Mar 11, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got a letter from Dad today (Mar 5) Glad to hear everything is OK at the plant. Glad you like the pictures I have been sending. I should have some more to send in another 10 days. So Sam Coomer is an instructor on the lie. Tell him he had better take care of his job because I a getting some experience in that kind of work. Just joking, but tell him hello for me anyway.
How come the sudden interest in Judo. I don't know to much about it but I know enough to take care of myself. The main thing is to hit first. I got a kick out of you getting up to go to work. I remember the time JQ and I set the alarm clock under the bed. I think it was on New Years eve. (note: this is a story that was often told. Dad and his cousin set an alarm clock under the bed that my grandfather and his brother in law were sleeping in, I suspect because they were a little drunk and their wives were mad at them. The alarm went off about 3 in the morning and my grandfather and uncle started yelling and cussing trying to crawl under the bed to turn it off.)
I got a box of cookies today. (in a can) They were chocolate chip and were sure good.
We had our bayonet class today and it went OK. Lt Wheeler the 4th Platoon leader gave the class. Afterward he asked me how it went according to the Method of Instruction. I told him OK. He came to the company when I was in school in Eta Jima. He is airborne and from Kentucky. He reminds me a lot of Ronnie Wheeler only he is not as dark complected. (note: the Wheelers lived up the street and I grew up with the younger cousins.)
It has been cloud today and it is trying to rain now. We had an inspection tonight at 4:30 as usual. Captain Book inspected the 4th Platoon. He takes turns each night. He asked me tonight where my home was. I told him KCMO. Then he asked me what kind of work my father did. I told him you were a supervisor at Westinghouse. That is all he said. He has been bothering me why he asked. If he asks anything it is usually about the army. I can't figure out why he asked. I felt like asking him why but I didn't. (note: having inspected soldiers in rank I know that you get tired of asking the same old questions all the time. He was just letting the troops know he cared about them, it is an army thing.)
Not much more news about moving yet. Some rumors. When I learn something new I'll let you know. Well I'll write tomorrow. Hope Snapper's mumps are OK now.
Lots of Love, Ted
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
March 10, 1954
March 10, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I told you in my last letter that I was mailing some film to you but I think I am going to give it to my platoon Sgt. He is going on R&R and he said he would take it for me. I got the film back fro the mail man and I am going to give it to Sgt Josephson. It will be better that way.
I got three letters from you today, Mar 2, 3, and 4 and one from Bill Anawalt.
I read in the Stars and Stripes about the Puerto Ricans causing all the trouble and shooting up the Senate. We have some Puerto Ricans her in our company. The Mexicans and Puerto Ricans are always fighting among one another. I don't like the Porto Ricans very much. Some are OK. I get along good with the Mexicans. You should hear them talk when they get together along with the ROCKs. Sometimes I wonder if I am in the French Foreign Legion or something like it.
I hope Snapper gets over the mumps OK. I thought he had them one time. I sent another patch i the last letter. Hope he keeps all I send and puts them on a jacket. (note: I did.) I see some of the USO show people ware jackets with all the patches on them. They are different.
We are a little ways from the front where we are. If we went up there we would be right on the line and pull guard and build bunkers and trenches etc. The company commander (Capt Book) told us today we were moving for sure and it would be between now and April 15. The Regt will be split up. Each Bn will have a different place and George Company has a special assignment. We are going to guard the tungsten mines north of Pusan and pull train guard between the mines and Pusan. The Red gorillas have been blowing up the trains etc. It should be interesting and different. They say they may close the mines so we might not get to do it. Anyway we will be garrison soldiers now rather than field combat.
I will let you know how the cookies are when I get them in the regular mail. They should be OK if they are wrapped up good. Some of the guys get theirs and some are good and others are not. We may be gone from here before I get them.
Glad you liked the picture I sent. I'll have some more before long. I think I will stay here and not transfer for awhile. I made cpl and I think I will wait till my move and see what kind of deal we get. We should have better living conditions there and it will be OK I think. If we guard the mines we will be a way from the rest of the Regt and will not be harassed so much. They say we will search all civilian employees etc.
I thought about sending you a t-pot but didn't know if you would like it or not. I have seen them They have complete sets. They are not expensive either. I still plan on going on R&R in April. Each outfit has a different quota for sending the guys on R&R. Some get to go every three or four months but most line companies only go once on the tour of duty over here. The guys have been going after they have been here 8 months. I am going in about 7. I am not in to much of a hurry to go as I just came back. I may go twice while I am here. I would sure like to go to Hong Kong China. But very few get to go there.
