Letters Dated from October 14 to 25, 1954

Oct 14, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Just a few lines t let you know everything is OK.  Had 3 letters today.  Two were kind of late, Sept 30 and the other one was Oct 6.  I liked the color picture.  I sue was good.  I am going to buy another camera payday.  I have been wanting one ever sice I have been over here. (this certain type.)  It’s a 2 inch I-Kenta Centessa.  A German camera which cost over $150 in the states.  They were always $94 in the PX but they came down.  The PX finally got in 3 of them the other day.  I didn’t have the money to get one but Simonie had 66 dollars so I loaned him $10 to get one.  Hope they have one left pay day to get one.  They are hard to get for some reason and the PX officer wouldn’t hold it for me.  If I get it I am going to send you mine.  It’s a good camera and worth about $75 or so in the states.  You should have a good camera as long as I can get them cheap. This new one I want is the same size and make only it’s a better camera.  Has built in range finder and light meter plus a lot more things.

How did Paul Harder get.  Sure hope he make it OK.  Might send my regards.  To bad about Marian’s next door neighbor.  I remember when her husband died. 

Well I guess the 5 RCT is back in the state by now and starting to get set up for training.  We are going to the field Nov 1 or Oct 30.  Sure hat to go as it will be cold.  Was hoping we wouldn’t have to go.  I think we stay out about 10 days. 

Well I got 3 Slicky boys last night. (Slicky means to steal.)  They were stealing about 300 tooth brushes.  I go on again about 5 AM and have to get up at 3 AM so will close .  Write again soon.

Lots of Love, Ted

PS  Hope I make it home for Larry’s wedding.

Sunday  Oct 17, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

No mail today so far.  I had two letters yesterday Oct 7 and 8.  Sounds like everything is going OK.  Nothing new here.  Still pulling guard.  I caught a Korean yesterday fooling with Uncle Sam’s mail.  Didn’t know what they will do with him as yet.  To bad about Charlie Archer.  Seems kind of young.  Where are they going to take him.  Does he have any other family. 

That job you wrote about sound pretty good.  I don’t think I remember Knox Chemical Company.  Le me know more about it.

Well I went on guard at 9 PM tonight.  I got off at 2:30 A, eat breakfast and went to bed and slept till 1:30 PM this afternoon.  I am going to eat dinner and then take a nap till time to go as we will be up all night.  I like the guard OK.  Sure is better than the field now as its is cold in the pup tents.  Well not much more.  Write soon.

Love, Ted

Oct 18, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I had 3 letters from you today.  Everything sound good at home.  Nothing new here.  I only had one ship on the pier last night and no hot cargo to speak of and only had 2 guards on the pier.   One on the gang plant and one in one of the hatches they were unloading.  We had the hard ship last night.  Went on at 9 PM till 1 AM then we were off 4 hours and went on at 5 AM till 9 AM. 

Our mess hall hasn’t been able to get any sugar so the Sgt of the guard, myself, Simonie and a jeep driver went scouting for sugar.  We found some on pier #3 in on of the whore house.  The Sgt of the guard got the guard away for a second while Simonie and myself loaded up the jeep with 100 lbs in 10 lbs sack.  We did this on the 4 hours we had off.  That is about all there is on that.  We got sugar for coffee and cereal now.

Seems funny you haven’t heard from Jim anymore.  I had a letter after he go to Ft Lee and I answered it and haven’t heard anymore. 

Well there is a strong chance I will get out of Korea Nov.  There are a lot of troop ships leaving now and that is good.  Probably get everyone who leaves up to the 1^st of Jan.  Don’t count on it though.  If I do I have about a month her and if not only about 2 months.  Still think I will be home by Xmas. 

That job you write sound good.  Find out more about it.  I always like to travel Mo and Kansas.  Might be what I need. 

Well that is about it.  Have to work on my stuff a little bit and go to bed as I get up at 3 AM to go to the docks.  Will writer later.

Lots of Love, Ted

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Thursday Oct 21, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well this moths is over half gone now.  Seems to have gone fast enough.  Haven’t written for a couple of days.  I had 2 letter from you yesterday Oct 14 and on the day before Oct 12.  I haven’t much of anything but the usual thing, guard, eat, and sleep.  The Koreans were going to strike yesterday but they didn’t, it was all the Koreans all over Korea because the army isn’t paying them.  The reason is that the Bank of Korea save the Hawn (Korean Money) at 180 won for a dollars.  The black market rate is about 400 or 500 per dollar.  Everything is based on that rate of exchange.  I don’t understand it to much but you have probably read something about it.  Anyway the Koreans haven’t been getting paid.  There hasn’t been any hot cargo on the pier I work on and I have only had 2 or 3 guards the last couple of days.  I don’t mind.  I spend a lot of time in the ship drinking coffee and eating rolls etc.  The seaman treat the GI’s and MP’s pretty good.  I even had a glass of mild.  That’s something we don’t get in Korea is mild and it tasted pretty good.  We get this powdered milk and you can’t drink that, you just put it on your breakfast food.  Some of thee ships are pretty nice.  All of them are cargo ships operated by civilians and have civilian seaman on them 

They had another fire in Pusan last year about this time.  It was right across the street from the docks.  481 homes.  I didn’t see the fire.  I saw it a couple of hours after it was about out on the way to guard.

Seems like you get all my letter all at once.  They sure get tied up some place.  Let them know it will you.  You didn’t say anymore in your last letter.  We haven’t had any rain here for quite a few days now.  I never did get Snapper’s report card you wrote about sending.  Did you send it.  I got the letter his teacher sent but not a report card.  (note:  the letter ends here at the bottom of the second page Nothing followed.)

