Note to reader: This is a continuation of the letter posted last time.
Wed 9 Sept 53 - Well I finally got here. This is the first chance I have had to write. Monday we unloaded off the Marine Lynx to landing craft and then to the port of Inchon. We got a trucks there. It was about 6 pm before we left there and then we had c rations in the truck. We drove from Inchon through Seoul and then to the 3 Division Replacement. I don't know what that is.
Our convoy got lost so they dropped us off at the third at 3am Tues morn. Some ride. I saw quite a bit of Korea though, not much to it. It is very poor looking. Little kids beg in the street when we drive by. I through some penny's to them.
It is hot here in the day and get plenty cold at night. We left the 3 Div about 10 in the morning and came to the 5th RCT replacement center and then got sent to the company. The 5th RCT is not connected with any Division. They are a unit of their own and smaller than a Div. The 5th is one of the oldest regiments or outfits in Korea and is the best. I was sent to G Company. From there I was assigned to 4th platoon, 1st squad. I am on the 60mm mortar.
It is pretty nice here. After the war the 5th pulled back and sat up here. We are in a valley. Each company has there own area. We stay in squad tents. Two squads to a tent. My tent sits on the side of a hill overlooking the other tents. They took our fatigues shirts here and all my shorts and socks and T Shirts. When the Sgt wasn't looking I put 2 pairs of shorts and T shirts in my duffel bag with 2 pairs of socks. They don't give you anything other than what is on your back and one pair of fatigues pants and a pair of socks. I got an M1 and a helmet. We sleep on cots. I haven't got a sleeping bad yet, so I made one out of some blankets they gave me at Sasebo. I slept worm.
I didn't get to see any of the boys after I got off the boat. Don't know where they are now. It was sure lonesome at first but its not so bad now. There are some nice guys in this company. Most of them are combat vets.
Our camp is about 6 miles north of the 38 parallel and about 20 miles from the front. I think we will stay here. If the war is over this outfit will go to Hawaii, that is their home base. Hope it is so.
Since the war stopped they have started a 26 week training course. This is the 3rd week now. Not like basic though. Wont be as long of hours. Our food is good here. This isn't near as bad as I had planned. We have a show 2 times a week, PX, and today they are going to have a USO Show. I can see what the army is really like now. I like it better than the states. I haven't gotten any mail yet. Wont start coming until about 2 weeks. When you write, write me at this new address.
Every once in a while I get to go for R&R for a day here in Korea or a weekend for 3 days. They take 4 men everyday out of the company and send them to a town 20 miles from here. They have ice cream, beer etc. There isn't any beer here right now. They get some every once in a while.
I wont get paid until the end of the moth, but I don't need anything. I have 20 dollars, that should last a month or two.
Well I can't tell you everything all at once so I will just wait until I write again and tell you what goes on. Find out from Cecil Talket where his boy is. Send me his address if he is close. I will look him up. Give him mine.
Love, Ted
PVT Teddy S McAnally US55337884
Co G 5th RCT
APO 52 Care PMSF
5th RCT
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Continued from Sept 5th
.
Sunday Sept 6, 1953. Didn't do much today. Played blackjack with some of the boys this morning and then pulled guard for about 4 hours. Today we could see the west coast of Korea. We are going up between China and Korea now. Inchon is close to the 38 parallel. From now on I get my mail free. Look for my free mark from now on.
I have heard some talk that if the truce works out all troops would be taken from Korea and the day we land in Korea we will get out in 18 months. The way it is now everyone after the 1st of Sept stays 16 months more. It doesn't sound right to me, not real clear. Do I have to stay longer or get out earlier? Army! Have you heard about it in the papers? Let me know. I hope something works out so I can get out early.
They have a show tonight for our compartment, Ivanhoe. Think I will go see it. I lost 5 bucks playing cards. That's enough. I didn't really mind though because I am still way ahead. I have seen some rough poker games. Some guys win and lose 200 and 500 dollars in the game. Glad I am not that interested. Most of those guys are vets with 10 to 15 years in the army. Most of them are Sgts. Well not to much more for now. I'll write tomorrow. By the way that round patch with the airplane on a parachute is the emblem the paratroopers wear on the left side of the caps by the front.
