....continued
We might be here a while yet. A new bunch came in to day. I was on detail this morning. I cleaned up the day room. That is better than having to drill or do physical training. Reynolds and Zink got on a detail to take laundry to town. They got to stop and drink beer. Wish I could get a detail like that.
We got our names turned in for a pass. I might not get one thought. They only give out so many a night.
We just got done with diner. We had ice cream. The seem to have plenty of that. The food is better than we have had in the states. Well not much more right now. I'll finish this letter later on.
Well we all got our orders this afternoon. Zink is going to a Chemical, Biological Warfare School at Eta Jima. The school is a 2 week course. All of the rest of us are going to a different Division. Thiederman 409 Div, Prather 45 Div, Kozbo 2 Div, Reynolds 7 Div, Lewellen 3 Div, and I am going to the 5 Div. I am not really sure about mine yet. Sipes is going to the 25 Div. We were all putt out about getting spread out. Nothing we can do about it because of our school.
We are going to turn in our clothes tomorrow. Tonight we bought some watermelon and peaches. They were sure good. I bought Snapper a jacket. It is a medium. I sure hope it fits him. I thought it would be nice for him to wear to school. It cost me 3 dollars at the PX and 80 cents to mail it. I thought it would be nice for him. Let me know about it. If he can't wear it sell it or keep it for a souvenir. If it is to big save it for him for next year. Well Zink and I are going to play some checkers. I will write tomorrow.
Friday September 4, 1953. Well didn't do to much today. I worked up around the mess hall today. We cleaned the walls off on the outside. It rained most of the day so we sat in the mess hall and drank coffee. This afternoon and evening we played poker. 7 card stud. I won about 10 dollars. Zink left about 5 o'clock this even. I sure hated to see him leave. In fact I hate to be split up from all the guys. We get along swell and have a lot of fun. It's 9 PM now and we have to go turn in our clothes now. I think we will leave sometime tomorrow.
I believe I am going to the 5th RCT - not a Div at all. It is a Regimental Combat Team. Then an out fit from there. I don't know my new address yet. I'll write it as soon as I can.
They had mail cal the other night but they quit before they got to the M's. Hope I get some before I leave here.
Love, Ted
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
September 3, 1953 Sasebo
Thurs 3, 1953
Dear Mom,m Dad and Snapper
Not to much news here. Sure is hot. We sweat all day and night and when you get up in the morning your clothes are still wet from the day before. Mosquitoes are bad here. They give us pill once a week for malaria fever. I have to sleep under a sheet to keep from getting bit up.
Yesterday afternoon I took a good shower. It sure felt good. The wash basin in the shower hits you about your knees. That is because the Japs are so short. I took some laundry to the Jap laundry here. It cost me 51 cents for what I had. Last night I went to the PX and got some things. everything is high except beer and cigarettes. You can only buy 2 cartons of cigarettes a week. They have ice cream and watermelon.
Thiderman, Zink, and I went to the beer hall and got some beer. 2 cans cost 24 cents, Budweiser. That is about all I did. I got a hair cut, cost 25 cents. The shop has about 50 Jap barbers. Some are women. They do a good job, better than the states, they take a lot more time. I get a kick out of watching them. They remind me of bees or ants. They just jabber away while they work and everything they do has to be just right.
Some of the guys got shipped out today from out tent. So now we got all the guys in the same tent, one of the boys is in charge of something or other so we have a good chance to get passes. I hope to get one tonight.
continued......
Dear Mom,m Dad and Snapper
Not to much news here. Sure is hot. We sweat all day and night and when you get up in the morning your clothes are still wet from the day before. Mosquitoes are bad here. They give us pill once a week for malaria fever. I have to sleep under a sheet to keep from getting bit up.
Yesterday afternoon I took a good shower. It sure felt good. The wash basin in the shower hits you about your knees. That is because the Japs are so short. I took some laundry to the Jap laundry here. It cost me 51 cents for what I had. Last night I went to the PX and got some things. everything is high except beer and cigarettes. You can only buy 2 cartons of cigarettes a week. They have ice cream and watermelon.