Oct 22, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I had a letter from you yesterday.  Oct 16.  I didn’t recognize any one in that picture you sent of the guys voting.  I guess there are a lot of new people at Westinghouse now.  I thought I wrote about the greenback you sent in the bill fold.  I got two from Evelyn so that makes 7 dollars.  I thought those cookies tasted like pecan pie.  They sure were good.  Can’t wait till I get some pecan pie when I get home.  I don’t remember you writing about Mary Ellen and Marvin having a baby but I don’t remember everything since I have been over here.  Probably forgot a lot of things when I get home.  I heard something about married men only staying 12 months and single men 14 months but it is not official yet.  So far the tour over here is still 16 months .  Think Don Underwood will probably leave about the same time I do.  If he didn’t he will probably leave about the 20 or 25 of Dec because they have to send you home 45 days prior to your discharge.  I hear that everyone who is going to rotate in Dec will leave in Nov.  They have what they call Operation Santa Clause which they send guys home early for Xmas.  They also have operation Reindeer.  That’s when they fly you home for Xmas.

I bought a watch from Simonie.  He gust got it last payday.  It’s a Benrus Citation.  Cost 37.50 in the PX.  I think its about 65 or 70 in the state.  I bout it for 30 dollars.  I wanted to get a new one before I went home and thought that was a good chance and a good buy.  So fare I have done pretty good.  I got a new watch, and a good camera and all so a parker 51 set.  Still want to get that camera before I go home.  If I can’t I still have a good one anyway.  Let me know if you want the Electric Iron.  Its not an expensive one but it’s a Westinghouse and its pretty good.  I’ll bring it home with me or I may send some of that stuff when I come home.  Let me know.

\Well not much more to write about so I will close.

Lots of Love, Ted

Oct 25, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I had two letters from you yesterday just before I went on guard and I didn’t get a chance to answer them.  They were Oct 17 and 18.  Glad you got your China and you liked it OK (note: my oldest daughter now as the set) and none of it was broken.  I didn’t know if it was what you wanted or not.  AI got it at the PX and I had to order it from pictures.  I was hoping it would be OK.  You had said something about sending a report card from Snapper.  I never got that.  I got a birthday card from Snapper and it was signed Snapper.  I only got one from him.

Well when is Westinghouse going on strike.  Will you still get to work. (note: my grandfather was in supervision.)  How much  raise are they asking for.  Hope they get a raise without going on strike.  (note:  It was a pretty big strike and a little violent.  I remember seeing in the paper that cars were over turned and everything.)

There isn’t much to write about at this end.  The weather runs about the same.  Some days its colder than other.  Today its not to bad.  We haven’t had any real cold days for awhile.  We stop pulling guard Wed morn the 27 at 9 AM.  1^st Bn is going to take over.  Guesws we will be going to the field soon.  Probably about the 31 of Oct or 1^st of Nov.  Sure hat to go but it should be my last time.

Did I tell you I ran into quite a few guys I went to basic with here.  A lot of them are in the 2 Bn of the 19^th Rgt.  2 of the guys are in this company.  One of the guys told me Jerry Thiderman, one of the boys I stayed with after basic is in Charlie Company just went to the 40^th and when he went back to the state he was transferred to the 24^th Div.  I have been wondering about Sipes who was in the 25 Div.  Wonder if he went to Hawaii.  I haven’t seen Zink any more either.  Guess he is in the 24^th.  Probably the same company he was in like I was.  He is in the 3^rd Bn and they are about 50 miles from here.

Well hope to be leaving and get home  before to much longer.  It’s less than 2 months now.  Will write again soon.

Lots of Love, Ted

Letters Dated October 4 thru the 13th, 1954

Oct 4, 1954  Monday

I got two letters and 2 birthday cards from you.  Sure thought the cards were nice.  The address was to the 19 Rgt. You don’t need to put 24 Div on the letter if you don want to.  It will save you a little writing.

We didn’t do much today.  Trained a little bit and I helped the Platoon Sgt make up a platoon roster and graded the men in my section and recommended those who should be put in for rank etc.

What ever you send in the package will be OK.  I am looking forward to it.  I read about that Do It Your Self Show in Life Magazine.  Just looked at the pictures and didn’t read anything about it.  Don’t remember much about it but I bet it was interesting.

Well I don’t think I am being over paid very much if I am at all.  They do it sometimes but they usually catch up with before long.

I never hear from Richard anymore.  I think I wrote him last.  He must be doing OK.  I would like to go to Tokyo on R&R but didn’t mind much because I didn’t.  Hope you get the things I sent and in good shape.  I should think you would have had them by now. 

I guess the kitchen will really be nice when you finish with it.  Well not much more to write about.  I’ll writ again.

Lots of Love, Ted

Oct 5, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

It got a birthday card from Marian today and that’s about all the mail I had.  Nothing new over here.  I can tell you the latest rumor.  I have been hearing that the 19^th Rgt is going to Japan soon.  They have been having a lot of rotation drops.  11 men are leaving now for home out of 5 RCT and I think I am down to 26 now.  They are up to Oct 30 now so I am by that only a month and 20 days from rotating.  Don’t count on that though.. They say that there is a 500 man drop out of this Rgt that will take men up to Dec 10.  That misses me by 10 days.  They say they want to send the short timers home so they won’t have to take them to Japan with them.  That’s about the latest. 

It’s been clody and cool here today.  Winter is not far off.  They have the stoves for the billets and it wont be long before we put them in.  It gets dark now around 6 PM. 

