Dearest Betty

Letter #47
January 3, 1951
Dearest Betty

We are now on a 24 hour stand by---for what? You tell me. Tomorrow I have to go to Pusan again and beg more parts for our guns from the Army. Sure hurts to ask a doggie for such things but they sure have it.



Darling, I don’t think I have ever told you much about Korea. I was thinking about you on my way down to Ord. And decided I’d tell you about it in al long letter tonight. So everything was quiet until I started to write. Then Stinson & Schleklaar started arguing and it is hard to write with such happening but I’ll try.

Well we will start in the towns. Straw covered mud huts, thin wood doors & paper covered windows. Narrow, dusty streets. Ever one uses the gutter as a sewer. Both men, women and small children carry whatever they have bre it large or small balanced on their head or if it is too large the men have a frame they wear on their backs with ropes over their shoulders and pile gear much higher then their heads. Sometimes they have to have help to stand up and never saw a human carry such loads---and small children carry loads that would impair the health carriage of some of ours for life. And they can run with a 5 gallon can of water on their heads &spill none. Also the picture of the two Marines with the two women prisoners with their breasts hanging out well most of these people wear them hanging out & barefooted but do they ever wear pantaloons baggy & many layers thick. The men wear outlandish head gear---some western hats----some Happy Hooligan hats. Some wear paper bags which denotes his standing. Even the children are traders and the stores or peddlers alike want to trade with you. If you buy it at the first price they ask. Such as if you want a leather hand bag and it is 3600 Won ($9.00) you offer 25000 & sigh---walk off raise your voice & finally you both agree on 30,000----so every one goes away happy. They are very proud race and you can hurt their feelings very easy, ah! Yes, they also carry their children on their backs by means of blankets wrapped around both them and their kid. Quite an art. No transportation but trains & a few dilapidated buses. So no filling stations just Ox carts & humans. All the kids follow you around yelling “hello”. And “guns”.---Most all the the men will speak to you but women will not and every body eats Garlic & is dirty. Why they don’t freeze I’ll never know. They will break the ice in chunks in rivers and wash clothes (a great business) they beat them with a club and they freeze as fast as they are hung up. All heat in the houses is under the floor. Bath tubs are round stone bowls.

Well that gives you something to think over till I get home and can really tell you all about it and all about how much I love you both.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 49
December 30, 1950
Hello, Sugar

Well my box came today from your Mother and Dad filled with my favorite things---shrimp olives etc. so what happened We cooked chow again at “home”. Street cut up two chickens, I fried them, cut up a head of cabbage, put a can of my shrimp in some of Tate’s Miracle Whip some of Frizelle’s tarter sauce and boy was it swell. Fried the chicken in oil we fetched a can from the galley and oh! Yes a movie---yes a honest to God movie “Annie Get Your gun”. Enjoyed it even standing up on my game leg. Well we have the Barn Dance on the radio now and a case of Beer. Blatz even it tastes good & J.D.’s box was in a Ham’s case.

Well, looks like our rest is over. Today we got 3 trucks loaded with gear we didn’t even get before we left The States. Boy that’s one thing the Army has. Eight men behind the 1 fighting man. I told you I got nine new 155 guns. Today I got 41 45 pistols. Never had over 14 in the reg. And field glasses galore. We lost every single pair I left The States with. New 3.5 Rocket Launchers, Machine guns, truck mounts every thing I asked for so now to allocate it all to Btrys. Quite a job. Well, Sugar bed time & I am tired so here’s a good night hug & kiss for each.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 45
December 29, 1950
Ma-San


Dearest Betty,

Thanks for the two mantels. As for my using them, yes our electricity is unreliable so we keep gas lanterns. As to one or two burners it makes not difference all the same.

Tonight we had a chow! I took Street to town this afternoon when I went after 9 new Howitzers and he bought a Flounder 8 lbs. Never saw such a big one. Tate came for dinner. Street prepared the fish and I fried it. Damn good too. Tomorrow morning we are having pork chops, eggs & spuds. You see, Darling, we are so far from the mess hall or galley that we never go to chow. We each make a trip up during the day and get chow for all, prepare it, and eat when we feel like it & have our “boy” wash up the mess. Quite a set up.

We have no news yet of any impending move but our radio tell us to expect one most any time now.

