Wed Oct 14,1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Not much new here but I thought I would write anyway. I haven't received any mail or packages yet. The mail has been slow for the last few days. No one is getting any yet. May be some will come in the eve.
It sure has been cold here at night. Yesterday I had the afternoon off because I was on Bn guard last night. It got down to freezing and it sure was cold on my post. I had a wool sweater, wool shirt, fatigue shirt and field jacket and I was still cold. I guess I will have to start wearing my long underwear. This morning when I got off I ate breakfast and then went to bed and slept till 11:00, then ate dinner and spent the afternoon hauling floors for our tent. The 72nd Engineers build the floors for us and we put them in ourselves. They are made in sections and it takes 4 for one tent. It wont be long till we have them in our tent. We will have oil stoves before long and at first we will just have one stove. We get up a half hour later now because of the light. So every thing is a half hour later but we keep the same time. Instead of eating lunch at 11:30 we eat at 12:00.
I broke your ronson lighter last night. I might mail it home before long. I think I will buy a Zeppo. They cost about $1.60 at the PX.
Well we go to chow in a few minutes so I will stop now and finish later. --------
I read in the Stars and Stripes paper about the Greenlease boy being murdered. It didn't say anything about him being murdered but it said they were holding this woman for the murder kidnapping. When did they find out he was murdered.
I got two letter and a package from you just now. One letter was dated the 4 and another was dated the 8 Oct. I read what you said about the Greenlease. That is a lot of money.
I did not think that Mrs. Peak was 79 years old. I got a letter from Jim Rountree tonight too. Didn't have much to say, just the same old stuff.
I guess the J40 is quite a jet. That's fast for me.
If Carlin Talant is in the 7th Corps he is in the same Corps I am.
I didn't see that picture from Here to Eternity. I would like to see it. I went to the show tonight and saw Fast Company.
It is pretty cold so I guess I will get my long underwear , it helps out a lot. I'll sure be glad when they get the stoves put in.
I just opened my package up. Every thing was OK. I got the shaving lotion. I am going to keep it in my sleeping bag with me. The candy is good and the gum I can use too. I was almost out of smokes and I think the package couldn't have gotten here at a better time. I got the little light. You didn't put batteries in with it did you. I thought I might have lost them. Well not much more to say now. Thanks for the packages and shaving lotion.
Love, Ted
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
October 13, 1953
Wed
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got a letter from you last night (Oct 12) and 3 letters today and a box. The box was the peanut butter cookies, candy, and 5 packs of camels. They sure were good cookies. I like the candy too and I needed the cigarettes. Some times the mail comes slow and then all at once I get several letters at once. It never takes to long to get them anyway.
I haven't heard from Carlen Talant yet. He should be fairly close by if he is in the IX Corps. I got his letter but he didn't say where he was located. I guess by now Richard has his orders. I have been wondering where he will be sent. The Army has a place for everyone but they take their time sometimes with so much red tape etc.
Can Snapper read very much?
About that school I talked about when I first got here. I think you might have misunderstood me. We are training here like we did in the states but it isn't quite as bad as basic, at least it doesn't seem to be. We have more time off. The only school they have are the NCO schools. Very few get to go to that. I think most of the guys who have gone to school in the Army were picked in the states. Just like I was picked for the Radio School in New Jersey. I wont get much of any school now.
I am glad you have the time figured out now. We are the same time here as Japan.
How is George Schmidt now. How long will it be before he can go back to work.
The letters I received today were the 13, 14, 15 of Oct.(note: he probably meant Sept) You might send some one dollar bills if you want me to send some pictures in. I should be paid this time for sure.
Sounds like the weather is nice in KC now.
I got the clippings again on the Greenlease case. I'll read them later. I don't remember about the Heady woman selling boxes. Lowell might have heard of her. I will try to write a letter to Frank Tucker. I don't know what to say to him much but I will try. I would have to write a good one. May be if I wrote one he could re write it a little bit for the paper. You know what I mean. It would have to sound good. (note: Frank Tucker was the editor of the Intercity News, a local paper in Fairmount) I still haven't received Jessie's package yet. He probably mailed it regular. It will take a little longer. I will be glad when I get my boots. It wont take to long to put them on in the morning when I get up.
I guess Joe Doors looked rough with out his shave. He has a heavy beard anyway.
So you can run around in your t-shirt. We work around here in the day with our t-shirts some times. Yesterday it was bad out. Kind of cold and it rained a little. We didn't do much yesterday. Our company had their records checked and I asked the guy when I was going home. He looked at the date I got here and said probably Dec or Jan of next year. He didn't know, I think he was just guessing. They usually send you home 90 days before discharging you anyway. He said I have 3 decorations now. Korean, United Nations, and one other that I forgot what it was. Everyone who serves here gets the two I mentioned.
