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.)