Dearest Betty

Letter # 77
April 11, 1951
Dearest Shirl

Thanks a lot for your letter, also the clover. Got a kick about hearing about your “heels”. You will be as tall as I am with them on, won’t you? Kim received your letter. You should see how very proud it makes him when his name is called out at mail call. He has spent all day writing you and what a job. He prints so he finds out what word he wants to use looks it up in his Korean/English dictionary then prints it. I had to spell out each word of your letter to him and he made the printed letter to match your long hand. Then he read it not once but several times. He is quite a boy and you have no idea how much he helps me. Heats water to shave, bathe, and make coffee and runs a hundred errands a day for me and the others. Now he won’t let me wash clothes. He does it himself, beats them with a stick by the river. We all like him a lot.

Well, Sug, I expect you will have your driver’s license by now, won’t you?

I have been reading up on the 51 Plymouth. Seems like quite a car, We may have one some day. Who knows?

Well, I’ll close now, just heard about McArthur being relieved.

Love, Dad

Dearest Betty

Letter # 76
April 10, 1951

Hi, my Darling,

Received letters late last night 11:00 dated or mailed rather 28, 29, 30,& 31. Was so glad to hear from you. Also got one from Shirl, also Kim rec. Her letter. He gets such a thrill out of getting a letter and I am so glad you all have written him. He has no one to even talk to but us, no natives, no people of his own and he is so good and tries so hard. He studies all the time and can speak very well now. Can’t write much and has one Hell of a time expressing himself but does come up with quite a bit of wit at times. For instance Schekler was kidding him about learning the English alphabet. Stinson was sounding the letters to him so all at once he (Kim) turned on Schekler and said “God Damnit you say this”. With that he rattled off the Korean alphabet followed by the Jap one. Of course we all got a big laugh out of that & Schek got mad.. He is that kind.

Well, Sugar Pie, no news, the river has gone down & we are back on routine. G-2 has it that we may expect air attacks soon. Hope they are wrong as usual. Tell Shirl I’ll drop her a line soon.

Tell Shirl thanks for the clover. I’ll put it with the other one you sent me a long while ago and will keep it.
(Found this behind a driver's license in a box of items from Dad's billfold)

Well, Darling, all my love to you both for ever.

Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 75
April 9, 1951
Hi, Gal

The Chinks blew a dam above us so we can’t move until this small stream, that has risen till it is as wide as from you to the Super Market, goes on South. Maybe this is the beginning of their jump off. We been doing lots of shooting but still the radio keeps saying no China-men. Which is a lot of B.S. They are every place. If you don’t believe me, get up and step outside of my tent and I’ll show you some through my glasses. By the way, I dropped the pair you have so no loss to the government. Yes, you can see them twos & threes slipping around on top of the mountains. Then at night they all get together and raise Hell.

One of my boys brought me up about 15 # of steak last night so we had Tate in for noon chow---steak and onions, brown gravy--- number one.

I hear there is another draft coming in the latter part of this month maybe some staff will be in it. Big promotion list coming in from Washington this month. Hope Street makes Tech. I am not eligible yet. Have to be in grade two years and I haven’t quite a year yet. Ah! Well maybe someday.

Dearest Betty

Letter #74
April 8, 1951
Hi, My Darling

Well, how about letting me gripe a bit in this letter. O.K. here goes


We are sitting rather present 1 mile from the 38th had to have a bulldozer level off a spot big enough for a tent---one half mile up is a very fine plateau or valley we could have used but no.

Well that isn’t too bad, but you heard of Joe De Luca? His wife asked you about him when we were at Inchon. Well he stayed in Japan until we got to Seoul, then stayed behind and every move thereafter. All during this operation He stayed at Masan. About a week ago he came back to us. Well while he was in the rear, he wrote letters to people he knew and sang the “blues” to everyone, so today, by God, he was ordered home. Hasn’t near the points I have but he is flying to Camp LeJeune tomorrow. Of all the breaks, and he hasn’t earned his bread while he has been with us. Well that is part of my gripe, can you stand more?

Well, we are attached to Hdq Battery and they have the damnedest cooks now. We are getting fresh meat and I’ll be damned if I can see how anyone can possibly foul up chow as they do. I eat with one of the firing btrys. whenever I can. Care for more?

The damned Army sent all of the 1st Division mail back to Haing Song so not mail for three days. So you see, Darling, All I have is you and my love for you. So let’s keep it that way till I get home and I’ll keep it going from here.

I love you,
Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 73
April 5, 1951
Chun Chon
Hello, Sugar,

Lots of mail day before yesterday. No mail in or out yesterday. Kim rec, his letter and it was worth every effort to have seen him. He spent most of yesterday answering it. I read his letter to you of course. I am sure you will get a kick out of it and he is most sincere in every thing he said. He is very interested in all of our families.

