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.