April 14, 1954

Wed April 14, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

It sure has been nice today and for the past few days. Tonight I am on guard.  Sgt Walker went to the hospital so Lt Wheeler picked me for Cpl of the guard.  I have the third relief which isn't to bad.  Today I got ready for inspection.  We also have a rifle inspection.  We are by the ocean and our weapons rust fairly easy.  It sure is a job keeping them clean.  We have PT every morning.  We get more here than we had up north.  I think they want to keep us in shape.

Did I tell you we have 3 barbers for the company.  It cost us 40 Won each time which is less than 25 cents.  I get one about every 4 days before I go on guard.  I had a boy give me some lip today so I took him to the Sgt for extra detail.  He will be digging all day tomorrow.  Yesterday they posted the rotation list up.  I rotate Dec 20.  It can vary 14 days either way.  But I look to go before then.  Yesterday Arkie came over and spend the day.  He sure has gained weight 225 now.  He used to weigh 187 when he was home.  He didn't have much to say.  He goes home July.  I may go down and spend a few days with him.  I bet I eat good there.  He is a cook.  We took some pictures.  When I get them back I'll send you one.

Last night I went to town for the first time.  It sure is dirty.  The bars sell state side canned beer for almost $1 and can and we can buy if from the army for 15 cents.  I went with Sgt Wood, 57 Section Leader.  We went to a GI operated club.  It was a nice place.  Snack bar, beer, etc.  It cost $3 to join.  Monday night I went to the show and saw Calamity Jane with Doris Day and Howard Keel.  That's about that is new here.



I got you letters late about Adams making superintendent.  That was a good deal.  I knew he worked for it.  I sure couldn't see Sam Comer as a Foreman.  I remember the time when he got mad at an instructor that his wife worked for.  He is a good worker anyway.  I can just see Adams in his office.  I got your box of cookies Monday night.  The box with the candy bars.  I sure enjoyed them.  Glad to hear Mr Sears is OK now.  Hope he gets along now.  Have you heard any more about the 5th on the TV story.  You probably will.  I sure didn't expect you to pay for my boots or the 50 dollars.  I planned to pay for all of that.  Thanks a lot anyway.

I got 3 letters tonight and a C.S Sentinel.  The mail doesnt' come to much in order.  Tonight I got 3 letters, Ap 8 and 5.  It takes about the same time to get them, let me know about my letters.  The mail leaves every morning at 8am and the mail man take it to the PO at Pusan everyday and picks up the mail.  We get it about 6pm. 

I guess they haven't stared raising the allotment yet.  Before we moved I signed a new one for $77.10.  They asked who it went to and I gave you name.  I don't know what the outcome will be.  It would be nice if you would  I'll help if you ever do.  Glad you and Marian are OK now.  I got Snapper's Easter card.  I forgot about Easter "Happy Easter" to all of you.  I didn't remember what day it is.  Must be the 18the.  Still don't know about R&R yet.  Haven't got any packages  you spoke about for Easter.  Our address is the same at it was up north.  Just wish I was moving back to the state soon.  I miss all of you and being home too.  I look to be home before Christmas.  We wont be in Masan very long.  Don't know where we will go.  Probably one of two places.  To the states or somewhere around the Far East.  I got some pictures developed at the PX.  They didn't do a very good job.

Well lots of love.  Will write soon
Love, Ted

April 11, 1954

Sun  April 11, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

It has been raining almost all day.  Sure is wet out.  Yesterday we had inspection like we have every Sat.  4th platoon had guard yesterday too.  I had the main gate.  It was a good post.  I hope I can get it every time we have guard but I probably wont.  I went on guard at 6pm and had 2 hours of guard and 4 hours off for 24 hours.  I only had 8 hours of guard.  I went on today about from 12 noon till 2pm for my last time. 

I have been sewing clothes this afternoon and evening.  Just finished. 

This morning Arkie called me.  He had my letter already.  Just took a couple of days.  He said he was going to come over today but didn't have any train transportation.  His company commander is coming over to Masan Tuesday so he said he was going to come over with him.  He will probably come over.  He asked me to come over and stay for a week if I could. 

