November 16, 1953

Nov 16, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got 2 letters tonight.  One from Dwight (note: was Dad's best man when he married Mom and lived in the neighborhood.  Small world, years later a guy worked for me that was an electrician apprentice to Dwight.)  Dwight said that Don Hodson was going to a Private Detective school.  I sure got a kick out of that.

I went out this afternoon and fired the Mortar again.  This morning we had crew drills.  We came back about 5:30 and after dinner we saw a movie  "CBR" a training film on chemical warfare.

Right now I am drinking a cup of instant coffee.  It is OK.  I still have a cold and it seems to get worse every day.  Hope I get over it before this weekend.

We didn't celebrate Armistice Day here.  It was just another day.

They were talking about bringing in the jet engine plant from the east when I left KC.  It sure would be nice if they did.

I have guard from 2-3 in the morning.  I'll sure be glad when they send those two guys to the stockade. 

The weather today was fairly nice.  Hope t stays that way for awhile.

I polished my boots tonight and have been trying to polish my holster (.45)  It's in pretty bad shape though.  I need some black and cordovan dye.  I never thought about asking you to send some before.

Well I don't know much more.  I haven't heard whether I made PFC or not yet.  Well I'll write again tomorrow or Wed.  I think we have a problem Tues night.
Love, Ted

November 14, 1953 enclosure

(note: this is a letter that was enclosed  with the one sent on Nov. 14.  It is from his friend Gary Sipes.  He was in that special school with Dad and the nephew of Dad's ROTC instructor.  Dad mentioned getting this letter several letters ago and I guess he wanted to save it, that is why he sent it home.)

Nov 6,  53

Dear Ted

Just a line to tell you I haven't forgotten about you.  Glad to hear that Cliff is so close to you.  I have been trying to find out where you were at but nobody seems to know.  I went to Seoul with a couple of my buddies last Sunday and we had quite a time.  Will tell you about it when I see you.  I looked all the way down there for the 5th RCT but didn't  see it.  We went on 33A. Are you on that road.  I am tent guard today so I thought I better drop you a line.  We have been digging on the hill everyday.  It sure does get tiresome.

I'm gunner on the 57 R.R now and made PFC the 24th of Oct. That isn't to bad.  We are going to have classes on mortars.

It is really getting cold here, how is it where you are.  The ROCKs are pulling guard  now so we only have it about once a week which is a lot better.  How do you like the winter uniforms.  What does Cliff have to say about Korea.  Tell him to write me f he has a chance.  They wont let us have beer here, toddy's or cokes now. I think I will get it later.  My wife still hasn't had the baby.  She should have it any time.

Do you all have wooden floors in your tents yet.  We are supposed to get ours soon.  Some of the tents now have them.  They only give us 2 1/2 gallons of fuel oil a day, so we have to take it easy.

Yes, I got a letter from my friend and didn't have any trouble with it.  I still haven't answered yet. (note: He is referring to the person that was assigned to write them in code and they were to answer back in code.  It was to keep in practice in case they ever needed it.  This is explained more on my other Blog called the Adventures of Conley McAnally, entitled Spy Dad I posted back in Oct of 2010)

I sure wish we could get together some time as I would like to see you.  I might have a chance .  If you ever get down this way stop by the 27th,  1st Ban. A co and I'll try to be here.  If I can find out where you are at I will try and come see you.  Don't catch to many Moshoes. HaHa.
Gary

November 14, 1953

Saturday  14 Nov 53

Dear Folks

I had kind of a slow day today.  I was on Bn guard last night.  I didn't do anything this morning and this afternoon we didn't do anything either.  I got my new boots before I went on guard last night and wore them.  They sure keep your feet warm.  Shouldn't have any trouble this winter.  We drew some more clothes today.  I got a parka, liner, field pants with liner.  Sure have a lot of clothes now.  Will probably wear them before long.  We also got mittens.