...continued
Sunday Sept 6, 1953. Didn't do much today. Played blackjack with some of the boys this morning and then pulled guard for about 4 hours. Today we could see the west coast of Korea. We are going up between China and Korea now. Inchon is close to the 38 parallel. From now on I get my mail free. Look for my free mark from now on.
I have heard some talk that if the truce works out all troops would be taken from Korea and the day we land in Korea we will get out in 18 months. The way it is now everyone after the 1st of Sept stays 16 months more. It doesn't sound right to me, not real clear. Do I have to stay longer or get out earlier? Army! Have you heard about it in the papers? Let me know. I hope something works out so I can get out early.
They have a show tonight for our compartment, Ivanhoe. Think I will go see it. I lost 5 bucks playing cards. That's enough. I didn't really mind though because I am still way ahead. I have seen some rough poker games. Some guys win and lose 200 and 500 dollars in the game. Glad I am not that interested. Most of those guys are vets with 10 to 15 years in the army. Most of them are Sgts. Well not to much more for now. I'll write tomorrow. By the way that round patch with the airplane on a parachute is the emblem the paratroopers wear on the left side of the caps by the front.
...continued
September 5, 1953. On My Way
Sat. Sept 5, 1953
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
Well I am on my way. I changed my clothes last night about 9 pm. Didn't get much. I turned in everything I had except my shorts, t-shirts, socks etc. I got 2 pairs of impregnated fatigues. They are treated for the prevention of lice. I got a complete pair of shorts and extra socks. Nice to have them. They gave us a cartridge belt, canteen, mess kit. While I was changing my clothes some one came in the tent and took my rain coat. Guess I will have to get another one before long some way.
This morn we all lined up to get on the ship. We started at 10 am and loaded in order of buses to go to the ship. It was about 3 before they got to me. There were about 4000 or more. All of us guys got split up but were all on the ship. We are on the USNS Marine Lynx. It is not quite as big as the Meigs, but is a lot nicer and seems to have more room. I sleep in a compartment with 32 men. We have a water fountain, piano, coke machine, and right off the day room. Sipes is in the next compartment.
We are supposed to be out 36 hours. We pulled out about 8 pm tonight and suppose to arrive at Ishan Korea about 8 Monday morning. I am still not sure what outfit I am going to yet but I think it is the 5th RTC. It is not a division but a regiment. I will tell you more about it later on.
So far I have not been part of any details yet. I doubt if I will have to because it is such a short trip. Did I tell you that my over seas time started Aug 10. I sure should get a good big pay check next time. I have only drawn 100 dollars sense June 15. I should draw about 160. If I do I will send 100 home.
They didn't give us our mail at Sasebo. Hope I get it at Ishan where I get off the boat. Well can't mail this yet so I'll add to it tomorrow.
...continued
Dear Mom, Dad and Snapper
Well I am on my way. I changed my clothes last night about 9 pm. Didn't get much. I turned in everything I had except my shorts, t-shirts, socks etc. I got 2 pairs of impregnated fatigues. They are treated for the prevention of lice. I got a complete pair of shorts and extra socks. Nice to have them. They gave us a cartridge belt, canteen, mess kit. While I was changing my clothes some one came in the tent and took my rain coat. Guess I will have to get another one before long some way.
This morn we all lined up to get on the ship. We started at 10 am and loaded in order of buses to go to the ship. It was about 3 before they got to me. There were about 4000 or more. All of us guys got split up but were all on the ship. We are on the USNS Marine Lynx. It is not quite as big as the Meigs, but is a lot nicer and seems to have more room. I sleep in a compartment with 32 men. We have a water fountain, piano, coke machine, and right off the day room. Sipes is in the next compartment.
We are supposed to be out 36 hours. We pulled out about 8 pm tonight and suppose to arrive at Ishan Korea about 8 Monday morning. I am still not sure what outfit I am going to yet but I think it is the 5th RTC. It is not a division but a regiment. I will tell you more about it later on.
So far I have not been part of any details yet. I doubt if I will have to because it is such a short trip. Did I tell you that my over seas time started Aug 10. I sure should get a good big pay check next time. I have only drawn 100 dollars sense June 15. I should draw about 160. If I do I will send 100 home.
They didn't give us our mail at Sasebo. Hope I get it at Ishan where I get off the boat. Well can't mail this yet so I'll add to it tomorrow.
...continued
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
September 3, 1953. Sasabo, cont...
....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
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
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.......
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