F Friday August 20, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had a letter today Aug 13. I thought you would have more letters than you got. I guess I haven’t been doing a very good job of writing any more but seems like its about the same old thing all the time and nothing new to write about.
I heard over the radio yesterday that 4 Div would be leaving Korea. Today I heard that the 25 Div was going to Hawaii and the 2nd Div was going to the states and small units would also be leaving Korea. I am almost sure that we are going to move anyway but I don’t know where. We didn’t get any replacements and we need them. Those 900 men that were here from the 2nd Div are gone back now. Don’t know why they were here. They didn’t do anything while they were here and they were only here for 3 or 4 day.
We should know whether we are going to move in the next few weeks. I was on guard last night and I am off now till Sunday eve. I didn’t do anything today. Our platoon goes on guard everyday at 5 till midnight. Our company is short of men so we only have 3 relief’s now. They changed it from the company roster to the regular relief. I only pull guard only every 3 days because our Sgt change over.
You said something about the ring again. I think I told you in all the letters about it. I can’t figure out how it got in the letter. I figured it was put in there by Snapper or Dad as a joke. I laughed about it (note: I don’t read ahead so I don’t know if the mystery was ever solved.)
Well the storm blew over and it didn’t amount to much. The sun is hot again and it’s the same old thing here. I have 4 months today before I am due to rotate but I think I’ll still be home by Xmas. Time goes by fairly fast now. I sure have thought a lot of coming home lately. Its going to seem funny to get back to civilization again. We have a new Co Commander again. 1st LT Goldsmith. Think he will be OK. I am sending a few Guard Rosters. Thought you might like to look them over. Did you get the slides I sent. Hope that one of me doesn’t scare you (with the helmet line on) Well I’ll write gain soon.
Love, Ted
Sunday Aug 22, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I guess you have been reading the paper about the Divs moving out of Korea. I guess our outfit is leaving soon. I here its to the states but it is jus a rumor. We are supposed to move the first part of Sept. You write something about sending a birth day package. You better not as we might be gone before I would get it and I don’t need anything. I can buy most anything here I need and I have more than I need now. So why don’t you wait.
I am going to be on guard tomorrow again. I had a letter from you yesterday. Well I hope that if this out fit leave this sp place I can go with it. I will sure be disappointed if I don’t get to go. They wont take every one. I have had a cold the last few days. It’s the firs t bad one I have had since last December. Not much new to write about so I will close . Will write again later.
Love, Ted
Aug 24, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Mot much new to write about but thought I would write a line to let you knw everything si fine. I gout your can of cookies yesterday along with a couple of letters. I get a kidk out of seen the pictures again of the old man next to Jim. (note: he is talking about a picture my grandfather took with his brother in law Jim. He had put on a wig etc.)
I guess summers is about over in KC and Snapper will be going back to school. I didn’t notice the seasons here much. Just the months and pay days. I have been here in Korea about a year now. I hope I don’t have much longer to do over here and that I get to leave with the outfit when it leaves. I am certain now they will leave but they may just take a few troop with them when they leave. You have probably been reading about the Div moving etc. It will all bee soon. The Koreas don’t lit it and they have parades and carry signs. They say we are afraid of the red etc. I get so mad at these people over here and how stupid they are.
I was on guard yesterday and we had quite a time with the people on the docks. LT Wheeler the O.G. took two gooks off for fighting and after he left some other Korean was running down the docks from a Korean policeman. He ran past me and I told him to halt withy my .45 and when he didn’t stop I put the .45 back in my holster and took out running after him and when I was a few feet from him he stopped and the Koran policeman worked him over. We caught a couple of Korans stealing and we took them in to the MPs. We also found a baby in the water some one had thrown in to get rid of it. Sure was a sight.
The IG is here today looking over the company. The weather is fairly good, not to hot, no rain. Well that’s about all that I know new. Write me any new s from home you herar about the troops moving.
Lots of Love, Ted
Monday, March 26, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Two letters dated Aug 17, 1954
¦ August 17, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Not much new at this end but thought I would write you a line and let you know every thing is OK.
I was on guard yesterday all day. Not much of anything went on. It was fairly quiet. I went to be early last night and today I don’t have much to do. I go on guard again tonight at 3 PM till midnight.
I haven’t received any mail from you yet today (or yesterday) but will probably get a letter today. I have the 35 color slides ready to mail and I will try to get them off today. I took some of Fuknyoka, Japan and on the LST on the way back and some of the K9 Beach we went to that day for the company party.