It was OK if Marlyn didn't write Simonie. He likes to write girls but I told him and he said it was OK.
We didn't do much today. I went out and fired this afternoon. The Lt said that the moving may mess things up some. He said that he is trying to get all the men on the rifle team TDY (temporary duty) if Col Sternburg says it is OK. We will do nothing but be a rifle team and be all together and get to fire everyday. It will be a good deal. I hope it goes through OK. He said if we get the team going we will be going to Okinawa and Japan to compete.
Tomorrow we are going to have a class on the bayonet. I am going to be the assistant instructor and demonstrator for the officer giving the class. I will demonstrate different movements and positions for using the bayonet. We are having classes on bayonet and riot control, etc.
Well don't have much more to say so I will close, I'll write you again tomorrow.
Lots of Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I told you in my last letter that I was mailing some film to you but I think I am going to give it to my platoon Sgt. He is going on R&R and he said he would take it for me. I got the film back fro the mail man and I am going to give it to Sgt Josephson. It will be better that way.
I got three letters from you today, Mar 2, 3, and 4 and one from Bill Anawalt.
I read in the Stars and Stripes about the Puerto Ricans causing all the trouble and shooting up the Senate. We have some Puerto Ricans her in our company. The Mexicans and Puerto Ricans are always fighting among one another. I don't like the Porto Ricans very much. Some are OK. I get along good with the Mexicans. You should hear them talk when they get together along with the ROCKs. Sometimes I wonder if I am in the French Foreign Legion or something like it.
I hope Snapper gets over the mumps OK. I thought he had them one time. I sent another patch i the last letter. Hope he keeps all I send and puts them on a jacket. (note: I did.) I see some of the USO show people ware jackets with all the patches on them. They are different.
We are a little ways from the front where we are. If we went up there we would be right on the line and pull guard and build bunkers and trenches etc. The company commander (Capt Book) told us today we were moving for sure and it would be between now and April 15. The Regt will be split up. Each Bn will have a different place and George Company has a special assignment. We are going to guard the tungsten mines north of Pusan and pull train guard between the mines and Pusan. The Red gorillas have been blowing up the trains etc. It should be interesting and different. They say they may close the mines so we might not get to do it. Anyway we will be garrison soldiers now rather than field combat.
I will let you know how the cookies are when I get them in the regular mail. They should be OK if they are wrapped up good. Some of the guys get theirs and some are good and others are not. We may be gone from here before I get them.
Glad you liked the picture I sent. I'll have some more before long. I think I will stay here and not transfer for awhile. I made cpl and I think I will wait till my move and see what kind of deal we get. We should have better living conditions there and it will be OK I think. If we guard the mines we will be a way from the rest of the Regt and will not be harassed so much. They say we will search all civilian employees etc.
I thought about sending you a t-pot but didn't know if you would like it or not. I have seen them They have complete sets. They are not expensive either. I still plan on going on R&R in April. Each outfit has a different quota for sending the guys on R&R. Some get to go every three or four months but most line companies only go once on the tour of duty over here. The guys have been going after they have been here 8 months. I am going in about 7. I am not in to much of a hurry to go as I just came back. I may go twice while I am here. I would sure like to go to Hong Kong China. But very few get to go there.
It was OK if Marlyn didn't write Simonie. He likes to write girls but I told him and he said it was OK.
We didn't do much today. I went out and fired this afternoon. The Lt said that the moving may mess things up some. He said that he is trying to get all the men on the rifle team TDY (temporary duty) if Col Sternburg says it is OK. We will do nothing but be a rifle team and be all together and get to fire everyday. It will be a good deal. I hope it goes through OK. He said if we get the team going we will be going to Okinawa and Japan to compete.
Tomorrow we are going to have a class on the bayonet. I am going to be the assistant instructor and demonstrator for the officer giving the class. I will demonstrate different movements and positions for using the bayonet. We are having classes on bayonet and riot control, etc.
Well don't have much more to say so I will close, I'll write you again tomorrow.
Lots of Love, Ted
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
march 9, 1954
March 9. 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
We finished our overnight problem this morning about noon and came back this afternoon. It was cold last night but not to bad today. I hope this is our last overnight problem. I am sure tired of them.
I mailed you two rolls of film tonight, you can get them developed and keep the negatives. Just get one print each and mail them back to me a little at a time. No need to send them all at once. I will write on them as to what they are and then send them back. No hurry it would take to much postage to send them. There are some pictures I took in Japan and here in our company area and on the 10 mile hike we took the other day.
