Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
October 3, 1953
Oct 3, 1953 Sat
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well we finished the parade this morning. Generals Clark, Hull, Taylor, and Hickey were there besides some Div Commanding Generals. It sure was something to see those Generals.
I wrote Evelyn a letter and Lowell one too. I got a letter from you yesterday dated the 17th of Sept. The first letter you wrote to this address. I don't know why it was so long getting here.
They had another show show last night. Peter Pan. I didn't like it to good so I left in the middle of it and went to bed. I also got a package from you, it was a coffee can with cookies and they were sure good. The boy next to me said his mother use to make them for him. To bad there were not more of them I liked them very much. It seems like it cost a lot to send them airmail. You don't need to do that. It only takes a week to get here but it cost quite a bit. They were in good shape when they got here. A few of them were broken to crumbs but not very many. The lid had come off. I never did get the box you sent me to the old address. Seems like I should have had them by now.
I was wandering about the camera I have in my drawer. The one that takes flash pictures. I think it works. Why don't you take some pictures with it and let me know how they came out. If the pictures come out good I might have you send it. If not I can buy one cheap over here. I like the 35mm because you can take 20 to 36 pictures on a roll. The camera I have is OK but film is hard to get for it here. They have them once in awhile. I may have them send me 3 rolls when I send my film in. I hate to have you send that camera if it is working because it may get broke or I may lose it some place. They sure have some nice ones here.
I got a letter from Margie and she said she didn't get the job. I didn't know what happened because she must have said something in another letter and I didn't get that one yet. Do you ever talk to her any more.
I have had a cold lately. My head gets stopped up and I can't seem to get rid of it. It is not to bad though.
I got an air mattress yesterday and it sure is nice. It keeps the cold from under you. It had a leak in it but I think I have fixed it now.
We had an ordinance inspection this afternoon and they took my carbine and scrapped it. Said it wasn't any good. It was only 10 years old. So I will get a new one one of these days. Right now I don't have one so I don't have to clean one for inspections. We have a rifle inspection about every night.
I had a Korean boy here write down their symbols for the A,B,C's and some numbers. I thought Snapper might like to have them. I got Snapper's card yesterday and I thought it was sure nice. Well I don't know much more to say. I am going to diner in a min so I guess I will close. Thanks for the cookies and the other package. I like it very much. I will write again soon.
Love, Ted
PS: Did you figure out the difference in time yet? Let me know.
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well we finished the parade this morning. Generals Clark, Hull, Taylor, and Hickey were there besides some Div Commanding Generals. It sure was something to see those Generals.
I wrote Evelyn a letter and Lowell one too. I got a letter from you yesterday dated the 17th of Sept. The first letter you wrote to this address. I don't know why it was so long getting here.
They had another show show last night. Peter Pan. I didn't like it to good so I left in the middle of it and went to bed. I also got a package from you, it was a coffee can with cookies and they were sure good. The boy next to me said his mother use to make them for him. To bad there were not more of them I liked them very much. It seems like it cost a lot to send them airmail. You don't need to do that. It only takes a week to get here but it cost quite a bit. They were in good shape when they got here. A few of them were broken to crumbs but not very many. The lid had come off. I never did get the box you sent me to the old address. Seems like I should have had them by now.
I was wandering about the camera I have in my drawer. The one that takes flash pictures. I think it works. Why don't you take some pictures with it and let me know how they came out. If the pictures come out good I might have you send it. If not I can buy one cheap over here. I like the 35mm because you can take 20 to 36 pictures on a roll. The camera I have is OK but film is hard to get for it here. They have them once in awhile. I may have them send me 3 rolls when I send my film in. I hate to have you send that camera if it is working because it may get broke or I may lose it some place. They sure have some nice ones here.
I got a letter from Margie and she said she didn't get the job. I didn't know what happened because she must have said something in another letter and I didn't get that one yet. Do you ever talk to her any more.