The guard is mixed up this time. I hope they get it straight this time. Its done by company roster rather than by platoon like it was the last time. Everyone seems to think the 5th is moving soon but no word on it for sure as yet. I doubt if it will be back to the states. I forgot to tell you not to send anymore packages for a while as the hot weather they are not keeping to good and we might be moving soon anyway.
Have you heard from Arkie yet. He should be home by now.
Well I don’t know much more to write about so I will close for now. I’ll write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
August 17, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
This is my 2nd letter today. I got a letter from you awhile ago telling me you saw Arkie and you also sent the clipping about the 3 Div moving out of Korea. That makes sense , the rumors I have heard about us moving and I think I have told you about them. I hope we are luck to move and not have to stay here and black. (note: I don’t understand, but there is no other way to read the line.)
Arkie sure has gained weight hadn’t he.
We had s storm warning at noon and took all of our signs down etc., nail the window shut etc. A typhoon is coming around 5 PM today with winds up to 70 mph. I am going to be on guard on the docks. I hope it doesn’t get to bad.
I had a letter from Jim today. Didn’t have much to say. Sounds like his basic is much better than mine was.
Well I don’t know much more to say. Just thought I would write you a line and let you know the news. When I heard something I’ll let you know. How come Don doesn’t like the Army. Will write later.
Lots of Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Not much new at this end but thought I would write you a line and let you know every thing is OK.
I was on guard yesterday all day. Not much of anything went on. It was fairly quiet. I went to be early last night and today I don’t have much to do. I go on guard again tonight at 3 PM till midnight.
I haven’t received any mail from you yet today (or yesterday) but will probably get a letter today. I have the 35 color slides ready to mail and I will try to get them off today. I took some of Fuknyoka, Japan and on the LST on the way back and some of the K9 Beach we went to that day for the company party.
The guard is mixed up this time. I hope they get it straight this time. Its done by company roster rather than by platoon like it was the last time. Everyone seems to think the 5th is moving soon but no word on it for sure as yet. I doubt if it will be back to the states. I forgot to tell you not to send anymore packages for a while as the hot weather they are not keeping to good and we might be moving soon anyway.
Have you heard from Arkie yet. He should be home by now.
Well I don’t know much more to write about so I will close for now. I’ll write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
August 17, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
This is my 2nd letter today. I got a letter from you awhile ago telling me you saw Arkie and you also sent the clipping about the 3 Div moving out of Korea. That makes sense , the rumors I have heard about us moving and I think I have told you about them. I hope we are luck to move and not have to stay here and black. (note: I don’t understand, but there is no other way to read the line.)
Arkie sure has gained weight hadn’t he.
We had s storm warning at noon and took all of our signs down etc., nail the window shut etc. A typhoon is coming around 5 PM today with winds up to 70 mph. I am going to be on guard on the docks. I hope it doesn’t get to bad.
I had a letter from Jim today. Didn’t have much to say. Sounds like his basic is much better than mine was.
Well I don’t know much more to say. Just thought I would write you a line and let you know the news. When I heard something I’ll let you know. How come Don doesn’t like the Army. Will write later.
Lots of Love, Ted
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Letters dated11, 14, 15, 1954
Aug 11, 1954 Wed
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had several letter from you since you left home but I haven’t answered them yet. I saw the Royal Gorge in Colo when we were out their in 1947 and also Sladia and the Minarck Pass. It was a pretty drive fro Sladia to Colo Springs.
Not much new here to tell. It is still hot and we have been in the field everyday and it was so hot that 28 men passed out from the heat and they called the problem off and sent us down to the creek to cool off till evening. We have a field problem I the morning and then we will go back to Pusan tomorrow afternoon. Guess we will have guard again. I got the slides back I took in Japan and Pusan on the beach. I’ll send them to you. I thought you might stay on your trip longer than you are but the card I got today said you were ready to start back to KC. To bad Snapper got to feeling bad. I wrote two letters to Casper and 2 letters to Cheyenne. I guess you won’t get them now. I would have mailed them to Colo instead if I had known soon enough. (note: We went as far as Colo and the trip was nice enough but I do remember getting sick which might have had something to do with the altitude. I still have trouble being over 7000 feet even in a non pressurized plane.)
I still hear rumors of the 5th RCT moving but don’t know anything as yet. Hope they do move because the time will seem to go faster when we move even if it is just here in Korea. I have been hear all most 12 months now. Well I’ll write again when we get back to Pusan.
Lots of Love, Ted
August 14, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well we came back from the field Thursday afternoon and yesterday we cleaned up all of our field equipment and this morning we had an inspection.
Its been hot here for the last couple of days we have been back. Even the nights are hot.
They gave everyone a box of stationery this morning and it has our patch and regt crest at the top. How to you like it. I had a letter yesterday that you write when you got back home. You didn’t stay long on you trip. I thought you were going to stay longer.