I bought some new Xmas cards last night.  I have 22 now and I don't need but just a few more.  I think I will send them out about the first week in Dec.  I send them to almost everyone.  Send me JQ's address and also James Glover's address and anyone else you think I should send one to.  I am sending one to Sharp and McDonald and a few others.

I took a roll of film yesterday.  I might send the roll to you as it is hard to get them developed here. 

Some Greek Soldiers have been coming around selling ornaments the last few weeks.  I don't know where they get them but they have a lot of them, I think they are to high.

I went to see Zink tonight.  He didn't have much to say.  About the same old line.  I guess next Sat the 21st we are going on a 4 day problem in the field.  I sure hate to because it's getting colder.  I hope they call it off.  I probably wont get to write much while I am away so don't be surprised if you don't get a letter for a few days.

Some of the guys just came back from R&R in Japan and they sure bought some nice stuff to send home.  There is a list of things I want to get and send home.  I hope I can before long.  I think may be March.
Zink is behind only 133 guys and I got here just a little after him so I should not be that far away from going.  Sometimes they send you to Hong Kong China for you R&R if you want to go but I think mostly that is for Sgts and Officers.  I would sure like to go there.  It would be better than Japan.

Well I think I will close now and finish up tomorrow night.  I got a letter by the way tonight dated Nov 8.  What was that pictures "Blowing Wild" about, was it a western.  Thanks for send the packages for the kids  They will enjoy it a lot.---------

Well no letter came in today or tonight either so I guess I will finish this letter.  Last night I went down to Zink's and talked to him (I guess I told you about that)  This morning I got up and ate breakfast.  I fooled around this morning and addressed some Xmas cards.  After lunch I went over to the Triple Nichol and saw that friend of mine, Don Cummings.  There was another kid there from KC who knew Jim Prather from KC and gave me his address.  I wrote to him awhile ago.  Jim told this guy to look me up.  He didn't know at first I was the guy Jim had told him about till we started talking.  Jim Prather is one of the guys that was with me at Alameda.  I came back this afternoon and haven't done anything.  It's been cloudy and cold all day. 

Guthmiller left for the NCO Academy today.  I hope I hear something before long.  I should hear about  PFC tomorrow some time.  I hope I make it.  It means a little more a month besides being my first stripe.

I guess the whole 5th RCT is going on this 4 day bivouac net Sat.  The Triple Nichol (that is the field artillery for the 5th) is going and so is the 3rd Bn, so I guess it is going to be a big thing.  I hear we are going to be the enemy force for the 3 Div. 

Well don't know much more to say.  I will write again tomorrow night.
Love, Ted

November 12, 1953

.  Thurs  Nov. 12, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I didn't get but one letter last night and it was Mrs. Sears (note: my mother's mother.)  It was a nice letter.  Didn't have much to say.  She said she had wrote a book and had it published. (note: it was called Let Me Speak.  She wrote and published it while she was bed ridden with a broken hip and Lupus)  I haven't had any mail yet but it should be here before long.

Today we have been training as usual.  We started wearing our pile caps instead of our helmet liners.  Winter is the same as here now.

This afternoon we had a big parade.  Bigger than any I have been in here at the 5th.  They had all the jeeps, tanks, artillery etc. in it.  It was a big deal.  I snowed a little while it was going on.  I wouldn't doubt it if it snowed tonight.  Well that is about all that is new here.

I like the new toothpaste you sent.  It sure cleans  teeth nice.  I think I will go to the show tonight at Easy Company they are showing "Rouges March."  Sounds like it would be good.

Sure wish they would sign the truce and start sending troops home before winter sets in.

 It is sure going to get cold.  I have picked up a little cold.  Seems like it gets a little worse each day.  I hope I can shake it before  it get to bad.  You know how hard it is for me to get rid of a cold.

I hope you get the presents I sent from IX Corps before Christmas.  I want to send some more things if I can get a chance but don't know yet.  If I don't I will send them when I go on R&R.  I probably wont go before Feb or March. 