I have had a cold lately. My head gets stopped up and I can't seem to get rid of it. It is not to bad though.
I got an air mattress yesterday and it sure is nice. It keeps the cold from under you. It had a leak in it but I think I have fixed it now.
We had an ordinance inspection this afternoon and they took my carbine and scrapped it. Said it wasn't any good. It was only 10 years old. So I will get a new one one of these days. Right now I don't have one so I don't have to clean one for inspections. We have a rifle inspection about every night.
I had a Korean boy here write down their symbols for the A,B,C's and some numbers. I thought Snapper might like to have them. I got Snapper's card yesterday and I thought it was sure nice. Well I don't know much more to say. I am going to diner in a min so I guess I will close. Thanks for the cookies and the other package. I like it very much. I will write again soon.
Love, Ted
PS: Did you figure out the difference in time yet? Let me know.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
October 1, 1953
Thurs Oct 1, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got you birthday card this afternoon. It sure was nice. I also got a card from Evelyn and Jim and one from Larry and Mike. I guess I will write them and thank them. I also got 3 letters tonight and the Union News. I enjoy reading it.
I don't know much new. I went and practiced for the parade today again. That's about all we do. We usually have the afternoon off afterwards. We had a Regt parade this afternoon again. We have a show tonight. We have had one almost every night lately.
You know that after every payday there is a lot of gambling. I came back tonight from the show and the tent was full of guys shooting craps, playing black jack and poker and all. The Koreans manage to get some of the GI money some way and they play too. It put me in mind of an opium den with all the Koreans gabbing and smoking. The Korean corporals only get paid about 45 cents in GI money. We don't pay pay them we just keep them. The Korean government pays them. 45 cents a month isn't very much is it. I doubt that the privates even get 25 cents. They call their money Won. They say that some months they don't get any money.
They guy who sleeps next to me got some candles today so we should have plenty between us for awhile. We both use the same candle. I got a carton of cigarettes tonight so I will have something to smoke until they give me some money. That is all I need it for anyway.
I am sending you the 5th RCT paper. It is not to new but I thought you might enjoy reading it anyway.
I sent the letter I got from Gary Snipes yesterday, thought you would like to hear how it is in other places. I am glad you liked the pictures I sent. I didn't think they were that good. I will send you some more when I send them in and get them back.
Margie said in one of her letters that she is going to Chicago, so I guess she will be away for awhile.
The weather is about the same and I am feeling OK other than a little cold. We have it good here. I like it OK.
About the time you can't figure out. I have a hard time myself. When it is 9 pm in KC it is noon here and the next day. When it is noon in Chicago on Monday it is 3 am Tuesday in Korea. I think we are about 15 hours a head of you. That is if you are on the same time as Chicago. That doesn't mean Day lite saving time. I have a card they gave me at Sasebo. So when it is 9 pm in KC you can think about me eating lunch the next day. I meant to send this before but I forgot about it until I read your letter the other day.
Right now I am guarding the prisoner again. I just do an hour. We have to guard him because he was in this platoon when he went AWOL from the front line. He will be here until his court martial comes up. He left the front and got to Japan. No one know how he did it. He may be charged with desertion. He could get shot but most likely he will just get about 20 years and if he is lucky he may not get anything. We had to guard him again tonight because the guy who was supposed to guard him the last hour between 5 and 6 was asleep when the Sgt came in to wake us up. So our tent had to guard him again. I am guarding him between 10 and 11.
We have all kinds of beer in the tent. The guys buy it by the case. I am sitting on the prisoner's bunk writing this letter and drinking cold beer. It is Budweiser in cans but it doesn't taste like the beer we use to get up at Quins in Fairmount.
It is cold tonight and I have my wool sweater on . Seems funny to be so cold and drink a cold beer. I am getting use to it. I run around in my in my T-shirt part of the time and wash. We have had a chance to take a shower for about 3 weeks not but I give myself a GI bath.