Guthmiller got back from R&R today , he spent $225 in 7 days. while he was there, he sent $100 worth of Natakee China home. He sent 3 sets of it and it only cost $100. I think I could send one good set home for less than that.
I don't know what we are going to do tomorrow. I think itnthe afternoon we are going out and fire again. A fellow told me the other day that he had heard I was pretty good with and M-1. I asked where he heard that and he said Lt Anderson told him. He is the officer in charge of the men trying for the team. If I can shoot a good target tomorrow I'll send it to you.
I didn't get any mail today. It will probably come in tomorrow some time.
Captain Book asked me if you mailed some Xmas presents for the Korean Children. I told him you did. He said to thank you for it. Well I guess I'll close for now. I will write again tomorrow.
Lots of Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
We finished our overnight problem this morning about noon and came back this afternoon. It was cold last night but not to bad today. I hope this is our last overnight problem. I am sure tired of them.
I mailed you two rolls of film tonight, you can get them developed and keep the negatives. Just get one print each and mail them back to me a little at a time. No need to send them all at once. I will write on them as to what they are and then send them back. No hurry it would take to much postage to send them. There are some pictures I took in Japan and here in our company area and on the 10 mile hike we took the other day.
Guthmiller got back from R&R today , he spent $225 in 7 days. while he was there, he sent $100 worth of Natakee China home. He sent 3 sets of it and it only cost $100. I think I could send one good set home for less than that.
I don't know what we are going to do tomorrow. I think itnthe afternoon we are going out and fire again. A fellow told me the other day that he had heard I was pretty good with and M-1. I asked where he heard that and he said Lt Anderson told him. He is the officer in charge of the men trying for the team. If I can shoot a good target tomorrow I'll send it to you.
I didn't get any mail today. It will probably come in tomorrow some time.
Captain Book asked me if you mailed some Xmas presents for the Korean Children. I told him you did. He said to thank you for it. Well I guess I'll close for now. I will write again tomorrow.
Lots of Love, Ted
Monday, September 5, 2011
March 8, 1954
Monday March 8, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
We are going on a overnight problem today. I thought I would write you a line before I go. We are going to leave about 3 PM. Just finished dinner. It is cold and cloudy today. The wind seems to cut right through you. It will be cold tonight but we have plenty of clothes to keep us warm. We will be back sometime tomorrow. Probably around noon.
I don't know to much news. I saw a good picture last night in the mess hall. It was the picture you told me about, "From Here to Eternity."
That was one of the best pictures I have seen in a long time. It is a good example of the army in some ways and the type of men in an outfit. (note: there you are from a guy who lived during that period.) The picture was supposed to have taken place in Hawaii at Scofield Barracks. That is the place the 5th RCT was before they came to Korea. That is the place we will go back to if they move to Hawaii. Did you notice that in the picture it was about G Company. The army is not a whole lot like that now because there are so many draftees, but it some units were there are a lot of RA (Regular Army) they are a lot like that. The 5th has always been made up of RA. It isn't any more because of the war. We have quite a few RA that have from 7 to 12 years in the army. They sure can be mean when they want too. There is another picture out about the army that is supposed to be good called "Take the High Ground." It is about a basic training out fit. If you see it let me know.
Well don't have much more. I'll write again when I get back.
Lots of Love, Ted
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Greetings
If by chance this is the first time you have stumbled across this blog perhaps an explanation is in order.
My dad, Teddy Stone McAnally was drafted in December of 1952. He like many of his generation was not eager to go, but back then the alternatives and consequences of not going were socially unacceptable and more criminal than now. He went albeit a reluctant warrior.
He mailed my grandmother, his mother, a letter almost everyday while he was in the army and she seems to have kept them all. He later went through them and put them in chronological order and upon his death bequeathed them to me.
They sat around my house for a few years with out me looking them over until I retired. I began to read them and found them interesting from several view points. One, I was able to gain some insight into what he was thinking about and how he looked at things when he was a 24 and 25 year old man. I got a little feeling about how it must have been to be swept into a conflict a world away that he had no idea why it was happening and how the army operated back then. He also provided some social history of Korea during the occupation, how the GI's felt and what he thought about things going on back home. There were also some family matters that given his perspective then became more clear to me today.
A friend of mine kept encouraging me to start a blog based on something similar he had read about concerning WW I from a guy in England. The task seemed a little daunting but eventually I got my grandson to help me figure out how to blog so I began.