Thiderman, Zink, and I went to the beer hall and got some beer. 2 cans cost 24 cents, Budweiser. That is about all I did. I got a hair cut, cost 25 cents. The shop has about 50 Jap barbers. Some are women. They do a good job, better than the states, they take a lot more time. I get a kick out of watching them. They remind me of bees or ants. They just jabber away while they work and everything they do has to be just right.
Some of the guys got shipped out today from out tent. So now we got all the guys in the same tent, one of the boys is in charge of something or other so we have a good chance to get passes. I hope to get one tonight.
continued......
Friday, March 18, 2011
September 1, 1953. Sasebo, Japan, Cont.
...continued
I am glad everything is going OK at work. Say hello to the boys for me.
They have shows here, PX, beer hall, bowling, service club, and skating rink. there isn't much to look at around here. The roads are made of rock and the tents don't look like much but the buildings look pretty good. We sit 4 at a table in the mess hall. Water is rationed here. You can only take a shower between 2 and 4.
I was sure broke when I got paid. I had about 60 cents and 100 yen. I got your stamps. I needed them bad.
2Sept 1953
I didn't get to finish this letter last night. It's 11 AM now. Last night they called us out and talked to us. They told us that this camp was a Jap Marine Base during the war. Sasebo was the town they wanted to drop the Atom Bomb on. To bad they didn't. They call this place the Florida of Japan. It is on the island of Tysher or something like that.
Last night we were on detail for a while. We cleaned out a ditch. They have Japanese truck drivers. I talked with a little guy for awhile. They have mostly Jap civilian workers here.
We haven't heard anything about when we ship yet. I hope to say here a while.
I have a couple of new patches for Snapper. I'll mail them some time in one of the letters. I also have some cloth paratrooper wings that they wear on fatigues. I am sending the picture they drew of me in Yokohama. Doesn't look a lot like me.
Well don't have much more to to say right now. I'll write you again soon.
Love, Ted
I am glad everything is going OK at work. Say hello to the boys for me.
They have shows here, PX, beer hall, bowling, service club, and skating rink. there isn't much to look at around here. The roads are made of rock and the tents don't look like much but the buildings look pretty good. We sit 4 at a table in the mess hall. Water is rationed here. You can only take a shower between 2 and 4.
I was sure broke when I got paid. I had about 60 cents and 100 yen. I got your stamps. I needed them bad.
2Sept 1953
I didn't get to finish this letter last night. It's 11 AM now. Last night they called us out and talked to us. They told us that this camp was a Jap Marine Base during the war. Sasebo was the town they wanted to drop the Atom Bomb on. To bad they didn't. They call this place the Florida of Japan. It is on the island of Tysher or something like that.
Last night we were on detail for a while. We cleaned out a ditch. They have Japanese truck drivers. I talked with a little guy for awhile. They have mostly Jap civilian workers here.
We haven't heard anything about when we ship yet. I hope to say here a while.
I have a couple of new patches for Snapper. I'll mail them some time in one of the letters. I also have some cloth paratrooper wings that they wear on fatigues. I am sending the picture they drew of me in Yokohama. Doesn't look a lot like me.
Well don't have much more to to say right now. I'll write you again soon.
Love, Ted
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
September 1, 1953-Sasebo
Tues, Sept 1, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
How is everything at home. Everything is OK here. We left Yokohama Sunday afternoon the 30th of August for Sasebo, Japan. The ocean was rough all the way and has been windy, misty, and cloudy ever sense Sat. I don't know where Sasebo is exactly but you can look on the map. We arrived this morning about 10. I was one of the first to get off. All of the guys were right together. We got mail when we got off of the ship. I got 5 letters altogether. 3 of them were mailed to me at Stoneman and 2 from Dad that were mailed the 16 or 17. That is all I have got so far.
We got here at Camp Sasebo about noon. We have processed with our records and got paid about 20 dollars. I still wont get paid my entire amount until I get to my next station.