My leg is improving again. They wanted to send me to a hospital in Japan so “no” was again the answer. Maybe some day I’ll have the darned thing fixed

Well that about covers every thing. I finally remembered the fellow’s name. Lee Mathers would never forgive me for forgetting that name eh?

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #44
December 29, 1950
Dearest Betty

Rec. mail today mailed the 17th---two letters. Thanks a lot. Well let’s see what is new. Eddie Hill came by to see me night before last and did I tell you I saw (damn it I can’t recall his name). He is the little Sgt. That cried when we left Key West Ah! Yes, Knowles is back with his outfit again. He was over same time Hill was and ah! Yes, my damn knee flew out yesterday. Been giving me Hell.

Well, Sugar, I have no more news. I have to go up to see Novack now. He called me up. Must have a letter from his wife. Did I tell you I was having a oil painting made of from my other snap. Don’t know how it will turn out.

Love,

Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 43
December 24, 1950
Hello Sugar
(This letter was very sentimental on Christmas Eve so I
only used the informative part as my mom would have wished)

Hello Sugars,

Well, Sweetheart I am just not in the mood to write a long letter today, maybe tomorrow. I have to draw 10 new guns tomorrow to replace the ones we lost on the mountain. Also I’ll get my jeep back as soon as the motor sections checks the reports. We have no new ones. By the way, Doan & Greer made Master Sgt. A big list came out mostly administration.

Well, Sugar, I’ll close now and listen to the radio a bit. And Ah! Yes, I told you we have beer now. Mt. Tate gave a half gallon of Saki (Jap rice wine) so I’ll heat up a cup on our stove and drink a toast to you my one and only love.

May it last forever.
Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 42
December 22,1950

Masan

(I have corrected this location from yesterday's blog. As you can see in the above photo, "Masan" is quite different than "Wonsan")

Dearest Betty,

Now it is me who is writing early in the morning and I am sorry I have been putting off writing to you but my days are chock full and at night there are always a bunch in. We have the only private house. All the others are in tents or a big school. The Ord. Sec. Took over a old house and fixed it up as a shop & living quarters complete with electric lights, radio & stove. We cook most of our meals here too. Also have a house boy, Kim, this time, who cleans up after us.

Rec. mail up to the 6th also my Xmas presents mainly a swell yellow bowl pipe & Zippo lighter. Thanks a million, Sugar. I enjoy both of them.



Rogers came by to see me yesterday had seen Hunkey. Their ship pulled along side the “MO”. She is around but I never get to go aboard it as usually well out to sea.

Rec beer two cans per man. Blatz of all things

Well, Sugar I suppose this is all. The others are getting up now and we have a formation at eight so all my love to you, my sweetheart. Till I see you again,

Dearest Betty

Letter # 41
December 17, 1950
Hi Sugars B.& S.

Well a lot has happened since I last wrote to you two dears. We did get out of Hamhung on a ship that carried 1700 men. We put 7000 aboard. They were every place but the Ord. Section fell in with the supply officers so we moved into a store room below the mess hall. They served chow both night and day so you can imagine how long the chow line was. Well we had a chit to eat whenever we wanted to. The only way you could tell one meal from the other was by the menu. They never stopped serving. We had ice cream and coffee several times in our ward room below decks. Novack was with us & is with us now. He said to tell Ginny he would write as soon as possible. He is very busy. Lots of reports etc.

Well we came to Puson and embarked on a smaller ship---a L.S.T. for here---Wasan.






Met a Navy chief who I had in the Brig in Jacksonville, Florida so I moved into the C.P.O. mess. Well we got in here last night and there were no camp, no tents, just another school building. Well we were so tired that I went on a reconnaissance and found a nice room all windows in it. We bedded down dandy & today I ran a hot line in for a light & radio (yes we lugged it along) then the others got hot and rigged a stove so every thing was fine. Then Novack moved in then five more S.N.C.O. Well one was a cook so he brought coffee. Just a bit ago the Chaplain moved in, then a W.O. and now two Sgts. So we are full up. Some knucklehead stole all our cots out of our trailer. I think they are in the officer’s quarters. Well we will have to pitch tents tomorrow any way. The buildings are for officers.

Well we do hear all the news now, seems like you people are maybe going to have it rough eh? Better get the things you need when you can

Well, Sugars I think I have about covered all the news from here. Ah yes my jeep went to the new King Btry. (We lost the old btry.) The Major promised me it back on a new one when we get re-supplied.