Well I lost one of the Squad Leaders.  He goes home tomorrow and I had to change the Section around and while I was at it I changed it around all together.  I moved some better men up around the others who weren’t any good.  Some of them griped a lot.  I got one wise guy and he is a PFC.  He transferred in this platoon from another one.  I have been looking for his stripe.  Today I had to put him in his place.  I called him outside and really told him off.  When I was finished he looked like he was going to cry.  I didn’t even raise my voice. 

Well I only got 76 more days of that, be glad when I finish with those kind.  Well tomorrow I’ll be 26.  Thanks again for the cards and write the news. Miss you all.

Love, Ted

Oct  6, 1954  Wed

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I had a letter form Dad today, Sept 26.  I had one from Jim too.  He is in Ft Lee now.  I guess you have had a letter form him by now.  So I won’t need to send you his address. 

It has rained most all day today.   Haven’t done much of anything myself.  The boys went out and stole 2 desks, a couple of chairs out of an empty building.  I have one by my bed now.  All so a telephone and I had the electrician put in a light for me.  So I am doing OK now.  All so the stove is going right next to my bed so I should enjoy the winter OK.  I am writing this letter with a Parke 54.  I bought the set off a Sgt who is going home and needed the money.  I paid him7 dollars for the set which is like new.  They sell for over $10 in the PX.  I don’t think I like it as well as my Shaffer but can always use it.  Think I will finish this letter with the Shaffer and see how it writes. (note: At this point the ink changes color to a lighter blue.)  

Today is my birthday and I don’t feel any older.  Probably go to the club tonight and celebrate with some of the guys.  That’s about all there is to do.  No new rumors to writer about.  No more men are going home.  A few more went yesterday evening.  Sgt Pyatte is going.  They are up to Nov 10 now.  Pyatte is the 4^th Platoon Sgt.  He is a good fellow and his home is in North Carolina.  Well not much more to write about.  I guess I will close off for now.  I’ll write more later on.  Think I will answer Jim’s letter.

Lots of Love, Ted

Oct 7, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got several birthday cards today and a letter dated Oct 1 and an envelope with the news paper clippings about the riot at Jeff City. (note: he is referring to a riot that took place in the prison.  Many years later I worked with a guy in state AG’s office who was a national guard guy who was called out for that riot.)  I got a nice card from Daisy and one from Snapper.  All so one from Jim, Evelyn, Larry and Mike.  Each one sent me one.  Evelyn sent 2 green backs in the one she sent.  I will write them and thank them for it.  You can thank them for me when you see them if you want. 

Nothing new for me to write about over here.  It’s been drizzling all day so its been wet and muddy.  Didn’t do much last night but go to the club.  They had  Korean Band and Floor Show which was pretty good.  All the Sgts were there from the company.  15 of them.  We all sat at the same table and had a good time.  Not much new for me to write about besides that. 

Thought I would write you a line and tell you about the cards.  Our company hasn’t staring pulling guard yet.  Probably pull it about Saturday from what I hear.  Hope you get the bird tame before to long.  Yes I am getting the mail OK.  Once in awhile I get one to the old address but think I have them all now. 

Well tell Sam Coomer hello again for me too.  Wish I could be there to help you with the work you are doing around the house.  You can save some of it if you want to.  Well I think that about does it.  I’ll write again later.

Lots of Love, Ted

October 8, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

It got two packages today.  I sure want to thank you.  I really like the billfold.  I needed one.  My other one wouldn’t last too much longer.  Those cookies were sure good too.  I like the candy you sent also.

Well today was about like yesterday.  Rained and drizzled all day and it has been cool.  I put on a pair of long underwear tops and they feel pretty good.  I write Daisy last night and thanked he for the card. 

Well I go on guard tomorrow afternoon.  The 19^th is working heir guard different   I can’t explain it to you because I don’t know much about it myself.  1^st relief goes on at noon for 4 hours and his other company goes on for 4 hours and the 2^nd relief goes on for 4 hours and then off 4 hours and then back on.  I think it must have been too simple for them to do it the other way.  I will sure be glad to get out of here.  Hope I can be going home before to long.  Sure am fed up with things here.  I guess I was to use to the 5 RCT.  Seems to be to much prejudice in this company.  The company commander and most of the officers are Catholics and they favor and give a lot of breaks to Catholics. Reminds me of basic the way they did. (note: that might be a reason why I grew up in a household that never had a good word to say about Catholics.)

Well not much more to write about so I will close.  Thanks a lot for the 2 packages.  Sure like them and the billfold is real pretty.

Lots of Love, Ted

Sunday  Oct 10, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Had a letter from you today.  Oct 3.  The time is going fast.  By the time you get this letter and write one, and then when I get yours the month will be more than half over. 

I bet the kitchen sure looks nice.  I wont know it when I see it. 

When does Mrs. Underwood say Donald will be on his way home.  We should be going from here about the same time.  Sure don’t blame him for not liking the army after being in this outfit if the 34 Rgt is anything lie this 19^th.  To bad he couldn’t have got in another outfit and see what it would be like.  About the only thing wrong with the 19^th is the officers and the Col.  They mess things up and make it hard on the men.  I hadn’t heard anything about not having %PM on the letters.  I got yours OK so guess I can fix mine that way.