Brother are we in Artillery ally now. Four miles from the 38th and guns guns guns! All of the eleventh plus three reg. Of Army Artillery with 105, 155 and 8 mm or 240 mrtr. Plus search lights and they aren’t used for anti aircraft but to focus on cloud banks & reflect light into the vallies for the foot troops to see by. Lots of mines ---several people killed by anti personnel mines. Haven’t had to clear any yet, hope I don’t.

Well, I’ll close now and write again tomorrow.

Dug a fox hole tonight---my first. Hope I don’t have to use it.

Well good night, my love, a hot Jazz band on the radio so will be asleep before too long.

All my love,

Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 72
April 3, 1951
Dearest Betty


Haven’t written you for a day or so,,,been pretty busy and expecting to move any time so must drop you a line now.

See where Captain Durant made Major also Whitt & Sitter quite a list.

Sugar don’t have any idea I’ll have to come back over if & when I get home. Maybe some of the fellows will but no Staff as yet. As for retirement, you can be called back on 20 but not 30. Boats must have went into the reserves so got activated. Did Agrens say where he was stationed?

Bet Shirl looked cute in her heels. Hope she gets along O.K. with her driving.

Well, Sugar, I have to go to Reg. This morning, so better get along. So much traffic on the roads and so many one way passes in the mountains, it takes quite a while to make a short trip. Saw Eddie Hill again yesterday also saw “Ike”. Told you Frank Cutting was over to see me.

All my love

Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 71
March 29, 1951

(he wrote two letters this date & it is another personal letter)

Dearest Betty,

Do I ever love you! Three letters and all just before we move up. As usual on a move mail is delayed for a day or so but now I have up to and including the 21st. Pretty fast eh? Eight days most of them take ten or more.

Honey, sorry you had a “blue” week. And I also have had some Dillys. It is very hard being apart and not having bad days.

Honey, I am sure we will find something to become interested in when I do come home. Wish I could have a game of Canasta or Gin and I could listen for hours to your playing. By the way, how is your piano tuning course doing?

Peel called me over tonight to fix his Coleman lantern. Poor fellow, don’t know how he will ever get along. Put Diesel oil in his gasoline lantern so couldn’t get it to burn. Had a beer with him & shot the breeze for a while. Don’t think he is very happy but I have plenty to do to keep my own moral up, so he will just have to learn.

Well, Darling just wanted you to know I have rec. mail and appreciated it very much and love you Darling, with everything I have.
Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 70
March 29, 1951
Good Morning, Sugar,

Such a funny day here in Korea. Warm enough to have the stove off and the tent open but snowing to beat Hell---melts as soon as it hits the ground, but sticks on the top of the mountains. I have never seen so many mountains in all my life and high---they go straight up. The Army and Division has been moving up for three days on our right flank. We have had to use our “Cato” to push through over one pass. Pretty steep and they have quite a lot of equipment. Maybe they will set up and relieve us huh?

No word yet on us getting off the line. All I want to do is get home. Clum gets The Globe every so often from Frances. Sure makes one want to be back in J’Ville. Also a small reason is you dear. Boy oh Boy, do I ever want to be with you.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 69
March 28, 1951
Dearest Betty

No mail today, maybe tomorrow. I’ll look forward to mail call anyway. Today we got six cans of beer for our ration. Simmons & Stinson, as usual drank theirs right away and I still have mine plus the one we got a few days ago. Free compliments of Sioux City written on the can so that no one could sell it. A good idea I think for I am sure we have bought free beer.

Did I tell you I was down to see Green a few days back? We are going to move up a few miles tomorrow and the rainy season is upon us. Every thing is muddy at present and tent is dry. But when we move again, will be mud ah! Well we can’t all have “clicks” we, the ord section will make out ah!

Yes, I have 181 points, Street has 180 Frizelli 181. Don’t know what the others have---they aren’t on any list. As yet, Frizelli & I expect to get rotated same time in May if everything goes well. Maybe before, maybe later but I’ll write you, Sugar in plenty of time.. Thanks for fixing my shirts up. Will be wonderful to have clean pressed clothes to wear again.

Well, I’ll close now, Darling. Wish I could kiss you goodnight.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 68
March 27, 1961
Dearest Betty,

No mail for a day or so the last one mailed on the 15th. The rainy season has set in now all streams up, and mud knee deep. Sure is miserable every thing damp.

Was awakened this morning about five o’clock by a loud voice. Some damned China-man calling out “surrender dope” from an airplane. Could have shot the damned fool. All that noise none of the interpreters knew what he was saying.

Been having quite a time with our guns, lots going wrong with them. Had to repair two of them today. One blew up night before last . I got it fixed up and fired six rounds as a test was O.K. Powder damp made excess chamber pressure.

