Dearest Betty

Letter # 17
October 19, 1950
At Sea:

Dearest Betty:

Well, my last two letters didn’t get off the ship, so I will drop you another line now for they will all go off tomorrow. We will enter the mine fields out side of Wonsan Harbor at six tomorrow morning and anchor by eight. Should get mail thru too.




We have had a nice quiet trip this time, nothing like the one from Kobi. I overhauled my jeep and now have it in good shape.

Can’t say what we will do here as this part is secure so if we do make a landing it will be a full one. I can’t see any reason for our being here in this place. The Army seems to be doing OK after we showed them how. Just hope they can hold on to what they have. The news seems very good as we get it from Tokyo, but as I have found out you have to some times take our news with a grain of salt.

Wish I knew when we will be going home. I just can’t seem to realize we have only been away from the U.S. a few days over 2 months. Seems like more like years and I really miss my home and little family including Joe and Kit. By the way is Kit still Kit or Kate?






(Joe was our dog who came from Sloppy Joe's in Key West. Kit was the cat we hadn't figured out if it were a he or she.)

Dearest Betty

Letter # 16
Sunday, October 15,1950
At Sea

(Looking at the map, this would have been The Yellow Sea)

Good Morning Sugar.

What do you know, two letters in as many days and today is Sunday. I am sure the letter I wrote yesterday did not get off and I had hoped it would before we sailed. Well you will get both of these at the same time. This one will not be as long as the other but Sundays is always our day. Sure would love to be reading the funnies at 24 Glendale Road now instead of going off on another wild goose chase. As yet we don’t know any thing about our destination but by the looks of things it will be a “diller”.

By the way, Sugar some times if you think of it you might send me a pipe. Just any one of my old ones laying around for it may or may not reach me any way and I am getting short on razor blades. That is all I need accept you and Shirley. I have hesitated to ask you for either because of the inconsistency of where I would be if we go back to Japan. I can get those things but if we make another landing who can tell . May not even get mail. We have plenty of pipe tobacco. It has turned much colder here and will probably keep right on being cold. We were issued sleeping bags. Very nice all full of feathers and a waterproof bag that goes around it. Darned good sleeping too. We have every sort shipping in here with us even a Jap four masted schooner and French gun boat, two dingy boats and lots and lots of ammunition. Shipping both Navy and commercial. We only have chow for eight days aboard so will have to put into some place before long. Wish it were Morehead City.

Well sugar, I am going to write Mother and Shirl today so will close this one to you now. I do love you so much, Darling but still have to be with you to really tell you how much. I am thankful for those last two years we had together. I have so much to think back on.

All Yours
Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter 15
October 14,1950

Hi, Sugar,

Well we are off again. You will hear of us via radio before I can tell you where we are going. We (the Division) are loaded and standing off Inch’on. I am on a Jap manned L.S.T. (Landing Ship Tanks) the same sort I rode from Hobi, Japan here but a darned site cleaner. I also got my Jeep aboard. “Korean Katie” we call it. I found a set of new pistons, rods & rings, a heavy duty spring (for Tate’s side) and several other parts in an Army dump at Inch'on City so will be having something to do. Had quite a lot of apprehension getting it aboard as it is not an official Marine Corps vehicle, but it is aboard and in a very desirable location for me to work on it right up on the top side.

Well a bit of news---Saw Capa or Kapa, I forget—just before we sailed. He had quite an experience. Was tossing grenades when a N.K. cut loose on him. Cut right across his loins through both pockets as he bent over to see what damage, if any, and cut just across his “but”. No damage but to his pants. Pretty lucky eh?

Street came aboard first and saved me a good bunk here. Had two letters from Frances telling him her mother had left. Your letters are or rather were coming along fine. There will be another space between them now. The last one I got mailed the seventh, arrived the 12th, not bad eh?

Well. Darling all my love—I have to go to chow now. How was this for a long letter? Pretty good for me. Till next time, all my love to you both.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 14
October 8, 1950
Dearest Betty

Be as it is may, but this is with out a doubt the dirtiest place I have ever been. We are now camped right in the middle of a road with everything shot all to Hell where the Navy blasted our landing. Just waiting to go aboard ship. The tide won’t be high until the 12th. I have a cold and the weather is turning colder.