I saw the Regt Flag today. It has streamers all over it. About 30 or 40 of them. This outfit use to fight Indians before the Spanish American War. It use to be the 5th Calvary. Your unit use to be the 4th Calvary didn't it Dad. For every battle they were in or country they were in they put a streamer on the Regt Flag. It is pretty old but fit. It is a pretty rough outfit. They are made up of hand picked men and a lot of the guys have been in the stockade for going AWOL and other stuff. I think about 25% of the guys have been in the stockade. I don't know why they picked me for this out fit. There are a lot of good guys here though and they bring in a lot more everyday. They have a lot of spirit. I don't mean the guys here are rough or convicts they are just young and ornery.
Well I guess when you get this I will be 25 years old. Sure doesn't seem like it. Wont be long till I'm 30. I miss being home. This is the first birthday I have been away from home. I guess by the end of the month we will know whether or not the truce is signed for good or not. I sure hope it is. I may get to come home sooner if it is. We are ready if it starts. When we go practice for the parade we go up to the front. They are digging bunkers etc up there. We can see them
Well can't think of much more to say. I will close for now. I sure miss you and wish I could be home. Tell the guys at work hello and tell Jim and Evelyn I will write them a line.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got you birthday card this afternoon. It sure was nice. I also got a card from Evelyn and Jim and one from Larry and Mike. I guess I will write them and thank them. I also got 3 letters tonight and the Union News. I enjoy reading it.
I don't know much new. I went and practiced for the parade today again. That's about all we do. We usually have the afternoon off afterwards. We had a Regt parade this afternoon again. We have a show tonight. We have had one almost every night lately.
You know that after every payday there is a lot of gambling. I came back tonight from the show and the tent was full of guys shooting craps, playing black jack and poker and all. The Koreans manage to get some of the GI money some way and they play too. It put me in mind of an opium den with all the Koreans gabbing and smoking. The Korean corporals only get paid about 45 cents in GI money. We don't pay pay them we just keep them. The Korean government pays them. 45 cents a month isn't very much is it. I doubt that the privates even get 25 cents. They call their money Won. They say that some months they don't get any money.
They guy who sleeps next to me got some candles today so we should have plenty between us for awhile. We both use the same candle. I got a carton of cigarettes tonight so I will have something to smoke until they give me some money. That is all I need it for anyway.
I am sending you the 5th RCT paper. It is not to new but I thought you might enjoy reading it anyway.
I sent the letter I got from Gary Snipes yesterday, thought you would like to hear how it is in other places. I am glad you liked the pictures I sent. I didn't think they were that good. I will send you some more when I send them in and get them back.
Margie said in one of her letters that she is going to Chicago, so I guess she will be away for awhile.
The weather is about the same and I am feeling OK other than a little cold. We have it good here. I like it OK.
About the time you can't figure out. I have a hard time myself. When it is 9 pm in KC it is noon here and the next day. When it is noon in Chicago on Monday it is 3 am Tuesday in Korea. I think we are about 15 hours a head of you. That is if you are on the same time as Chicago. That doesn't mean Day lite saving time. I have a card they gave me at Sasebo. So when it is 9 pm in KC you can think about me eating lunch the next day. I meant to send this before but I forgot about it until I read your letter the other day.
Right now I am guarding the prisoner again. I just do an hour. We have to guard him because he was in this platoon when he went AWOL from the front line. He will be here until his court martial comes up. He left the front and got to Japan. No one know how he did it. He may be charged with desertion. He could get shot but most likely he will just get about 20 years and if he is lucky he may not get anything. We had to guard him again tonight because the guy who was supposed to guard him the last hour between 5 and 6 was asleep when the Sgt came in to wake us up. So our tent had to guard him again. I am guarding him between 10 and 11.
We have all kinds of beer in the tent. The guys buy it by the case. I am sitting on the prisoner's bunk writing this letter and drinking cold beer. It is Budweiser in cans but it doesn't taste like the beer we use to get up at Quins in Fairmount.