Last night we had a movie in the mess hall. I saw Clark Gable in Never Let Me Go. It was sure good. I guess you saw it because you usually see his pictures. This morning I stayed in the area and worked on the orderly room. They moved into a new Quonset hut and I helped on the outside of it a little bit.
Well we just finished lunch and I think there is a night problem tonight.
How did you like the pictures. This guy said I could use his camera if I wanted to. We can't get any 120 films here though. If you would send a couple of boxes I'll take some pictures. He has a Jap camera and it really takes good pictures. I think I might buy one when I get paid. I haven't made up my mind yet------We just finished our night problem. It's about 10 PM now. I got some coffee at the mess hall and I drank it with some of those cookies. It sure hit the spot. This afternoon my section leader talked to me about changing squads. He said I might go to the third squad as asst. gunner. It wasn't for sure. He said he would let me know. I hope something works out. I kind of hate to change squads but it would be a promotion. It will work out. He also said I would get to go out and fire the mortar when we go out. Just one squad is going a lot. We will represent our company. I don't know when that will be.
Well I will close for now and go to bed. I will write more news later.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got a letter from you last night (Oct 12) and 3 letters today and a box. The box was the peanut butter cookies, candy, and 5 packs of camels. They sure were good cookies. I like the candy too and I needed the cigarettes. Some times the mail comes slow and then all at once I get several letters at once. It never takes to long to get them anyway.
I haven't heard from Carlen Talant yet. He should be fairly close by if he is in the IX Corps. I got his letter but he didn't say where he was located. I guess by now Richard has his orders. I have been wondering where he will be sent. The Army has a place for everyone but they take their time sometimes with so much red tape etc.
Can Snapper read very much?
About that school I talked about when I first got here. I think you might have misunderstood me. We are training here like we did in the states but it isn't quite as bad as basic, at least it doesn't seem to be. We have more time off. The only school they have are the NCO schools. Very few get to go to that. I think most of the guys who have gone to school in the Army were picked in the states. Just like I was picked for the Radio School in New Jersey. I wont get much of any school now.
I am glad you have the time figured out now. We are the same time here as Japan.
How is George Schmidt now. How long will it be before he can go back to work.
The letters I received today were the 13, 14, 15 of Oct.(note: he probably meant Sept) You might send some one dollar bills if you want me to send some pictures in. I should be paid this time for sure.
Sounds like the weather is nice in KC now.
I got the clippings again on the Greenlease case. I'll read them later. I don't remember about the Heady woman selling boxes. Lowell might have heard of her. I will try to write a letter to Frank Tucker. I don't know what to say to him much but I will try. I would have to write a good one. May be if I wrote one he could re write it a little bit for the paper. You know what I mean. It would have to sound good. (note: Frank Tucker was the editor of the Intercity News, a local paper in Fairmount) I still haven't received Jessie's package yet. He probably mailed it regular. It will take a little longer. I will be glad when I get my boots. It wont take to long to put them on in the morning when I get up.
I guess Joe Doors looked rough with out his shave. He has a heavy beard anyway.
So you can run around in your t-shirt. We work around here in the day with our t-shirts some times. Yesterday it was bad out. Kind of cold and it rained a little. We didn't do much yesterday. Our company had their records checked and I asked the guy when I was going home. He looked at the date I got here and said probably Dec or Jan of next year. He didn't know, I think he was just guessing. They usually send you home 90 days before discharging you anyway. He said I have 3 decorations now. Korean, United Nations, and one other that I forgot what it was. Everyone who serves here gets the two I mentioned.
Last night we had a movie in the mess hall. I saw Clark Gable in Never Let Me Go. It was sure good. I guess you saw it because you usually see his pictures. This morning I stayed in the area and worked on the orderly room. They moved into a new Quonset hut and I helped on the outside of it a little bit.
Well we just finished lunch and I think there is a night problem tonight.
How did you like the pictures. This guy said I could use his camera if I wanted to. We can't get any 120 films here though. If you would send a couple of boxes I'll take some pictures. He has a Jap camera and it really takes good pictures. I think I might buy one when I get paid. I haven't made up my mind yet------We just finished our night problem. It's about 10 PM now. I got some coffee at the mess hall and I drank it with some of those cookies. It sure hit the spot. This afternoon my section leader talked to me about changing squads. He said I might go to the third squad as asst. gunner. It wasn't for sure. He said he would let me know. I hope something works out. I kind of hate to change squads but it would be a promotion. It will work out. He also said I would get to go out and fire the mortar when we go out. Just one squad is going a lot. We will represent our company. I don't know when that will be.
Well I will close for now and go to bed. I will write more news later.
Love, Ted
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
October 12, 1953
Monday Oct 12, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
I got Dad's letter today along with the emery cloth. I don't have a rifle now but I cleaned my trench knife up. Boy it sure is pretty. I polished the leather handles on it. I will be glad to get the shaving lotion. I haven't had any for a long time (note to blog reader: Dad was not that interested in shaving lotion. The rules where he was was that the only kind of alcohol the you could have was beer. My grandfather decided to clean out old after shave lotion bottles and fill them with whiskey. This went on for a long time.) I haven't got the package yet but it should be here any day. I think it will make the trip OK if you put it in with cookies etc. I knew what you meant about J.Bakers Drug Store.