We start guard tomorrow again. I thin it will run about the same as last time.
Well I am still section leader in the 57s. So far it has been OK and my section had the best inspection of the 4th Platoon etc today. I have 3 squad leaders under me and each squad has 7 men in it so that makes about 21 men I have to take care of and it is a job at times. You have all kinds of guys to put up with but they don’t seem to give me much trouble and seem to work pretty good.
I think there is something going on over here, I don’t know just what . Thursday when we came in the Regt Commander took 2 platoons from Fox Company and sent them to Seoul and they flew them up there. I don’t know what for. They had a riot or something I heard.
This afternoon we have been cleaning up our area for a company to move in. So we may be leaving here before long. When I find out I’ll let you know.
Well I can’t think of much to write about any more of interest. Same old stuff around here. I’ll write you again in a while. Hope Snapper is doing OK now. Wish I could have been with you on the trip. May be when I get home we can to Yellow Stone. When I get the letters back from Wyo I’ll send them to you.
Lots of Love, Ted
Sunday August 15, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I haven’t done much today. It sue has been hot today. Yesterday the 2 Div of about 900 men moved into this camp and each company here is feeding about 150 men. No one knows for sure just what they are doing here. The word is that they are here to help out in an expected riot here in Pusan and to help guard etc. Hope they are going to take over and we are going to move out. Time will tell.
Well I will be on guard in the morning from8 AM to 5 PM. I am Sgt of the Guard this time instead of Pier Sgt. I’ll be over the guards on Piers 3 and 4 of about 37 men. Quite a bit of responsibility but I can do it. I like to pull guard because there is always something going on.
I had a letter yesterday from Dad with the pictures of the Opera House. Sounds like you really had a nice trip.
I didn’t know Mr Ritter was Super of Cave of the Winds. (Note: Mr. Ritter was the principal of Mt Washington grade school when my grandmother went there. He had retired and moved out to Colo I guess. She came upon him by accident while walking through the cave. He is the one who placed Mama with Mother Stone, her Foster Mother.)
Your tirp sure didn’t cost you much and your car did good too. Sorry to hear about Mr Garett, what was wrong with him.
Did you get the letter about me telling about the ring? (note: this about the 3rd time he has mentioned this.) Did you ever figure out where it came from. Did you ever get those $50 checks. You haven’t said anything yet.
I looked at the slide today through a viewer, they seemed to be pretty good. I’ll send them to you as soon as I can.
Did you ever read in the paper about my going on R&R etc. You might have missed it while you were gone. Some of the guys are getting mail from home telling them it was in the paper. Well I’ll write you again later on.
Lots of Love, Ted
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had several letter from you since you left home but I haven’t answered them yet. I saw the Royal Gorge in Colo when we were out their in 1947 and also Sladia and the Minarck Pass. It was a pretty drive fro Sladia to Colo Springs.
Not much new here to tell. It is still hot and we have been in the field everyday and it was so hot that 28 men passed out from the heat and they called the problem off and sent us down to the creek to cool off till evening. We have a field problem I the morning and then we will go back to Pusan tomorrow afternoon. Guess we will have guard again. I got the slides back I took in Japan and Pusan on the beach. I’ll send them to you. I thought you might stay on your trip longer than you are but the card I got today said you were ready to start back to KC. To bad Snapper got to feeling bad. I wrote two letters to Casper and 2 letters to Cheyenne. I guess you won’t get them now. I would have mailed them to Colo instead if I had known soon enough. (note: We went as far as Colo and the trip was nice enough but I do remember getting sick which might have had something to do with the altitude. I still have trouble being over 7000 feet even in a non pressurized plane.)
I still hear rumors of the 5th RCT moving but don’t know anything as yet. Hope they do move because the time will seem to go faster when we move even if it is just here in Korea. I have been hear all most 12 months now. Well I’ll write again when we get back to Pusan.
Lots of Love, Ted
August 14, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well we came back from the field Thursday afternoon and yesterday we cleaned up all of our field equipment and this morning we had an inspection.
Its been hot here for the last couple of days we have been back. Even the nights are hot.
They gave everyone a box of stationery this morning and it has our patch and regt crest at the top. How to you like it. I had a letter yesterday that you write when you got back home. You didn’t stay long on you trip. I thought you were going to stay longer.
We start guard tomorrow again. I thin it will run about the same as last time.
Well I am still section leader in the 57s. So far it has been OK and my section had the best inspection of the 4th Platoon etc today. I have 3 squad leaders under me and each squad has 7 men in it so that makes about 21 men I have to take care of and it is a job at times. You have all kinds of guys to put up with but they don’t seem to give me much trouble and seem to work pretty good.