It is cold tonight and I have my wool sweater on . Seems funny to be so cold and drink a cold beer. I am getting use to it. I run around in my in my T-shirt part of the time and wash. We have had a chance to take a shower for about 3 weeks not but I give myself a GI bath.
I saw the Regt Flag today. It has streamers all over it. About 30 or 40 of them. This outfit use to fight Indians before the Spanish American War. It use to be the 5th Calvary. Your unit use to be the 4th Calvary didn't it Dad. For every battle they were in or country they were in they put a streamer on the Regt Flag. It is pretty old but fit. It is a pretty rough outfit. They are made up of hand picked men and a lot of the guys have been in the stockade for going AWOL and other stuff. I think about 25% of the guys have been in the stockade. I don't know why they picked me for this out fit. There are a lot of good guys here though and they bring in a lot more everyday. They have a lot of spirit. I don't mean the guys here are rough or convicts they are just young and ornery.
Well I guess when you get this I will be 25 years old. Sure doesn't seem like it. Wont be long till I'm 30. I miss being home. This is the first birthday I have been away from home. I guess by the end of the month we will know whether or not the truce is signed for good or not. I sure hope it is. I may get to come home sooner if it is. We are ready if it starts. When we go practice for the parade we go up to the front. They are digging bunkers etc up there. We can see them
Well can't think of much more to say. I will close for now. I sure miss you and wish I could be home. Tell the guys at work hello and tell Jim and Evelyn I will write them a line.
Love, Ted
Monday, April 11, 2011
September 1953 recap
September of 1953 was when the World Away got to be up close and personal. Dad had never been any further away from home than Wichita, Kansas and now he finds himself walking the streets of Yokohama and waiting in Sasebo Japan for orders. The "boys" as he calls them were together in Sasebo but one by one they received orders that split them all up. Although Zink, our neighbor on Lake Drive back in Independence, was not part of the "boys," it was just a fluke he was with them, but alas he got orders to go to a Chemical and Biological school. Many years later dad told me that the "boys" were split up so there was a higher possibility that they may get captured by the North Koreans. If they did they would be able to use the skills they were taught in that special school they all went to. As far as I know none ever got captured.
Dad had no idea where he would end up while waiting in Sasebo. He was still hoping to stay in Japan. Even when he was sent to Korea he had no idea where he was most of the time. He mentions the 38th parallel often and the "front" being 20 miles from him. He told me again years later that they would have a lot of alerts and everyone took them seriously because no one knew if it was practice or the real thing.
In his letters he remarks about things his mother must have told him in her letters but I cannot tell a lot of what he was answering. For instance he mentions a bomb in Fairmount. But what it was and circumstances surrounding it are at a loss to me. He asks about his cousins and his friend Jim and Rosalie several times, and apparently he heard from his basic training buddy Martin. Martin ended up in Fort Lewis, Washington. There were others like Arkie and Theiderman but other than Jim I never heard much about any of them, other than hearing mom say once that she did not like Arkie.
Dad was a little older than most of the guys so he was a little more brazen when it came to authority sometimes. Like when he some how slipped out of a formation so he and a couple of guys could walk back to camp and not have to march and when he was put guarding a prisoner who had gone AWOL he became good enough friends with him as to have the prisoner wake him up when dad would fall asleep so dad wouldn't get into trouble.
He developed some strong feeling about the Koreans, none very flattering. But I suspect it was the influence that the vets had over him.
He was very proud of his unit, the 5th RCT. He was proud to be a soldier and the longer he lived the more proud he became. He went one time to a 5th RCT reunion in Branson but did not stay for the parade because he did not feel he could walk the whole way.
The high light of the month was him be selected to participate in the change of command ceremony and part of the honor guard for the 5th RCT as they passed in review. I am interested to see how the parade went.
Dad had no idea where he would end up while waiting in Sasebo. He was still hoping to stay in Japan. Even when he was sent to Korea he had no idea where he was most of the time. He mentions the 38th parallel often and the "front" being 20 miles from him. He told me again years later that they would have a lot of alerts and everyone took them seriously because no one knew if it was practice or the real thing.