How long was the plant closed. I enjoyed the pictures of the fellows working on the house. I could make out Herb Colburn. He was standing on the roof with a box on his shoulder.
Not much new here. It was kind of cold most of the day yesterday and I didn't do much. I went to the show last night and it started raining about the last of the picture. It was sure cold and it really rained. More rain than I have seen most of the time I have been here. It was clear today but it was cold. A wool sweater under our fatigues makes it OK. I guess before long I will wear my long underwear.
I think I will go to the show tonight.
I can tell you a little better where I am if it is on your map. The town Ch'owon (I think that is the way you spell it). We are in that area. The Ch'owon Valley. We are close to the Wyoming line.
Well I went to the show and they didn't have sound so I came back and I had some mail from you. I got one letter that was dated Sept 16. I am just now getting it. The other letters were the ones you wrote Oct 6. Did you send a bottle of shoe polish in one of the packages. I don't know what happened but next time if it is opened I will take it back to the PM. We are supposed to sign for insured packages. All the other packages arrived in good shape.
I took the $5 and sent my pictures in and I'll send you some soon.
While I have been writing this letter a Korean who sleeps next to me was reading a letter and he started crying. We didn't know what was wrong. Sgt Con later told us his moma-san died. It is strange they just write a letter to tell them rather than send for them.
Don't worry about me going to sleep on guard. I don't when I am on regular guard and don't anymore while I am guarding the prisoner. He is OK and I know how to handle him. He is still here. I have learned to sleep lite and I wake up at the least little noise. It is a different kind of guard with him anyway.
I will be glad to get that package you talk about. It's plenty cold writing this letter. It wont be so bad when we get our floors and stove in our tents.
Was Mrs. Peak planning to stay in KC or jut visit. I guess Martin hadn't got the letter I wrote him when he sent this one. When I answer it I'll send it to you. My letters are never opened. Some times the corner is torn a little. Like the lennon cloth envelope was torn at the corner. I guess they just like to look in some of them. Don't worry about the shaving lotion. It should get here OK if you sent it like you sent the others.
About our eggs and potatoes. Sometimes our potatoes are concentrated and mixed with fresh potatoes. They taste OK after you are use to them. We have fresh eggs. Usually we get eggs to order (or almost). Some times they are scrambled.
I don't know much of anything you could send me to eat. I like candy . Some times when you send a package you might put a can of ox blood shoe polish in it. I like to have my boots a different color once in a while. I could use some of that new fome shave stuff. I am almost out of it and I can't get it here. Those little pen light batteries you can't get either.
I see you have some of those self sealing envelopes. I like them OK. You don't have to lick them.
Well I don't know much more to say. I still haven't been paid yet and I am making 20 cents stretch a long way before I borrow any more. I think by the end of the this month I will have about $340 dollars coming the way I figure it. Are you getting Snapper's money OK. Well I am fine and I'm glad everything is fine at home. Will write again and thanks for the packages.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
I got Dad's letter today along with the emery cloth. I don't have a rifle now but I cleaned my trench knife up. Boy it sure is pretty. I polished the leather handles on it. I will be glad to get the shaving lotion. I haven't had any for a long time (note to blog reader: Dad was not that interested in shaving lotion. The rules where he was was that the only kind of alcohol the you could have was beer. My grandfather decided to clean out old after shave lotion bottles and fill them with whiskey. This went on for a long time.) I haven't got the package yet but it should be here any day. I think it will make the trip OK if you put it in with cookies etc. I knew what you meant about J.Bakers Drug Store.
How long was the plant closed. I enjoyed the pictures of the fellows working on the house. I could make out Herb Colburn. He was standing on the roof with a box on his shoulder.
Not much new here. It was kind of cold most of the day yesterday and I didn't do much. I went to the show last night and it started raining about the last of the picture. It was sure cold and it really rained. More rain than I have seen most of the time I have been here. It was clear today but it was cold. A wool sweater under our fatigues makes it OK. I guess before long I will wear my long underwear.
I think I will go to the show tonight.
I can tell you a little better where I am if it is on your map. The town Ch'owon (I think that is the way you spell it). We are in that area. The Ch'owon Valley. We are close to the Wyoming line.
Well I went to the show and they didn't have sound so I came back and I had some mail from you. I got one letter that was dated Sept 16. I am just now getting it. The other letters were the ones you wrote Oct 6. Did you send a bottle of shoe polish in one of the packages. I don't know what happened but next time if it is opened I will take it back to the PM. We are supposed to sign for insured packages. All the other packages arrived in good shape.