I think there is something going on over here, I don’t know just what . Thursday when we came in the Regt Commander took 2 platoons from Fox Company and sent them to Seoul and they flew them up there. I don’t know what for. They had a riot or something I heard.
This afternoon we have been cleaning up our area for a company to move in. So we may be leaving here before long. When I find out I’ll let you know.
Well I can’t think of much to write about any more of interest. Same old stuff around here. I’ll write you again in a while. Hope Snapper is doing OK now. Wish I could have been with you on the trip. May be when I get home we can to Yellow Stone. When I get the letters back from Wyo I’ll send them to you.
Lots of Love, Ted
Sunday August 15, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I haven’t done much today. It sue has been hot today. Yesterday the 2 Div of about 900 men moved into this camp and each company here is feeding about 150 men. No one knows for sure just what they are doing here. The word is that they are here to help out in an expected riot here in Pusan and to help guard etc. Hope they are going to take over and we are going to move out. Time will tell.
Well I will be on guard in the morning from8 AM to 5 PM. I am Sgt of the Guard this time instead of Pier Sgt. I’ll be over the guards on Piers 3 and 4 of about 37 men. Quite a bit of responsibility but I can do it. I like to pull guard because there is always something going on.
I had a letter yesterday from Dad with the pictures of the Opera House. Sounds like you really had a nice trip.
I didn’t know Mr Ritter was Super of Cave of the Winds. (Note: Mr. Ritter was the principal of Mt Washington grade school when my grandmother went there. He had retired and moved out to Colo I guess. She came upon him by accident while walking through the cave. He is the one who placed Mama with Mother Stone, her Foster Mother.)
Your tirp sure didn’t cost you much and your car did good too. Sorry to hear about Mr Garett, what was wrong with him.
Did you get the letter about me telling about the ring? (note: this about the 3rd time he has mentioned this.) Did you ever figure out where it came from. Did you ever get those $50 checks. You haven’t said anything yet.
I looked at the slide today through a viewer, they seemed to be pretty good. I’ll send them to you as soon as I can.
Did you ever read in the paper about my going on R&R etc. You might have missed it while you were gone. Some of the guys are getting mail from home telling them it was in the paper. Well I’ll write you again later on.
Lots of Love, Ted
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Letters dated Aug 3, 4 and 7, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had three letters tonight. I hadn’t had any for a couple of days now and I was glad to get them. Today is the first day we have had that the sun shined. It has rained almost everyday and night except this afternoon.
We fired our 57 today and it was pretty good. Sgt Wood left yesterday and 15 others. I am about 56 on the list now. When we were in Masan I was 122. I have had the section since Sgt Wood left. It’s a little better than a squad. I figured you would be going to Yellow Stone on your vacation and I wrote 2 letters to Casper and 2 to Cheyenne. I guess if you don’t go they will send them back.
That sounded like a real meal you had with the bunch at the chuck wagon dinner. You seemed not to know about that wedding ring I got. I wrote it in one of the letters I sent to Wyoming so I will write it again.
I had a letter from either Dad or Mom and when I opened the letter this ring was in the letter. It was a plane band and it would hardly fit on m little finger. It was tarnished and not bright. I thought it was a pretty good joke and that Dad probably put it in the letter or Snapper for a joke. If you didn’t do it I am wondering now who did do it, I am wondering about it now.
Well I don’t know much more so I will close. I’ll write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
Wed Aug 4, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had a letter tonight from you, a box of cookies and a Union Beacon from Westinghouse. I know Jack McCleary. I didn’t know he worked at Westinghouse. How long has he been there. He is a Fairmount boy and he was a year ahead of me in school. I was in a lot of classes with the girl he married. I can’t remember her name. Jack and Jimmy Underwood were in the Coast Guard together. Tell him hello when you see him again.
I guess by now you are well on your trip and when you read this letter you will be home.
Well we didn’t do anything today much. This morning we got to got to the water falls and wash our selves and clothes. The sun was out good today and it was plenty hot. I sweat just sitting around and when you exert yourself it runs off of you. The water was ice cold and you could not stand to stay in it very long. This is sure a crazy country. It looks as if it might rain tonight. I got sun burned today and my back is a little sore and it’s the first time I have been sun burned since the summer before I came in the army.
Well we have about 10 more day out here and when we get back in Pusan and get cleaned up we will be ready for the annual IG Inspection. It will be Sept and after that just 2 or 3 more months and I will be on my way home. I look to be home my Xmas but don’t count on it. Well I guess that is about it for now so will close.