Dearest Betty

Letter #40
December 11, 1050
Dearest Betty

All our boys got off the mountain last night. Lots of frostbite, lost equipment, & and tall tales.

Novack hit me up for a change of C Rations etc. I had about 60 eggs & coffee. We cooked up a meal. Of course our radio went all night. Remember Gandrick T sgt? He was with those from the 7th reg. Pretty bad shape. Took him in too. Today we are organizing. Lost lots of our guns, most of King Rgt. Was lost. They still two guns. I may have to go to a firing party. They lost lots of S.N.C.O.’s. by the way I am sitting at the air port Hamhung. Maj McRenolds sent me over with Capt. Charlicamb for Whiskey. Trans airdails have it. But what I was going to say is I am writing this in my jeep so please excuse.

(The actual handwriting is below) I couldn't read it.



Ah yes we are also going aboard ship to where I don’t know. This is just like old home week. I see someone who thought was out and here he is--- runs up and hugs my neck & cries, “I thought you were dead”. “And how is your leg they said it froze off”. So we all laugh and say maybe better luck next time. Yes I also saw Knowles. He was hit but released. Our btn. Are mostly walking wounded but ole man Carson got narry a sctatch.

Well, Sugar Pie, no more mail coming in to us but going out so don’t worrie. I’ll write again when I can.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 39
December 9, 1950
Hi, Sugar

Sister, can you hear that? “The Old Master Painter”---no, I am not cracking up, not just yet. Any way I took up a collection today from our Ord. Section and went to Division , traded in $25.00 for won, took the won to Hamhung and bought a radio---hooked it up on our generator and what do you know, music, news and light in our tent. Of course now you can’t get in our tent. Mr. Puckett, Mr. Tate, Mr. Smith, Captain Endquest & every one else who can crowd in. Tomorrow I am going to buy a speaker & put it up outside. What did all this cost? Well we started bargaining the Gook---& he asked forty thousand five ---I offered 30,000, he dropped to 40,00 & I offered 35,000 he took it about $9.00. These people don’t respect you if you give their price. I am much respected. I do all the buying, eggs etc. I have lots of fun sighing, ahahing. Dickering with them.

Tate has been saving a 5th of VO whiskey for the Ord. Sec. To be consumed when the war is over. Came pretty near doing it Thanksgiving Day but didn’t---so when we did get off the mountain, he decided to give it to us last night. So as he was getting it out of his chest, damned it he didn’t slip in the snow and drop it and broke it in a million pieces. He shed a tear as we all did. Maybe that was why I was so low yesterday. Did you hear what Gen O.P. Smith told the Army when we started off the mountain? Retreat, Hell! We are just attacking in a different direction. Well here we are now attacking in every way but by God the Army are helping us now. Their back is to the Sea and they can’t swim.

I’ll see you dear cause I can.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 38
December 8, 1950
Dearest Betty,

Well things don’t look so good do they? We are off the mountain but tonite it is a 50/50 chance of the rest of the gang getting off. Novack is with them. It is snowing hard now and word is two Armies are trying to cut them off. They are walking and fighting yard by yard. All trucks are manned by walking wounded carrying wounded. Lots of men have frosted feet but are still coming. The 1st Marine reg. Was dispatched to alleviate the situation and they could not trust the Army.

Honey, I just don’t know what the score is and I hate to be a baby but how much can a fellow stand? I have heard of people “cracking up” in that last war. I wonder just how much two wars would do to men. Maybe we will all be crazy when we get out of this. But the men still have their humor. As we came down the kids ran out and held up their fingers in the “V” for victory sign. One fellow said you can’t kid me they are betting two to one we don’t get out.

Well enough of this sort of letter, Darling. I’ll always love you regardless of the outcome crazy or not.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #37
Dearest Betty
HAMHUNG

Well as you can see we got off the mountain. Not everyone as yet. We lost some guys. Mr. Tate & I were over to Ord. Trying to get replacements for our defense set up here. Lost quite a few men & all officers from King Btry. Via ambush. They were sent four miles ahead of the Infantry when they were told to try and get back. Lt. Parrish who had the home along side Capt. Hooper was shot but got out and is on his way to Japan. Can’t tell you any thing of our set up here but that I think it is good as for our defense is. Tell Shirl I will be lucky to get John R. Carson out of here without bringing Korean Kate with me.

