Panama 3

Panama Pundit 3

Jan. 3, 1991

We convoyed over to Camp Russo to deliver a 5 Ton truck and pick up two smaller vehicles for the return trip to Base Camp.  We almost had to transport a large sum of money back to the Base Camp, which I was not looking forward to, but it got cancelled at the last minute.

While at Russo we heard that an American helicopter got shot down in San Salvador.  The American soldiers that survived the crash were executed by the rebels.  It was a couple of hundred miles away but it did make us stop and think.  We realized that we “weren’t in Kansas anymore” and there were people in the general area that didn’t really like us. 

Captain Johnson said he had heard that Air Force One had landed at Howard AFB near Russo, but I didn’t believe him, so we decided to check it out before we returned to Base Camp.

Jan 4, 1991

The trip back to Base Camp was uneventful.  I did miss a turn in a town called Solo Palto.  There were five Panamanian bar fly’s hanging around the outside of a bar.  I guess they had been there all day according to their appearance, watching all the trucks go by.  They all pointed in the direction we were supposed to go.  As I was turning the convoy around I drove by them, leaned out of the jeep and yelled, “American Stupido.”  Which is Stupid American in Italian.  They understood what I meant and laughed very heartedly.

The set up of the Base Camp had made a lot of progress in the two days we had been absent.  We put our gear away and walked into town, if you can call Numbre a town.  They have a dirt road, shacks, two grocery stores (or a least a place where you could buy food), a café operated out of a house and an Asian Restaurant that also doubled as a grocery store.  One of the grocery stores had a bar.  We went to the one that had the bar.

There were a bunch of Panamanian playing something that looked like dominos and a pool table that was infested with beetles.  We didn’t play pool, just drank their $0.25 bottled beer, called Panama oddly enough.

Jan 5, 1991

We got up and took a ride to Ft. Davis and requisitioned material to paint directional signs for when the main body arrived.  Captain Johnson and I took the material down to a rocky beach and painted them.  We needed to clean our brushes so after soaking them in kerosene we cleaned them in the ocean.  I had been watching the waves and had figured out that every 5^th wave was larger than the other 4.  So when the 5^th wave was coming in we would dash back up the rocks.  I did not count on any abnormality in the wave cycle.  One wave took us by surprised and drug us both off the beach into the Atlantic Ocean.  Lucky for us there was a large boulder that we latched on to or we would have been picked up by some sort of current and our bodies found floating in the Gulf of Mexico or off the tip of Florida.  We took longer to dry than the paint on the signs.  We returned to Base Camp after driving by the supposed Air Force One, which it was not, and finished our brush cleaning on a sand bar in the Numbre River next to Base Camp.

Jan 6, 1991

We got up early and drove into Ft. Sheridan to pick up a truck convoy to lead to the Base Camp.  Just as we were about a mile away from camp we heard over the radio that there had been an accident on the road just ahead and a medivac helicopter had been requested immediately.  From a hill we watched as a group of men tried to save another man’s life.  We halted all traffic going down the road and took in the event.  Apparently the driver of a fork lift had lost control of his machine, the fork lift started to bounce, he un hooked his seat belt and stood up trying to get a better view of the road and guide the lift around the pot hole and large rocks.  The lift turned over and trapped the young man under the lift just below his waist.  It crushed him but he was still conscious.  Controlled panic developed.  His band of brothers immediately called for assistance, but the only medical helicopter available was in Panama City.  It was dispatched immediately but distance was against him.  They did what they could for the young man but by the time the helicopter arrived the 19 year old National Guardsman from Sikeston, Missouri was dead.  The Base Camp was named after him, Camp Thomas.  Some day I might write a story about that.

Some explinations if you have been following.

My grandparents maintained a bank account Dad used back in Independence.  I suspect it was the Standard State Bank in Fairmount.  That is where he sent his money and had them draw from now and then to send him money orders.

The Martin he refers to several times seems to be his closest friend and it will be interesting to read if he keeps in contact with him after basic.  My own experience was that you made very close friends in basic but when the basic training was done you never saw or heard from them again.  Years pass and you don’t even remember their names.  I never heard Dad mention anyone by the name of Martin.  We shall see.