In his letters he remarks about things his mother must have told him in her letters but I cannot tell a lot of what he was answering. For instance he mentions a bomb in Fairmount. But what it was and circumstances surrounding it are at a loss to me. He asks about his cousins and his friend Jim and Rosalie several times, and apparently he heard from his basic training buddy Martin. Martin ended up in Fort Lewis, Washington. There were others like Arkie and Theiderman but other than Jim I never heard much about any of them, other than hearing mom say once that she did not like Arkie.
Dad was a little older than most of the guys so he was a little more brazen when it came to authority sometimes. Like when he some how slipped out of a formation so he and a couple of guys could walk back to camp and not have to march and when he was put guarding a prisoner who had gone AWOL he became good enough friends with him as to have the prisoner wake him up when dad would fall asleep so dad wouldn't get into trouble.
He developed some strong feeling about the Koreans, none very flattering. But I suspect it was the influence that the vets had over him.
He was very proud of his unit, the 5th RCT. He was proud to be a soldier and the longer he lived the more proud he became. He went one time to a 5th RCT reunion in Branson but did not stay for the parade because he did not feel he could walk the whole way.
The high light of the month was him be selected to participate in the change of command ceremony and part of the honor guard for the 5th RCT as they passed in review. I am interested to see how the parade went.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
September 29, 1953
Tuesday Sat 29, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I thought I would write you a line and tell you the latest. They picked a bunch for the parade they are going to have this week. I get to be in it. Yesterday we drilled a little bit and drew some winter clothes to wear. They gave us wool OG shirts and OG pants. They are just like our OD pants we wear in the states only green. Forest green. They are really nice looking. Our shirts are the same color as our pants. They are to be worn under our field pants, but we will just wear our shirts and pants for the parade. We will have on a blue infantry scarf and our helmets will be a glossy paint. We went to the 9 Reg. of the 2nd Division this morning for practice. The entire 9th Corps was represented. There were Belgium's, Greeks, Turks, Colombians, ROCKS, our US 40 Division, 3rd, 2nd, and 5th RCT. Our group was the best during practice. We are the last group to pass-in-review. They go my the rank of the commander. The 5th RCT is commanded by a colonel and all the Divisions are commanded by Generals. It was really something to see. All the different countries represented and the Divisions. It was really pretty to see all the colors when they have the real parade. There will be 4 Generals, Clark, Hull and Hickey and one other. When we go to the parade we will have people with us just to keep our boots polished and bloused and our uniform brushed off They are going to take news reel shots and pictures etc. It is a big thing here. You will probably read about it and see it on television and news.
General Hull is taking Mark Clark's place. We will be the last group to go by. It is the 5th RCT honor guard. I think we will be the show point there. Our captain is commanding us. They were picked from each company from the 2nd Battalion.
We are going to have a USO show tonight.-----I didn't get to finish this letter last night so I will start again. The USO show was good and it was a colored band and entertainers. It was good but not as good as the Dick Contino Show. We saw a picture after it was over. The Lawless Breed. I saw it back home I think Well I'll write you a line later on.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I thought I would write you a line and tell you the latest. They picked a bunch for the parade they are going to have this week. I get to be in it. Yesterday we drilled a little bit and drew some winter clothes to wear. They gave us wool OG shirts and OG pants. They are just like our OD pants we wear in the states only green. Forest green. They are really nice looking. Our shirts are the same color as our pants. They are to be worn under our field pants, but we will just wear our shirts and pants for the parade. We will have on a blue infantry scarf and our helmets will be a glossy paint. We went to the 9 Reg. of the 2nd Division this morning for practice. The entire 9th Corps was represented. There were Belgium's, Greeks, Turks, Colombians, ROCKS, our US 40 Division, 3rd, 2nd, and 5th RCT. Our group was the best during practice. We are the last group to pass-in-review. They go my the rank of the commander. The 5th RCT is commanded by a colonel and all the Divisions are commanded by Generals. It was really something to see. All the different countries represented and the Divisions. It was really pretty to see all the colors when they have the real parade. There will be 4 Generals, Clark, Hull and Hickey and one other. When we go to the parade we will have people with us just to keep our boots polished and bloused and our uniform brushed off They are going to take news reel shots and pictures etc. It is a big thing here. You will probably read about it and see it on television and news.