Well yesterday was Saturday and we started our guard.  It sure is messed up.  We are doing all the MP work on the docks now.  Fill out all kinds of papers.  We are responsible for all kinds of men and we never see them  I am Pier NCO on Quay #2.  I post guards on the ships and the gang plank, in the hatches and different places on the pier where they keep rations, equipment etc.  They have everything from root beer to armored cars and tanks.  When a guard reports something broken open I have to make out a dozen different reports.  Well the time is what’s bad.  We left here at 7:30 PM to get posted at 9 PM.  We were on till 1 AM Sun which is 4 hours, then we relieve the guards and went back to the guard house and stayed.  We ate breakfast at 3:30 AM in back of the MP station (PMO) and which was outside.  The company brought it down to us.  Then we went back on guard at about 5 AM and stay till 9AM.  We were off then and came back to the company.  But it was 10:30 AM before we ever left the docks.  So that makes 14 or 15 hours we are down there rather than the 8 hours before when we were with the 5 RCT.  We can’t sleep the 4 hours we are off because you only have about 2  hours and its cold etc.  When I got back to the company it was time fir dinner so I ate, went to bed and got up at 530 to eat again and here I am.  Well we go on again early in the morning and have to get up at 230 AM.  So I am going back to bed when I finish this letter.  We will be off 20 hours now between guards.  I use to get as much as 3 days off before.  Well that’s what we are doing now and probably will be for the next couple of weeks.  It will make the time go faster.  Will try to write more later on.

Lots of Love, Ted

Oct 12, 1954  Tuesday

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got a letter yesterday Oct 5.  Thought I would write a few lines to let you know everything is OK.  Had guard again yesterday and have it again today.  It’s 7:30 AM now.  We are going to put our stoves in this morning.  Sure got cold fast over here.  I have been wearing long handle tops and they feel pretty good. 

Don’t know why you are so long to get my letters.  I sure hated to heard about Paul Hosted.  He sure is a nice guy.  Hope he gets OK.  I didn’t get Snapper’s birthday cared yet (note: earlier he said he had gotten it.)  Might be later.  Hope the TV set isn’t in to bad a shape.  Those pictures tubes cost plenty don’t they.  Well I guess the mail is slow getting to you for some reason.  I have written all most every day.  Well not  much more to write about.  I got to see that the stoves get in and I got to draw some winter clothes and get a hair cut and then be ready to go on guard at 1PM.  Will write again later.

Love, Ted

Oct 13, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Just a few lines to let you know everything is OK.  We started guard at 4PM tonight again.  Getting it everyday and it sure keep you tired.  Last night I found over 1000 flash light batteries had been stolen.  Those Koreans sure got them fast.  We got a lot of them back.  I couldn’t catch any workers with any of them so I planted a flash light battery on a Korean when I was search him.  I pulled it out of his pocket and he said he picked it up off the ground.  He sure looked surprised.  They lie fast.  Later on I found a Korean walking around where the batteries had been stolen.  I left a box of 25 where  some one could find them  He must have seen me and didn’t pick them up.  So I walked over to where they were and called him over.  I picked the box up and handed them to him and motioned him to follow me.  He thought I wanted him to carry them for me.  I took him up to the main gate and arrested him for stealing batteries.  He sure was mad.  Later on I saw him at the MP station after they beat him up.  I was sorry in a way that I turned him over but you have not idea how they steal.  If you cold see how they are you would understand.  I have to tell you more about it when I get home.

Well we got a little Korean boy in the company.  He has been well cared for by somebody.  He speaks only English.  As far as I know he has been living on a ship and they gave him to one of our guards to take back to the company.  He talks good and is real smart for a 6 year old.  The company commander likes him so we are going to keep him here.  We already have one Korean in the company that is 12 years old that they found I  the hills in North Korea.  One of the Sgts had to teach him grade school.  He is a good kid.  But this new 6 years old we have is real cute.  Don’t know all the story as of yet.  He hasn’t any clothes to wear, all his has is a shirt and blue genes.  If you think Snapper has any old pants and shirts how about sending them.  Just a little bit that you could send airmail.  He might not be here long enough for a  regular package.  He like toys too.. I’ll take a picture of him and sent to you.  So far he is kind of a mystery.  One day in formation he was standing next to the 1^st Sgt.  The 1^st Sgt just got finished telling us not to swear in from of him because he didn’t know any bad words.  He had just told us that and stared on something else when eh wore a little bit and the kid turned his head and said, “That’s OK Sgt.”  He told us at the table we shouldn’t cuss because God didn’t want Love, Ted 

soldiers to cuss and he asked a Sgt if he said his prayers at night.  He is Korea but I think he is half GI.  Can’t speak Korean at all. (note: sort of touching. I guess Dad was not 100% a bigot.  He always said it is not who or what you are it is what you do.)

Well not much more to write about so I will close.  Write again later.\

Love, Ted

Letters Dated Sept 30, Oct 2 and 3, 1954

Sept 30, 1954  Pay Day

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well its noon now and we are going to get paid.----I just got back from Pay call and I drew $119 and put $70 in the soldiers deposit which make me an even $900 now.  I got only tow paydays left.  It make me feel like a short timer now.  I should have well over $2000 all together when I get home. 

I didn’t get any mail yesterday and I think the mail is in now but they haven’t delivered it as yet. 

I don’t k ow why I am printing this letter, just started out that way.  I can print faster than I can write anyway.  Hope you can read it. (note: he prints much better than he writes.)