Well, Darling, I hope the pipe gets through OK but don’t send anything more to me unless you want to send a mantel in each letter for four or five letters. Tell Mr. Peel he can get a box of them from gen. Supply on the base. They are for Coleman lanterns gasoline type. Don’t weigh much.

All Yours.
Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 36
December 6, 1950
Dearest Betty

Harry Knowles got hit on the 3rd ---evacuated to Japan. Hands & arms. Things look pretty bleak for us at present but I am sure we will get off to a better place soon. The Army has already fallen back to set up a perimeter of defense and our airlift will be dropping back soon.





All my love

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #35
December 4, 1950
Dearest Betty

So glad you had a Thanksgiving dinner. Wish I could have taken you both out as usual. Boy what I could do with a tough old piece of Beef—anything solid to chew on.. We have plenty to eat but of course none of it solid in the sense of the word. We had hot cakes yesterday thanks to my Darling. I gave Tate two & he really enjoyed them.

Really, Dearest, you know more about what is going on than we do here. Most of our news is strictly “Skuttlebut” and once in a while a Stars & Stripes gets to us several days old of course. Our Reg. Commander was shot night before last by China boys. They are really big jokers. Have quilted pants, coats & shirts. Blew a bridge just ahead of us about ½ mile---got several of them. They had American made grenades, truck and first aid packs. Some speak English very well. I am sending you a small map You said yours didn’t show the Chosin Reservoir. This will show you.



By the way did you find the short in the car? Probably a bare wire some place. Hope Shirl had a good time at the game. Give her my love, Sugar a kiss and scratch Joe a time or two. Of course you keep most of my Love cause I do dearly miss you, my darling and love you lots & lots.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 34
December 2, 1950
Good Morning, Sugar

I haven’t written for a few days. Been interesting too. Busy as you have read in the papers. We are having quite a few China-men running around us. We rec. supplies & medical aid by air drop. Mail is supposed to be picked up this morning so will try to get this in. don’t know when it will go out again. Haven’t rec. mail for a week but should be some coming up the mountain soon.

I washed up this morning & combed my hair and the back got full of ice. We don’t have a thermometer so don’t know how cold it is really just Damned cold.

A bunch of Army withdrew last night took their guns & all. A Army Major & his crew left one Marine Lt. In charge of a rail head amo dump & chow dump & he withdrew. I just can’t understand our Army. They sure are good at withdrawing to a better position then when things get rough they find a better position ah! Well we will stay. Hope Harry does something about China. If not I fear a brand new World War. This U.N. Action is great. So far I have seen one Battalion of English. All the others are back around Pusan if there are any. All I see is Americans.




Well, Darling I must close now remember I love you always & always.

Dearest Betty

Letter #33
November 27, 1950 (near Thanksgiving)
Hello, Sugar Pie,

Boy is our mail ever fouled up. I received two more letters from you today, the 1st & 9th. I already have 31st – 3rd, & 10th. Any way I enjoy each and every one of them. I have told you before but just in case, please tell both our mothers and also yourself no presents for Korea. The mails are too uncertain.

Today my jeep was the only one that would start, so I had to drive the captain & Major up on the plateau today. Such a road 8287 ft. up & I mean it goes up in 27 miles. Plenty of snow & cold as all Hell. 22 degrees below. Lots of beautiful mountain scenery. Lots of hydro-electric plants. Dead Gooks and destroyed towns. Sure will be nice to see a town that isn’t shot all to Hell. I mean whole towns with not a wall standing. No water, no lights. People salvaging little pieces of broken glass, scraps of cloth sifting dirt to get the rice and everything stinking cold and dirty.

Tomorrow we get Turkey. Cooks will be up all night cooking the birds & making the trimmings. Say, Sugar, you can do something for me. Have one of those Zippos repaired that we were always going to have done and send it to me with some flints. I lost mine and have one Hell of a time getting lights..

I get so God Damned mad reading some of those accounts of conditions in Korea. PX, Beer, fresh chow, all a lot of B.S. I was down to the Hospital yesterday to take Street & did get some fresh salad celery of all things. Street saw the dentist. Nothing wrong with him.

