to teach Snapper how to eat with them. (note: I  don’t remember him ever teaching me but to this day I cannot figure out how to do it and have had several lessons.)

I am looking forward to the box you sent regular mail.  I like that pepperoni you buy at the Roma Bakery.  Simonie gets some from home quite a bit and it is always OK  I think the box sent by regular mail would be better than air mail if you would like to send them that way.  I don’t know of anything I need right now.

Well don’t know much of anymore to write about.  I had a good time in Japan.  Wish I had more time to spend over there but it wont be able to.  Time sure is going fast and it won’t be long till I am home.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 20, 1954

Sat Feb 20, 1954

George Company

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I am back in the company now I was kind of glad to get back in away.  We rode all night in a train and got to a depot about 2.5 miles from here yesterday morning.  I came back to the co. yesterday afternoon.  I was sure disappointed when I got back.  You know the 45 Div is leaving for the states and leaving their men here.  They split all the men up into different groups.  The 5RCT got 1000 men, all Cpls and Sgts.  George Co got 37 Cpls and 15 Sgts.  They took all the jobs according to their rank.  So I was back to asst gunner.  I am not squad leader anymore, for awhile anyway.

Most all the Cpls will leave in 4 months to go home.  I haven’t made Cpl yet and it will be harder to make now than ever.  Cpt Book had put me in for Cpl with a special letter and he hasn’t got an answer yet.  I don’t know what the out come will be now.  I don’t know what they gained by sending the Div back to the states and leaving all the men here.

Guthmiller made Cpl this month so he got to keep his squad leaders job.  I am in his squad now. 

I had about 40 letters and 2 boxes of cook when I got back.  I’ll be a long time answering them.  I’ll have to slow down quite a bit.  Well I think I will stop now.  The Red Cross girls are here serving coffee and doughnuts so I am going after some…………….

I am back again.  I got another letter from Dad awhile ago dated Feb 14.  I guess Richard has a good dear now.  He hasn’t got it so bad in Seoul.  MPs over here have it pretty good.  They ride around in jeeps, walk the streets, direct traffic etc.  I wouldn’t mind something like that.

Thanks for the pictures you sent.  I will have some fun with them.  I also enjoyed reading the letter I wrote in the Westinghouse news also about the article in the paper about NCO school.  I remember when I was there I filled out a paper with my home address and your names.  They must get the news from that.  I filled one out at Eta Jima too.  So watch the paper

I am glad you like the robe Dad.  I thought you would enjoy it.  I liked it myself.  It is usually worn around the house over your pants and shirt, not necessarily over pajamas.  How did the jacket fit.  Also how did the one fits Snapper. (note: Both fit fine.) 

Thanks for the valentines and the money.  They sure were sweet.  I had a lett from Jim and Rosalyn but they hadn’t moved yet.  I will write to the new address you sent.  I got a letter form Marian too.  She sent a picture of her and Jimmie.  He sure is growing. (note: Jimmie grew up to become a profess or Spanish at a major university in Indiana.)  Marian said he is quite a book worm.  I showed Marian’s picture to some of the guys and they thought she was my girlfriend.  They did not believe she was 39 years old. (note:  Given the fact that Marian and my grandmother were on the outs I bet she really liked hearing that – not.  Many years later Marian contracted Alzheimer but did remain a real beauty till her death.)

About the tax statements.  I don’t know what to do.  I guess I’ll wait awhile and see what you do about Snapper.  They haven’t said anything here about paying income tax.  Let me know just what you do.

Simonie never has heard from Marilyn yet.  I guess her mother doesn’t want her to write.  He asked me several times while I was reading my letters if you said anthing.  He is going to Japan now.  He is going to an intelligence school for 3 weeks and Camp Drake.  He is getting a good deal.  He leaves about March 1^st.  Wish I could get another school  Probably won’t get anymore.  

I couldn’t find a Zippo lighter just like I wanted to send Dad.  They had a lot of Ronson type but they weren’t very good.  I will be able to get one for you on R&R also the things you sent on the list.  The pearls I saw were mostly cultured pearls.  They are supposed to be good.  A good single strand cost around 25 dollars.  Let me know what you think.