Not much to say about any thing.  Our company is on guard today around the compound.  I am not on guard.  It only take on Sgt and we have plenty of Sgts.  I think we will pull compound guard about one more time and then start pulling dock guard. Around Oct 6/  I don’t mind that but what I don’t like is going to the field Nov 1^st..  Well I think I will wait and see if I get any mail before I finish this letter.-----Well I got one letter, it was late getting here.  Dated Sept 17.  Its 4:20 now here in Pusan.  Must be morning back home about now and you are starting your work day and I am finished with mine as much as I know except for a show and lecture by the CID on narcotics.  For the 1^st three grades.  That’s at 6:15 and then will probably go to the NCO club with a few of the boys.  We usually go every night.  I usually manage to get away early and walk a straight line back but most of the other close the club up and stagger back.  Then the next day they don’t feel so good and they take it out on the troops till about noon.  I guess that is one thing that make the Sgts sour and mean.  And the old timers have done it so long they stay that way all the time except when they are at the club and then they forget about duty and are more like their selves. 

Quite a few of the boys are going home now.  I think there is about 260 or 270 left now from the nearly 300 that was her at first.  I am 38 on the 5 RCT list now.  I am still section Leader in the 57 and only have about 17 men for now.  Probably get some more before long.  The 17 is just right.  TO&E is three 5 man squads and a runner and one section leader.  So its just the right amount.  But always before we have had more to help out o the guard.  Simonie is mortar Section Leader.  He will probably make Sgt before long.  Sgt Turner is Asst Platoon Sgt now because he going home soon.  Well not much more tow rite about so I will close for now.  Will write soon.

Love, Ted

Oct 2, 1954  Saturday

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I had the usual today.  Sat inspection and it went very good.  It rained today a so we just had the inspection in the quarters rather than outside and inside booth.  Its rained most of the day and it has been cool.  Not much to write about.  The executive officer asked me today if I was going to stay in the army and if I ever thought about OCS.  They always try to talk army to you and it’s more so in this outfit than in the 5 RCT. 

Yesterday I I got a letter from Sgt Wood and I answered him today.  He was home in his old job and seemed to doing OK.  I got two letter from you today.  Sept 22 and 23.  Guess you hadn’t had the letter about me being in the 19^th Regt yet.  Probably by the time you get this letter you should have your kitchen fixed up.  But it really looks nice.  It was good to hear Don made Cpl.  Seems to have taken him a long time to make Cpl. But that the way it goes sometimes.  His regt is still up north and I think Jane’s brother is still up there too.  His address was APO 24 and that s the 24 Div.  You said something about him going to OCS.  If he did he should have come out a 2^nd LT if he finished .  If he didn’t finish he was lucky to ever make cpl.  He might ha gone to Leadership.  I don’t think Ft Leonard Wood has an OCS.  That bird you have sure must be wild.  They are usually tame and quiet.  Tell Sam Coomer hello for me.  I thought he was made a foreman but from what you said about him being a set up man he must not be.  Well not much new toad so I will close.  Sure be glad to see you all.  It wont be long.  We start another month now.  Hope it goes just a the other months have.

Lots of Love, Ted

Sunday Oct 3, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Another quite Sunday.  Didn’t do much of anything today.  Went to the show this afternoon and say “Return From the Sea.”  Wasn’t much of a picture.  First one I had been to since I saw “From Here to Eternity” again. 

 

I got a letter from you today.  Sept 25.  You still hadn’t received the letter about being transferred to the 19^th Regt yet and you hadn’t received the thinks I sent yet.  I sent something the last of August and you should be getting it.  I hope you like it.  I don know whether you will like it or not.  I had to order  it from a picture and didn’t see the real thing.  Let me know. 

I don’t think I remember Luellen  that you wrote about seeing.  I remember Sara Jan only my name.  don’t remember much what she looks like or anything about her.  Funny how you forget thins like that.  I try to remember people who lived on the street but can’t think of only a few people and sometimes I can’t think of their names also the bunch at work.  Probably when I see them I will remember them and their names.  I always had a bad memory for names anyway.  I bet the guys I ran around with have probably changed and got married or moved away.. Guess I have been gone from home longer than I realize.  Sometimes it seems like a long time and then again it doesn’t.  Any way its been almost 2 years and that a long time anyway you look at it.  Sure don’t seem right that I will be 26 in 3  more days.  Seems lie 2 years have gone for nothing being away form home and all.  2 years that I could have been doling some good and getting ahead on a civilian job.  I don’t feel like I lost a 100% though because I like the army and like to soldier.  But don’t think what I h I think what I have learned in the army will do me much good when I get out.  To bad I had to get in an infantry outfit even thought I like t.  I don’t think I like things as well though as when Cpt Book was the company commander.  I don’t remover whether I told you are not but he went home with 5 RCT as a casual, not exactly with the 5 RCT.  He is going to Virginia Military Institute and have an executive type job.  He likes that.  Probably make major before long.  He has just about been Capt long enough to make it and has the highest efficiency rating of any officer in the 5 RCT including the Col.  You don’t see many like him in the army or eve in civilian life.  He will probably be a General some day.  He is the type of man Generals are. I think I would have made SFC if he was still here.  I don’t much look for it now though. (note: a couple of years before Dad died he looked up Book.  He had retired as a Col was living in Texas and remembered Dad well.)

We got a nigger 1^st Sgt and I got one in my section that lazy and don’t do nothing and he tells the 1^st Sgt that I pick on him and I am prejudice against colored.  Even if I am not when they say that it don’t look good.  They sure have a lot of them now and none of them are any good.  They try to take over if you get to many.  We got a 1^st Sgt, 2 platoon leaders and a platoon Sgt and they are colored and the other Sgts are mostly from the south and they don’t seem to click.  Sure get bad.  The 32 QM NCO club is off limits to the 19^th Regt because of the niggers.  Booth their and ours.  They have had a lot of race fight over there.  (note: in all previous letters Dad had very little to say about Black.  It had not been very long that the army had been integrated and I guess a lot of the problems were growing pains.  I don’t know why Dad has all of a sudden started talking about Blacks in a negative and bigoted way.)