May be we will move to Hawaii this spring.   Things look pretty bad in Trestn (note: I can not make that word out as of yet.)  You can never tell what will happen any more.  Well I guess I will close  till I come back from the show and may be I will have some mail by then.---------Well I just got back from the show.  I saw "Rouges March."  It was and English picture.  It was just fair. 

I had three letters and a Westinghouse paper when I came back.  The letters were dated 4,6,7 Nov.  I got the pictures.  I wrote back what they were and I am sending them right back.  I may pick up the pictures that I had taken in Seoul when I go back sometime.  I don't think they are to good.  I never did see them though.

Whatever you sent in the Xmas box will be OK for me.  You always have good taste.  I will be glad to get it.  I usually pass my boxes around a little any way so there wont be to much in them to lay around.  Also what ever you send for the children here at the Xmas party will be OK.  Thank Mr Sharp and Mrs Stafford.  You don't have to send much but what ever you send it will be a big help.  Also thank Evelyn and Harley.  The Old Man might not know where they are from if you name isn't on the packages but it wont make any difference.  He will be glad to get them.

You sure have a lot of trouble with Snapper's jacket. (note: I use to forget it at school for some reason.)  but I guess if he likes it is worth it. 

I don't know how the boy is that got shot.  You never hear about anyone when they leave the company.  He was in bad shape.

I have a flash light and I get my battery's from the commo tent.  I use my little light to.  Don't worry about the camera.  I will probably buy a good one one of these days.  They are plenty cheap here.  So far I haven't needed any razor blades and I don't think they are hard to buy.  I have some that Jim gave me when I left home.

We don't have any light in our company as of yet and I don't think we will get any for a while anyway.  Some company's have them.

They say or mortar was damaged when the moved last time and hasn't been replaced yet. 

The instant coffee will be OK.  So far we haven't had much coffee at night in our tent but we might later on.  I always like it.

So you had some snow.  You are ahead of us.  I didn't understand what you said about voting democrat next time.  What is wrong with the Republicans, not that I don't think it is OK but why the change of mind. 

I enjoyed looking over the Westinghouse paper and seeing some old faces.  Well I have about run out of things to say.  I don't know much of anything more or what we will be doing tomorrow.  I will write again soon.
Love, Ted

November 11, 1953

Wed Nov 11, 1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I thought I would write a line today.  I didn't write Monday night and last night we had a night problem.  Monday I got 2 letters and another package from you.  The cookies sure were good and so was the bottom of t I the can.  I got the film and Kane will take some pictures soon and send them to you.  I got another letter just now.  Let me know when you send the Xmas box for the kids and who to and what was in it.

They sure had some bad car wrecks in KC.  Guess they will always have them.

You must have a lot of trouble with that cat climbing trees.  You will be able to climb up and getting him better than I can climb hills.

Monday I went out on the range.  I did about the same thing this time as I did last time, except they were machine guns at us instead of M1. 

Monday night I went to the show and saw "Down Among the Sheltering Palms" and "Glory Brigade." Sunday night I was a radio operator on the night problem.

It sure has been cold here the last few days.  It gets below freezing every night now and doesn't warm up to much during the day time.

I have been guarding the two prisoners to day, all day, and I am right now.  They are putting doors on the platoon CP while I am writing this letter.  One is going to get 18 months and the other at least 5 years.  Their court marshal is coming up soon.  I'll be glad because I am sure getting tired of guarding them.

I got a letter from Gary Sipes.  He is a gunner in a 57 recoiless rifle now and he made PFC.  They don't have floors in their tents and only get 2 1/2 gal of oil a day for their stove.

The medics sprayed the floor today for mites and fleas that the rats carry.  Sure smelled things up.  Reminded me of when I  was an exterminator.  I could show them a few things.

All most anything can happen around here.  They started burning the dead grass and bushes off the hill in back of us  awhile a go, and some 30 cal rounds were there and when the fire hit them they started going off.  Sure made a racket.  They wouldn't hurt anyone because they didn't go off with a force but it gives you a funny feeling.