Well, no news---Mr. Tate just got a refund on his income tax so is going to order Pearl a Silver service set. Seems you can get it pretty cheap in Japan.

All my love,
Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 67
March 24, 1951
Chang-ni

Dearest Betty,

Rec. two letters from you last night---12 & 13. Sorry you haven’t been hearing from me but when I check back to see when I wrote those letters you received. It wasn’t too long ago allowing 10 days both ways but it sure as Hell seems a long long time since we were that far back.

Frank Cutting dropped by to see me today. Looks well expects to go home soon. Will be so glad when I can tell you I am on the way.

No, Darling, I haven’t seen a movie since I was in Masan. We have strict black-out up here and don’t see how anyone forward of our guns would dare to have a movie unless they were in a tent. That may have been the answer.

I see Novak every day. He seems a little sour because we don’t hook him to our generator but it only puts out 300 watts just enough for our radio, lights, & Tate’s light. Any way he has two Coleman Lanterns and a battery radio so don’t need electricity. He does a Hell of a lot of griping any way.

We got some help today. New Zealand Artillery unit joined us with 36 25 pands a little longer than our 35 mil. Guns and not quite as large as our 105 mil. They seem like a pretty good bunch of men.

(inserting handwriting below about the guns etc)

Today I made hash. Found a piece of beef no good for anything but stew so I made hash. Had quite a few people in for chow.

Well, Sugar Pie, don’t know what will happen next for we can hit the 38th Parallel from here.

I’ll close now, Sugar & listen to 20 questions.

All my love to the both of you.

Forever yours, Bill

Thanks for the comment, Keith

Miss Brooke,

I believe the text about the guns refers to the the N.Z. 25 pounders. The QF 25 pounder was the primary British field gun from WWII through the 1960s. It had an 84mm bore which would make it "a little larger than our 75mm guns and not quite as large as our 105mm."

Dearest Betty

Letter # 66
March 22, 1951
SongSan-ni
Dearest Betty:

Well here we are in the same spot for three days pretty good eh?

Brooke's note:

(I am not sure where this is on this map--near the 38th Parallel)

We set up our Russian scope and watched the “Gravel Crunchers” fight up a mountain. Had lots of fun. Scott from the club dropped by today. He is in 1st Marines---said Stocks was hit pretty bad in the arm but the Doctor thought they could save it. Evacuated of course. His family is on the West Coast last report I had of them. Well we are supposed to drop back into reserves soon. Don’t know where or when. Novack is working out our point system now may have a list out soon. Hope so anyhow.

I painted a bunch of signs today for Maj. Coffee. He came in our tent and flapped on my bunk early this morning. Wanted some 4/11 signs done for his C.P (Command Post) so I made them all for him---Gone sleep…. Hava no Coffee. C.O. Bang Bang Bang only made one mistake. Paint is very dear out here so I got some Blue undercoating, some yellow Oxide, so what happened I had Navy colors---Gold and Blue. Got quite a rise, Everyone thought I did it on purpose Cause Coffee hates Annapolis officers, but really dear I didn’t Know.

Dropped by Service Btry. Today and saw Peel. He is O.K. taking every thing in his stride. We, the Ord. Section, are still attached to Hdq. Btry. Coffee again.

Made a sign





Well that is all the news Darling, I’ll love you forever.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #66
Chang-ni
Dearest Betty

Well here we are in about 15 miles of the 38th . Our next move will probably be Pyongyang just on the line. The word is we will not cross but that the Infantry will for about 500 yards to take high ground. So far we have had very little opposition but these Chinese are a funny people. Here today, gone tomorrow. How they move so fast and so secretly I don’t know.

Note from Brooke: The following part of this letter is printed with apologies to my mom. I said I would not enclose personal parts of the letters but this was so beautifully written and brought tears to my eyes that I felt compelled to include it. (Dad had served in WWII from 1941 to 1945, then went to Korea in 1950.) Sorry, Mom.

Now for our anniversary. I read a couple of good things in The Digest one of which was by Walter Pritkin: “What Home Means to Me”. It really made me homesick for the home you have made for me in the past 19 years of Hell for you and Heaven for me. I can take my shoes off, cook any time day or night, lay on the floor or do any Damned thing I want to and feel perfectly O.K. and at Home and all because I had one great streak of outstanding luck and God---and a great woman on my side years ago. I also got, in that wonderful gift package, an outstanding mother for my child. I rarely ever show my feelings as I should, Darling, but I want you to know that I appreciate every day and every hour that I have been married to you. I can only wish (knowing that it will never happen) that every young couple could use you for a guide and I am so sure they would all be so much happier and have a home instead of a house. I just don’t have the words to tell you, Darling, that I love you and hold dear all the wonderful years you have given me and hope I’ll be able to have you to hold and tell all I feel toward you on our next.