The first few entries are a little confusing because some of the letters if read as posted are not in order, but I eventually got the hang of it and later on even posted some pictures. I decided not to do any editing so what is read is what was and how it was written. Dad though pretty smart was not a literary giant.
So there you are. Probably the only ones that may find any of what dad wrote will be family members and some hardcore social and military historians, but they are a treasure to me.
My dad, Teddy Stone McAnally was drafted in December of 1952. He like many of his generation was not eager to go, but back then the alternatives and consequences of not going were socially unacceptable and more criminal than now. He went albeit a reluctant warrior.
He mailed my grandmother, his mother, a letter almost everyday while he was in the army and she seems to have kept them all. He later went through them and put them in chronological order and upon his death bequeathed them to me.
They sat around my house for a few years with out me looking them over until I retired. I began to read them and found them interesting from several view points. One, I was able to gain some insight into what he was thinking about and how he looked at things when he was a 24 and 25 year old man. I got a little feeling about how it must have been to be swept into a conflict a world away that he had no idea why it was happening and how the army operated back then. He also provided some social history of Korea during the occupation, how the GI's felt and what he thought about things going on back home. There were also some family matters that given his perspective then became more clear to me today.
A friend of mine kept encouraging me to start a blog based on something similar he had read about concerning WW I from a guy in England. The task seemed a little daunting but eventually I got my grandson to help me figure out how to blog so I began.
The first few entries are a little confusing because some of the letters if read as posted are not in order, but I eventually got the hang of it and later on even posted some pictures. I decided not to do any editing so what is read is what was and how it was written. Dad though pretty smart was not a literary giant.
So there you are. Probably the only ones that may find any of what dad wrote will be family members and some hardcore social and military historians, but they are a treasure to me.
March 7, 1954
Sunday March 7, 1954
How is everything at home. I got a letter today, March 1. It was the one that you mailed after you got my letter I wrote back in the company. Yes, I have been in Korea 6 months today. I hope I have to stay over six months more if that long. I am not a squad leader now and I feel that the guys who took over the squad leader jobs deserved it over me especially when I was just a PFC. I would expect a cpls job if I were to go to another outfit now. That's the way the army does things. I still made cpl and I will get the job back as soon as there is an opening.
I would think you would have got more than $130 back for claiming Snapper. Let me know when you find out about my tax return. You will get about 77 dollars a month now for Sapper instead of 51.30. Let me know about that too. You should get it for the month of March whenever you get that check and if you don't it should be on the next month. You should get the back pay also. I should get around$135 myself. I may start an allotment for $50 to send you to save. I don't know yet.
The pearls I saw in Japan are what they call cultured or cultivated pearls. They are real pearls o they make them by putting something i the oysters and putting them back i the waster and leave them. I don't know whether you want them or not.
There isn't much hurry about sending any money yet for I can't go on R&R till April and I may put it off till May. It will be nice then. I'll let you know.
I have about $60 saved up now and I'll and I'll have a $100 payday to go with it.
I don't know much more about moving. The place I told you about is where they had the red prisoners. If we go down there we will be doing guard, PT, and drill. We will most likely have better living conditions. I heard today that we are going back there to go to Hawaii. I don't think there is much to that. If we leave Korea we will most likely go there. In a couple of months we should we should know something.
Today has been nice but a little cold. We went out and fired today for zero and practice for the rifle team. I hope I ca make it. In time they will pick 10 men for the team. I think I have a good chance to make it.
Semonie went out today with me. I read in the 5RCT paper that I sent you that they have a Christian Science service over here someplace in the Regt, Target Chapel. I don't know where it is but I might go some Sunday. I haven't been to church since I have been over here. I should go I guess. I thought you might like to read the paper I sent. It tells about the Boy's Town and 5th RCT history.
Well don't have much more to say for now, so I will close. I will write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
How is everything at home. I got a letter today, March 1. It was the one that you mailed after you got my letter I wrote back in the company. Yes, I have been in Korea 6 months today. I hope I have to stay over six months more if that long. I am not a squad leader now and I feel that the guys who took over the squad leader jobs deserved it over me especially when I was just a PFC. I would expect a cpls job if I were to go to another outfit now. That's the way the army does things. I still made cpl and I will get the job back as soon as there is an opening.
I would think you would have got more than $130 back for claiming Snapper. Let me know when you find out about my tax return. You will get about 77 dollars a month now for Sapper instead of 51.30. Let me know about that too. You should get it for the month of March whenever you get that check and if you don't it should be on the next month. You should get the back pay also. I should get around$135 myself. I may start an allotment for $50 to send you to save. I don't know yet.