We were issued bedding and a canteen. It is plenty hot here. I think we are way down south. The food here is darn good so far. We live in wood frames with tents over the top. I think they might be cool.
I didn't tell you at Camp Stoneman when they made up our shipping orders that Zink was the only one who was not in the special orders with us. According to the orders we are supposed to go to the 25th Infantry Div. I don't know for sure but I think we will. We shouldn't be here to long. Some of the guys are leaving tonight and tomorrow. We get a new issue of clothes here. We turn in most of the clothes we have now and get our field issue. I should know tomorrow whether we will leave or not.
I would like to got into town here and see what it is like. I have enjoyed it so far and I don't think 2 years will be to bad. It's about like Dad said in his letter.
They have Japs for KP here and I doubt if I will have to pull any of that here. They told us after we get to our out fit we may get a chance to go to school. I hope we do.
Continued.......
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
How is everything at home. Everything is OK here. We left Yokohama Sunday afternoon the 30th of August for Sasebo, Japan. The ocean was rough all the way and has been windy, misty, and cloudy ever sense Sat. I don't know where Sasebo is exactly but you can look on the map. We arrived this morning about 10. I was one of the first to get off. All of the guys were right together. We got mail when we got off of the ship. I got 5 letters altogether. 3 of them were mailed to me at Stoneman and 2 from Dad that were mailed the 16 or 17. That is all I have got so far.
We got here at Camp Sasebo about noon. We have processed with our records and got paid about 20 dollars. I still wont get paid my entire amount until I get to my next station.
We were issued bedding and a canteen. It is plenty hot here. I think we are way down south. The food here is darn good so far. We live in wood frames with tents over the top. I think they might be cool.
I didn't tell you at Camp Stoneman when they made up our shipping orders that Zink was the only one who was not in the special orders with us. According to the orders we are supposed to go to the 25th Infantry Div. I don't know for sure but I think we will. We shouldn't be here to long. Some of the guys are leaving tonight and tomorrow. We get a new issue of clothes here. We turn in most of the clothes we have now and get our field issue. I should know tomorrow whether we will leave or not.
I would like to got into town here and see what it is like. I have enjoyed it so far and I don't think 2 years will be to bad. It's about like Dad said in his letter.
They have Japs for KP here and I doubt if I will have to pull any of that here. They told us after we get to our out fit we may get a chance to go to school. I hope we do.
Continued.......
Monday, March 14, 2011
August Explanations
Camp Stoneman was used as a debarkation point for WWII and Korea. Thousands of men went through there. Any of you that have been in the military know that there is plenty of nothing to do a lot. Those in charge have to make up things and the troops know this so they become a little passive aggressive. The funniest thing is when they were all marching about, about 150 Dad says, and were halted in front of a company headquarters. As soon as they were left alone, all 150 scattered simultaneously.
His orders to shoot anyone who tried to escape when he was at a detention camp must have been sobering.
He mentions several people again but the only one who I sort of remember is the guy named Zink, I think he lived down the street from us and his family owned a dry cleaners in Fairmount for awhile. I guess he was not too mad a mom because he sold her his car. He seems to be with all the guys who had the "special" training.
The ship must have been an experience. He had never been on one and I thought it amusing that he said when the sea got choppy, that it was "the roughest he had ever seen."
I thought it interesting the way he washed his clothes on the ship. I wonder how many guys threw their clothes over the side and lost them because they didn't tie the rope tight enough.
The last letter I posted just exudes his fascination with Yokohama and Japan in general. It was the first time he had ever been out of the country and you can tell how excited he was. I remember very vividly the stuff he sent back and still have several of the items. I had a denim jacket with all the patches he sent sewed on and was quite the hit at school and the silk embroidery jacket he finally did buy and sent home. It was reversible and very colorful. I have no idea what happened to either jacket.
Dad is getting ready to take off from Yokohama and really does not know where he is going to be stationed yet.