All Yours,
Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 65
March 19, 1951
Hi, Sugar
Kangnung

Got two letters from you and thanks for the note enclosed with the Digests. I know you haven’t rec. my letter asking you to do so--- that must be our old minds running together again.

Well, Sugar Pie, don’t know why I ever started this letter for the radio crowd are here in force trying to see how we made out today. Quite a bit of shooting. A counter attack was repelled just forward of our position. We are seeing more and more of the horrors of war. We don’t mind seeing dead kids or even our own, but today a little girl came down the road with a small bundle on her back. Just as she got abreast of Love Btry. They had a fire mission. The poor kid went berserk running & screaming around. I caught her and that didn’t help her at all. She kept holding her little ears & yelling. I took her into I my tent and got Kim to talk to her. He finally got her quiet. She has no living relatives that she knows of and she went on her way to God only knows where. There are so many of them and all of the ones not dead are under 10 or 11 years old just wandering around. Not a house standing. Nothing to eat never knowing if some sentry will shoot them , wander into a mine field, or get run over by trucks or jeeps moving faster than anything they have ever seen. God, Darling I am so glad it is all being done over here instead of Jacksonville U.S.A.

Well, Sugar I dreamed of you Playing Braham’s Lullaby for me. Thanks I’ll love you forever & ever my Darling.

Your Bill

P.S. Haven’t forgotten about our anniversary, Sugar. Just feeling sort of Low. Will try and snap out of it tomorrow & write.

Dearest Betty

Letter #64
March 18, 1951
Hansong
(I looked this up & it appears to be just outside Seoul)

Hello, Sugar,

Well, last night we had our first air-raid of the war. We are setting in Artillery Ally. Never saw so many guns in all my life lined up in one valley. Front lines are all around us--- first time the Artillery ever watched the infantry advance---that is since I’ve been in Artillery. We rec. quite a bit of enemy artillery fire here. Just 20 miles from the 38th Parallel.
Say, Sugar, I got Shirl’s picture. It is great but has she ever grown. Every one I know I have shown it to they all tell me I better get home and look after her. But I tell them that you are there.

I loaned Street my pen the other day, he is left handed and the damned thing hasn’t worked right since.

We were all set to turn in our cold weather gear but tonight it has turned cold so supposed we will hold on to it for a while.

Kim has learned to sing “The Thing”---runs around all day singing except he puts a few choice cuss words in instead of the “boom da di bum” he says the S--of a B----. We have un done in eight months what it took the missionaries eight years to do.

This is a bad place we are in---dead every place. We found a dead and apparently raped old woman and two small girls today in a hut behind our area. All were stripped and bayoneted. The Chinese kill civilians as well as troops for we have found lots about here. And mine fields galore. I haven’t had to fool with many of them for they are so vast that Division takes care of them which is OK with me.

Kim & Clum just set the tent on fire frying bacon so I put the stove out and we all shall retire.

Your Bill

Note from Brooke:

Lyrics to “The Thing”
Recorded by Phil Harris in 1950

While I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day,
I saw a great big wooden box a floating in the bay.
I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise:
Oh, I discovered a (clap - clap - clap) right before my eyes.
Oh, I discovered a (clap - clap - clap) right before my eyes.

I picked it up and ran to town as happy as a king.
I took it to a guy I knew who'd buy most anything.
But this is what he hollered at me as I walked in his shop:
Oh, get out of here with that (clap - clap - clap) before I call a cop.
Oh, get out of here with that (clap - clap - clap) before I call a cop.

I turned around and got right out a running for my life.
And then I took it home with me to give it to my wife.
But this is what she hollered at me as I walked in the door:
Oh, get out of here with that (clap - clap - clap) and don't come back no more.
Oh, get out of here with that (clap - clap - clap) and don't come back no more.

I wandered all around the town until I chanced to meet,
A hobo who was looking for a handout on the street,
He said he'd take most anything - he was a desperate man.
But, when I showed him the (clap - clap - clap) he turned around and ran.
Oh, when I showed him the (clap - clap - clap) he turned around and ran.

I wandered on for many years a victim of my fate.
Until, one day, I came upon St. Peter at the gate.
And when I tried to take it inside, he told me where to go:
Get out of here with that (clap - clap - clap) and take it down below.
Oh, get out of here with that (clap - clap - clap) and take it down below.

The moral of this story is if you're out on the beach,
And you should see a great big box, and it's within your reach,
Don't ever stop and open it up, that's my advice to you
'Cause you'll never get rid of that (clap - clap - clap) no matter what you do.
'Cause you'll never get rid of that (clap - clap - clap) no matter what you do.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 63
March 15, 1951

Dearest Betty,

Well, here goes again. Nearly four in the after noon and very quiet so maybe I can get a letter off to you before the radio crowd comes in.