Lots of Love, Mac
Aug 7, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I haven’t had any mail for a couple of days. The last one I had was written the night before you started on you vacation. I guess by this time you will be on you way to the vacation land in the scenic Colo Rockies. Well it hasn’t rained here for a few days now but everyone wished it would. It is sure hot. The day before yesterday we were out in the field and it was 6 miles out. We were all ringing wet with sweat when we go there and it was fairly early in the day. We were to start our problem after lunch and by the time we had left our position and went back to eat lunch everyone was about out of it and had chills. We didn’t have anyone pass out in our company but another company had 12 pass out from the heat. Bn called the problem off till evening. Everyone just go in the shade and laid there. A cloud came over and we had a down pour that lasted for a few minutes. It sure felt good and cooled things off. It seemed to come from no where. It just rained in our area.
This AM we had an inspection and this afternoon we went to the swimming hole and cooled off. That’s about it. We will be here till about the 13th, that’s next Friday and then we will go back to Pusan and I don’t know what will take place after we get back there. More guard I guess.
This has been about the worse I have seen in the field. Even the winter wasn’t as bad as this. No one got along, men are sick and its either hot or muddy. Things are not to good in the company since the 1st left and Capt Book awhile back. Nothing seems to go smooth any more and since Sgt Josephson left while I was on R&R to go home the 4th platoon hasn’t been to good either. So far I like this staying out in the field. Wouldn’t mind staying longer. I like living out in the hills, eating out and sleep on the ground and walking thought the hills and washing in a water fall. Most of the guys from the south and west like ti pretty good too and the ones who have trouble are mostly from the east. Seems like there are a log to guys from the south and west in the company. So I put Missouri in the south and west. Call myself a rebel and Save you money because the South will rise again.
Hope your trip is going OK and Snapper is enjoying it.
I haven’t heard from Jim yet or anyone else. The letter I wrote Larry wasn’t much of anything. He asked me about the women in Korean and the army etc. and I told him. Hope Evelyn doesn’t blame me for him leaving his job. I tried to encourage him a little bit.
Well I don’t know much more to write about so I guess I will close for now. Will write again.
Lots of Love, Ted
I had three letters tonight. I hadn’t had any for a couple of days now and I was glad to get them. Today is the first day we have had that the sun shined. It has rained almost everyday and night except this afternoon.
We fired our 57 today and it was pretty good. Sgt Wood left yesterday and 15 others. I am about 56 on the list now. When we were in Masan I was 122. I have had the section since Sgt Wood left. It’s a little better than a squad. I figured you would be going to Yellow Stone on your vacation and I wrote 2 letters to Casper and 2 to Cheyenne. I guess if you don’t go they will send them back.
That sounded like a real meal you had with the bunch at the chuck wagon dinner. You seemed not to know about that wedding ring I got. I wrote it in one of the letters I sent to Wyoming so I will write it again.
I had a letter from either Dad or Mom and when I opened the letter this ring was in the letter. It was a plane band and it would hardly fit on m little finger. It was tarnished and not bright. I thought it was a pretty good joke and that Dad probably put it in the letter or Snapper for a joke. If you didn’t do it I am wondering now who did do it, I am wondering about it now.
Well I don’t know much more so I will close. I’ll write again soon.
Lots of Love, Ted
Wed Aug 4, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had a letter tonight from you, a box of cookies and a Union Beacon from Westinghouse. I know Jack McCleary. I didn’t know he worked at Westinghouse. How long has he been there. He is a Fairmount boy and he was a year ahead of me in school. I was in a lot of classes with the girl he married. I can’t remember her name. Jack and Jimmy Underwood were in the Coast Guard together. Tell him hello when you see him again.
I guess by now you are well on your trip and when you read this letter you will be home.
Well we didn’t do anything today much. This morning we got to got to the water falls and wash our selves and clothes. The sun was out good today and it was plenty hot. I sweat just sitting around and when you exert yourself it runs off of you. The water was ice cold and you could not stand to stay in it very long. This is sure a crazy country. It looks as if it might rain tonight. I got sun burned today and my back is a little sore and it’s the first time I have been sun burned since the summer before I came in the army.
Well we have about 10 more day out here and when we get back in Pusan and get cleaned up we will be ready for the annual IG Inspection. It will be Sept and after that just 2 or 3 more months and I will be on my way home. I look to be home my Xmas but don’t count on it. Well I guess that is about it for now so will close.