I took the $5 and sent my pictures in and I'll send you some soon.
While I have been writing this letter a Korean who sleeps next to me was reading a letter and he started crying. We didn't know what was wrong. Sgt Con later told us his moma-san died. It is strange they just write a letter to tell them rather than send for them.
Don't worry about me going to sleep on guard. I don't when I am on regular guard and don't anymore while I am guarding the prisoner. He is OK and I know how to handle him. He is still here. I have learned to sleep lite and I wake up at the least little noise. It is a different kind of guard with him anyway.
I will be glad to get that package you talk about. It's plenty cold writing this letter. It wont be so bad when we get our floors and stove in our tents.
Was Mrs. Peak planning to stay in KC or jut visit. I guess Martin hadn't got the letter I wrote him when he sent this one. When I answer it I'll send it to you. My letters are never opened. Some times the corner is torn a little. Like the lennon cloth envelope was torn at the corner. I guess they just like to look in some of them. Don't worry about the shaving lotion. It should get here OK if you sent it like you sent the others.
About our eggs and potatoes. Sometimes our potatoes are concentrated and mixed with fresh potatoes. They taste OK after you are use to them. We have fresh eggs. Usually we get eggs to order (or almost). Some times they are scrambled.
I don't know much of anything you could send me to eat. I like candy . Some times when you send a package you might put a can of ox blood shoe polish in it. I like to have my boots a different color once in a while. I could use some of that new fome shave stuff. I am almost out of it and I can't get it here. Those little pen light batteries you can't get either.
I see you have some of those self sealing envelopes. I like them OK. You don't have to lick them.
Well I don't know much more to say. I still haven't been paid yet and I am making 20 cents stretch a long way before I borrow any more. I think by the end of the this month I will have about $340 dollars coming the way I figure it. Are you getting Snapper's money OK. Well I am fine and I'm glad everything is fine at home. Will write again and thanks for the packages.
Love, Ted
Monday, April 18, 2011
October 11, 1953
Sun Oct 11, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Not much new here, everything is about the same. Last night was the coldest night we have had. I don't know what the temperature was but it was cold and damp. I slept warm in my sleeping bag and slept good.
I just got a letter from Jim yesterday. He didn't have much to say. I got up this morning and went to breakfast. They served the first meal in the new Quonset hut this morning. It sure is nice. It is set up almost like our mess hall in the states. There are two Quonset huts put together. I guess we will have turkey or chicken today. We usually have turkey and chicken twice a week. We had turkey Wed so will probably have chicken today.
Yesterday we had an inspection as usual and had the afternoon off. I didn't do much but lay around all afternoon. I washed some clothes out and have some clean clothes for a while. Last night I went to the show again. I saw Serpent of the Nile. I had seen it once before but I enjoyed seeing it again. It's nice to see a movie every night. They usually have good ones.
They ran out of beer in our beer parlor so we haven't had any for awhile. The old man put a stop to us having it in our tents anymore. They are stopping us from doing a lot of things like that.
I am glad to hear everything is going OK at the plant. Tell the boys hello for me. To bad they don't go on 6 days again or every other Sat.
There are a lot of jets flying around here on training flights. They come over here almost every afternoon and dive at some hills close by and then pull out of the dive and when they go over you can't hear them until they passed by. They really move fast.
I hope I get some mail from you today. We have mail delivered on Sunday. How is Snapper in school. Hope he is learning something. Has he started reading yet.
Did I tell you that when the Koreans get a letter from their people they read it a lot different than we do. They seem to chant it or something or sing it. When you get 2 or 3 of them reading them together it sounds weird. When I first heard them I thought they were singing or praying.
Well I guess I will stop for awhile and perhaps finish later this afternoon. May be I will get some mail from you. So far you letters come in good time and I usually get 2 letters at once. I still haven't received the package you sent to me when I was in Sasebo. So far I have received the following packages. Round Cookies, your birthday package, some date cookies, and some ginger cookies. They all have gotten here in good shape. So far I get more mail than anyone else around here. -------Well I finished dinner. We didn't have chicken we had steak. I haven't much moor of any thing to talk about. I have just been laying around taking it easy. I'll probably go to the show tonight. I'll write you a line and let you know the news later on.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Not much new here, everything is about the same. Last night was the coldest night we have had. I don't know what the temperature was but it was cold and damp. I slept warm in my sleeping bag and slept good.
I just got a letter from Jim yesterday. He didn't have much to say. I got up this morning and went to breakfast. They served the first meal in the new Quonset hut this morning. It sure is nice. It is set up almost like our mess hall in the states. There are two Quonset huts put together. I guess we will have turkey or chicken today. We usually have turkey and chicken twice a week. We had turkey Wed so will probably have chicken today.
Yesterday we had an inspection as usual and had the afternoon off. I didn't do much but lay around all afternoon. I washed some clothes out and have some clean clothes for a while. Last night I went to the show again. I saw Serpent of the Nile. I had seen it once before but I enjoyed seeing it again. It's nice to see a movie every night. They usually have good ones.