General Hull is taking Mark Clark's place. We will be the last group to go by. It is the 5th RCT honor guard. I think we will be the show point there. Our captain is commanding us. They were picked from each company from the 2nd Battalion.
We are going to have a USO show tonight.-----I didn't get to finish this letter last night so I will start again. The USO show was good and it was a colored band and entertainers. It was good but not as good as the Dick Contino Show. We saw a picture after it was over. The Lawless Breed. I saw it back home I think Well I'll write you a line later on.
Love, Ted
Saturday, April 9, 2011
September 30, 1953,
(first letter that day)
Sept 30, 1953 Wed
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
Well I got 15 letters today altogether. I got some more from Sasebo and 3 to this address. They should be just about caught up by now. I got the package today, it had been opened. It had a box of candy, a flash light, a billfold with $5 in it, a pair of socks, shorts, and T-shirts and a candle. I hope there wasn't anything lifted out of it. Thanks a lot for all of it. It sure was nice. I liked the billfold. It was pretty, my old one was about worn out. The chemicals in my fatigues were hard on it. I can't spend the $5 bill here any where in the far east. It is illegal to use them. Any green back. I may be able to spend it in Japan when I go on R&R. You can get more for you green backs, Black Market stuff. If I can I will just save it.
I got a letter from Martin in one of your letters. He is in Ft Lewis, training. He doesn't say much. I guess you got his address off the letter. He did not stay in leadership. Said he didn't like it.
I haven't got a package of cookies you sent to the Sasebo address yet. May be I will get it soon. I received the package you sent on the 30th. So you can figure how long it took for it to get here. I think you mailed it about the 23rd.
What you saw in the paper about the Meigs returning with troops was just coming back from taking us over.
Did you say Marion was going to write. You had better give her my new address.
We went out and practiced for the parade today. Don't know when it will be for sure. I got a letter form Jim today too. Did you say he gave you some pills. He sure likes to give things. I don't know much more.
I got a letter from Arkie. He is in Pusan about 2 mils out . He is a long way from here. I haven't seen anyone I know.
Well I'll write you later. Thanks a lot for the birthday package. I can use all of it. I am fixed up on clothes now ,we got our winter clothes yesterday afternoon and I got 2 wool sweaters, muffler, gloves, and will get a lot more and will have about $500 dollars worth of clothes and sleeping gear. The new boots we will be getting (thermo boots) cost 30 dollars a pair.
Love, Ted
(2nd letter that same day)
Wed Sept 30, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I thought I would write you a short line. I have to guard that prisoner again from 11 to 12 so I thought I would stay up and write you a letter. I went to the show tonight . We have been having good luck lately. The nights have been cold and damp. We wake up in the morning with dew on our sleeping bags even in our tent. It's sure cold when you crawl out of the bad and put your clothes on. I am wearing my wool sweater and it sure feels good. Our tents aren't warm. We haven't got our floors in them yet.
I sure liked the package. Let me know if there was anything in it I didn't get. Billfold, shorts, t-shirt, flash light socks, and candles. It was sure nice and the candy was real good. The first candy I have had. It sure seemed to cost a lot to send it air mail.
I didn't get paid again today. It may be next month before I get any. I am going to go find our about it. I have almost 300 dollars coming now and next month it will be 400. It's a good way to save money but I haven't cent. I have about $1.60 left and that wont last a month. You can get 4% here on soldiers deposits and they wont give it to you till you get discharged. I may put my money in that unless you could use it. You can have any of the money I have if you want it. Let me know.