Lots of Love, Mac
Aug 7, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I haven’t had any mail for a couple of days. The last one I had was written the night before you started on you vacation. I guess by this time you will be on you way to the vacation land in the scenic Colo Rockies. Well it hasn’t rained here for a few days now but everyone wished it would. It is sure hot. The day before yesterday we were out in the field and it was 6 miles out. We were all ringing wet with sweat when we go there and it was fairly early in the day. We were to start our problem after lunch and by the time we had left our position and went back to eat lunch everyone was about out of it and had chills. We didn’t have anyone pass out in our company but another company had 12 pass out from the heat. Bn called the problem off till evening. Everyone just go in the shade and laid there. A cloud came over and we had a down pour that lasted for a few minutes. It sure felt good and cooled things off. It seemed to come from no where. It just rained in our area.
This AM we had an inspection and this afternoon we went to the swimming hole and cooled off. That’s about it. We will be here till about the 13th, that’s next Friday and then we will go back to Pusan and I don’t know what will take place after we get back there. More guard I guess.
This has been about the worse I have seen in the field. Even the winter wasn’t as bad as this. No one got along, men are sick and its either hot or muddy. Things are not to good in the company since the 1st left and Capt Book awhile back. Nothing seems to go smooth any more and since Sgt Josephson left while I was on R&R to go home the 4th platoon hasn’t been to good either. So far I like this staying out in the field. Wouldn’t mind staying longer. I like living out in the hills, eating out and sleep on the ground and walking thought the hills and washing in a water fall. Most of the guys from the south and west like ti pretty good too and the ones who have trouble are mostly from the east. Seems like there are a log to guys from the south and west in the company. So I put Missouri in the south and west. Call myself a rebel and Save you money because the South will rise again.
Hope your trip is going OK and Snapper is enjoying it.
I haven’t heard from Jim yet or anyone else. The letter I wrote Larry wasn’t much of anything. He asked me about the women in Korean and the army etc. and I told him. Hope Evelyn doesn’t blame me for him leaving his job. I tried to encourage him a little bit.
Well I don’t know much more to write about so I guess I will close for now. Will write again.
Lots of Love, Ted
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Letters from July 30 and 31 1954
(note: this letter also was addressed to General Delivery Cheyenne, WY. The date is just as he wrote it. A touch of dyslexics?)
July 30, 1945
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had 3 letters tonight, 21,23, and 24 July. Sure glad to hear from you. Well another pay day tomorrow. They sure fly by. Not many more to go over here. Did you ever get the 50 dollar check yet for that other allotment I made out. Not much new here. It hasn’t rained here today just drizzled and the mud is not quite as bad as it was. We had classes today all day. I got the picture you sent. The color pictures and the plain one of Snapper and his teacher and chum. That has been quite awhile. I think I have had most of the ones you have sent. Hope you didn’t nail Sgt Wood any packages as he will rotate before he get it. He and Sgt Wright will go any time. Sgt Wright seem to be doing on OK now
No that picture Pony Express was a new picture. Charlton Hesston played Buffalo Bill Cody. The story was different that the firs I think. What picture did you say I looked like a Sgt. Which picture were you talking about. Did you get the little billfold shots I sent yet. How did you like those.
About the wedding wring All I can tell you is that I got a letter from either you or Dad and when I opened it up this plain gold Wed ring fell out. It was a small one. Would hardly fit on my little finger. It was dull like brass gets after a while. I thought maybe Dad put it in the letter for a joke or Snapper sent it to me. If I still have it I will send it to you. (note: still don’t know what that is all about.) I figured you new about it. I got a kick out of it. Would like to write Jim. When you write him tell him I sent a letter to his address in Springfield and 2 his first army address in Ft. Bliss. Haven’t had several letters from him. I know the mail doesn’t get lost. So tell him to write. So far I have only had two letters from him.
So far I have written 2 letters to Casper and this is the first letter to Cheyenne. Hope you get them. Think I will just write one more letter to Chy and then the rest to home. Didn’t think you would leave till Aug 2 or later and I am afraid you wont get any more if I mail them later on.
Everything is going fine with me and I am enjoying the field training. Some of the guys don’t like it because of mud and rain but they are young soldiers just over from the states. They crack up, cry etc on the road march and one guy sat on the side of the road and refused to go any further because he said the Co commander said we were only going two miles and we had already gone about 3 or 4. He really blew his top. Another guy today said his arm was paralyzed and couldn’t go on detail or to the field and the platoon Sgt told him to get off his a--- and move. He started crying and they hauled him off to the hospital. You should see the different kind of people in this army. I get a kick out of it.
Well I guess I am going to clean up tomorrow. One of the boys in my squad is baking now and brought me down a piece of cake tonight. He is just helping out. Well not much new to write so I will close . Will write one more letter . hope you are having a nice trip.