They ran out of beer in our beer parlor so we haven't had any for awhile. The old man put a stop to us having it in our tents anymore. They are stopping us from doing a lot of things like that.
I am glad to hear everything is going OK at the plant. Tell the boys hello for me. To bad they don't go on 6 days again or every other Sat.
There are a lot of jets flying around here on training flights. They come over here almost every afternoon and dive at some hills close by and then pull out of the dive and when they go over you can't hear them until they passed by. They really move fast.
I hope I get some mail from you today. We have mail delivered on Sunday. How is Snapper in school. Hope he is learning something. Has he started reading yet.
Did I tell you that when the Koreans get a letter from their people they read it a lot different than we do. They seem to chant it or something or sing it. When you get 2 or 3 of them reading them together it sounds weird. When I first heard them I thought they were singing or praying.
Well I guess I will stop for awhile and perhaps finish later this afternoon. May be I will get some mail from you. So far you letters come in good time and I usually get 2 letters at once. I still haven't received the package you sent to me when I was in Sasebo. So far I have received the following packages. Round Cookies, your birthday package, some date cookies, and some ginger cookies. They all have gotten here in good shape. So far I get more mail than anyone else around here. -------Well I finished dinner. We didn't have chicken we had steak. I haven't much moor of any thing to talk about. I have just been laying around taking it easy. I'll probably go to the show tonight. I'll write you a line and let you know the news later on.
Love, Ted
Sunday, April 17, 2011
October 9, 1953
Fri 9th Oct. 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got a letter and your package yesterday with my glasses, candles, and cookies. The cookies were sure good but as usual they didn't last long. I am set on candles now and I was sure glad to get my sun glasses. I have had them on all day. I could never wear them in basic.
Everything is about the same here. Yesterday afternoon we had a parade and last night I went to the show. This morning we trained and had another class with the mortar. This afternoon we see a ROCK demonstration on artillery.
Don't worry about me roughing it. It isn't as bad as you might think. We have showers in Quonset huts now and then, and this winter we will have our kitchen and chow hall in the new Quonset hut. They are almost finished with it. I think next week we will put floors in our tents and some oil stoves. So it wont be to bad.
I guess the lake looks a lot different after they dug it out.
I think I told you I got a birthday card from Jim and Margie. I guess Margie is back at her old job now. Do you ever talk to her. What have you heard from Jim. Well we go to lunch in a minute and we should get some mail too, so I guess I will close for now and I'll finish later --------Well we just got back. It was about 4 miles over and 4 miles back. I got a taste of some of those hills here. They are plenty steep and we just went over 2 small ones. I got 2 letters today mailed the 2nd and 3rd. I also got another one from Sipes. He is the only one of the boys address' I have. Did you ever find out what Zink's address is yet. How about sending me Bill Anawalts address and may be Newlands.
My package arrived in good shape. The cookies weren't broken a bit and just as fresh as the day you baked them. I still haven't got the package you sent to my old address. You don't have to send a package every week because I know it cost quite a bit to send them.
I think I wrote two letters to Virginia and Lowell. I sent one soon after I was here and another one about a week or 2 ago. Find out what their right address is. After I finish dinner I think I will go to the show again tonight. Well I guess I'll close for now and write tomorrow or Sunday.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got a letter and your package yesterday with my glasses, candles, and cookies. The cookies were sure good but as usual they didn't last long. I am set on candles now and I was sure glad to get my sun glasses. I have had them on all day. I could never wear them in basic.
Everything is about the same here. Yesterday afternoon we had a parade and last night I went to the show. This morning we trained and had another class with the mortar. This afternoon we see a ROCK demonstration on artillery.
Don't worry about me roughing it. It isn't as bad as you might think. We have showers in Quonset huts now and then, and this winter we will have our kitchen and chow hall in the new Quonset hut. They are almost finished with it. I think next week we will put floors in our tents and some oil stoves. So it wont be to bad.
I guess the lake looks a lot different after they dug it out.
I think I told you I got a birthday card from Jim and Margie. I guess Margie is back at her old job now. Do you ever talk to her. What have you heard from Jim. Well we go to lunch in a minute and we should get some mail too, so I guess I will close for now and I'll finish later --------Well we just got back. It was about 4 miles over and 4 miles back. I got a taste of some of those hills here. They are plenty steep and we just went over 2 small ones. I got 2 letters today mailed the 2nd and 3rd. I also got another one from Sipes. He is the only one of the boys address' I have. Did you ever find out what Zink's address is yet. How about sending me Bill Anawalts address and may be Newlands.
My package arrived in good shape. The cookies weren't broken a bit and just as fresh as the day you baked them. I still haven't got the package you sent to my old address. You don't have to send a package every week because I know it cost quite a bit to send them.