Rec. two letters from you yesterday. Got quite a kick out of the confederate money. Glad to hear you have a roomer. They sound like very nice people. Well I am taking my jeep with me. Just got a O.K. from the Major. Will come in handy on our next landing where ever it may be. Don’t know any thing new, Sugar. I love you and miss you lots and lots.

Till next time Yours
Bill

October 10, 1950
Inch'on

Good morning, Sug,

Ran short of ink so will get you off a short one in pencil. No dope as to where or when. Rained yesterday so Nester & I moved to a burnt out building just has a roof & walls but dry. Gets very cold here at nite but warms up about nine or ten in the morning.

Saw Dan Searsy yesterday. We all went down to take a shower---a hot one at that, and he was coming in---just spoke to him was all.

Honey have so much to tell you about this country that is interesting but just can’t tell it all in a letter. I’ll just have to wait till I get home to give you the dope.

Dearest Betty

Letter #13
October 6, 1950

Dearest Betty,

Well, Sugar, I get a letter with both mail, but some of the wives aren’t getting any. I expect they hold up mail out going for security purposes, but you should be getting some by now for this ball of yours is all wound up. We go any place we want to. Did I tell you Mr. Tate and I went through the museum in Seoul? Well it was quite a place. Lots of stuffed animals from all parts of the world and those Sudan chairs with all the spears, knives etc. that go with Oriental parades.

Street just told me Francis’s rec. a letter written on “D” Day 15th. I wrote you the same day so you should be hearing from me soon. The letter I rec. from you today was mailed 25th. Street’s was mailed 26th. So I am sure you will get some mail from here soon.

I was ( in answer to your question) with the group that came from Inch’on to Kimpo to yangpyong to Seoul to Yang Cheng where we are now a suburb of Seoul. I have to go into Seoul about every day as Ordinance is located there. They are cleaning up some but all work is done by hand carrying bags of dirt and debris out back just like ants.



Well my jeep runs fine and we get around quite a bit now. Had our first ration of beer last nite. 3 cans at 15c a can. Who said beer was donated to us?

Well so long till later, I want to write to Mother, my first. Hope she can read it. By the way that allotment that is to compensate my quarters allowance. They are stopping that so I have to add $67.50 & they will give me $67.50---so you get $130.00 and I loose $67.50. I hope by stopping that $100.00 allotment to you, I will have enough for everything. We need very little money here, just T. articles, cigs & beer. Say Sug, if you can find any green or O.D. dye that I can use send me some. Will you. Rit & Ritz or such.

Well Darling all my love to both
Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #12
Monday, October 3, 1950
(I think)

Dearest Betty,

Well it’s really been too long between letters but I will try and catch you up. Not all of the delay was caused by this Police Action but part of it. We got ready to cross the Han River just after I wrote you last so we packed up to move. Part of the outfit got over there. We stayed all night and waited for the Army to put in a pontoon bridge. (Below is a picture from LIFE magazine dated October 9, 1950)



Late that afternoon word came back we had to go back down the river and use a ferry the Navy had to go back down the river because McArthur hadn’t arrived to cut the ribbon opening the first land tie to Seoul so we got over about three that night, made camp & moved at nine, made another camp & have been on the move ever since. Can’t keep up with the Infantry still have to fire maximum range.

Day before yesterday I found a jeep that had been abandon and worked it over and ever since, from day to dark I have been taking people places, running errands etc. all the time.

( you will hear more about the jeep in future letters)

I did get down to Seoul and saw the Palace that was made for the Emperor of Japan and what a place. Much looting had been going on. We found a supply dump the Army had left that must have had two million dollars of auto parts & ord. gear in it. We fixed our self up pretty well with those things. Seoul was ruined still a lot of carcasses around. They catch them, strip them down and turn them aloose in a crowd. They are usually dead by the time the M.P.’s can get to them men and women alike. We have several boys with us who can speak English. They help in the talking and interpret for us. They are the poorest and dirtiest people I have ever seen. Their “head” is any place they have a mind to go along the streets or roads and I don’t think they ever bathe. We have plenty of water so far.