Well can’t think of much more to write about for now so I will close.  I’ll wrie again later.

Lots of Love, Ted

Letters dae September 26, 27, and 29, 1054

Sept 26, 1954 Sunday

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

It isn’t raining anymore and the sun is hot today. It rained all day yesterday and all last night. I went to the show yesterday and saw "From Here to Eternity." I sure enjoyed seeing it again. It was cool last night and I sure slept good. Not much of anything new to write about here. It’s a nice day to day. I might go over to the 32nd QM this afternoon. I cleaned my boots and washed some other equipment this morning. Yesterday I got a letter from you dated Sept 18. I bet the kitchen will be pretty when it is finished. I bet I wont know the neighborhood and the kids around there when I get home. Don’t worry about my birthday. You don’t need to send anything at all. I could use a billfold, that’s about all I need. I hate to have you send anything at all. Nothing seems to last very long over here in the weather. T shirts and shorts get washed and they are rough on them and they don last long. I guess if you want you could send a couple of T shirts and a billfold. That’s about it. Nor hurry about it. You don’t need to send a big box. I don’t eat much between meals and if I get hungry I eat at the NCO Club or over at the 32 QM.

I guess Jim is at Lee by now. I haven’t heard anymore from him That will be a good school for him. Well don’t have much to writer about for now so I will close. Write more later on.

Lots of Love, Ted

Sept 27, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, Snapper

Well this month is all most over. I just have a little over 2 months to do after the 1st of Oct if the luck holds out. Yesterday I went over and saw the 5 RCT boys. They were leaving this morning and I guess they did. They are supposed to get a 30 day leave when they get home. They don’t know much of what kind of training they will do. I sure hated to say good by to them Seemed like I should be with them If I go through Ft Lewis when I go back I am going to look them up.

This is the 19th Stationery I got today. The Regt Cress is in the upper left hand corner.

Didn’t get any mail today. Probably get some tomorrow. In another week or less I should be getting mail direct to this address. Probably get it a little better.

Well it seems like winter is about here. I don’t know whether it’s fall or not as I haven’t noticed any trees around to see if the leaves were turning. Anyway the days are growing shorter and the eve is cool and you don’t get the breeze from the rice paddies much. I doubt if you have ever smelled anything lie it in the States. I never have. They use human fertilized in them. One of the worse things that can happen to you over here is to step or fall in a rice paddy. There is about 3 inches of water over 2 or 3 feet of mud. In the winter they freeze over. They have well around the rice paddy where they keep the fertilizer. You cant imagine the smell. Also the Kempshe when its cooking. That’s what they eat with their rice. It looks like brown gravy. It’s got fish etc mixed with it, heads and all.

Well not much more to write about for now so I will close. I’ll write again tomorrow when I get a letter.

Lots of Love, Ted


Sept 29, 1954


Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I had 3 letters today Sept 19, 20, 21. I was glad to get them. Not much new here. I guess Jane’s brother is not around here. (note: He has mentioned Jane and her brother a couple of times now and I don’t know who he is talking about.) He must still be up north. I enjoyed reading about what Snappers teacher said. That was really nice of her and it was quite a compliment to say about Snapper. (note: Don’t know what she said, but I liked Mrs. Dodd <she lived to be 100 and had a son who went to West Point> and I have always been charming.)

We will have to go to one of those smorgasbords when I get home. Sounds good. (note: they were just coming into popularity around KC.)

I don’t think I told you but 1st three grades have their own dining room now in the mess hall and the Korean boy named George serves us. I get plenty to eat now and the food is good. Guess it taste better and I can ear more because some one is serving it. It the 5 RCT we had our own table to eat at and the Platoon Sgts and officers were the only one who got served. Its pretty nice. I think I am picking up weight again. We are training etc and do PT every morning. I think we start pulling guard on the docks again about Oct 6.

Haven’t seen Zink anymore. He is probably in the 19th Regt. He was in King (K) Company. That was the 3rd Bn and they are about 50 miles north of here at Tugrea. The 1st Bn is 5 miles out of Pusan and of course the 2nd is here in Pusan. That is why I haven’t seen him. He is to far away. Probably wont see him again. Seems like in the army if your best friend was next door you would never seen him. I don’t know why. The 8the Army is what all the Div here in Korea are in. Its just the 8th Army Headquarters that is moving to Japan not the whole 8th Army.

I am glad you got a good grade at Westinghouse. It must have been darn good. I am liking this out fit less every day. The officers throw all the work on the NCOs and don’t do anything but lay around the orderly room and mess hall drinking coffee. They don’t come around the troops much. I’ll be glad to leave here . In ways it’s better that the 5 RCT but over all the 5 RCT was much better. I am sure hoping that I don’t have any field training with them as they will really be messed up. The officers don’t know much. Most of them are ROTC or jst out of OCS and don’t know to run the new army the old way. The 5 RCT had a lot of West Point Officers, Airborne, and rangers. They had been in the army a long time and new the ropes. These officer try to teach by the book and the manuals. You can’t always do that. The 5 RCT was never like the old army from what they old timers say.

Well I don’t know much more to write about so I will close . Will write again.

Love, Ted

Letters date September 22 and 25, 1954

Sept 22, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I had two letters today Sept 14 and I had one from J.Q. Not much new on this end to write about. I am glad to hear Snapper is OK now and back to school. I guess you are really laying cement around home. That’s hard work. It reminds me of the time we poured cement for the back room and we had all the beer in the tub of Ice and Old Curley came and turned the water on and off for us so he could get in on the beer.