Lots of Love and wish I was with you, Ted
July 31, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well I am writing another letter today at the end of another month. Today was pay day and I only have 4 more to go over here. They are getting less and less. We didn’t do much of anything today. Had a little inspection this AM and that has been it. I got paid today 123 dollars. I guess they held out a $50 this month and I think last moth too. Have you received any yet you never have said yet. I went to the PX that opened up today nad bought some things to keep from getting hungry between meals. It has been cloudy today but it hasn’t rained and the mud is packed down pretty good. I am getting plenty of sleep etc. Hope you are having a nice trip. I would like to go there some day myself. I guess you are taking a lot of pictures. Wish I could have sent you mine to use and you could have made slides. Well not much knew. This is the last letter and the 4th one I have written. The rest I will write home.
Lots of Love, Ted
July 30, 1945
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I had 3 letters tonight, 21,23, and 24 July. Sure glad to hear from you. Well another pay day tomorrow. They sure fly by. Not many more to go over here. Did you ever get the 50 dollar check yet for that other allotment I made out. Not much new here. It hasn’t rained here today just drizzled and the mud is not quite as bad as it was. We had classes today all day. I got the picture you sent. The color pictures and the plain one of Snapper and his teacher and chum. That has been quite awhile. I think I have had most of the ones you have sent. Hope you didn’t nail Sgt Wood any packages as he will rotate before he get it. He and Sgt Wright will go any time. Sgt Wright seem to be doing on OK now
No that picture Pony Express was a new picture. Charlton Hesston played Buffalo Bill Cody. The story was different that the firs I think. What picture did you say I looked like a Sgt. Which picture were you talking about. Did you get the little billfold shots I sent yet. How did you like those.
About the wedding wring All I can tell you is that I got a letter from either you or Dad and when I opened it up this plain gold Wed ring fell out. It was a small one. Would hardly fit on my little finger. It was dull like brass gets after a while. I thought maybe Dad put it in the letter for a joke or Snapper sent it to me. If I still have it I will send it to you. (note: still don’t know what that is all about.) I figured you new about it. I got a kick out of it. Would like to write Jim. When you write him tell him I sent a letter to his address in Springfield and 2 his first army address in Ft. Bliss. Haven’t had several letters from him. I know the mail doesn’t get lost. So tell him to write. So far I have only had two letters from him.
So far I have written 2 letters to Casper and this is the first letter to Cheyenne. Hope you get them. Think I will just write one more letter to Chy and then the rest to home. Didn’t think you would leave till Aug 2 or later and I am afraid you wont get any more if I mail them later on.
Everything is going fine with me and I am enjoying the field training. Some of the guys don’t like it because of mud and rain but they are young soldiers just over from the states. They crack up, cry etc on the road march and one guy sat on the side of the road and refused to go any further because he said the Co commander said we were only going two miles and we had already gone about 3 or 4. He really blew his top. Another guy today said his arm was paralyzed and couldn’t go on detail or to the field and the platoon Sgt told him to get off his a--- and move. He started crying and they hauled him off to the hospital. You should see the different kind of people in this army. I get a kick out of it.
Well I guess I am going to clean up tomorrow. One of the boys in my squad is baking now and brought me down a piece of cake tonight. He is just helping out. Well not much new to write so I will close . Will write one more letter . hope you are having a nice trip.
Lots of Love and wish I was with you, Ted
July 31, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
Well I am writing another letter today at the end of another month. Today was pay day and I only have 4 more to go over here. They are getting less and less. We didn’t do much of anything today. Had a little inspection this AM and that has been it. I got paid today 123 dollars. I guess they held out a $50 this month and I think last moth too. Have you received any yet you never have said yet. I went to the PX that opened up today nad bought some things to keep from getting hungry between meals. It has been cloudy today but it hasn’t rained and the mud is packed down pretty good. I am getting plenty of sleep etc. Hope you are having a nice trip. I would like to go there some day myself. I guess you are taking a lot of pictures. Wish I could have sent you mine to use and you could have made slides. Well not much knew. This is the last letter and the 4th one I have written. The rest I will write home.
Lots of Love, Ted
Monday, March 12, 2012
July 29, 1954
Note: This letter too was sent to General Delivery, Casper, WY and sent back to Independence. The mystery continues.)
July 29, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
How is your trip going by now. OK I hope. How is the car going and what kind of mileage are you getting with it. I didn’t get any mail today. Will probably get some tomorrow. This is the 2nd letter I have written to Casper, Wyom. The next I write will be to Chy. You didn’t say what day you were leaving on your trip so I won’t know how many letters to write to you at Wyom.
Not much new with me today. It rained all day yesterday and all night and all day today except this afternoon and it just drizzled a little . This morning we went on a road march a few miles at this afternoon we had off to clean up a little of our equipment, reifels, etc. and went to the waterfall and took showers or baths. The water is sure cold. Alsmost ice cold. Comes right out of the mountains.