Now hold your breath and I’ll try and make this plain. We are combat loading out of here. In five or six days, go aboard ship so you won’t be hearing from me for a bit. Now the 1st Sgt. told me to come over to the office and sign a allotment card. The reason is I make out an allotment to you for $67.50. The government will add $67.50 to it making $135.00 a month to you. I will have to stop your $100.00 allotment so as to have enough money to make out the $67.50. You will be getting $167.50 and I will gain $38.50. Do you savvy all of that? I’ll go over and see the top and read this message over and let you know more about it.

The flies are eating us alive we are right by a Tannery and it is getting dark so I must bathe now. I’ll be seeing you darling and thank Shirl for her letters. I’ll write again real soon darling. Tell them all my love.

(After struggling through the handwriting in this letter, I wondered how we
lived on $135.00 per month. Things were tough back then, I was 15 years old
in high school participating in the band. It was not uncommon for me to be
without dad in the past so we just adapted. In one letter from him
he refers to Joe, he was our dog who came from
Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West.)

Dearest Betty

Letter #11
September 25, 1950

Hello, Darling,

Well the moral boosters are coming in one or two each day and I enjoy each little chat with you. We have our gally set up now. Tate and I raided the airport for baking powder and we all had hot biscuits for supper. Terrell & I found some fresh onions and we had spaghetti. Pretty good too. We captured a Korean brewery this afternoon so every one had a ration of beer. Was a little green but better than chlorinated water. We move across the river tomorrow into Seoul. Should be a darned site cleaner on all the roads and cities or farms. You see nothing but filth and dead people who are just about “ripe” before they are carted off for burial. (damned if I can spell as well as I used to) Maybe I better get some schooling from you when I get home in letter writing that is. You are doing fine with your painting and doing man’s work around the house. Do wish I could help you.

Well, Darling I must bathe now and go to bed before the mosquitos start stinging. I went to a Korean barber shop and got a crew cut today. Street, Nestor & myself first time I ever got a haircut with a man standing guard with a rifle but was necessary.

We have two chickens we are fattening for a dinner soon. They raise Hell about 4:30 every morning. We have lots of help from the kids around here. They carry water, police up the camp, and do everything for something to eat. There are no boys or girls between the ages of eight and sixty any place. The N.K. took both boys and girls with them also all the livestock and plowed up most of the gardens.

(above picture appeared in Life Magazine dated October 9, 1950

Every one has a S.K. flag and signs saying WELCOME U.N. WARRIERS--- or HELLO U.S.M.C.





Well, I’ll stop now and get along with my bath.


Lots of Love
Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 10
Sept 24,1950

Hello, Darling,

Four sweet newsy letters late yesterday. Can’t re-read them for they were torn up last night. We had quite a spell here about 9:30. Every one is O.K. now. We are on the outskirts of Seoul – should be cleaned up in a week. We have lots of planes and tanks and artillery and crack Negro reserves from Ft. Sill Okla. I have some news for you. Hemky’s ship the MO is with us now. She lets fly a Salvo every so often from Inch’on. I wonder if he is aboard yet. If he was I would try and see him. Jim’s friend McKinstry “cracked up” the second day here was relieved of his command and word was flew back to the States. The rest of our airlift from LeJeune got in yesterday. Haven’t seen them yet but sure as Hell have seen every one else I ever knew in the Corps. Lt. Col. Arman called to me the other day out on the road I had replacement gear going forward. I was with him on The Ranger a 1st Lt. And I don’t know who all else I’ve seen.
Thanks for your silver dollar. I never did find mine. I shall keep it with me. Say, a few snaps on & off would help. We all got quite a kick out of Joe and his paw. I read it to our group. Had quite a laugh. Not much to talk about till I get home. This is the darndest war I ever saw. You can shout at and chase a “gook”, he will run in the house, put on a “white suit”. Light his pipe, hide his rifle and who are you to say if he is North or South. Our amo sgt just got in, had to run a road blockade in a town we cleared three days ago. Lots of sniping & some heavy stuff. Tate & I was out patrolling the other night, found our rifles in the rice. When we picked them up the rice rose right back up no sign we had dropped them just before we got there.
Weather from eight in the morning till seven at night it is hot as Hell. From seven till eight at night you freeze. Just can’t get enough clothes on. Sleep in a sleeping bag, all my clothes and amo tarp & still get cold. Thanks for the stamps but I don’t need them while here.