Well that is about all I have right now..  I'll finish the letter this evening.------Well it is about 8:15 now.  Nothing new and no mail came in so I guess I will close for now.
Love, Ted

November 8, 1953

Sunday  Nov  8,  53

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

How are you this evening?  I worked all day on the floor in one of the other tents.  I has been cloudy all day.  They had a fire at Regt Hequts. this afternoon.  Some Koreans were cleaning a floor in the hospital with gasoline.  There were painting and were cleaning spots off the floor.  There were only 2 ROCKS and a GI in the building.  It blew up.  Two Koreans were burned pretty bad and the GI, a medic, burned in it.  It was pretty bad.  You can't be to careful with the gas and stove.  I sure am careful with the stuff.

Today one of the boys was going to the NCO Academy and he had to check out at M-1.  He turned in his .45 pistol and I checked it out.  So now I have a weapon to keep clean.  I bought a straw rug for my floor around my cot.  They are the same thing the Koreans use for their homes.  I am  getting so I live like these Koreans now.

One of the Koreans went out today and ate a lot of Kimichi and Sake.  He came in drunk and he smelled up the tent.  You have no idea what that stuff smells like.

I bought some Korean Xmas cards at the PX today.  They sure are pretty.  I could only get one box at a time.  I will get some more later.  I only have 12 now.  I think I need 12 more.

I got the Westinghouse news today and that is all I have today.  Not much else new.  I smoke my pipe almost all the time now.  I don't smoke many cigarettes now.  Well I guess I will close for now.  I'll write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted

November 7, 1953

Sat  Nov 7,  53

Dear Folks

I got a letter (3) tonight with the pictures.  I only got 3 sets.  You didn't say whether you kept a set or not.  I will wait before I send a set in case I get another one in the next few days.  I didn't realize that would cost so much.  I'll send the money for them.

What did you think of the 17 gun salute by the cannons and the pictures of General Clark and General Hull.  I thought they were good.      

Clark

Hull

I didn't have to stand inspection today.  I worked on the tent all day.  Tonight the flu on our stove stopped up and smothered the fire out.  The stack filled up with smoke and after it cleared out a little we opened the lid on the stove and then let the extra oil burn.  We clean the stove every 3 or 4 days and we never had any problems with it until they had us put in dampers.  We had to clean the stove in the dark out side.

Time sure passes fast anymore.  We no sooner start Monday till another week-end goes by. 

Sounds like the Hodsons are just like they always were.  Don and I use to have a lot of fun in the old Buick.  I often think of the things we use to do.  You have a lot of time to think over here.

That 240 engine is quite an engine.  Sounds like it is quite the job.
 
I am glad to hear that Richard got an extension.  If he went to Stoneman he would be coming to the Far East, may be Japan, Korea, or some other island close around here.  About 90% come to Korea though.

What did Margie say when she called.  I haven't heard from her in a long time.  Guess she is waiting for me to write.  She didn't think I wrote enough.

I was sure glad to get my boots.  I ate the cheese and crackers last night.  They sure were good.

Don Underwood was lucky to fly over  He probably went to Japan, Camp Drake or Sasabo.  He could stay in Japan but probably will come over here.  I hope I can fly back when  go home.

I think the packages you send is a good deal that they don't get broke or opened.  Hope you put a pint in the next one you send.  I know it would get here OK.  Some the guys get them OK.  Keith use to get a half pint in basic all the time.  Don't worry about what you say in your letters about the plant because I burn the letters every week or two.  I don't like to throw them away but I get so many I can't keep them.

I am going to try and get some Xmas cards to mail home but it may be awhile getting there.  I have to wait till I go to the 9th Corps rest center or Seoul.  I guess I will have to work tomorrow all day.  Not much more to say.  So I will close.  I am sending the picture back that I don't want.
Love, Ted