I got a letter from dad.  Said he had a new general foreman.  You didn't say what happened to Adams.  I don't know if I missed one of your letters or not.  I remember Jack Rambo.

Captain Book sure has changed a lot.  Guess now that we have it better he is going to be more army.  Told us yesterday that (in formation after the inspection) that he didn't have to get along with anyone except his wife and she wasn't here.  They have been giving passes out.  I haven't been to town yet because the guys say there isn't much in town except the PX etc.  I think I will go in one night and look around though.  I sent off while back for a blocked hat in the state.  Everyone wants one now.  



The R&R rotation has been slow.  No one has gone since the middle of March.  Some of the guys went yesterday and they sent them back today.  No transportation from Pusan or something so I will be a while yet.

I got you money order OK, think that will be plenty as I will get paid most likely before I go on R&R anyway.  I am glad you found the mahogany dye and polish.  You can ship some in a package when you send it.  I am out of dye now.  I have polish to last though.

I took a picture of the house girl yesterday.  When I get the pictures back I'll send you one.  I haven't taken any color pictures yet and I  have only went a few.  You got the one I sent I think. I bought a roll of color film and I haven't taken any pictures yet.  So it will be a while yet.

Glad to hear you and Marian made up OK.  Just never seemed right that you and Marian should be un friendly to one another.  I don't know what Margie wants to bother you for.  It seems funny to me.  Jim says she owes him money and Margie says that she signed a note for him.  She should know better.  I haven't heard from Margie for quite awhile.  I got a card from her when I cam back from Japan.  It was a "why don't you write" card and the other day I got a silly written note form he with her picture.  I still haven't written her.  I thought I might have Sgt Wood from my section leader write a letter for me for kicks.  Everyone writes different letter like that to different people.  Simonie writes to a lot of girls that fellow give him.  Some of the girls are ugly, they send pictures back to him.  They are the kind that are looking for a husband.  You should see some of the pictures.  Most are fat and ugly.  He really gets disgusted.

Well that's about it. Guess I'll be painting tomorrow.  I'll write you tomorrow.
Lots of Love, Ted

April 8, 1954

Thurs  Apr 8, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got your letter today.  I got the money order OK.  Glad you sent for the boots OK.  Thanks a lot.  I had planned on paying for the boots though.  Guess Snapper is to little for the boots yet.  I don't know much new .  We got a pair of fatigues today.  I have plenty of clothes including t-shirts etc. 

I was called over to the orderly room this eve.  The 1st Sgt asked me if I knew a Beryle Lee Webb.  I told him.  I told him.  He said his company commander had written to me that I could stay there on a leave for as long as a week.  At the same time I got a letter from Arkie asking me to come visit him in Pusan.  He only has 90 days left to go over here.  I guess I'll get a pass some weekend and go over.  He doesn't  know I am in Masan yet.  He sent a picture of himself, he has gained some weight.  He is a cook where he s.  I haven't heard anymore about R&R yet.  I can probably go this month but think I will put if off till May if I can.

Well don't know much more so will close.  Still painting etc.  Have guard Sat
(note:  Dad did not sign this letter.)

April 7, 1954

Wed April 7, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well another day.  I painted signs etc again today and that's all for the work.  The house girl washed my clothes today.  Did a good job.  I went to the show tonight and saw.  I bought some film and starch and soap etc.  Then I went to the show and saw some Martin and Lewis film called Money from Home.  It was a good show.

They have a truck here and it stops at the PX in town and then goes to the main base after.  They call it Masan Square Garden.  It is a big gym with wooden benches.  So far I like it OK here.  Sat night they are going to sell beer in the mess hall.  Our platoon will be on guard so I wont make it this time.  I got some color film tonight I am going to take some pictures soon. 