Well I have work to do fixing our 67 A guzes so they will be O- 4---don’t know what that means do you? Will tell you some day.

(below is the actual handwriting for that coded message)



Your Bill

This Map of South Korea might be helpful in seeing where they were.

Dearest Betty

Letter #9
(Note the "free" on the envelope)
September 22, 1950

Hello, Sugar,
Received the three letters yesterday when I got back to the Btry dated 13—18 also one from Shirl. I was away all day day before yesterday and that night Mr. Tate and I took two 155 up to harass Seoul just across the river. Made some fine fires. Missed some incoming mail too small guns bur demoralizing received no hits. We are now out in the country set up in a rice paddy and radish & onion patch. We are still doing our own cooking. Street, Tate, Nestor & myself. We have one of those small stoves and plenty to eat. Boy oh boy does it get hot here in day time and cold at night. Sleep in all my clothes a sleeping bag and a amo tarp & still get cold. Dusty as Hell here but so far plenty of water. Mike Rebay got credit for same. Tanks, trucks & quite a few troops. Don’t let any one tell you that N.K. or Russian tanks can’t be stopped. The Army just weren’t on the ball. We got a lot of them six & eight at a time. Well, Darling I am running out of time so will stop now. I have to go over to the air strip any way and get some gun parts for one of the Batteries. Will write again when I have time. Sorry I haven’t been writing more often but this is a fast war. Have you read up on Korea? It is quite an interesting country and really quite cold.
All my love
Bill
(He is using code terms "incoming mail" "making fine fires")

Dearest Betty

Letter #8
September 10, 1950

Dearest Betty


I was sent to the Dock, Kobe, to unload ship. What a mess! No one knew anything so Street and I came back to Osaki yesterday about 10 o’clock. Had a good shower and a good sleep. Seems they had sent my clean clothes to Kobe, so I had to borrow from Nestor. Hadn’t changed clothes in eight days---only one shower on ship for 3000 men---rotten chow and you can’t eat Jap chow.

We weathered the typhoon O.K. Everything we had got wet---quite a mess. Never saw such waves. Ships all broke loose from the mooring. Roofs blew off houses—water waist high---some towns still under water.


Testimony: Medical Care at the Time of Typhoon Jane
September 3. Typhoon Jane assaulted the Osaka Plain at the first light of dawn... After dawn had fully broken, I went outside and was shocked by the sight. Power poles were listing, power lines were broken and hanging limply, the area was littered with broken glass and roof tiles, signboards and tin roofing had fallen, cruelly broken, all over the place...
"Looks like the dike broke, and the storm surge rushed into the area. The view from the second floor was flooding as far as one could see, with the water up to chest level..."
"Doctor! It's just terrible. Apparently there are a lot of injured people among those who fled to the elementary school for safety..."
"Well, then. I'll send you there on a raft."
...We quickly tied together three large oil drums and made a raft of them by putting old boards on top. A wash basin served as my seat, and in no time we had a raft that allowed me to get around...
When I reached a home, someone let down a rope from a second-floor window. I hung my shoes from my neck and grabbed onto the rope with all my strength. From above, members of the injured person's family pulled, and from below Mr. Yamaguchi and other young people pushed. The raft rocked and Mr. Yamaguchi plunged into the muddy water... Finally our efforts brought me to the top, where I hooked my foot over the second-floor eves and climbed up.
...Members of the injured person's family were so happy they cried.

From Takeko's Memoirs of Youth: Love of Life, by Takeko Kutsunugi, published by Seifudo, 1982.

We are all squared away now. Should go aboard LST’s tomorrow for Korea. You will read about it in the Post. I have so far received two letters from you but have heard of lots more floating around that haven’t caught up with me. Service Battery was here in S---, outside of Osaki, and I was on the dock at Kobi, so everything was fouled up.