I was stunned to read that he and Martin got a hotel room for $3 in LA.  I was not surprised that he did not think much of LA but found Hollywood enjoyable.  I felt the same way when I visited there years later and wonder now what sites he and I both saw but never talked about.

The Playmore was a large entertainment center in Kansas City where they had dances and had several bowling alleys.  It was a big deal in the 40’s and 50’s. 

He must have been on a roller coaster about his orders.  First he is going to be sent to New Jersey and assigned to the Signal Corps and was planning his 24 day leave at home only to find out moments before he was to leave that his orders had been changed to go to that “special school” and only get a 14 day pass with out the benefit of getting what amounted to a paid trip home due to the travel money he would have received to go to New Jersey. 

I have no idea where Camp Stoneman is and not sure I deciphered it correctly.  Perhaps that will be made clear later.

He seemed proud to be picked as one of the outstanding soldiers of his cycle and didn’t seem to think it ironic that after he received the commendation he was put on guard duty the next day.  I cannot believe that FTA didn’t run through his mine.

June 20, 1953

June 20, Saturday

Dear Mom and Dad

I thought I would drop you a line and let you know what happened.  About 20 of us got Signal Crops at Ft Mammoth, New Jersey.  I didn’t have to be there until July 14 and we were going to leave here today.  The other boys left on the charted plane a little before noon.  It would have given me 24 days at home and I would be in the states for 16 or more weeks.  I got $203.04 for travel pay.  

When we went to pick up our orders they didn’t have any for us.  Nine of us altogether.  We all knew what had happened then.  The deal on the special school came through.  They said it would be 3 or 4 days before our orders came through.  I was sure sick.  I had wanted the other so bad.  

About 20 guys got orders for Korea, 20 for Alaska, 10 for Austin, some sort of medical corps and the rest for Europe and Leadership school.. I would have been home tonight sometime.  

After everyone left our company commander told us that our orders were for Alameda, California naval station and we were cleared for secret work.  We will be in Alameda for 3 weeks and then we go to Camp Stoneman, California to go to Korea.  I don’t know what the school is or anything.  I get my orders starting Tues 23 June to the 7^th of July.  I will have 14 days.  So I should be home Tues sometime.  

I don’t feel as bad now as I did for awhile.  I was counting on being home Father’s Day.

We finished up Thur and was graduated Thur evening.  I was one of the outstanding soldiers of the cycle.  All the squad leaders got to go up before LTC Pruitt and shake his hand and salute and get their diploma from here.  I was the only one that was not a squad leader to go up.  I was the third one to go up.  I was sure surprised.

I had guard duty Wed night.  I didn’t write because I thought I would be home by now.  Well not much more to say.  I’ll be home soon and will sure be glad.  

All my love, Ted

July 14, 1953

Tues July 14, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

How are you.  I got your letter tonight with the money.  I was sure glad to get it.  Thanks a lot.  Not much new here.  I saw Thunder Bay last night.  You would like the picture.  I guess I  will go tonight and see Hangman's Knot with Randolf Scott.  That is really all there is to do.

Margie called tonight and said she might be out this weekend.  I hope she can.  The weekends get lonesome.

I don't know to much about the school and what I do know I am not supposed to talk about let alone write about.  It is something that would really surprise people and it would be a great use to certain people.  It would be best not to say anything about it in your letters.  I can't say much more.  It is sort of a new thing anyway.

I guess when I leave here I will just have four days and I might have to go to Stenman first.  I am not sure yet.

Well not much more to say, I will write you later.

(not signed)

July 13, 1953

July 13, 1953

Dear Mom and Dad

I got your letters today.  I got 3 at noon and one tonight.  We get our mail twice a day.  I guess I will write Martin a line tonight.  How soon do you get my mail?  I seem to get yours fast.

Do you remember that Sergeant Sipes that was an ROTC instructor at Northeast.  His nephew his here with me.  I was talking about ROTC and he said his uncle us to be an instructor there.  That is how I found out.  I remembered him, he was a Regular Army man.

