March 1, 1954

March 1, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Had a letter yesterday (21) and today (22) from Dad.  Glad to hear everything is going good at home.  Guess you have been having your share of colds.  I guess I don't know Charline McCord you wrote about.  Who was she and do I know her.

Did you say you claimed Snapper.  I understood you to say you did.  Did you ask Browning if I could make out a tax return.  I know who you meant, Elmer. I thnk his name is Frank Franklin.  I remember when he came into the army.  Where in Japan was he stationed. (note: this paragraph is confusing to me, but it is put down just like he had it.)

We went out today and fired our weapons for zero.  That is about it.  Tomorrow we go on a ten mile march with full field packs and tomorrow night we have a night field problem.  I probably wont get a chance to write tomorrow.

I am sendig you a piece out of the Stars and Stripes about the 5th RCT.  It is a story of what those problems were like that we went on every week for awhle.  Thought you might like to read about it.  The latest is that we are going to move Saturday, March 7.  But where I don't know.  It is a rumor that we are going to Pusan.  I am sure we are going to move but I don't know where or when for sure.  If I find out I'll let you know but they will probably not tell us till after we move.  So if you don't get any mail for a few days you can bet we are moving.

Well don't know much more so will close.
Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 27, 1954

Sat.  Feb 27, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got the big package today with all the good things to eat, smoke, and drink.  The package got here in good shape.  I opened the Italian sausage up.  The paper under the tine foil was molded.  I asked Simonie what it was and he said it was nothing.  We scraped it off and ate it.  It was OK and tasted good.  Simonie said it always does that but doesn’t hurt the meat.  He gets it all the time from home.  That kind of food is all he eats at home.  We snacked all afternoon on cheese, sausage, and crackers.  I am going to start on the fruit cake tonight.

I also got a letter from Dad today (Feb 20.)  Sounds like we are getting the rain you had.  It has been raining all day and last night.  It may be the start of the rainy season.

We had an inspection today in the tent of all the clothes.  I had an extra duffel bag full of things.  I took it over the hill and hid it till after the inspection.  I got a lot of socks, fatigues, and shorts when I came back through Sasebo.  In fact I got a whole issue of clothes there.  When I came back here I kept what I wanted and turned the rest in.  I am well fixed on short and t-shirts.  I have about 8 pairs of wool socks too.  I won’t have to worry for awhile.  I know the boys in supply pretty good and they always fix me up with anything new I need.  I got an extra field jacket out of them yesterday.

No more news on rotation or moving so I don’t know much more to say.  I’ll write you again before long.  Haven’t heard from Jim since they moved to Springfield.  How about you.

Lots of Love, Ted

Thanks for the package.

Feb 26, 1954

Fri. Feb 26, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got a letter from Mom today dated Feb 19 with a picture that Snapper drew.  You said you got a letter form me that I wrote at Sasebo.  I stayed about a week there.  I was sure glad to leave.  I didn’t see anyone when I was at Pusan.  I was only there a little while.  I tried to call Arkie but he was on R&R.  I didn’t know whether Don Underwood would still be in Pusan or not because the 24 Div is moving to the north to take the 45 Div place. 

We haven’t done much all day but work around the area.  The Captain told us today that there is a new rotation system.  I think they to many men going home and that had only a short time to go and they had to assign them to a new unit for only a little while (like Carlin T.)  Now they will keep you here till you have less than 90 days to go before you are discharged.  If you are supposed to rotate 5 months before your discharge they will send you home 7 months before discharge.  So if you have 5 months less to do they will extend you one more month and discharge you when you get to the states.

I don’t think it will bother me either way.  They will probably change it before my time anyway.

Haven’t got any packages today, on the one letter.  Well I guess I will close for now.  I’ll write you again later.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 25, 1954

Thursday Feb 25, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got a letter from Dad last (Feb 18) night and a package (Feb 17) with two spice cakes.  One is gone already.  They sure were good and tasted like they just came out of the over.  Fresh as the day you baked them.  I haven’t got any mail today.  May get some later on tonight.