I really can’t tell you how fouled up this detail is. For instance:
I had four trucks loaded and sent from warehouse A to warehouse X, three docks away, and they all came back to me, so I went to see Major C. and he sent me to a Captain, who sent me to a Lt. Who told me to see Sgt. Carson who knew all about where everything went.

(my dad is Sgt. Carson)

I have a registered letter someplace, but I can’t find the post office. Still can’t get stamps---just hope I can find a place to mail this. Keep in touch with Mrs. N----. She will have all the dope because N---will have time and a place where he can write. I will have neither. I have to go back to Kobi tonight---getting my gear all squared away.

If we get out of this one it will be a miracle. Till God knows when, I love you and will write every chance I get.

Your Bill




September 15, 1950
At Sea

Just got word we could write so will get a few lines off to you before we land at Inch’on. Just after I wrote you last from Camp Sakai, we got word to pack up for Kobi and start loading ship. Of course I had no chance to write then and the Post Office was secured so I did not get my reg. Letter as yet

We had a rough trip traveling on an L.S.T. and rode out the edge of another Typhoon. That first one was a “honey”. I’ll tell you more about it some other time. They name them here. Jane was the one we had in Kobi, Japan. I understand Novack sent a lot of gear back from Japan to Ginny. Sorry I couldn’t but I just had time to get my first hair cut last night since I left Calif. I will have finished my supply work when we hit the beach today. A reserve Sgt. Is taking over and I am going back to Ord. With Tate. Street and I have been inseparable so far but on landing he has a different mission than I have, but we will meet again soon. He is one swell buddy, the only one I have nearly ever had. We get along fine.

I don’t know how much I can tell you, dear, about this operation. It will all be in the papers any way by the time you get this, but we are to land at Inch’on, a very large city (which I don’t like) and push on to Seoul, the capital of So. Korea. Then to secure all rail roads & roads, cut supply lines etc. We heard Via radio that 3 div. Of N. Korea had withdrawn from the South but now you know as much as I do..

Dearest Betty

Letter #7
August 31, 1950
Osaka Japan

Hi, Darling,
Well we landed yesterday at Kobe, disembarked and came up here. We are in Japan’s Annapolis where they use to train all their naval officers. Very pretty we eat at small tables four to six men each. Jap mess boys. All staff have rooms two to a room. We just went to the P.X. Japs work there too. Didn’t have much soap, cigarettes, cakes. Wouldn’t take any sort of American money except $10.00 bills or pennies. One dollar of ours is worth 360 Yen. Mr. Tate took my laundry out this morning. Cost me 875 Yen, but at the NCO club Whiskey is 5 c a shot. Beer 10 c a bottle 1 Qt. They have the darnedest rail road here ever. 30 mi from Kobe here we started up here yesterday at 5 o’clock and got in last night at 12:45. One continuous town and each house was one room on top of another. No furniture just mats on the deck and babies---I never saw so many kids in my life and all of them had signs and flags etc. “WELCOME U.S. WARRIORS” Yelling and waving all the way.
I don’t know if we will get any liberty or not just waiting now for the other ships to come in then the work will start another around the clock operation.
Everything here has that Jap smell that I can’t stand but will have to I suppose. They use human manure and every time a “honey cart” comes by Oh brother!
Oh! You remember my old foot locker that the bottom came out of? Well some one left me a swell aluminum one just weighs 4 lbs. I took most of the morning re-packing my gear and getting laundry up. Our orders were changed just before we got here so no mail as yet but I know I will have some soon. I hope the three I mailed on the ship are on their way to you. I have # 4 here with no stamp on it but will try and borrow some from some one. Can’t buy the darned things here. Well, Darling tell my girl, Shirl hello and give my love to our families. I’ll get around to writing them all soon but must keep them flying to you.

(some of the words are not politically correct but they are as he wrote them)

Dearest Betty

Letter #6
Sunday, August 27, 1950
Aboard Ship


Hi, Sweetheart,

Sunday we have had no school drills etc. just sitting around reading, watching the sea. It is pretty and blue not a ripple only a few flying fish and schools or Tuna break the water at times. I have read several of the many pocket books that are adrift. Street and I went to Church this morning just a short get together. That is the second time we have made it. They have services of all denominations aboard at all times during the day and evening—doesn’t have to be Sunday.
Our time of arrival as been set up until Tuesday—Monday your time and we will disembark at Kobi the big Naval Base the Japs had during the last war. Japan must be pretty dull place by what everyone says. You can’t go to a café. There are no bars, movies are out, can’t even ride a streetcar because there aren’t enough for the Japs so what! We will be too busy to lolly gag around if everything we hear is true.