His orders to shoot anyone who tried to escape when he was at a detention camp must have been sobering.
He mentions several people again but the only one who I sort of remember is the guy named Zink, I think he lived down the street from us and his family owned a dry cleaners in Fairmount for awhile. I guess he was not too mad a mom because he sold her his car. He seems to be with all the guys who had the "special" training.
The ship must have been an experience. He had never been on one and I thought it amusing that he said when the sea got choppy, that it was "the roughest he had ever seen."
I thought it interesting the way he washed his clothes on the ship. I wonder how many guys threw their clothes over the side and lost them because they didn't tie the rope tight enough.
The last letter I posted just exudes his fascination with Yokohama and Japan in general. It was the first time he had ever been out of the country and you can tell how excited he was. I remember very vividly the stuff he sent back and still have several of the items. I had a denim jacket with all the patches he sent sewed on and was quite the hit at school and the silk embroidery jacket he finally did buy and sent home. It was reversible and very colorful. I have no idea what happened to either jacket.
Dad is getting ready to take off from Yokohama and really does not know where he is going to be stationed yet.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
August 30, 1953. Yokohama
Sun Aug 30, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
Well we landed in Yokohama Sat about noon. It sure was good to see land again. A few of us were lucky to get a pass. I left the ship about 5 pm and didn't have to be back till 11 pm. I sure enjoyed myself.
I had about $5 and changed it to 1800 yen. I saw a lot of things I would like to send home. I will the next time I get a chance. I bought a lot of small things. This stationery was 150 yen, rubber shower slippers 200 yen, cigarettes 40 yen, I had a guy draw my picture for 200 yen. I'll send you that. Beer is only 160 yen a quart. A girl sits with you and pours it for you and talks to you. They really treat you nice here. They talk enough English that you can get along good.
It was cloudy and to dark to take pictures.
I saw a jacket I would like to send Snapper. It's a silk zipper jacket with embroidery on it. It only cost 1100 yen which is about 3 dollars. 360 yen is a dollar. I will get another chance before long probably.
You should write me and tell me the name of that China you want, and anything else you would like. If I go to Korea I can come to Japan every 3 months for 7 days. That's the way they do now any way. Everything is dirt cheap. I really like it here. Yokohama isn't the best place in Japan though. I was surprised at it in some ways. They drive American cars here, Fords, Chevy's, Plymouth's etc. There are 47 and 48's mostly. They dress American style and oriental. They don't wear shoes much, mostly sandals. Their stores are neat and clean.
I went to the United Nations snack bar and had a club sand. (ham, cheese, tomatoes, potato salad, 3 Decker) it only cost about 30 cents. It was a regular American place where they serve only GI's. You can spend American script there.
Coming in to the bay there were a lot of ships and fishing boats. The sky was cloudy and misty and we couldn't see very far and they played music. The only people who got off were Air Force officers. We stayed here all night so they gave out a few passes. I was the only one of us who got a pass.
In town they don't ware ties. Our ship is going to leave here before to long, it is about 11:30 am now. I'll be glad to get where we are going. I am a little bit tied of this ship. I guess we go to Sasabo, Japan from here and then they send us from there. Where that is going to be.
I sure wish you could be here to see the country. It is really something to see and something I will always remember. I would like to have spent more time here but I guess I will get another before to long.
What size jacket should I get Snapper. I don't want to get one too small. They showed me one for a boy 6 years old but I couldn't tell if it would fit him or not.
Write me and tell me anything you want. I looked for a zipo lighter for Dad but all I could find were those that looked liek a Roson. I can probably find one a little later on.
This paper is Japanese Wood Paper with lacquer paint. I thought it was very pretty so I got some. Each page is different.
Well I can hardly wait until I hear from you. I sure hope I get some mail from you. Hope you tell me all the news about everything and everyone.
Well not much for me to say for right now. I'll write tomorrow or the next day. This letter probably wont get mailed for a few days.
