Letters Date November 26 to December 6, 1954

Nov 26, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Another day and nothing much to write about.  Yesterday was Thanksgiving.  We had a big meal yesterday for dinner.  I guess you had quite a day of it too.  It has rained most of the day and has been cold and windy today.  I had 2 letters from you and a box of pecan cookies.  They sure were good. I really enjoy them   The letters were Nov 18 and 19.

Have you heard about this Netural Inspection Team here in Korea.  Well the team that is here in Pusan has two Polish Officer on it and the Korean Provost Marshal want s them out of Korea within a week.  That’s been 3 or 4 days ago.  They are communist and they check on the amount of troops, arms etc coming in and out of Korea.  I see them in the dock area all the time.  No one is allowed to talk to them and they have MPs guarding them and escorting them around Pusan with riot guns.  Since this trouble everyone in the dock area has to carry a weapon.  They are expecting trouble with the Koreans.  Let you know the out come.  You should be getting my letters more often now.  I didn’t write much in the file d but since I have been back I have written quite a bit.  I think the mail has been held up some place.  Haven’t her from anyone lately.  No more news about going home as yet.  They are just up to Dec 10.  The next big drop should get me but don’t think I will make it by Xmas.  I guess they are getting busy down tow with Xmas shopping etc.  don’t seem possible its so close.  Well not much more to write about so I will close.  Will write again later.

Love, Ted

Nov 28, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper. 

Today is Sunday and I got a day off from guard.  I was supposed to go on guard at 8 AM and wont have to.  Seems good to have a day off.  A lot has happened since I wrote last time.  Friday night 26 Nov the 55 QM burned down in Pusan.  It is located in the dock area.  It sure was a bad fire.  All the clothing, food, oil, gas and all other supply coming into Korea were there.  All most everything burned up and what they saved (3 tuck loads) were stolen by the Koreans, trucks and all.  We were alerted to go down and guard the area around it.  The sky was cloudy and the fire reflected all over Pusan and lit the town up with orange light.  I was just going on guard at midnight and I got to see most of what was going on besides posting some guards all around the fire.  The army moved the Koreans out of their houses and took bull dozers and cleared out a 100 yard strip around the firs so it would spread.  They took the bull dozers and pushed housed and all over.  People were moving out in all directions from the fire carrying what they could on their backs.  You will probably read about the fire in the paper.  It was a several million dollar loss.  That is the third big fire they have had in Pusan since I have been here in Korea plus a couple is Seoul.  We had a 4 man drop yesterday that took up to Dec 14.  There should be a couple more drops this week so I might make it.  Don’t count on it though till you get a letter form me.  Thiderman called yesterday from Co C 1^st Bn and left word for me to call but when I called I couldn’t get though.  Guess he just wanted to talk.  He is mess Sgt at C company.  I think you remember me speaking of him.  Not much more to write about.  Haven’t had any more mail.  I am going to mail another box of fatigues home in a few days.  I’ll let you know when I send them.  Well not much more to say so I will close.

Lots of Love, Ted

29 Nov 54

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well I had 2 letters today, Nov 20 and 22.  Glad to hear everything is going OK.  Haven’t done much of anything today.  Same old thing.  I guess this is the letter we have all be waiting for.  I just found out I am leaving Korea so don’t write me anymore after you get this letter.  I sure was surprised.  As much as I know now.  I will clean post tomorrow and leave the company Dec7.  So it will be 7 or 8 days from now before I will leave here.  Then I will go to a replacement center and process and wait for a ship.  I hear there is a ship leaving Dec 10 so I will probably be on that ship.  It wont give me much time to get home for Xmas but I might make it in I am lucky.  It will take a least 10 or 11 days to get to the states and 3 or 4  days to process on get home so it will be close.  Don’t look for me before Xmas though and not till you see me coming.  Be sure and not write any more as I wont get the mail you are sending now most likely.  It sure don’t seem  possible from some reason as I have been gone so long now.  Sure will be glad to get home and see all of you again.  About the first thing you can do is have all the gang in, Daisy, Edith and family, Evelyn and Jim, Larry and Mike, JQ, Merlyn and all the rest.  Well I will keep you posted on any new or ideas when I will be home.  Will write again soon.

Lots of Love, Ted

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Nothing much new for me to write about so this wont be much of a letter for you.  Yesterday I turned in all my field equip and some other things I don’t’ take with me.  I gave a lot of things away and I packed another box to send.  Will mail it in the next couple of days.  The usual things.  As far as I know now I will be leaving the Co on the 7^th and may be on a ship “General Anderson” which leave the 10^th.  Working on the dock and knowing the desk Sgt at the Port PMO I can find out what ships re leaving and the day and that the next ship after the 7^th of Dec.  I am on guard in the morning an it looks like it may be a bad day.. it’s cold and windy out and looks like it might rain.

I got paid yesterday.  I drew $119.  Wong get paid for SFC till next pay I get and I wont get to draw much for that as they will most likely discharge me when I get to the states and all I will have coming will be for part of Dec and Nov.  It will make a difference on my leave time I have coming.  I had 3 letter today Nov 23 and 24.  Also one from Jim.  Jim said he got order for the Far East.  Probably Japan.  If you see him tell him I will be in Ft Lewis before long.  He will probably get on the same boat I get off of.  That’s the way things work or else I’ll pass him some place at sea.  Well guess everything’s I normal in KC and at home.  Don’t look for any more mail after I get on the ship.  So you wont hear for me till I get home.  I wont call when I get to the states unless I get held up some place.  Write again soon.

Love, Ted

6 Dec 54  Monday

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I am leaving the company in the morning and will go to Pusan Replacement to process and wait for a ship.  I am all packed and ready to go.  I don’t think I will be writing any more so don’t look for any more mail after this one.  I am sending some pictures and some envelopes and some other things and another package.  It doesn’t look like I will make it for Xmas so don’t’ look for me.  Sure has been cold the last few days.  I am glad to be leaving here.  It was down to 25 the other night when I was on guard.  I don’t seem to have to much tow write about.  So then I will close.  I wont write again unless I get held up some place.  So look for me when you see me coming.  Tell everyone hello for me and that I’ll see them soon.

Lots of Love, Ted

This was the last letter Dad sent home.

Next: Homecoming, reflections, epilogue, and miscellaneous items.