I have heard about that picture Rear Window. I don’t go to the show much any more. But if it gets here I will go see it.

I guess that was quite a surprise for Quinton. Sounds just like him. (note: Quinton was J.Q.s dad and our uncle who was married to Mama’s sister Edith. Don’t know what the surprise was.) I would sure like to see the gang. I think about them all the time and I sure miss them.

Well I am going on less than 3 months now so it wont be much longer. I think the 5 RCT leave on a boat about the 27. They moved to the 8069 Baker Co to get clothes etc and they are just waiting to go now. Well I don’t know much more to write about so I will close . Will write again soon.

Lots of Love, Ted

P.S. Here is another patch for Snapper. It goes with the Stem up. It’s the 24 Div patch. 



                            


Sept 25, 1954 Saturday

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well it’s Saturday afternoon now. I haven’t written for awhile. Not much to write about. I had a couple of letters from you and one from Jim. I guess Jim was enjoying himself while he was there.

We had an inspection today. First one I have been in for quite awhile. My first with the 19 Regt. It came out darn good and I was complimented on my barracks and the men. It sure is a job getting a bunch of guys ready for an inspection like that. Everything has to be just so and if it isn’t you sure hear about it.

It has been raining all day today. Looks lie it will for most of the night. I thought I would go to the show tonight and see "From Here to Eternity" again. If you remember I told you about it being about a Company G. Well it was this same Co that I am in now. Co G of the 19th Regt. I don’t think it was in the 24 Div at that time. But any way they said it was about Co G of the 19th Regt. It was a good picture and I think I will see it again. The last time I saw it was up north.

I heard that the other Div that was leaving Korean was the Third Div but I didn’t hear that the 1st Marines were leaving. They said over here that the other Div would announced when the 3rd started its move. I thought it would be the 24 Dvi. These guys here are staying in the 24 for 17 and 18 months depending on how much time they have till their discharge. The reasons is that they had been in Japan and rear areas so long and had not had much combat time since the middle of the war. General Dean was the Div Commander at one time if you remember. He was captured.

I got a kick out of what Dad said about that Spade that o worked for him. I know just what they are like. I have had to live , eat and take orders from them for a long time or since I have been in the army. I sure hate them. How do they act in KC now. Are they going to the same school with the whites. I read something about that here awhile back. They sure try to take over the army. None of them are any good. There are a lot of southern NCOs in this Co and they make it rough on them. The1st Sgt that stayed here from the 5 is a nigger. These niggers have been ganging up on the white guys down town in Pusan and they cut up a few guys in the company. This morning the CID was here looking at every man in the co. I don’t know what they wanted. I don’t think they found who they wanted. (note: What can I say. Dad was a product of his time and place. I never heard him say very much about Blacks except on one occasion. His only exposure to Black people was in the army and I guess it was not a good experience. He did mellow in later years but was in his heart a segregationist. I have often wondered what he would have thought about having three African American Great Grandchildren and how I didn’t fall into the trap and that my kids don’t even know there was a trap out there. Each generation gets a little less prejudice but the tendency is out there most of us unless you are very carful.)

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

Love, Ted

Letters date Septemeber 18, 20, and 21, 1954

Saturday Sept 18, 1954 (note: a couple of these letters may be out of order.)

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

No mail for the last couple of days. The last was Sept 9 and 10. Well I got my orders for the 1 Inf Regt. 24 Div but no orders for what company as yet. I may find out today. None of the NCOs know what company they are going to. It may come down today. They say I will most likely stay right here in this company. Don’t write me anymore at my old address , use the address I have on the envelope. The 5RCT is leaving tomorrow to process here in Pusan and will probably leave in a few days. The mail will probably be messed up for awhile. At least until I find out what company I am going to for sure. If you go ahead and mail the letters to Co G, 19 Inf Regt, 24 Dvi Apo 24% PM SF Calif they will send it on to me and it wont take to long. When I find out what compay you can change that part of it. The 19 Regt will move ito our company tomorrow. The ROKs left last week and a bunch of PFC are leaving tomorrow for the 8th Army Hqs. Don’t know what they will do. Most of the other guys are going to George Co of the 19th Regt. All I know is that I am going to the 19th Regt. Hope to stay right here so I wont have to move.

Glad Snapper has his same teacher this year. (note: I had Mrs Dodd for the 1st and 2nd grade.) Hope he gets to feeling better. Seems like he doesn’t feel well quite often.

You said something about troops that are send back being sent some place else. They probably will but the reason they wanted guys with 6 months is so they could help train the men and get more time out of them rather than some one like me.

The days a fairly worm but not lie they were. I bet Larry’s car is really pretty. Tell him to take care of it and not burn it up all at once. Dad said something about the Koreas being beat up at some time. The Japs were ruling the Koreas for 40 years before World War II. They use to beat, kill, and treat them pretty rough. That is about all they know. When you catch one stealing he expect to be beat up. The MP knock them around quite a bit when you take them in. I have watched quite a few. The young ones are worse about wsing off than the older ones. I watched on MP Desk Sgt (GI) knock one clown across the room one day because he insulted me.

Well I got a feeling I wont get quite as good a deal as I had when the 24 moves in. I’ll let you know. Will write again.