Last night we received a beer ration---six cans per. I saved mine and have been teasing Clum, Street, & Stinson today. Just opened one as I started this letter. We had spaghetti for dinner. Schicker made it. Rec same from Heinz Sea Shell Sauce out of canned hamburger & tomatoes pretty good.

Suppose you have heard of the rotation plan now reverted to a point system. 1 point for each day in recon ---so many for decoration etc. so I don’t know when I’ll get home. Just feel sure I will get home and it can’t be to long unless we have another set-back and as things look now we are on top. Tomorrow we will move up again. By golly since Ridgeway got behind this Army we are more pressed to keep up with Artillery. We get a position, fire a few missions and then they are out of range. We are firing into Hanchon now. I think when we get to Chunchon we will hold up. We can fire to the 38th from there.

We are attached to Hdg. Btry. Now Ord. Sec. That is. So our tent is along side of the Sgt. Maj. We compare news etc. He is having a rough time with Maj. Coffee. I told you about the wheels in the last position didn’t I?

Well, sugar, this is a long letter and “no have” letter yet. But my love is with each word I have written so count them.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 62
March 14, 1951
Dearest Betty,

I wrote Mother a two page letter today (very nice one). Say, Sug, see if you can find that record “The Thing” for me sometime---just heard it over the radio tonight.

Tomorrow or the next day we move over the mountain. Then I think we will stop within 155 range of the 38th, as Kim says every time we move “on to the Yalu”. Sure is a faithful fellow seems to like me most of all. I was washing clothes today and he liked to have had a fit. Made me stop and took my clothes off the stove and off to the river and did a good job too. Sure been rough not having some kid around calling “washie washie” all day. Kim just brought me a hot coffee so I’ll have to stop & sip a bit. May think of something else to write.

Did I ever tell you I got a Chinese Bugle? Had some fun with it but it is not too popular this far forward cause The Chinks use them in their attacks. Guess I’ll pack it away and try to bring it with me, Out of 4000 replacements the 7th BTN. Got 4. Pretty slow. But we all still have hope. I have June set for my goal. Good time for leave too. Talked to Peele again today. He didn’t sleep too well last night. Too much shooting and of course a lot of harassing by Tate & the others first time up this far up. He’ll get used to it before long

Good news from the lines. Every One seems to be withdrawing. North Koreans have been pouring in all day to give up. Hope they all stop soon.

Kiss my best girl for me & remember I love you both dearly, till next time I can do better I just plain love you all.

Your Bill

P.S. Whitt came by to see me this afternoon---said he heard Mary D. was leaving Benny for Stewart!!! Could be?

Saw the Sgt.Maj. very mad about his wife driving his mother hard. Sure hasn’t as fine a mother- in-law I have or she could do no wrong.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 61
March 13, 1951
Hi, Sugar,

Well what do you know we moved, got set up, all before dark. Jimmy came over to see me. He has been assigned to Service Btry. Probably as Tate’s relief but at present , amo officer. As usual, the Officers set up close to us (generator) prime object. We are right in the middle of a rice paddy. Muddy as Hell but Kim brought us straw and covered the muck so it won’t be so bad---still frozen outside.

Just heard the news seems like every one is going but us. Damned Chinamen are stubborn as Hell but can’t stand up against our Artillery. Ah! Yes, I had my little joke today. Found a Chinese gun with great big wheels on it so we have three Majors. I put a big wheel and a smaller one and a tiny one just outside their tents-- all wheels. Coffee came out and had a big laugh cause he had the big wheel. The others took a slow burn.

Say, how do you like the stationery? Was free in ’45, now it cost 25 cents. So what---we have to have it

Well, Sugar, I’ll be seeing you soon in my dreams cause I love you with all my heart and am still hoping to hold you and tell you all about it soon.

Your bill

Dearest Betty

Note from Brooke: Please click "Follow BLOG" if you wish, I would love to know who is reading. Thanks

Letter # 60
March 11, 1951
Hoensong, Korea
Hi, Sugar,

Rec. lots of mail tonight. Thanks for the pictures, they turned out pretty good. Yes, I have lost weight, down to a trim 32 now. Feel pretty good too.

Jimmy Peel was down to see me yesterday. Brought me a few beers, just enough to tempt Tate with. So last night he got ahold of a fifth of Whiskey and we rounded up a fifth of medical Alcohol (spirits of fermenti) mixed the Whiskey, the Spirits & water a bit of burnt sugar and wound up with four fifths of fair Whiskey. Mr. Tate is going back to The States on the 15th. Hoped Jimmy would relieve him but he went to Love Btry. Will be close to him most of the time.