I didn't get any mail tonight.  Will probably get some tomorrow.  Lt Wheeler our platoon leader and our platoon Sgt asked me how long I had been a cpl.  I told them about a month.  He said not to say anything but he was going to try to make me a Sgt when I have enough time to get it waived.  He said I would make a good platoon Sgt which is quite a job and call for a master Sgt.  I told him I would like to be a Sgt and I liked the army etc.  I doubt if I would be a platoon Sgt if I did make Sgt.  I think he was just trying to talk me into the army for 20 years.  Our executive officer made Capt today so that means Capt Book will probably make major and leave before long.  A company is only authorized a Capt.  I don't know much to say for now.  I guess I will go to bed.  I am sending some more pictures.
Lots of Love, as always, Ted

April 5, 1954

Monday Apr 5, 54

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well I guess you went a few days without any mail but I wasn't able to write.  I could ave written but I wouldn't have been able to mail it because the last mail went out last Thursday at 8am.  Wed night I had guard.  I was supervising so I did not have to pull guard.  I did go on a patrol with 2 other guys.  We started at 11pm and stayed till 5am.  We couldn't find anything so we build a little fire up in the hills and took it easy. 

Thursday we packed our duffel bags and sent them to the train.  We didn't do anything on Fri except clean up the area.  Fri afternoon I went to the Bn Hqs and stayed because I was in the real party.  The Co left early Sat morning on trucks to go to the train.  We stayed in the Bn area Sat and Sat afternoon we moved over to Regt Hqs.  There was a total of about 60 men left in the rear party.  We ate our meals at "Triple Nickel."  They were the only part of the 5th RCT that didn't move.  Sunday morning we drove in trucks to Seoul and got on the Red Ball Express and to to Pusan at 10 this morning.  Right now I am at camp 2 where the Regt Hqs and 2nd Bn is located, except for George Co and they are in Masan.  We are waiting for a truck to go there now.  Easy, Fox and Hq companies are going to stay here and George is going to be by their selves.  1st Bn went to Koje-do and 3rd Bn went to Tay-gue.  It is pretty nice here they have almost everything you want.  Snack bars, beer bars, theaters etc.  They live in Quonset type buildings and they have laundry, tailors, showers right in each company area where they are.  The guys say George Co has a nice area where they are.  I hope it is.  Masan s about 25 or 50 miles from Pusan Camp 9. They use to have a Chines PW there.  Pusan had North Korean PW.  There are still some 24 Div men here.  Don U may still be here but I probably won't see him.  I won't be here long enough.

It is raining pretty hard today.  Things look green here.  It isn't cold so it shouldn't be to bad to be here. 

Well we should be leaving in less than an hour so I will close.  I'll finish writing when we get to George Company.--------------------

Well it's Tuesday now.  I got to G co yesterday about 6pm.  It is 47 miles to Pusan from here over a rough road through the hills.  The country is really pretty here.  I was sure surprised when I got here.  The camp is right in the town of Masan.  There are ROCK women here and ROCK soldiers in the same camp.  George Co is here inside the camp by ourselves.  It is a lot better here than Pusan.  You should see our mess hall.  We have tables and chairs, a bar and stage and a dance floor that looks lie a night club.  It is OK.  The food should get better because the officers eat in the same mess hall.  Our quarters are a Quonset type.  We have steel beds.  We don't have mattresses yet.  We still sleep on air mattresses and sleeping bags. We should get some mattresses soon.  In our building sleeps the 57 section and we are not crowded.  The Sgts have a house to live in with about 3 in a room. To tell you the best we have house girls.  They come in at 8am stay till 5pm.  They wash clothes, iron and sew for the guys.  Each bldg has one girl.  This is sure different that what we have had.

I don't know much about the guard yet.  Our platoon has it tomorrow night.  I'll tell you about that later.

We are right on the ocean.  We can see ships in the bay.  I'll take some pictures of the area and send them to you when I settle in.  Today I worked in the area.  I painted a big pentagon in the mess hall and in the morning I will put the motto on  "The Best by George."

Some one told me today that I was put in for Sgt but was turned down because I have only been a cpl for a month.  The Old Man said that there was a rumor around that the 5th RCT was moving back to camp Carson Colorado this summer sometime.  I heard a few days before that they planned to make the 5th a ski unit.  So there may be something to it.  It sure would be nice if they would.

I got a can of cookies from you last night.  They sure were good.  I haven't had any mail tonight or a letter so far but may get some tonight.  The ROCK camp as a loud speaker.  They play oriental music over it after and during meals. 