Not much more news to write , hope you get this mail I am sending OK. I think I will just send 2 letters to Casper and 2 to Cheyenne. Will write again tomorrow.
Lots of Love,Ted
Sunday, March 11, 2012
July 28, 1954
Note: This letter was mailed to Casper, WY but forwarded to the regular Independence address. You will see why later.)
July 28, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I hope you get this letter OK and hope you are surprised too. I guess you are having a nice trip and wish I could be with you. I had a letter from Dad today mailed the 22 of July. It was to bad about Mr. Patterson. I didn’t think he was 65 years old. (note: Patterson was a neighbor up the street. His daughter about my grandparent’s age was a wicked old woman who use to harass all the kids on the block and called them Fart Dobbers. One of the guys about my age ended up throwing her in the lake one summer years later.)
I haven’t heard from Jim for awhile now. I guess he is plenty busy. He will probably be awhile getting my mail I sent to his old address. I guess that this address you sent is his basic training address, at least it sound like it. I get you mail OK. Some days I miss but the next day I get 2 or 3. The last letter I wrote was yesterday to home but I don’t think you will get it before you go on your trip so I will tell you what I am doing.
Yesterday we moved out in the field. We are about in the same area as we were last time. We didn’t do much yesterday but set up our pup tents and dig drainage ditches etc. Last night I went to the show and saw "Scoutmaster." It sure was a good show. Early this morning it started raining and it has rained every since. We didn’t do much today but work around our tents fixing them so they wouldn’t float away. It’s sure a mess here. It’s all mud. We are supposed to stay her till Aug 13 or 14. There are a lot of guys who have come down with diarrhea and it is in the whole Bn. The Col has it and the Co commander and most of the men. So far I have been OK. They think it is the water. It started about a day before we moved to the field. It has hit the whole Pusan area. It it gets worse we will probably go back in. I hope not as I don’t like to move. I have moved about 75 times since I have been in the army. It won’t be bad here if it quits raining. You get so you feel like you are part of the rain and mud.
How did you like the Yellow Stone and Black Hills. I bet Snapper is really enjoying it.
Well I can’t thing of much more to say. I’ll write again to Cheyenne. Did you go through Cody. The gunner in my squad is from there. His name is Cpl Glen Fish and his wife’s name is Betty. His father’s name is Gen too. We are showing our tents this time. (note: I don’t know what he means.) Will write soon.
Love and Lots of it, Ted
July 28, 1954
Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper
I hope you get this letter OK and hope you are surprised too. I guess you are having a nice trip and wish I could be with you. I had a letter from Dad today mailed the 22 of July. It was to bad about Mr. Patterson. I didn’t think he was 65 years old. (note: Patterson was a neighbor up the street. His daughter about my grandparent’s age was a wicked old woman who use to harass all the kids on the block and called them Fart Dobbers. One of the guys about my age ended up throwing her in the lake one summer years later.)
I haven’t heard from Jim for awhile now. I guess he is plenty busy. He will probably be awhile getting my mail I sent to his old address. I guess that this address you sent is his basic training address, at least it sound like it. I get you mail OK. Some days I miss but the next day I get 2 or 3. The last letter I wrote was yesterday to home but I don’t think you will get it before you go on your trip so I will tell you what I am doing.
Yesterday we moved out in the field. We are about in the same area as we were last time. We didn’t do much yesterday but set up our pup tents and dig drainage ditches etc. Last night I went to the show and saw "Scoutmaster." It sure was a good show. Early this morning it started raining and it has rained every since. We didn’t do much today but work around our tents fixing them so they wouldn’t float away. It’s sure a mess here. It’s all mud. We are supposed to stay her till Aug 13 or 14. There are a lot of guys who have come down with diarrhea and it is in the whole Bn. The Col has it and the Co commander and most of the men. So far I have been OK. They think it is the water. It started about a day before we moved to the field. It has hit the whole Pusan area. It it gets worse we will probably go back in. I hope not as I don’t like to move. I have moved about 75 times since I have been in the army. It won’t be bad here if it quits raining. You get so you feel like you are part of the rain and mud.
How did you like the Yellow Stone and Black Hills. I bet Snapper is really enjoying it.
Well I can’t thing of much more to say. I’ll write again to Cheyenne. Did you go through Cody. The gunner in my squad is from there. His name is Cpl Glen Fish and his wife’s name is Betty. His father’s name is Gen too. We are showing our tents this time. (note: I don’t know what he means.) Will write soon.
Love and Lots of it, Ted
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