. Well, Sugar, I’ll close now. Every one has read their mail and are yapping so I can hardly think what to say. Of course I am writing so all of them are talking to me so best I stop now. With all my love to the best wife and sweetheart in the whole wide world

Your Bill

DEarest Betty

Letter # 32
November 26, 1950
Dearest Betty

The fellow who sent Pappy & Cola the Korean money is in the 1st Bn 11th. I sent him quite a lot. Tell Pappy that the exchange here is 4000 wons to 1 dollar.

I just got up before every one gets to milling around. Got me some coffee and am writing this on my cot. Really have very little to say about my mustache it is the usual and doing very well thank you!

I have my jeep winterized now and every one wants to use it. Have doors & all with an exhaust heater I made.

All we hear is the war is over but of course they mean for the Army. It is too cold for our fighting men up on top but they sure as Hell send Marines up.

Well, sugar I’ll close now and get this in the mail.

Lots & lots of Love to you both.

Your bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 31
November 19, 1950
Dearest Betty

No mail today our mail is all fouled up. Probably the F.P.O. heard the rumor that we were leaving and sent our mail back
Eh?

Well we are moving steadily forward and getting colder by the day. Lots of snow. Tire chains are the uniform of the day for vehicles on the mountain. Korean Katy has a new name, Priapism, medical name for permanent erection. (she has changed her gender) The Doctor named it that. Boy does the old boat run good now with the new motor etc. all put on. Started it up today at noon and right away Tate wanted to go to Ord. 45 miles to Hamhung ---so off we go! Was dark when we got back and very cold

Will have to find Washey Washey Wonson tomorrow and get my gear all cleaned up cause we will be going up on the Plateau soon. Yet, I know of no news, Honey everything is O.K. a little shooting but not too much---mostly snipers. Have to have a blackout every nite but we have our windows all covered with canvas. We got new stove today and of course we have a fuel shortage but our stove burns diesel so we keep warm.

Well nite nite Sugar , I love you lots & lots

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 30
November 17, 1950
Dearest Betty

We have moved forward again and instead of tents the officers and of course the Ordinance section have a house. I did a little maneuvering and acquired a M-5 generator so have lights. The officers wanted to tap our line so of course had to move us into part of the house, very cozy. We have an oil conversion for our stove burning gasoline in it. Glad we don’t have to buy it.

My jeep, “Korean Katy” froze up bursted the radiator so I went out today and cryed on an Army Captain’s shoulder told him how tough our supply line was, gave him a “Gook” rifle and got a new radiator, a new engine * and a new clutch. All we ever get is rebuilt parts. Ah yes also got 24 light bulbs and twelve sockets. Boy that Army really has it every place but in the stomach. If it isn’t freezing too bad tomorrow I will put the new parts in and be on my way. I told you we built a top & sides to the jeep didn’t I

Well we are right up in the mountains now with the river from the Chosin Reservoir running past our door and frozen all the way across. Last night 5000 Gooks broke through the 7th Marines but we stopped them with our new amo filled with these leaflets.

(enclosing copy of handwriting---can't make out the last line)

Dearest Betty

Letter # 29
November 14, 1950
Dearest Betty,



Well tomorrow we move again forward forever forward. So the dope was right we will move on the 15th but not toward the States.

Our mail is being held up in Japan. I was down to reg. Today and they have sent an officer over to see why it is being held up.

It is cold as Hell today. I built a cab on the jeep so it won’t be quite as cold. And we are moving out of a brick school house into an open field and tents. Be tough for a while eh?

Well I have a lot to do before dark so here is yours and Shirl’s Xmas presents and all my love.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 28
November 13, 1950
Dearest Betty

Now for the human side of the news. Mo Ji, our room boy came in this morning and ran right to the stove and by god he was cold. Plenty of ice every place. He is a kid about 12 years old. He was bare footed and had a pr. Of light cotton pants on and thin as my skivvies. A short coat & that was all so I measured his foot and drove My jeep to Hamhung 10 miles and got him a pair of shoes made of canvas and auto tires. Cost 1500 wons (rate of ex 4000 for $1.00) came back and we made him scrub back about 2 years of dirt and every one pitched in---I gave shoes, socks and pr. Of dungarees too small for me. Street a long sleeved under shirt, Jones long johns, Fizzell a cap; and I dressed him from floor up. You never saw such a happy fellow. He grabbed a broom, swept clean, brought a case of water, got all my dirty clothes to take home to wash and then asked to be allowed to go home. He came back this afternoon with his daddy who wanted to know if he had stolen the clothes! When we made him know it was O.K. he started crying and ran off. After a while he came back with a big basket of apples. So now it seems we have inherited a Korean Boy. Seems the Russians took all the clothes away from them. Mo is a nice kid tho, washes all our mess gear & keeps things clean.