The pearls I saw in Japan are what they call cultured or cultivated pearls. They are real pearls o they make them by putting something i the oysters and putting them back i the waster and leave them. I don't know whether you want them or not.
There isn't much hurry about sending any money yet for I can't go on R&R till April and I may put it off till May. It will be nice then. I'll let you know.
I have about $60 saved up now and I'll and I'll have a $100 payday to go with it.
I don't know much more about moving. The place I told you about is where they had the red prisoners. If we go down there we will be doing guard, PT, and drill. We will most likely have better living conditions. I heard today that we are going back there to go to Hawaii. I don't think there is much to that. If we leave Korea we will most likely go there. In a couple of months we should we should know something.
Today has been nice but a little cold. We went out and fired today for zero and practice for the rifle team. I hope I ca make it. In time they will pick 10 men for the team. I think I have a good chance to make it.
Semonie went out today with me. I read in the 5RCT paper that I sent you that they have a Christian Science service over here someplace in the Regt, Target Chapel. I don't know where it is but I might go some Sunday. I haven't been to church since I have been over here. I should go I guess. I thought you might like to read the paper I sent. It tells about the Boy's Town and 5th RCT history.
Well don't have much more to say for now, so I will close. I will write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
Monday, August 29, 2011
March 6, 1954
Saturday Mar 6, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got a box today from you. It had the pecan delights, Carmel's, and rum and maple. I am smoking the rum and maple and eating the candy. I sure enjoy everything. That sure is good candy.
Haven't done much of anything. We had a parade this morning. We also had an inspection yesterday in ranks. I hadn't had my stripes sewed on yet. He told me the next time he saw me that he wanted to see them on. So last night I sewed them on my field jacket.
Word came today that we are moving the first of April to three different places. The Regt will be split up. The places are Pusan, Kojedo, Chge-do. Kojedo is right off the coast of Pusan. Chge-do is along somewhere there too. I am not sure how they will spell that name. It is pronounced Cheayes-do. I don't know where we will be moving to. In fact I am just going to forget it till we move. They may change it or anything.
Today we had anyone go out for the Regt rifle team who wanted to. I thought I would try out for it. They did not fire today just talked to us. One of our Lt is in charge of the team or the men trying for it. We go out tomorrow and fire. I hope I can make the team. It will be a good deal. If everything goes OK they may go against other teams in the Far East, Japan, etc. and later on in August or Sept go to the National meat in Ohio. They want people who will be here till October or after so it s just right for me. That would be a nice trip to before I go home. I could have time to stop in KC on the way to Ohio. But that is a long way off. They said this morning might slow things up a bit. We will probably fire quite a bit for several weeks before they pick the team. I should be able to make it if I fire like I did in basic. It has been quite awhile since I shot for record.
The letter I got today was the one you wrote in the car on the way down town. Well not much to news. The sun is shining and it is warm in the sun but the wind is cold. Will write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I got a box today from you. It had the pecan delights, Carmel's, and rum and maple. I am smoking the rum and maple and eating the candy. I sure enjoy everything. That sure is good candy.
Haven't done much of anything. We had a parade this morning. We also had an inspection yesterday in ranks. I hadn't had my stripes sewed on yet. He told me the next time he saw me that he wanted to see them on. So last night I sewed them on my field jacket.
Word came today that we are moving the first of April to three different places. The Regt will be split up. The places are Pusan, Kojedo, Chge-do. Kojedo is right off the coast of Pusan. Chge-do is along somewhere there too. I am not sure how they will spell that name. It is pronounced Cheayes-do. I don't know where we will be moving to. In fact I am just going to forget it till we move. They may change it or anything.
Today we had anyone go out for the Regt rifle team who wanted to. I thought I would try out for it. They did not fire today just talked to us. One of our Lt is in charge of the team or the men trying for it. We go out tomorrow and fire. I hope I can make the team. It will be a good deal. If everything goes OK they may go against other teams in the Far East, Japan, etc. and later on in August or Sept go to the National meat in Ohio. They want people who will be here till October or after so it s just right for me. That would be a nice trip to before I go home. I could have time to stop in KC on the way to Ohio. But that is a long way off. They said this morning might slow things up a bit. We will probably fire quite a bit for several weeks before they pick the team. I should be able to make it if I fire like I did in basic. It has been quite awhile since I shot for record.
The letter I got today was the one you wrote in the car on the way down town. Well not much to news. The sun is shining and it is warm in the sun but the wind is cold. Will write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
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