I got a letter from JQ yesterday.  I just wrote him a letter.

It has rained all day and all last night.  Most rain I have seen since I have been over here.  It isn’t cold.

We had classes most of the day.  This afternoon we had to dig around our tent more so the water wouldn’t wash the tent away.  I took a shower tonight.  The first one I have had since I left Sasebo.  I think I am catching another cold myself.  I guess you are having real good weather in KC now. 

You read the news about Marilyn Monroe I guess.  The 5^th went up in trucks to the 40 Div before I got back.  I didn’t get to see her, sure whish I did.  Might get another chance later on. (note: I have noticed dad is beginning to repeat himself.)

I talked to a boy who works in the orderly room.  He said Captain Book put me in for Cpl in Jan and Feb and I was turned down at Regt HQ because I didn’t have enough time as a PFC.  You are supposed to have 2 months in grade to get it.  I might make if this month if I get put in for in (March.)  They have more Cpls than they need right now, so it doesn’t look so good.

How do you like the pictures I have been sending home.  I still have a lot more.  Guess I’ll just send a few in each letter.  I didn’t realize I went so long with out writing any letters.  It is hard to write when you travel because each day you are thinking you are goin to leave where you are so you don’t write.  You should get them more regular from now on.

Well not much more new.  I’ll write you again later on.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 24, 1954

Wed Feb 24, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

I got a couple of letters (15 and 16^th) one yesterday and one today.  Sounds like you are having some nice weather.  Sure is nice here today.  Just like spring.

We trained some yesterday with the mortar and had a night problem last night.  This morning we had PT.  We ran a long way and I am sure tired out.  We cleaned stoves this afternoon and later we go take showers.  Nothing on tonight that I know of.

I haven’t received any of the packages you sent except the ones that were waiting. (the two boxes of cookies)  They sure were good and I am looking forward to the ones that are on the way.

I am sure the 5^th is going to move and I don’t know where or when.  There are three rumors.  One to Pusan, one to I Corps.  The other is to relieve a Greek outfit on the line.  Hope it is to Pusan. 

The rank drops where in today. (note: I guess there were certain time frames when ranks were submitted and decided.)  I don’t know whether the Platoon Sgt put me in for Cpl or not.  We have more Cpls now  than we need and I doubt if I was put in.  I am sure disgusted with the way things are now.  I wouldn’t mind getting into something else but I don’t know what.  It is fairly easy to transfer now. 

I am glad you like your robe etc. that I sent from Japan.  When I go on R&R I’ll send more things.  I am keeping the list you sent and am going to take it with me when I go.  I should go in April sometime but since all these new men came in the company I maybe longer in going.  We have 285 men in the Co now.  We are over strength. 

How did you like the pictures I have been sending.  Kepp them all and when I get home I can have something to remember about the Army, good and bad.  (note: for someone who took so many pictures so few remain.)  Well don’t know much more to write about so I will close.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 22, 1954

Monday  Feb 22, 1954

Dear Snapper

How are you.  Mama sent me a list your grades.  You sure are a smart boy.  I am glad you do so good and like school.  I have some more patches for you.  You should have quite a few now. (note:  I still do.)  Are you putting them all on a jacket. (note: yes.)  Thanks for your valentines.  What did you do with the two dollars I sent you.  I bet you can’t guess what I wrote on the side of the letter.  If you can figure it out let me know. (note:  On the side of this letter Dad wrote some Japanese characters.)  A Japanese girl showed me how to write it.  It says  Watoshy Annata Ai.  Well be a good boy and write me a letter.  I miss you and love you.

Daddy

George Washington’s Birthday

Feb 22, 1954

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Haven’t done much of anything today.  I have just been fooling around.  I wrote Snapper a letter a while ago.  I sent him a IX Corps, 3^rd Division and a 10^th Div patch, also some PFC stripes that I wore on my uniform in Japan.  I would like to keep them.  How many patches does he have now.  Everything is about the same.