Love, Ted

Monday Sept 20, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well I am in the 19th Inf Regt, Co G 24 Div. They moved in yesterday morning and I think it will be OK for awhile anyway. I to to keep the same job as Section Leader. We have a good Platoon Leader. I think we will get along OK. It sure had been a mess getting guys moved around where they belong. Haven’t had any mail lately. It will probably start coming slow now. As far as I know we will do nothing for about 2 weeks and them pull guard for 3 weeks and go to the field and train. That should be my last time in the field before I go home. I hope so any way. I think I might even make SFC before I rotate if everything goes OK before I rotate. They do thing a little bit different around here than in the 5 RCT not much different but a little. The NCOs run the company 99%. I didn’t have to move anything when I moved it. They moved in around me. Tell Mrs Underwood and Betty that I am in the 24 Div now. If I am ever close to the 34 Regt I will look Don up. Right now I thing the 34 Regt is till up north. We have a lot of me in the company. A lot of them rotate before long though. Quite a few in the next 30 or 40 days. I think there is over 240 men here now.

I scrounged up 8 pairs of fatigues now and I can change every day. Took me a long time to get that many but that’s what I have. Well not much new to write about today. If you know anyone who you thing will write you had better tell them my new address. You might tell Jim if you write him.

Lots of Love. Ted

Tuesday Sept 21, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Not much new to write about. Not anything doing today but I thought I would write a short letter anyway.

We just worked around the area today. We had PT this morning and I am a little sore. I got two letters from you. Sept 13. Guess everything is going OK. I am sory I forgot your anniversary. Time sure goes fast any more. 28 years is a long time.

I got a few pictures I am sending you. They were taken this last week. I guess you have heard that the 3rd Div is moving out of Korea. They start next month. I all so heard that we are going on the field about the 1st of Nov for 3 weeks. Hope we don’t but if we do I should be on my way home soon after we come back. Well not much more to write about. I will write again later.

Love, Ted

Letters 18, 20, 21 September 1954

Saturday Sept 18, 1954 (note: a couple of these letters may be out of order.)

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

No mail for the last couple of days. The last was Sept 9 and 10. Well I got my orders for the 1 Inf Regt. 24 Div but no orders for what company as yet. I may find out today. None of the NCOs know what company they are going to. It may come down today. They say I will most likely stay right here in this company. Don’t write me anymore at my old address , use the address I have on the envelope. The 5RCT is leaving tomorrow to process here in Pusan and will probably leave in a few days. The mail will probably be messed up for awhile. At least until I find out what company I am going to for sure. If you go ahead and mail the letters to Co G, 19 Inf Regt, 24 Dvi Apo 24% PM SF Calif they will send it on to me and it wont take to long. When I find out what compay you can change that part of it. The 19 Regt will move ito our company tomorrow. The ROKs left last week and a bunch of PFC are leaving tomorrow for the 8th Army Hqs. Don’t know what they will do. Most of the other guys are going to George Co of the 19th Regt. All I know is that I am going to the 19th Regt. Hope to stay right here so I wont have to move.

Glad Snapper has his same teacher this year. (note: I had Mrs Dodd for the 1st and 2nd grade.) Hope he gets to feeling better. Seems like he doesn’t feel well quite often.

You said something about troops that are send back being sent some place else. They probably will but the reason they wanted guys with 6 months is so they could help train the men and get more time out of them rather than some one like me.

The days a fairly worm but not lie they were. I bet Larry’s car is really pretty. Tell him to take care of it and not burn it up all at once. Dad said something about the Koreas being beat up at some time. The Japs were ruling the Koreas for 40 years before World War II. They use to beat, kill, and treat them pretty rough. That is about all they know. When you catch one stealing he expect to be beat up. The MP knock them around quite a bit when you take them in. I have watched quite a few. The young ones are worse about wsing off than the older ones. I watched on MP Desk Sgt (GI) knock one clown across the room one day because he insulted me.

Well I got a feeling I wont get quite as good a deal as I had when the 24 moves in. I’ll let you know. Will write again.

Love, Ted

Monday Sept 20, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well I am in the 19th Inf Regt, Co G 24 Div. They moved in yesterday morning and I think it will be OK for awhile anyway. I to to keep the same job as Section Leader. We have a good Platoon Leader. I think we will get along OK. It sure had been a mess getting guys moved around where they belong. Haven’t had any mail lately. It will probably start coming slow now. As far as I know we will do nothing for about 2 weeks and them pull guard for 3 weeks and go to the field and train. That should be my last time in the field before I go home. I hope so any way. I think I might even make SFC before I rotate if everything goes OK before I rotate. They do thing a little bit different around here than in the 5 RCT not much different but a little. The NCOs run the company 99%. I didn’t have to move anything when I moved it. They moved in around me. Tell Mrs Underwood and Betty that I am in the 24 Div now. If I am ever close to the 34 Regt I will look Don up. Right now I thing the 34 Regt is till up north. We have a lot of me in the company. A lot of them rotate before long though. Quite a few in the next 30 or 40 days. I think there is over 240 men here now.

I scrounged up 8 pairs of fatigues now and I can change every day. Took me a long time to get that many but that’s what I have. Well not much new to write about today. If you know anyone who you thing will write you had better tell them my new address. You might tell Jim if you write him.

Lots of Love. Ted

Tuesday Sept 21, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Not much new to write about. Not anything doing today but I thought I would write a short letter anyway.

We just worked around the area today. We had PT this morning and I am a little sore. I got two letters from you. Sept 13. Guess everything is going OK. I am sory I forgot your anniversary. Time sure goes fast any more. 28 years is a long time.

I got a few pictures I am sending you. They were taken this last week. I guess you have heard that the 3rd Div is moving out of Korea. They start next month. I all so heard that we are going on the field about the 1st of Nov for 3 weeks. Hope we don’t but if we do I should be on my way home soon after we come back. Well not much more to write about. I will write again later.

Love, Ted