We are to join up with the 82nd Airborn and have some training before we jump off for which I am glad. We need it with all those reserves, most of them are Texans.

Well, Darling, that takes care of the news. I did find 3 airmail stamps and sent three of your letters off. I haven’t written Mother or Shirl yet for I haven’t just gotten the swing of it yet after abstaining for three years but I will, Darling, I promise.

All Yours,

Bill

Letter # 5
August 25, 1950
Aboard Ship


Dearest Betty,

One day is just like another --- breakfast---school---dinner---school---supper---mill around on deck till it cools off enough to go below and try to sleep. Ran out of cigarettes yesterday—had to wait till our turn today to get some---Sea Store cigs are $1.00 aboard here. Passed the 180th Meridian, so lost one day—fouled up the training schedule. I gave lectures on the B. A. R. yesterday—today I had the new 3.5 Rocket---that is the new weapon for tanks. Dope is we will be in Japan Monday---don’t know what part yet. We are supposed to stay four days---combat load out in L.S.T.’s. Looks like an amphibious landing to me---my guess is up around Inchon---may be wrong---we have lots of amtracks. Now to unload and reload an entire division in four days I will be crowded for time again in Japan. We have no stamps on this ship so will have to try to get some in Japan. Mail is free from Korea so if I can’t tell you where I am, as soon as you see a letter with FREE on it you will know.

(Dad’s letters were never censored because he would give
little secret clues as to his whereabouts. )

Dearest Betty

Letter # 4
August 22, 1950
Aboard Ship

Dearest Betty,

Well, did they ever catch up with me today! Shots galore---five to be exact. I missed them all in Pendleton, so got caught today for the works. We will cross the International Date line again today. Have had lots of fun kidding the troops about what it is all about –---

School on mines and demolitions today --- the two 4—gun batteries have been made into four 6 –gun batteries---quite an expansion --- reserves, of course—most of them ex-service so is not so bad. I just had a bath and washed six suites of Dungarees—salt water—sure wish I had your Thor for about an hour. I have had so much time on my hands aboard ship---three meals a day and only two lectures to give---while getting ready to come aboard, I was too busy to think.


(At age 40 my dad was older than the others. He had served in WW II
in The first Marine Division in Guadalcanal)

Dearest Betty---Letters from a U.S. Marine

August 17, 2009
The next 3 letters are the excerpts that my mom did. They were written aboard ship.

Letter #3
Early August 1950
Aboard Ship

Dearest Betty,

Well we are aboard ship, an Army Transport, just out of moth balls. Pretty dirty, but lots of room, run by a Civil Service Crew.

I can’t tell you much that went on from day to day while we were in California. We worked around the clock. I was sent to the Marine Base with a twenty man working party and two NCO’s and one Major. After the sixth day I had forty men, no NCO’s, 1 Captain, 1 Major, 3 LT’s, 1 WO. What a mess----stevedores loading---we loaded five ships. They changed shifts every four hours, and we every 12 hours. The last two days I didn’t get my shoes off. On top of that, one of my boys---just a kid—shot another through the shoulder. I was the the only one up so had to take care of him. Finally got a corpsman and got him off to the hospital. Still had to get statements, etc so the day everything was loaded, we came aboard. Didn’t have time to do anything at Pendleton. Sam brought my lockers. I had only three pair of Dungarees with me. When the troops came aboard, the Major gave my forty men overnight Liberty. That is when I called you in N. Dak. I didn’t wake up until noon the next day and we sailed at five. A very fast ship---should be in Japan by the 27th. That is the dope now---will write again soon. Received both your and Shirl’s letters. Read two pages a day. Thanks a million.

