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.)
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