I think I wrote two letters to Virginia and Lowell. I sent one soon after I was here and another one about a week or 2 ago. Find out what their right address is. After I finish dinner I think I will go to the show again tonight. Well I guess I'll close for now and write tomorrow or Sunday.
Love, Ted
Saturday, April 16, 2011
October 6, 1953
Tuesday Oct 6, 1928
(note to reader - The above date is not a typo. Dad put it on the top of the letter because that was the date he was born and he wrote the letter on his birthday. He was just being funny)
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well today I am 25 years old. Sure doesn't seem like my birthday but I couldn't expect it to too much. I'll make up for it when I get home.
We heard the last of the Series today or I guess this morning. I guess the Yankees are winners again this year. I wonder if Brooklyn will ever win one.
I got a letter from Dad today telling about the Greenlease boy. I read about that in the Stars and Stripes. I think I told you that in one of my other letters.
Sunday night I had to guard the prisoner. I took him to the USO show. After that they had a movie. Small Town Girl. It was a good picture.
Yesterday the Mortar Sections from each company in our battalion started training with the mortars. I am glad because I didn't remember all of it. I guess most of the time now will be spent that way.
We went to the show last night and saw Redhead from Wyoming. It was a good western. We are going to have another tonight. The prisoner didn't get to go. I guess I am the only one who will take him.
We have to pack a field pack and pack all of our personal stuff in our duffel bag and our clothes etc and leave nothing laying around except our cots and tents. We will then turn in our duffel bags and march to an area a few miles away. It is just practice. I hate to have to pack a duffel bag. It is hard to get everything in it. Then we march back and get our duffel bags. We start about 6 tonight. They just want to keep us ready. I don't know much more.
We had classes again this morning and this afternoon.
I have been wondering if you get my letters as you never mention it in your letters. How long does it take to get mine. I got one Dad mailed the 29 Sept. It usually takes 5 to 7 days. Sometimes they come later. They probably get stacked up some place once in a while. I still haven't got the package you sent to Sasebo (my old address). Did you send one there? I should have had it by now because I have all the mail you sent there now. The date cookies I got the other day were sure good and so was the candy. I'll be glad when I get paid so I can by some candy or something to snack on. I have $1.40 besides the 5 you sent me. I hate to spend that. I may use that to send my pictures in. I like my billfold to. It sure is a pretty one. I needed one too. My other one was ruined by the chemicals they had in the fatigues. I don't know why they do that because they don't put any more in there now.
Well it is almost lunch time so I will close for now. I'll try to write a few more lines later today before we go on the march. Maybe I'll have more mail then.
Oct 7 I didn't get a chance to finish writing yesterday. We had what they call "Chiperee Sweepstakes". It is a course of about 2 miles. They have different stations set up along this 2 miles with different PT, throwing hand grenades, firing at targets, fixing weapons, telephone and radio operating and a lot of other things like that. They have so many possible points for each station, there are 700 points and 300 points for finishing in an hour and half. They have about 6 men from each company represent the company. They start them off and have this large scoreboard and as each man goes through a station they phone his score in and put it on the board. The other people just sit there and watch the score board. They play the radio, serve coffee and doughnuts. They had a band there too. It was fairly interesting. George Company took 2nd place in the test. We also had a man who made the highest score. After that was over we came back and ate and packed and hung our sleeping bags on the walls of the tents. Then we waited till about 9 PM and marched about 2 or 3 miles to a place and then came back. We had coffee and doughnuts when we got back.
This morning we had a little extra time off. So I finished writing. I got a letter from Carlen Talent. He wanted me to write him and tell him how to get here. He said he was going home in a month of two. I'll write him and tell him where I am but he may be to far away.
Well not much more to say now. I will write more later.
I got another letter from you this afternoon. It was mailed Sept 30. It had clippings of the Greenlease kidnapping. I would think you would get my mail OK. I write one almost everyday. I haven't had any more packages. I got a letter or rather a birthday card from Mr. and Mrs. Sears. She said Abe retired from the Post Office. If you ever talk to her tell her hello and try to find our what John and Lurk's address is in Chicago.
Sounds like JQ is a salesman. Tell him to write me a line when he gets a chance. It must be hot in KC this time of year. I haven't had a package Jim. Did you say he sent one? Tell Cecil that I got a letter from his boy and am going to write him. This afternoon we drilled about an hour and got the rest of the afternoon off. We are going to parade tomorrow in the Regt parade.
I guess I will close for now. I miss you and wish I could have been home for my birthday but I will make it up next year when I get home.
Love, Ted
(note to reader - The above date is not a typo. Dad put it on the top of the letter because that was the date he was born and he wrote the letter on his birthday. He was just being funny)
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well today I am 25 years old. Sure doesn't seem like my birthday but I couldn't expect it to too much. I'll make up for it when I get home.