Well Sugar it is bed time now. With all my love.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 27
November 12

Hello Sugar

I was picked from the entire Bn. To read the Marine Corps Birthday proclamation to the Bn. En-mass on November 10th. Had oldest marine and youngest out in front---me with 20 years—some Pvt. With less than 1 year. Got quite a ribbing from the fellows---said I should have memorized it by hearing it read so many times

We had a small fire fight nite before last just in front of our Barracks. Some tank outfit moved in around the hill and in the wee small hours a “Gook” fired a round. The tanK’s machine guns opened up so our guns thought they were being attacked so they started firing. A unit of the 5th Marines opened up on the flank. Was quite a party for a while. Results one dead “Gook”, four sleeping bags shot up, around 1000 rounds of amo wasted.

Honey, I don’t know any thing about what we will do. Rumor is State Side soon but we have to start winterizing our big guns tomorrow. Latest joke now is that any one starting a rumor will get a deck court.

I scouted eight pounds of baking soda today so we will have hot biscuits for breakfast but would much rather have toast with you, Darling

Dearest Betty

Letter # 26
November 9, 1950
Hamhung

Hi Darling,

Rec two letters today 31 & 1st. Sugar, our object in the Wonsen landing is to protect the big Chosin Dam just above our position here several miles above Hamhung. It supplies power to all of this part of Korea & most of Manchuria. When the Manchurian Reds came across the border we were here waiting for them. Today I hear they have withdrawn. All we have to contend with now is Gorillas and there are plenty of them. I take a patrol each morning at 0530 up 10 ½ miles to see if they have a road block or sabotaged the rail road. We maintain two road blocks too but so far have had very few targets for the big guns. Today I drove my jeep to Hamhung and bummed four cans of baking powder so we could have bread. Haven’t had any since we left Inch’ on. Also procured some Boyardee Spaghetti with sauce and cooked it up for supper. Mr. Tate ate with me and did he ever eat it! Also had fresh onions.

You have asked me several times about my knee. Believe it or not, the darned think hasn’t jumped out once but now that cold weather has set in, it may. I just hope not. By the way, I talked to Big Joe Carson today asked him how it felt to be “dead”. He also had heard I was dead. We had quite a little skylarking over it. Well, I’ll close for now dear. I love you, thank Shirl for her letter.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 25
November 7, 1950
Hamhung

Dearest Betty

Two letters from you today 26 & 27th. We are in a school building now. Have to use stoves. Gets quite cold here. No news so far & no ships ---in fact we are ready to move up nearer the Dam. Quite a few Communists around here. Have to keep all around security day and night. Street & I went out today and brought back a Russian 76 mm gun on behind the jeep. Quite a ride up from Wonsan. Mountain road and very narrow. Several trucks turned over. Korean Katy made it O.K. Bartered for 17 eggs yesterday & had bacon & eggs for breakfast. Also bartered for four gallons of rice wine. Tate & all of us had a very nice party last night. No hangover. Some of the boys got the “G.I.” trots, but all were happy today. I took Novack over a canteen full at noon today so he was happy. Said his wife was working in some café in J’ville.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 24
November 7, 1950
Wonsan

Dearest Girl,

Well today we were issued the most complete cold weather gear I have ever seen estimated at $200.00 worth. Cold weather boots with double innersoles, two pr. Heavy wool socks, pr. Gloves, both with wool inner gloves, leather mittens with wool inner mittens with trigger finger. Cap with wool ear flaps, vest with heavy pile lining parka. Ankle length coat pile & fur lined with hood. How the Hell we are supposed to carry all of it I don’t know. Rec. two letters from my sugar today. 23 & b24 Oct. both sweet and made me miss you more. Lots of scuttlebutt about here but nothing for sure. Some word is Camp Elliot, some is bring all reserves to go to Swamp Lagoon, word to go to Hamhunge and China Reds, so I don’t know.

Now news for you (maybe) Mozurelli a pa pa a boy this time. Tate’s dog, Stinky killed by auto.