Alcohol had a definite presence in these times

We move again tomorrow so must be gaining ground. Sure is rough country. Hope we don’t get trapped again but I have a lot of faith in Ridgway. He has sure put some fire in this Army and they have found out they could do as well as Marines. We have plenty of amo now & seem to be doing O.K. My little generator does fine—sure helps to have lights and a radio.

The two men you don’t know are Schedler & Stinson both T.Sgts. who we picked up on the West Coast. A small arms man & a Artillery mechanic very fine.

Rec mail today first in over a week due to our moving & every thing coming via air drop I suppose. Say, this is getting to be quite a letter. Sorry you got so hepped up over my rotating but Staff N.C.O.’s are chosen by Reg. & as I told you the 1st Brigade & all hardship cases come first.

Well I’ll close now & get some sleep---we move early tomorrow---have to load strike tents etc. so I’ll try & get a good night’s sleep. Damned guns go all night but we are most used to it now.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 59
March 10, 1951
(This letter was written to me on my 16th Birthday)

Hello, Sugar

I suppose you are no the proud possessor of a N.C. State Driver’s License and are well on your way to asking for the car on Friday nights to go to Pine Lodge. I just hope you become as good a driver as your mother. Then I won’t have to worrie so much about you.


(This was our car. My mom's folks came to visit us and are in this picture)

Jimmy Peele came by to see me today. He doesn’t know yet where he will go to. Asked for the 4th Btn. 11 Marines but thinks they will send him to the 1st instead. He also brought me four cans of beer. Gave me a lot of scoop about Glendale Road & Camp Lejeune.

Well, Sugar, Happy Birthday to you and tell Betty I’ll write her after mail call tonight. Loads of love to you all.

Dad

Dearest Betty

Letter #58
March 8, 1951
Hoensong, Korea

(This is a clipping he enclosed with this letter)

Dearest Betty,

Well we got two Jeeps, four trailers on my raid up forward the other day. Lots of dead people laying around . Suppose they are all picked up by now. All of the 1st Ord. Bn. Demolition crew was lost yesterday. I knew quite a few of them. Carelessness in handling a load of land mines was the cause.

We got our put put going good now and have our radio working. Sure enjoy it too. We move up again day after tomorrow. Artillery positions are becoming harder and harder to find up here in the mountains. We had a heavy snow day before yesterday sure was pretty. Fuel is very dear here now so all stoves out at night. Sure had a lot of fun ribbing Mr. Tate . His and two or three others didn’t have any snow on them so they must have had a stove lit.

Well I will close now. We have the only radio in camp so we are a bit crowded tonight. We just can’t run them out you know. We say to Kim “On to the Yalu River” He replies “Tomorrow Morning at six o’clock”

Your Bill

P.S. I ordered a small Jig Saw the other day and had it sent to me at home. Open it up and see if anything is broken in it, please. By the way the six Rep. Draft arrived today, I’ll try & find out about Jimmy soon & let you know

Dearest Betty

Letter #57
March 2, 1951

Dearest Girls

Rec. Your letter all hepped up about the Rotation. Don’t plan too hard on or too much. Word is everyone who made the Inchon Landing would be out by June 1st but as you probably know by now we have launched a new offensive drive North and as casualties increase replacements must go to keep the Division up to strength so normal turnover can’t be kept up. Yes, I drew #1 for Ssgt but remember we so far, have had five and no staff grade as yet but there is still hope and I am hoping. We had a bunch of Chinese turn up today. Couldn’t take the Artillery we were laying on them. Hope none of them do. There are supposed to be a hundred thousand of them ahead with Three hundred thousand coming down the slot. We have had some counter Btry fire today, no damage as yet.

Well, today Kim and I washed clothes---no natives around to beat Hell out of them so we boiled Hell out of them. As we were hanging them up they froze stiff. Turned very cold and as usual we have moved into tents again. Scared to dig foxholes for fear of turning up a Chinaman. This place will be Hell come hot weather. The dead are every place and veery shallow graves. Just up on the road (we are in a river bed) There is a Army convoy that was wiped out. Some “Doggies” were up today trying to figure out who they were. Sure glad the Marines take better care of their dead and wounded then the Army does.

Well so long, Sugar or will write again when I have time.

Your Bill

PS Capt. Stitler on the wounded list.

Dearest Betty

Letter # 54
February 28, 1951
Wonju
Dearest Betty

Sure have been rushing around since last I wrote and haven’t written for the reason I could not mail a letter even if I had written. But last night mail came in and today mail will go out. I also rec seven letters three of which had much needed stationary and one lot of Valentines.

I had to go back over the mountains day before yesterday after the gear we let behind in Chungju. What a trip---left here at 9:30 at night got back next day---yesterday at 6:30 in the PM. A long hard trip & no sleep so I turned in last night early & Kim wake me up this morning with coffee. We, the Ord. Sec. Have a house. Every One else in tents mud knee deep from 11 o’clock till 9 at night when every thing freezes.