We heard the last of the Series today or I guess this morning. I guess the Yankees are winners again this year. I wonder if Brooklyn will ever win one.
I got a letter from Dad today telling about the Greenlease boy. I read about that in the Stars and Stripes. I think I told you that in one of my other letters.
Sunday night I had to guard the prisoner. I took him to the USO show. After that they had a movie. Small Town Girl. It was a good picture.
Yesterday the Mortar Sections from each company in our battalion started training with the mortars. I am glad because I didn't remember all of it. I guess most of the time now will be spent that way.
We went to the show last night and saw Redhead from Wyoming. It was a good western. We are going to have another tonight. The prisoner didn't get to go. I guess I am the only one who will take him.
We have to pack a field pack and pack all of our personal stuff in our duffel bag and our clothes etc and leave nothing laying around except our cots and tents. We will then turn in our duffel bags and march to an area a few miles away. It is just practice. I hate to have to pack a duffel bag. It is hard to get everything in it. Then we march back and get our duffel bags. We start about 6 tonight. They just want to keep us ready. I don't know much more.
We had classes again this morning and this afternoon.
I have been wondering if you get my letters as you never mention it in your letters. How long does it take to get mine. I got one Dad mailed the 29 Sept. It usually takes 5 to 7 days. Sometimes they come later. They probably get stacked up some place once in a while. I still haven't got the package you sent to Sasebo (my old address). Did you send one there? I should have had it by now because I have all the mail you sent there now. The date cookies I got the other day were sure good and so was the candy. I'll be glad when I get paid so I can by some candy or something to snack on. I have $1.40 besides the 5 you sent me. I hate to spend that. I may use that to send my pictures in. I like my billfold to. It sure is a pretty one. I needed one too. My other one was ruined by the chemicals they had in the fatigues. I don't know why they do that because they don't put any more in there now.
Well it is almost lunch time so I will close for now. I'll try to write a few more lines later today before we go on the march. Maybe I'll have more mail then.
Oct 7 I didn't get a chance to finish writing yesterday. We had what they call "Chiperee Sweepstakes". It is a course of about 2 miles. They have different stations set up along this 2 miles with different PT, throwing hand grenades, firing at targets, fixing weapons, telephone and radio operating and a lot of other things like that. They have so many possible points for each station, there are 700 points and 300 points for finishing in an hour and half. They have about 6 men from each company represent the company. They start them off and have this large scoreboard and as each man goes through a station they phone his score in and put it on the board. The other people just sit there and watch the score board. They play the radio, serve coffee and doughnuts. They had a band there too. It was fairly interesting. George Company took 2nd place in the test. We also had a man who made the highest score. After that was over we came back and ate and packed and hung our sleeping bags on the walls of the tents. Then we waited till about 9 PM and marched about 2 or 3 miles to a place and then came back. We had coffee and doughnuts when we got back.
This morning we had a little extra time off. So I finished writing. I got a letter from Carlen Talent. He wanted me to write him and tell him how to get here. He said he was going home in a month of two. I'll write him and tell him where I am but he may be to far away.
Well not much more to say now. I will write more later.
I got another letter from you this afternoon. It was mailed Sept 30. It had clippings of the Greenlease kidnapping. I would think you would get my mail OK. I write one almost everyday. I haven't had any more packages. I got a letter or rather a birthday card from Mr. and Mrs. Sears. She said Abe retired from the Post Office. If you ever talk to her tell her hello and try to find our what John and Lurk's address is in Chicago.
Sounds like JQ is a salesman. Tell him to write me a line when he gets a chance. It must be hot in KC this time of year. I haven't had a package Jim. Did you say he sent one? Tell Cecil that I got a letter from his boy and am going to write him. This afternoon we drilled about an hour and got the rest of the afternoon off. We are going to parade tomorrow in the Regt parade.
I guess I will close for now. I miss you and wish I could have been home for my birthday but I will make it up next year when I get home.
Love, Ted
Friday, April 15, 2011
October 4, 1953
Sunday Oct 4, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
How are things at home. I just finished lunch. I had fried chicken. It tasted good but not like you use to fix at home. I got 2 letters from you and a package. The letters were mailed the 27 and 28.
I am glad you had Jim and Rosalyn out and you like them OK. How is JQ and Marlyn and baby. Did you tell JQ I wanted a picture of him and the baby. Don't worry about how long it will take them to send the boots. I probably wont need them till spring. We will wear our thermos mostly now. I didn't know they weighed that much. I haven't opened the box I got today. It is post marked Sept 17. Took longer to get here then the others you sent. I don't know why.
How did my violin sound that Roslyn played. I doubt it is worth $300. It might be if some one wanted it.
If Richard comes to Korea be sure and give him my address. Did I tell you I was on Route 3 north of a little village called Po-Chan. It may not be the way it is spelled. but that is the way it sounds.. I am about 15 miles from there. Tell him it is not near as bad here as he probably thinks.