I wrote Martin a letter tonight. I'll send you the letter I got. Do you have a hard time reading my letters. I get careless the ore I write. You sure do write ma a lot. I must have 40 letters from you all together now. I hate to throw them away but it looks like I will have to. I am going to keep the latest ones. I get so many and have not place to keep them. You don't have to write everyday if you don't want to. I usually get 2 a day or more anyway. Well not much more to say now. I'll write you more later.
Love, Ted
Sept 30, 1953 Wed
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
Well I got 15 letters today altogether. I got some more from Sasebo and 3 to this address. They should be just about caught up by now. I got the package today, it had been opened. It had a box of candy, a flash light, a billfold with $5 in it, a pair of socks, shorts, and T-shirts and a candle. I hope there wasn't anything lifted out of it. Thanks a lot for all of it. It sure was nice. I liked the billfold. It was pretty, my old one was about worn out. The chemicals in my fatigues were hard on it. I can't spend the $5 bill here any where in the far east. It is illegal to use them. Any green back. I may be able to spend it in Japan when I go on R&R. You can get more for you green backs, Black Market stuff. If I can I will just save it.
I got a letter from Martin in one of your letters. He is in Ft Lewis, training. He doesn't say much. I guess you got his address off the letter. He did not stay in leadership. Said he didn't like it.
I haven't got a package of cookies you sent to the Sasebo address yet. May be I will get it soon. I received the package you sent on the 30th. So you can figure how long it took for it to get here. I think you mailed it about the 23rd.
What you saw in the paper about the Meigs returning with troops was just coming back from taking us over.
Did you say Marion was going to write. You had better give her my new address.
We went out and practiced for the parade today. Don't know when it will be for sure. I got a letter form Jim today too. Did you say he gave you some pills. He sure likes to give things. I don't know much more.
I got a letter from Arkie. He is in Pusan about 2 mils out . He is a long way from here. I haven't seen anyone I know.
Well I'll write you later. Thanks a lot for the birthday package. I can use all of it. I am fixed up on clothes now ,we got our winter clothes yesterday afternoon and I got 2 wool sweaters, muffler, gloves, and will get a lot more and will have about $500 dollars worth of clothes and sleeping gear. The new boots we will be getting (thermo boots) cost 30 dollars a pair.
Love, Ted
(2nd letter that same day)
Wed Sept 30, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I thought I would write you a short line. I have to guard that prisoner again from 11 to 12 so I thought I would stay up and write you a letter. I went to the show tonight . We have been having good luck lately. The nights have been cold and damp. We wake up in the morning with dew on our sleeping bags even in our tent. It's sure cold when you crawl out of the bad and put your clothes on. I am wearing my wool sweater and it sure feels good. Our tents aren't warm. We haven't got our floors in them yet.
I sure liked the package. Let me know if there was anything in it I didn't get. Billfold, shorts, t-shirt, flash light socks, and candles. It was sure nice and the candy was real good. The first candy I have had. It sure seemed to cost a lot to send it air mail.
I didn't get paid again today. It may be next month before I get any. I am going to go find our about it. I have almost 300 dollars coming now and next month it will be 400. It's a good way to save money but I haven't cent. I have about $1.60 left and that wont last a month. You can get 4% here on soldiers deposits and they wont give it to you till you get discharged. I may put my money in that unless you could use it. You can have any of the money I have if you want it. Let me know.
I wrote Martin a letter tonight. I'll send you the letter I got. Do you have a hard time reading my letters. I get careless the ore I write. You sure do write ma a lot. I must have 40 letters from you all together now. I hate to throw them away but it looks like I will have to. I am going to keep the latest ones. I get so many and have not place to keep them. You don't have to write everyday if you don't want to. I usually get 2 a day or more anyway. Well not much more to say now. I'll write you more later.