Well it looks like we have the “Chinks” on the run. Still lots of them up in the mountains & they do drop down in convoys and low camps.

Boy you should see me --- haven’t had my clothes off since I left Pohung. Haven’t shaved or washed. Did wash my face last night. Today Kim is cleaning out another Korean bath tub so I’ll bathe and change clothes & shave all up. Should feel better. I sure don’t feel well at all now, ache in every bone from riding, loading & unloading. One place we stopped we slept for four hours, moves 1000 yards, slept over night and moved again next morning. Every one is wore out. We intend to stay here for maybe four days while a convoy goes to Suwon for amo. Suwon is just below Seoul. We are up near the 38th . Again, wonder if we will go past it this time.


Thanks for the snap of shirl. Sure was good all it needed was you, Sug then I’ll have the entire family. Also thank Joe & Kit for my Valentines. Well I’ll stop now & clean up.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 55
Hello, Sugar

Haven’t written in a few days, been busy. Yes we are again committed moving north Wonju this time. Loaded guns all last night on flat cars. We go by truck---will be cold, no tops for trucks, machine guns instead. Supposed to be lots of enemy reroute



Rec. your letter telling me you were going to Abingdon. Honey do you think it is safe leaving Shirley alone in Jacksonville in these times? Maybe I read too many True Detective Stories but I do worry. But then I know you know what is best and will do the best thing again.

(I was 16 at the time----what was she thinking?)

Well, Sugar no news. Last mail goes out tonight so will get this in and hope for one from you before we leave.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 54
February 13, 1951
Pohang

Haven’t written for a day or so, been pretty well occupied. We opened a Rifle Range down on the beach and then my good friend Major Coffee detailed me to have a recreation hut built---a prefab job. Well I finished it yesterday. He called me on the phone last night and ordered it taken apart and crated up in small loads for shipment. Yes, we are about to be on the move again. We can kiss the rotation plan goodbye I think. Saw Eddie Hill this morning. He asked about you as usual.

We are having fine weather here now but the Reconnaissance say much snow further up. Do I ever hate this cold weather.

Street sent Ginny a roll of film to be developed & I told him to give you my part

Well, Sweetheart, wish I could sit down to a good game of Canasta with you tonight and just have a good look at you. I miss you more & More especially when I had a goal to look forward to.

All my love
Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 54
February 8, 1951
Dearest Betty

Rec. your letter of the 26th telling me of your folks arrival. Am sure glad to hear of it. Now for some good news for you. I Will be home soon providing we are not too heavily hit. We have a rotating system working now and I drew #2 to go home from Ord. The first to go will leave around the 14th and as replacements come in others will go. They hope to have all of the original 1st Marine Division men back in the States by July 1st. Well it all sounds good any way doesn’t it? I am going to ask for the on job training at depot & sup. Ord. Corp LeJeune. Every one says you will get what you ask for so that is my first choice.

Tonight Tate was in for supper. We made Swiss steak, yes real steak. Pretty good too even without biscuits. Haven’t seen Novack for over a week. Hear he is going home---bad shoulder or something. Maybe he will be rotated. Our New Commanding Officer, Maj Coffee is sort of after him so may be best if he goes. Wonder if I’ll get the leave he cut me short of last year. Or can we stand a leave when I get home? I’ll have a couple hundred dollars but maybe you will have other plans for that! Ah! Yes, I’ll paint the car, and catch up on a year’s back work. But I’ll bet you have everything in hand you always do. Well now I have something to look forward to telling you lots & lots of things among which is I love you, Darling with all my heart and will count the days till I get to you & 24 Glendale Road.


Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #53
February, 6, 1951
Hello, Sweetheart

More about Kim, our only diversion. Last night he was telling us about four Koreans who went out fishing with some sort of explosives. A Marine told him to light it, count to three and throw. They made a mistake and counted to four so in Kim’s words “one, two, three, Pour….boat have no---men have no----fish have yes.” We all had quite a laugh out of him. We have allotted him 15 minutes a day now to Korean music or news on the radio. Quite a boy.

(I found this in my Dad's wallet contents. I have written a letter to the address)



We have a most beautiful day today. All snow is gone and sun is shining but tonight may be snowing again.

We had macaroni & cheese today, made an oven for the top of our stove pretty good. Last night we had barbequed pork chops--- made me so lonesome for you. Just the thought of that dish brought you to me so much forcefully and no mail too that I stayed awake long after bed time just thinking of you.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #52
December 5, 1951
Dearest Betty

Well yesterday we moved up again. Are well forward. Should not have to move again for a day or so. Anyway, I don’t know if my last letter got back to you or not. The mail tent got burned the other night so could be one of my letters was destroyed.