My work here is real interesting, I enjoy it but would just as soon be learning something else more practical and perhaps useful for when I get out.

So you have not had any luck selling my car.  Hope you don't have to much trouble.

I went to the show last night and saw Raiders of the 7 Seas.  It was just a so so picture. I have seen better.

The weather here is about the same.  Sometimes it is foggy in the morning but it doesn't last long.

I think I will go to the show tonight.  They have Thunder Bay at 8 pm with James Stewart.  It should be good.

I sure see a lot of jets here.  The Navy Banshes is one.  They use to use the J34 engine in it like we made at work.  I think they still do.  I watched some take off the other day.  They sure travel.

Well can't think of much to write about.  I will write again tomorrow,  Keep your letters coming.
Love, Ted

July 12. 1953

Sunday July 12, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

How is everything at home?  Haven't heard anything from you yet.  I got a letter from Margie Friday night.  Probably hear from you Monday.  Thurs night I went to the show here and saw The City is Dark and Hiawatha.  They were good shows.

Fri night Theirderman and I went to Frisco and stayed over there. Went down town and fooled around.

Arlene told me that Kenny Kerkham was working out here in Frisco with his sister.  That is Arlene's dad's brother and sister.  They told me she owned the Rainbow Restaurant.  I had forgotten all about it at the time and we were sitting in a place drinking a beer Friday night and I saw Kenny in there.  I was sure surprised.  I have known him for a long time.

Sat we went to the Rainbow and saw Gladys his sister.  They really have a swanky place.  Dinning room and bar.  She told us to come back later but we didn't.  I might go there again before I leave.  You might tell Arlene.

Saturday we rode on a cable car and went to China Town.  Looks about the same.  We must have driven out of our way a lot when we all went there because it is right down town almost.

I kind of got a thrill riding the cable car.  You should have rode on it when you were here.

We then came on back to town to a 3D movie.  The Maze.  It was a pretty good picture.

You said something about Clift House once.  That is a modern restaurant now over looking the Seal Rocks on the the Pacific.  It use to be a resort in the 1890's.  I didn't see it but read about it in a pocket guide.  It must be a nice place.

We came on back to Alameda last night.  Here they serve breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30.

I bowled a line this afternoon with the boys and that's about all.  I might take in an early show tonight and go to bed.

The weather is sure nice here.  Gets cold at night and about 80 in the day.  What's it like back home?  I like here OK compared to Roberts.  We go to class at 8:30 till 4 pm and get 1 1/2 hour for lunch.

I think next weekend if I go to town I will wait till Sat night.  I spent about 20 dollars this week.  I will have to take it easy.  I am not sure what I will do the week after this coming weekend.  I may go to Steneman. I will let you know.  Some guys stay there a week and some for a month before their orders come through.  Some of the guys are being sent to Okinawa.  Hope I can get some place like that other than Korea.  It would not be bad to stay in Japan.  I wouldn't mind getting my orders changed to some place else too.  They do that once in awhile.

Well not much more to say.  Hope to hear from you real soon.  I will write you more tomorrow.
Love, Ted

PS The picture I took of myself is in Fresno.

July 9, 1953

Thurs night

Dear Mom and Dad

Haven't heard from you yet.  Guess I will get a letter about Mon or Sat, not much new here.  Don't know what I'll do this weekend yet.  I might go to Fresno or Oakland.

I went to the White Hat Club last night.  That's a club where the Sailors and Waves go here at the base.  It's real nice and they have a band here about 3 nights a week.  I went with the guy I traded blankets with.

From what I have seen of the Navy I wouldn't mind being in the Navy.  It's for four years though.

I haven't gotten any post cards yet.  If I find some I'll send them to you.

We had strawberry shortcake for dinner.  It's pretty good.

What's new around home.  Have you tried anything with the car yet?  Well not to much or to say.  I haven't done much of anything to tell about.  I'll drop you a line later and write me as soon as you can.
Love, Ted