Ordered by Major not to get rid of my jeep just yet..

Drove to Wonsan airport today nearly froze (didn’t have my cold weather gear yet). Saw 200 communists lined up who tried to attack us last night and failed. We are alerted again tonite Ha Ha. A Army Raiding Party are pinned down just above here so we set up a platoon and two tanks, set up some extra guns around here and posted a few extra guards.

Funny thing happened today—we were working on the guns and Tate was behind one of them when Street was bleeding it. Oil shot out & scored a direct hit right in the middle of Tate’s back. Boy was he p’ed off.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 23
November 1, 1950
Dearest Betty

Well here we go again. We are off to Hamhunge (strictly scuttlebutt) to embark on AR.’s “Navy Transports” for the U.S. and Camp Elliot. Now please don’t quote me for I don’t know. We may go to Japan, Guam, siapan or any place in this wide ocean. But we are packing here to go aboard ship tomorrow. I am trading “Korean Katy” for 12 qts of state side whiskey to the fly boys at Wonsan. I will have to divide up but we are going to have a party the last nite here in Korea. Street and I are building up our hopes on how to get to Siapan. Shouldn’t be too hard as we are so over strength in Staff N.C.O.’s. Of course I will have Novack working on it for me too.

Well, Darling that is all for today. It is chow time now (chow’s lousy). We still go over and then come back and cook something for our self.

No mail today, but I have been very lucky while here. I have rec. mail every day and somet8imes two, thanks to you, Darling. Well so long dear, I love you lots and lots.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 22
October 31, 1950

Dearest Betty

Well, Sugar, I just never got around to writing that letter yesterday. We are pulling all the Tracts & wheels on the guns so are quite well occupied most of the time. We have a Bn. Mess now but so far the Ord. Section are still cooking our own so much trouble lining up for chow, lining up to wash our mess gear. Word is now we may move up a 100 miles or so along the border. Hope we get cold weather clothes before we do.

Yes, Honey, I have a small mustache about two and ½ inches long on each side. Sugar we have not been able to trace Joe Carson. He didn’t come out on the casualty list and some of the fellows said they had seen him since Seoul so maybe that was false.

Yes I have seen Rae several times. He caught a piece of mortar in his shoulder or did I tell you that already?

I see Novack quite often, we compare news.

Well Sweety, I suppose that is all for this time. Will write again soon to the pair of you. Tell Shirl to keep up the good work, I am proud of her.

Dearest Betty

Letter #21
October 29, 1950,

Dearest Betty,

Well did you hear the big joke the Army got on us at Wonsan? Had Bob Hope meet our first wave of landing troops who they called assault wave. No Army would have been there if they were assault troops.

We are about 14 miles North of Wonsan in a Korean Village and we are in a school house & housing project. You would laugh yourself silly if you could see one of these places. Walls as thin as Poinciana Project but we have a bath tub and you build a fire underneath. Also heat the house by building a fire under it. Also a head.

(I am inserting a sketch he drew in the letter)



These people save the sewage for fertilizer so all heads dump into a pit and “Honey Dippers” pick it up and spread it around gardens. So we can’t eat any thing they grow.

Well the war’s over. All the officers are clearing out and we are having roll call. Close order drill, Bn. Mess & all such B.S. Well we need it. Honey don’t you worry about when we will be home. I’ll let you know. We, of course hear lots of Scuttlebut. Some come true and some don’t. We also have heard Japan by Thanksgiving. Camp Elliot for Xmas and all reserves out etc.

But today we sent reconnaissance party 100 miles up the Manchurian border looking for artillery positions,

so when I get back to the U.S. I’ll let you know. Of course this is a West Coast Division ??? will have to do one Hell of a lot of maneuvering to make the East Coast but Novak will keep me posted and I am sure I’ll make it some way.

Well read your mail tomorrow and write again.

Dearest Betty

Letter #20
October 25, 1950


Hello, Sugar,

What do you know? We are again steaming into Wonsan and about time too. We are very short of chow. Soup and pork & gravy (canned) no bread or crackers for four days but we haven’t been hungry. (All the Army’s fault) They were supposed to have put 5000 rations aboard & they only put 2500 aboard. We feel good tho for we got the fresh eggs for breakfast, oranges & apples also Sunday chow meat. Sweet spuds & real spuds, pork & gravy & rice. Some ship got Friday’s menu---Fish, beans and fresh onions.