Lots of love, Ted
P.S. A am sending a few thing home to keep as souvenirs. They money is only 10 yen. It isn't worth much considering that 360 yen is only 1 dollar.
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
Well we landed in Yokohama Sat about noon. It sure was good to see land again. A few of us were lucky to get a pass. I left the ship about 5 pm and didn't have to be back till 11 pm. I sure enjoyed myself.
I had about $5 and changed it to 1800 yen. I saw a lot of things I would like to send home. I will the next time I get a chance. I bought a lot of small things. This stationery was 150 yen, rubber shower slippers 200 yen, cigarettes 40 yen, I had a guy draw my picture for 200 yen. I'll send you that. Beer is only 160 yen a quart. A girl sits with you and pours it for you and talks to you. They really treat you nice here. They talk enough English that you can get along good.
It was cloudy and to dark to take pictures.
I saw a jacket I would like to send Snapper. It's a silk zipper jacket with embroidery on it. It only cost 1100 yen which is about 3 dollars. 360 yen is a dollar. I will get another chance before long probably.
You should write me and tell me the name of that China you want, and anything else you would like. If I go to Korea I can come to Japan every 3 months for 7 days. That's the way they do now any way. Everything is dirt cheap. I really like it here. Yokohama isn't the best place in Japan though. I was surprised at it in some ways. They drive American cars here, Fords, Chevy's, Plymouth's etc. There are 47 and 48's mostly. They dress American style and oriental. They don't wear shoes much, mostly sandals. Their stores are neat and clean.
I went to the United Nations snack bar and had a club sand. (ham, cheese, tomatoes, potato salad, 3 Decker) it only cost about 30 cents. It was a regular American place where they serve only GI's. You can spend American script there.
Coming in to the bay there were a lot of ships and fishing boats. The sky was cloudy and misty and we couldn't see very far and they played music. The only people who got off were Air Force officers. We stayed here all night so they gave out a few passes. I was the only one of us who got a pass.
In town they don't ware ties. Our ship is going to leave here before to long, it is about 11:30 am now. I'll be glad to get where we are going. I am a little bit tied of this ship. I guess we go to Sasabo, Japan from here and then they send us from there. Where that is going to be.
I sure wish you could be here to see the country. It is really something to see and something I will always remember. I would like to have spent more time here but I guess I will get another before to long.
What size jacket should I get Snapper. I don't want to get one too small. They showed me one for a boy 6 years old but I couldn't tell if it would fit him or not.
Write me and tell me anything you want. I looked for a zipo lighter for Dad but all I could find were those that looked liek a Roson. I can probably find one a little later on.
This paper is Japanese Wood Paper with lacquer paint. I thought it was very pretty so I got some. Each page is different.
Well I can hardly wait until I hear from you. I sure hope I get some mail from you. Hope you tell me all the news about everything and everyone.
Well not much for me to say for right now. I'll write tomorrow or the next day. This letter probably wont get mailed for a few days.
Lots of love, Ted
P.S. A am sending a few thing home to keep as souvenirs. They money is only 10 yen. It isn't worth much considering that 360 yen is only 1 dollar.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Aboard the USNS Meigs-part 9
...continued. The next day.
Aug 29. I finished KP again. The sea is plenty rough. Today I was standing on deck and a wave splashed up over the rail. I got plenty wet.
We will be in Yokohama in the morning. I don't know whether we can get off of the ship or not. We can mail our letters no so I guess I will mail this one. I'll write again a little later. Hope to get some mail from you soon so I can know what is going on back home. Everything is OK with me. I hope it's OK with you
Will write again soon.
Love, Ted
Aug 29. I finished KP again. The sea is plenty rough. Today I was standing on deck and a wave splashed up over the rail. I got plenty wet.
We will be in Yokohama in the morning. I don't know whether we can get off of the ship or not. We can mail our letters no so I guess I will mail this one. I'll write again a little later. Hope to get some mail from you soon so I can know what is going on back home. Everything is OK with me. I hope it's OK with you
Will write again soon.
Love, Ted
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