Dearest Betty

Letter # 125 (The last one)
July 12
At Sea
Dearest Betty

Well here I am really on my way home and to you. As scheduled we left 4/11 Monday July 9th, took a Hell of a 40 mile truck ride to Chin Chu to the air strip. Then it was so overcast that my flight #23 didn’t get off until late on the afternoon of the eleventh. 1 hour 10 minutes later we landed at Pusan, another 15 mile truck ride to Camp where we turned in our gear, rifles, packs, mess gear etc. Drew a nice set of dungarees, skivvies & socks---then the rains came. This morning we embarked again on trucks for the docks. There we were deloused (Army) Marines aren’t lousy. Then aboard ship, a rather small A.P. transport, but (Navy) dinner today roast beef, mashed spuds, creamed peas and SALAD and cake. Supper, fresh beef stew with real spuds, nice salad. Our Navy they really have it rough out here.

So we go now to Kobi, Japan, pick up our gear we left if there is any left of it, then get on another ship, just what type I can’t say till we get aboard. Then on the 14th we are to sail out. Can't say which part we will land in but should be around the 27th of July. A few days to get our orders, draw clothes and all such red tape, then my leave will start. Should get 30 days with processed time so I hope to be seeing you sometime around the 4 or 5th of August. I would like to fly, I don’t think it would cost any more than VIA train, should I sleep any or eat any and I know I would and besides I’ll see you three days sooner if I fly but I also hear you have so many people are flying back & forth just when a transport comes in. Any way we will see. I may be able to hitch a ride VIA government air. Can’t say and I know I won’t fool around waiting to see day by day. I want to come home, I am desperate now with the end so close. I really can’t sleep, and of course my body knows I am going home too for I already have my cold. Lots of coughing and one side of my face hurts.

Honey I won’t know till I get to the U.S. where I’ll be posted but feel sure it will be L.J. Very few people are asking for it and I made all three of my choices Camp LeJeune to the Commandant. Also gave my home address a Jacksonville so I am sure that will be it. Well, Sugar Pie, this is my last letter to you, just wish I knew if I should call you from Calif. Or just keep rolling along. Any way, Dear, my love is just rolling along to you a Hell of a lot faster than this ship is moving.

I’ll close now and buy a envelope & stamp tomorrow. Something new.

All my love dear till I see you & look deep into your eyes and say---Betty, I love you.

Bill

Note from Babbling Brooke: Tomorrow I will write a final entry about my dad's return