Well don't have know much more to say.  I like everything fine here.  I'll tell you more about it as I go along.
Lots of Love, Ted

PS  Mail came in tonight.  I got 2 letters from Dad, 23 and 28 of Mar.  Guess everything is going OK at home.  We don't get guard till Sat night.  I am going to be on the main gate as MP, check passes etc.  You probably remember the MPs at the gate at Camp Roberts.  It's on the same order.  Well I got some pictures tonight from Simonie.  He had some made.  I am going to take some color pictures of this place soon.  The guy who plays the piano, you sent clippings out of the Westinghouse News, I saw him at the NCO school around Xmas.

March 29, 1954

Mar 29, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Starting another week today.  Had PT this morning and then the guys that are staying in the rear when the co moves out went to the Bn and go some instructions on what to do.  When the co moves out we stay back and sign the property over to the new bunch who moves in.  We should go the next day after to Co but if there is any thing they don't like we will have to stay till they do like it.  I think the Co will move the 3rd and I will leave the next day.  We are going by train.

I had two letters from you yesterday.  I haven't written Richard yet but I plan to today.  I was nearly a moth getting his letter.  Don't know why.  I also was late getting a letter from Dad because he put a G on one letter and it looked like an I. So it wet to I Co.  It was a few days late.  The 24 Div was in the area that we are going to.  They went up and relieved the 45 when they moved out.  Don Underwood may still be there.  Richard's brother-in-law has moved to the 45 probably. 

To bad about Mr Sears (note: mom's step dad.)  Hope he is getting along OK now.  I didn't know he had been sick.  I didn't know just what you meant in you letter when you asked me if it made me feel better that Marian was coming down to lunch.  It doesn't matter to me. (note: earlier dad had told my grandmother that he wished that her and Marian - her foster sister - could patch things up, I guess he had forgotten the argument they had.)

I didn't do anything yesterday much.  I didn't write any letters.  Sat night I played poker and made $12 in Won.  Lat night I played blackjack and won $25.  So far I have done OK, about $47 since payday.  I have a little more money now for R&R.  I have plenty of Won (pronounced hon)  I have sold about 20 dollars worth and have about 25 more dollars worth to get rid of.  Still haven't been feeling to good.  I think I must have strained my self while working or PT.  It still bother me some.  I went to the first aid station but they didn't help me any.  I don't know much to write about.  The weather had really been nice.  Just like spring.  Hope it stays this way for awhile.  I didn't get guard yesterday.  Will probably get it Wed again.  Did you ever mail  for the boots yet.  Well guess I'll close for now.
Lots of Love, Ted
PS  I may not write much around the 2nd and 4 of April.  Till I get to Pusan.

March 26, 1954

Mar  26, 1954  Fri

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

No mail from anyone today.  Haven't done much today.  Trained a little bit this morning and this afternoon we had what they call "police call" for two hours.  We are cleaning up the place for the new company that is going to move here when we move out.  Seems like they are in the process of weeding out a few guys that don't want to cooperate.  They caught 4 guys loafing on police call and now the field first has them out digging a swamp hole for the mess hall.  They started at 3pm and have to dig till 11pm tonight and if they don't finish they will dig swamp holes for 7 days.  The hole is about 6x6x6 or bigger.  They refused to dig one so they are going to keep them digging till about 3am.  They refused to dig so they are also going to give them a court martial.  Some guys just don't wise up.  I have to go out and see that they did from 830pm to 11pm.  The field first told me to give them a hard time tonight.  Guess I will because I don't like standing out i the cold at night watching someone dig.  Two of the guys by the way are Porto Rican.  

If you haven't mailed for the boots yet would you order some dye ad polish when you mail the boots.  A guy got some boots today and got some dye and polish just like I need for them.  It is Dark Mahogany dye and polish.  The dye is 50 cents per bottle and the polish is 35 cents a can.  I need to bottles of dye and 3 cans of polish or 4.  They call it paratroop Dark Mahogany boot polish.  If you have mailed for them already you can mail this separate.  They have the kind of dye I have been looking for.  Hope you don't mind to much .  They pay the postage. 

I don't know much more to say.  I'll write again later.  Here is another patch for Snapper/ (2nd Inf Div)  I also won about a 1000 Won last night playing blackjack again.
Lots of Love, Ted