Today I have to go forward and check some trucks for mines or booby traps. A 80 truck convoy was caught short (Army) so we are going to try to get some badly needed parts off of them. Hope everything comes out O.K.

Well I got us the Ord. Sec. A little put put generator for our lights & radio. Had to give our other one up, so didn’t try to get a big one. The Officers used our old one most of the time any way. Wonder how long we will keep this small one?

About my jeep…. ”have no” so we get along O.K. Have no strain getting a jeep any time I want one. All I have to do is ask.

Well mail goes out at 1300 today and I want to get this off before I go up front.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 51
February 5, 1951
Pohang

Hello, Sugar,

Well what do you know, Holiday routine today and a more beautiful day you couldn’t ask for. Last night Clum cooked a very large Cod fish, Tate made potato salad, and I made hot sauce that has Tabasco but the natives grow a very hot small red pepper and I grind up it up real fine. So I procured some and put it in a qt. Bottle, added vinegar, salt, sugar,and horseradish. Something kind of hot!

Today I devised a bed lamp that I want patented. It is a “dilly” for people who read in bed. Our tent is dark what with all flaps down due to cold, so I put a lamp on the head of my bed but keep forgetting to turn it off during the day when I sit or lay upon my back so I put a small switch of the pressure type at just the right height under the center leg. When my weight is put on it---Presto a light. When I get up Presto—light out. Of course I have another switch for when I retire.

Ah! Sugar see if you can “air mail” me some stationary. It is critical just now. Also drop a pipe stem cleaner in a letter from time to time.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter # 50
February 2, 1951
Pohang

My Dearest Girls,

I have a story to tell in lue of any news in this routine life we are having here.

The Story of Kim Ho Min

Kim came to us when we were in a very low state of moral. We had just completed one of the largest successful evacuations in Marine Corps history and had arrived in Masan at night in the rain. Nothing had been prepared for us and no arrangement made for cover or personal comfort. We five N.C.O.’s in the Ord. Section, having no one to look after but ourselves, scouted a half demolished building with intentions of living quarters looked hopeless. Far from the main parts of camp but was close to what guns we had left that would require our time to recondition. So a home and also a shop was imperative.

As we looked at the dirt and human filth it didn’t look good until a small boy about 16 years old came to the barbed wire fence and with a sad smile, much waving of hands & arms & a limited vocabulary---told us he was number 1 house boy and could be of any help. So that day Kim took over the Ord. Section and has been with us since. In fact he has made himself one of us. As time has passed we have found out more of his background. Born of a Jap father & Korean mother, raised in Japan, deported from Japan after the war---his mother and father stayed in Japan. Kim is a Christian & anti Communist. Studies his Korean/ English dictionary steady. Has learned our customs, how to wear our clothes, how to eat our food, use our toilets, clean our weapons & run our tents. Takes care of our laundry. And woe be unto any Korean who over charges us for any thing or who is caught stealing, for Kim is right there. He is very respectful and very polite but insists on our getting haircuts & shaving, both twice a week. Washes all mess gear and without exception putting each knife fork & spoon in it’s place but loses his temper at times. Such as this morning he changed the radio to a Korean station. Some one yelled at him and with a very bland look walked out of the tent---but returned to say “Allie time Merican music---just one time Korean music me. Sgts. Make Hell of big noise next time clean pistol---spring hav no” Meaning he would lose part of our weapons. We all laughed and when he came back he took all our bunks outside to air bedding but really so we couldn’t rack off at noon time.


Well that should give you some idea of our boy. We have fun out of him every day with his doing and his sayings but we wouldn’t be without him and he has each of us numbered. I am no. 1, Street no. 2, etc. and if any of us are gone for a day or night, he gets up, comes over to who ever is left, wakes him up & he has to make a report of where the others are. He will do any thing any of us tell him but if some one else tells him to do anything he comes to one of us & says “Sgt. Speak” Ah! Yes no. 1 boy am cleaning fish too.

Well I got work to do so will close this chatter with a real long sincere—I love you both.

Your Bill

Dearest Betty

Letter #48
January 26, 1951
Pohang

This letter was written 24 days after # 47. They had moved from the Masan area to Pohang(about 70 miles north) It was a very sentimental love letter after the death of his favorite brother. I don't know what happened to the letters from January 2 to the 26th 1951. I am not posting the "love letter" out of consideration to my mom.



Letter # 49
February 1, 1951
Pohang

So Jimmy Peel is coming over eh? That draft is due here February 15---Will try and see him. I just returned from a three day reconnaissance patrol up north. Saw no Chinese but did brush with a few N. Koreans. Nothing to hurt.

Tonight we are having Spaghetti & meatballs in “The 1st Separate Ord. Mess” Frizelli been cooking the sauce all afternoon. Smells great so I better stop and get a bit first.

Your Bill