I am sure disappointed that all these Cpls came in the company.  They sure messed things up.  The captain said today that we are finished up with our 26 weeks of training.  He said we may be moving some place now.  There are three places we might move to.  The I Corps area, Pusan and one more place.  It may be awhile before that takes place.  It would be nice if we moved back to Pusan or Japan.  The 187 RCT moved back to Japan in November.  They have it nice back there.  Pusan is OK too.  I’ll let you know.  I think myself that if we move we will move up on the line.  Time will tell.

How did you like the color pictures I sent.  I am going to buy a roll of color film and take some pictures of the area around here.  I’ll send them to you.

It is nice today.  Sun is bright but it is cold.  It doesn’t seem to be thawing  I will probably get a letter from you today.  Well don’t have much more to write about for now so I will close.  Will write again later on.

Lots of Love, Ted

Feb 21, 1954

Feb 21, 1954

Sunday

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Will didn’t get any mail today.  Thought I would write and try to answer some of the things you wrote in your letters.  I wrote Jim at the address you sent and also a letter to Marian.  I was writing this afternoon when Lewellen came in.  First time I have seen him since we got off the ship in Korea in Sept.  He has a good job and works in supply.  He came down in a jeep.  We went down to see Zink.  He said the same thing happened in his company as ours.  They put a lot of Cpls in and he lost his job too.  That’s the way it is.

Last night I went to the show and saw “Island in the Sky,” with John Wayne.  It was a good picture.

It sure is cold here at night.  It must get below zero now.  The days seem to be longer so it might start warming up some. 

We are finished with our 26 week training cycle and now we are starting another one.  We have tomorrow off because of George W’s birthday.  Next time you get a hair cut tell Reynolds the women are just like the girls in the states.  Show him a picture of the girl I sent, he will get a kick out of it probably.

I didn’t tell you I called to Arike on the phone when I came back to Pusan.  He was on R&R so I didn’t get to talk to him.  I might take a pass some Sunday and go see Richard in Seoul.  I never take a pass here much.  I will find out what he does if he writes me.

My thumb is OK now.  My nail is coming off and it doesn’t look to good but it is OK.  I am glad you liked your valentines.  I sure enjoyed mine.  I didn’t have much to pick from.  Did you say you got the book Baby-san.  It is a good joke book.  I don’t remember McFadden. (note: I guess he is answering a series of questions she asked in the letters.  The McFadden’s were the mother and father of one of my school mates.  They were from Florida, about my grandparents age, and I knew them will while growing up.  Interesting family.  I might write about them some day.)  They don’t have any movie equipment over here so you better not send any films.  I wouldn’t be able to see them. 

I found out I don’t have to make out and income tax form till I get out of the army.  I wish I could get it done now.  Why don’t you find out how I can go about it anyway.  I don’t think I would have to pay much.  Let me know just what you do about Snapper. (note: My mother was my legal guardian but I lived with my grandparents.  Dad’s child allotments went to my grandparents, but no one really knew how I should be claimed for income tax purposes.)  Jan had better not claim him.

I am glad you liked the things I sent at Xmas.  Glad they got there OK.  I think they were chop sticks weren’t they.  I will have to teach Snapper how to eat with them. (note: I  don’t remember him ever teaching me but to this day I cannot figure out how to do it and have had several lessons.)

I am looking forward to the box you sent regular mail.  I like that pepperoni you buy at the Roma Bakery.  Simonie gets some from home quite a bit and it is always OK  I think the box sent by regular mail would be better than air mail if you would like to send them that way.  I don’t know of anything I need right now.

Well don’t know much of anymore to write about.  I had a good time in Japan.  Wish I had more time to spend over there but it wont be able to.  Time sure is going fast and it won’t be long till I am home.

Lots of Love, Ted