(Please excuse references to The Army, it is a Marine Corps thing)

Today we saw several aircraft carriers,, supply ships & transports. Of course we started the word around that the Navy had reactivated the “Magic Carpet” like they had last war for fast transporting of troops home and were going to send all the reserves home. Quite a stir up. Till some one found out the ships weren’t going the same way we were. We have lots of fun out of these poor dears, kidding them about every thing from home life, jobs, Marine Corps calling them “Thursday Night Gladiators” etc.

I waterproofed my jeep today just in case we land in the surf. No word of any kind as to what we will do. Stay or go or where.

Well, I’ll close now, Darling.

I love you lots & lots
Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Thanks to my Marine Corps friend, Buzzy, I have made corrections to letter #2 and # 12.


Letter #19
October 22, 1950
AT SEA AND I DO MEAN AT SEA

Darling,

I’ll be Damned if we didn’t reverse course again and steamed south. We are now headed north again into Wonsan tomorrow morning. A bit of excitement today. The chief (each Jap L.S.T. has one Navy Chief board) called me up to the bridge this afternoon and said the ship ahead had signaled him they had lost a dog overboard. We watched for him but couldn’t see him when a Jap started yapping “doggie port side” over and over again till we did see him swimming toward us. He came along side and we dropped a life ring to him but he was too weak to climb to it. The Jap captain (a good old fellow) stopped the ship while we tried to hook him, but failed. He was going astern when the “Old Man” backed the ship down & we lowered a small man down over the side. He finally got hold of the dog, who was game by then & we drug them both aboard. Took the dog to the galley & got him warm & some warm milk into him. He is frisky as Hell now, a red chow, well we messed up the entire convoy cause all the ships behind us stopped or turned out past us. It was quite a mix up for about 30 minutes but every one got back into position and every one aboard was quite happy. Of course the word got around that the dog jumped ship because it was the ship with all the Salmon aboard. And lots of jibes at our mess Sgt. About not cooking the dog etc. So some wise guy for a lark, dropped some red hair into one of the fellow’s soup tonite at chow. Was quite a row about that. Every thing is O,K, now.

Marines carry some of the darnedest in a combat pack, rather that is all we were supposed to have. Some one broke out a portable phonograph with records tonite, so every one is here listening to it.

I'll see you later, Darling

Your Bill.

Dearest Betty

Letter #18
October 21, 1950
At Sea

Hello, Darling,
How’s for a little chat?



I have never been on a cruise like this one. We ran to beat Hell up to Wonsan, got right up to the mine fields, did a reverse course and sailed for twelve hours toward Japan---did another about face and did twelve more hours back to Korea---and by damn if we didn’t turn back last nite and now, today we are, again headed for Wonsan. We are short of chow, water, and fuel oil, so I suppose we will go in this time.



Our only pastime is harassing the Reserves we have aboard, who are all from Texas, and do they ever take a beating! They all want to go home now that the fighting is over, so we tease them all the time. Today, I started a rumor that the Division would turn all their equipment over to the Koreans and go back State Side except the 4th bat.11 Marines. They would stay as advisers to the S. Korean Army because they have never had any 155’s. Now, by gosh, people are telling me the story as coming first hand. It sounds so plausible that I almost believe it my self. Even some of the officers are talking about it. Be quite a joke on me if they did eh?

The weather has turned much colder. I have on two sweaters and a field jacket. The feathered sleeping bag feels good. I have a shelter topside. Three of us have our cots set up between two trucks. Very good sleeping. This, being a small flat bottom landing ship, she rolls quite a lot but we all have our “sea legs” and our cots are lashed down as are all the vehicles so we sleep fine----and just roll with the ship. Some one said McA. Stated we would be in Japan for Thanksgiving dinner. Be glad. We get all the Spam & pork sausage aboard this ship and I hear from the mess Sgt. That one of the other LST’s has only Salmon. Maybe we are lucky. We have quite a convoy now around fourty LST’s and several small tugs & D.E two cruisers and lots of mine sweeps.

Well, Sugar, if we go in tomorrow I will get some mail. I got spoiled in Inch’on had mail every day so maybe I’ll be getting several tomorrow and also yours will be under weigh.


Well, darling, all my love till I can tell you more classily and tell Shirl I love her & think or you all always.

All my love
Bill