I don't know what I said to you about a school. Every once in a while they have a school about something. They have a leadership school but they call it NCO school. I would like to go to it. You come out a stripe higher than what you have when you go to it. I would probably be a corporal. I am eligible for Private First Class now. If they put me in for it. It just means more money per month. It is better than school leadership in the states. Those guys don't even get PFC. They only send about 2 out of the company for each class. May be I can go before long.
I read in the Stars and Stripes paper about the Greenlease kid being kidnapped. Haven't seen anymore about it. They have been broadcasting the Series here about 3 AM. Then they repeat it in the afternoon. I haven't heard any of it. I guess now it is 2 games to 1. May be Brooklyn will win this year but I doubt it.
Well guess I will open my package and go to another USO show. Roy Acuff is here at 2 PM. It's a western show. He is popular in the states and I use to hear him. I will write later when I come back.
Well I opened your package. The cookies were sure good, so was the candy. I haven't had any candy like that for a long time. I went to the USO show. It was Roy Acuff and the Grand'ole Opera show. Moon Mullican was there too. I use to listen to him play a piano and sing at home. I saw him one time at the Grand'ole Opera show at the Ivanhoe Temple with Hand Williams once. It was sure hot there in the sun. They usually have the same show again in the evening. I may go again and see it over.
Our Platoon Leader left this morning to go back to the states. He was 1st Leu. He was nice. I talked to him quite a bit. He had been in KC before and he asked me about different places. He was 24 years old. Most of the guys are 21 and 22. My hair is getting thinner in front. I hope I am not bald win I get home. He use to kid me about my hair. His hair is thin like mine in front. I don't know who we will have now. We got a new platoon sgt the other day. He is called Soilder and has been in the army a number of years. Dad knows the kind I mean. Our company commander is a nice guy. He is about 30 years old and has been in for a long time. He reminds me of some one back home the way he talks and acts but I can't figure out who yet. He is smart and talks quite like. Well I can't think of much more to say so I will close for now. I'll write again soon.
Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
How are things at home. I just finished lunch. I had fried chicken. It tasted good but not like you use to fix at home. I got 2 letters from you and a package. The letters were mailed the 27 and 28.
I am glad you had Jim and Rosalyn out and you like them OK. How is JQ and Marlyn and baby. Did you tell JQ I wanted a picture of him and the baby. Don't worry about how long it will take them to send the boots. I probably wont need them till spring. We will wear our thermos mostly now. I didn't know they weighed that much. I haven't opened the box I got today. It is post marked Sept 17. Took longer to get here then the others you sent. I don't know why.
How did my violin sound that Roslyn played. I doubt it is worth $300. It might be if some one wanted it.
If Richard comes to Korea be sure and give him my address. Did I tell you I was on Route 3 north of a little village called Po-Chan. It may not be the way it is spelled. but that is the way it sounds.. I am about 15 miles from there. Tell him it is not near as bad here as he probably thinks.
I don't know what I said to you about a school. Every once in a while they have a school about something. They have a leadership school but they call it NCO school. I would like to go to it. You come out a stripe higher than what you have when you go to it. I would probably be a corporal. I am eligible for Private First Class now. If they put me in for it. It just means more money per month. It is better than school leadership in the states. Those guys don't even get PFC. They only send about 2 out of the company for each class. May be I can go before long.
I read in the Stars and Stripes paper about the Greenlease kid being kidnapped. Haven't seen anymore about it. They have been broadcasting the Series here about 3 AM. Then they repeat it in the afternoon. I haven't heard any of it. I guess now it is 2 games to 1. May be Brooklyn will win this year but I doubt it.
Well guess I will open my package and go to another USO show. Roy Acuff is here at 2 PM. It's a western show. He is popular in the states and I use to hear him. I will write later when I come back.
Well I opened your package. The cookies were sure good, so was the candy. I haven't had any candy like that for a long time. I went to the USO show. It was Roy Acuff and the Grand'ole Opera show. Moon Mullican was there too. I use to listen to him play a piano and sing at home. I saw him one time at the Grand'ole Opera show at the Ivanhoe Temple with Hand Williams once. It was sure hot there in the sun. They usually have the same show again in the evening. I may go again and see it over.
Our Platoon Leader left this morning to go back to the states. He was 1st Leu. He was nice. I talked to him quite a bit. He had been in KC before and he asked me about different places. He was 24 years old. Most of the guys are 21 and 22. My hair is getting thinner in front. I hope I am not bald win I get home. He use to kid me about my hair. His hair is thin like mine in front. I don't know who we will have now. We got a new platoon sgt the other day. He is called Soilder and has been in the army a number of years. Dad knows the kind I mean. Our company commander is a nice guy. He is about 30 years old and has been in for a long time. He reminds me of some one back home the way he talks and acts but I can't figure out who yet. He is smart and talks quite like. Well I can't think of much more to say so I will close for now. I'll write again soon.
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