Dearest Betty--Letters from a U.S. Marine

Letter # 2
August 9, 1950
San Diego, Calif



Dearest Betty,

Well Sugar I will try and catch you up on the events to date. I am a little Hazy as to days for they have run into nights. The day we arrived in Pendleton three in the morning I was ordered to bring this detail here to the base and start segregating gear and marking it not just Service Btry, but the entire Reg. Plus all other units of the Division. Was in a big pile, well we had finger lifts (pallet jacks) to move the gear with them, recruit it, band it and put the UN markings on everything. We finished that last night when I called you. Was given Liberty and supposed to go back to Pendleton today at 1400. Well we were all here and ready when we got word we would start loading aboard ship tonight. With the same crew around the clock again Has to be on board in three days. I have all my gear in Camp. Personal gear that is, also should be taking shots and I made out $10,000 insurance but haven’t had time to sign the papers so I just hope I get back before the troops go aboard. I and all the others both officers and men are worn out. Tonight I have the 12 midnight until 8 in the morning and chances are sure are will want me to do something before noon. It has happened every day or night when I get a few hours off some Captain or Major sends for me. You would think I was the only one who knows anything about packing or loading.


Now the better side. I told you I saw Carl Hargroves in Camp. Well would you believe it but my pal West Clemments two star General saw me on the dock and sent a Captain running over for me. We had a long talk asked me all about Charlie’s death and everything about me. Talked for about 30 minutes and did the brass ever jack around me when we got back to work. I told them he wanted my opinion on how this gear was to be loaded and by Damn if Major McReynolds didn’t drive down here Sunday to get the dope from me. Of course I didn’t know any thing and told him so but he wouldn’t believe and sent Capt. Hooker over to get some info from me. Should have kept my mouth shut for every one thinks I have something up my sleeve that I won’t tell. Also Bill Senior, he didn’t mention Clemments and I didn’t either.

Saw Sgt. Bunch some girl whose husband is in the med drove his sta wagon out here. He thought he would be around for a while but now is going to sell it.

Well, Sugar, can’t say when I will find time to write again until we get aboard ship but I can tell you we go from here to Japan and have we ever picked up the reserves. We increased our Btry. Of 155 from 4 guns to 18 so had to get around three hundred men


(There are words that I can't recognize in Dad's
long-hand such as "finger lifts" see above
handwriting insert,I am sure that is not
correct. A Marine friend as suggested that this means
pallet jacks--thanks for the input.)

Dearest Betty--Letters from a U.S. Marine

The first 2 letters were written from Camp Pendleton in California. We were living in Jacksonville, NC and he evidently took a train out to the West Coast. I was 15 years old. My dad wasn't much on spelling and punctuation so I have left most of it as is. I will excerpt parts of the letters and out of respect for my mom I will leave out the personal parts.

Letter #1
Saturday, August 5, 1950
5-4-11 1^st Marine Division

Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Dearest Betty.

Well things are popping. We are absorbing reserves galore changing from two four guns to three six guns Battalions. Was up to the club at noon today. Free beer all day also whiskey but I had so much to do I had to come back, till Carl Haynes is Club Officer.

We both went a round about way getting here. Arrived late last night our freight was already here but we had a good train, air conditioned and found Pullman. Street and I found a drawing room. Good chow diners but rather slow dance to the traffick. Never saw so many troop trains, lots of wives were already here when we got in. Say Sugar, I left you all of my orders. Will you air mail them to me if you think I will get them by the 15^th. Never mind tho I will get by without them but be sure and keep them safe. I may need them later on. Pretty hot here and no Liberty. We are drawing all new trucks and gear will have to stencil them with the UN insignia—a big white star.

(I will mention names here such as "Street". I don't have their full names

but someone might recognize their relatives.)

Dearest Betty---Letters from a U.S. Marine

During the Korean “Police Action” in the 50’s, my dad wrote detailed letters to my mother, Betty. She saved them all and told me she was going to destroy them after she excerpted interesting anecdotes from them. I begged her not to throw them away and she argued that they were personal love letters to her. She passed away before she could finish her work with them and I always thought they were gone. Recently found them in a box. They are so interesting that I decided to do the job my mother hadn’t finished. There are 125 of them and I plan to enter a letter a day in the form of a BLOG or diary.