Dearest Betty

Note from Babbling Brooke: this is a very negative letter & I almost didn't post it but decided people should know what was happening.

Letter # 111
June 11, 1951
Good Morning Darling,

Haven’t written for a few days, have been very despondent for many reasons, not about you for I have had several nice letters from you and know you are well and above all I feel secure in your love, but things have been happening over here. Cold rain for one then one excuse after another why I don’t make the rotation. Sure wish they had never started it. After saying no Staff would go home we’re already on the list as sgts, but sent through any way after promoting them, they sent a lots more who were reserves home, then they flew a bunch out and they got to Pusan and they found out they were reserves so flew them back to the States so by God it looks like we professionals are hooked. I never want to see another reserve Marine as long as I live. All they have ever done out here is gripe and figure a way to get home---even to the extent of bringing very personal things pertaining to their relationships with their wives into it. And now Novack is going home on a trumped up claim. Had his sister get the Red Cross to say his mother was grieving over the loss of his father two years ago and the anxiety of him being in Korea was making her worse, so he gets an emergency leave---so everyone who has nine months in a combat zone and gets an emergency leave will be transported, and here I sit on my dead "A--" having lost two brothers, many cousins, my mother has heart trouble, my wife hasn’t enough to eat on Sunday and I am in excess in rate and M.O. S. so should I be happy?

Well enough of this sort of a letter, I’ll have a cup of coffee and write again tomorrow when I feel better. Besides I hate to have people look over my shoulder and ask me questions when I’m writing.

Your Bill