About where Eta Jima is.  You find Korea on the map.  Well Eta Jima is one of the 2 Islands right off the from Kure.  You have to go there by a ferryboat.  I don’t think it is named on a map.  Those cars you saw were officer’s cars.  All the camps are fairly modern like the pictures. 

Marilyn Monroe was here while I was gone.  She was at the 40 Div.  They took the 5RCT up there in trucks.  I sure would have liked to have seen her.  You probably read about it in the paper.

I am sending you some pictures of some Moose or Mayas.  I found them when I was in Pusan.  I thought you might like to look at them.  They don’t look as good as the Jo Sans in Japan.

What did you think of the picture I sent of the Jo San in Eta Jima. (note: I am not sure if Jo San was meant to be plural or if it meant the one he dated while he was there.) 

Sounds like Snapper is doing OK in school from the looks of his grade card.  I hope he keeps it up.

I am sending you another picture of myself in color and another one of myself in Eta Jima.  I still have a lot of pictures to send yet. 

Well I think I will close now and I will write you later on tomorrow and read my letters again and try to answer them.  Well hope things work out over here.  Maybe I’ll make Cpl yet.  I am looking forward to that package from Kentucky. (note:  You want to bet it wasn’t Old Kentucky in a Old Spice bottle.)

                                                 

Feb 16, 1954

16 Feb 1954

Pusan

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well I am back in Korea now.  We left Sasebo yesterday afternoon about 2 PM and got in the Sgt Keathly.  We got to Pusan about 8 AM.  We are at a replacement depot and will probably be there till tomorrow sometime.  I hope I get back soon.

We had a fairly good trip back to Pusan, there were about 300 troops on the ship.  It is misty here but ot to cold.  I have got out of a lot of cold weather since I have been here.  There is only 2 months of cold weather left, March and April.  I will have been gone about a month tomorrow.  I bet the company has changed a lot when I get back.  A lot of the guys will probably have gone home and then there will be lots of new ones.  I’ll have plenty of mail when I get there too.  I’ll have a lot of letter writing to do to answer them.  I hope I still have my job when I get back as section leader.  I will have plenty of pay coming too.  I only got 68 dollars last time I was paid.  They were 40 dollars short.  I am sure broke now.  I have 1 dollars left.  I think I will go to the PX and spend that so I can say I am broke.

I would like to call Arkie up while I am here.  They don’t like you to use the phone here but I may find a way to do it.  I wont be here long enough to see him I guess.

I guess you are starting to have a little nice weather at  home now.  I know you had some worm days in Feb.  It shouldn’t be to long till you winter is over. 

Time should go fairly fast over here now.  I hope I get home befoe the year is out but it may be Dec.  It’s a 16 month tour.  They have never made it 12 months yet. 

I was told in Sasebo that Sigman Ree wanted to send troops to Indo China.  They told us to write home and tell the the people back home to write letters (to the president from organizations and people) and say that if Ree had so many troops to spare why not send us home from Korea.  I haven’t read anything about it in the paper, maybe you have. (note:  This was very interesting to me.  Viet Nam was heating and having an effect on the US long before most of us realized it.)

The 40 and 45^th will be leaving soon and the 24 Div will take their place.  So I guess Donald Underwood will be going north befoe long.  What have you heard from Richard J.?  I have been wondering about him.  You probably said in one of your letters.

I really enjoyed my trip to Japan.  I saw a lot of things and learned a lot and will always remember it.  The people think along the same lines as we do but only different. (note: sounds like a quote from Yogie Berra.)  They have different customs etc.  For instance I went to the rest room in Korean one time and the women and me us the same restroom.  They don’t think a thing about it.  But some of the places they cater to GI’s do.  In this one night club I was at in Sasebo they had a woman in the restroom to keep the place clean and shine shoes etc.  Well I saw so much and did so much I couldn’t start to tell you about all of it.

Well I will write you as soon as I get back to the company, if I leave tomorrow.

Lots of Love, Ted