Love, Ted
Friday, April 8, 2011
September 28, 1953, son
This was addressed again to Master Conley Stone McAnally
Monday Sept 28, 1953
Dear Snapper
How are you doing in school. I am sending you a 5th RCT patch. It's not a very good one. It is the only one I had.
Saturday afternoon we had orders to move to the front. We packed field packs and fell out. We got flak jackets , ammo for the mortars. They tore the mess kitchen down and loaded it in a truck. We were waiting to go when the Battalion Commander called it off. He said he just wanted to see how long it would take to get ready. It didn't take very long. hey even made us tear our patches off. So I figured rather than to sew it back on I would send it you . I thought the war started again. It sure give you a funny feeling.
I got a pass and went to a village and saw some Korean people and how the live. I took some pictures of some children, women and men. I'll send them when I get them back. I bought some candles too. So I will have some light to read by and write.
This guy I was with had some friend at the 3 Divis. 65 Regt. so I went with him. After seeing how they live and the things they do I think we have a good Regt. We have it a lot easier than they did as far as our food and camp. That makes me think the 5th RCT is on the ball.
Last night I had to guard a prisoner who went AWOL last April. They caught him in Japan and brought him back. He doesn't act just right. I layed on the cot next to him and talked to him. I would doze off and he would wake me up when he heard some one coming. The last guy who went AWOL got 20 years in prison. He was court marshaled about 2 weeks ago. He left when they were fighting.
I got a letter from Gary Sipes yesterday. He is with the 25th Division. He is about 3 miles from the front building bunkers. He is from KC and I think his wife is going to have a baby next month.
There is going to be a big parade next Friday. General Mark Clark will be here and the General who takes his place. The entire IX Corps will be inspected by him in the parade. I may get to be in it. You will probably read about it in the papers and news reels. Each outfit in the Corps will be represented. I guess it will be a big thing.
Well I have to go to lunch in a few minutes so I will close for now. It looks like it might rain this afternoon. Write me soon and I hope you like your patch. I'll send a better one when I get a chance.
Love, Daddy
Monday Sept 28, 1953
Dear Snapper
How are you doing in school. I am sending you a 5th RCT patch. It's not a very good one. It is the only one I had.
Saturday afternoon we had orders to move to the front. We packed field packs and fell out. We got flak jackets , ammo for the mortars. They tore the mess kitchen down and loaded it in a truck. We were waiting to go when the Battalion Commander called it off. He said he just wanted to see how long it would take to get ready. It didn't take very long. hey even made us tear our patches off. So I figured rather than to sew it back on I would send it you . I thought the war started again. It sure give you a funny feeling.
I got a pass and went to a village and saw some Korean people and how the live. I took some pictures of some children, women and men. I'll send them when I get them back. I bought some candles too. So I will have some light to read by and write.
This guy I was with had some friend at the 3 Divis. 65 Regt. so I went with him. After seeing how they live and the things they do I think we have a good Regt. We have it a lot easier than they did as far as our food and camp. That makes me think the 5th RCT is on the ball.
Last night I had to guard a prisoner who went AWOL last April. They caught him in Japan and brought him back. He doesn't act just right. I layed on the cot next to him and talked to him. I would doze off and he would wake me up when he heard some one coming. The last guy who went AWOL got 20 years in prison. He was court marshaled about 2 weeks ago. He left when they were fighting.
I got a letter from Gary Sipes yesterday. He is with the 25th Division. He is about 3 miles from the front building bunkers. He is from KC and I think his wife is going to have a baby next month.
There is going to be a big parade next Friday. General Mark Clark will be here and the General who takes his place. The entire IX Corps will be inspected by him in the parade. I may get to be in it. You will probably read about it in the papers and news reels. Each outfit in the Corps will be represented. I guess it will be a big thing.
Well I have to go to lunch in a few minutes so I will close for now. It looks like it might rain this afternoon. Write me soon and I hope you like your patch. I'll send a better one when I get a chance.
Love, Daddy
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