Transcript March 29, 1952Dear Ila, I got your addrest from Jack Leamo he said you wanted somebody to write to you. I should leave Korea about Jun of this year, but I still have a year or more to go in the army so I will write to you as long as you want me to. I don’t know what to write because you are the only girl I am writing to besides me mother and sister. I would like you to send me a picture of yourself. The not much to say about myself I came from...

Transcript Oct 29 1954Hi doll, Sorry this birthday card is late I kipt thinking of gitting one but I just didnt git around to it. I know its late but I hope you had a nice birthday. I went out hunting tonight I shot three times and got nothing. I don’t think I could hit my finger if I had it over the barrel. You know how I got that rabbit sunday he stopped then I shot it. If he wouldent of ide of never have got him I bet. I think next time ill take a stick with me I think ide do...

Transcript 25/11/52Dear Ila, Being an obliging sort of young fellow, I thought that as long as you were interested in having a soldier write you, I should elect myself. First off, you’ve never written me, and I’ve never written you (‘til now) and you’ve never seen me, and I’ve never seen you so we start on the same foot, anyhow. In order to make the sledding easier I’ll give you a brief run-down of my illustrious life’s history: Born: Hartford, Conn., Nov 4, 1930, named: Frank...

Transcript Dear Ila, I beg your pardon, fair damsel. Must have misinterpreted along the line somewhere. I certainly didn’t have the big idea you wanted to write to a soldier, I just thought you might enjoy cheering up a lonesome soldier. If you would, I must admit you are off to a flying stop. Only meant, that while these 2 other boys are single and not free, that they are rather seriously attached to young ladies back home. Poor buggers are really suffering from the pangs of woeful love....

Transcript 16/1/53Dear Ila, This may or may not be a surprise to get another letter but I’m in a combat now that requires every address I know and even some I don’t know. Bet one of the lads here in the exec. Post that I can write 40 letters; 10 days time. If I should fail to do so I’ll have to give him the magnanimous sum of 20 dollars. Seems like a lot of work, what? But just to even it up, though, he must write 20 letters in the same 10 days and if he fails I’ll be the...

Transcript 6/2/53Dear Ila, The letter writing bet turned into nothing because we both finished in time, but at least I caught up on much belated writing, such as aunts, uncles and other obscure relations. Speaking about being busy, I’ve really been busting my hump around here. We moved into the Punchbowl 2 days ago, and acquired a pig pen, so work is the password. I took over chief computer for the battery yesterday and of course am swamped with work. Must get a whole new set...

Transcript 21/3/53Dear Ila, Always try to sound cheerful no matter what’s cooking. As a matter of fact this is a snap job the only difference being that is a matter of some 10,000 miles from the states. Course I admit the $70 I won last payday in a poker game undoubtedly boosted my morale. Follows the run down, as best as I can do, on myself that you request. Born in Hartford, Conn.; Nov. 4, 1930 Lived in Massachusetts last 15 years. Live in Wenham, Mass. Now. Founded in...

Transcript 28/2/53 3:15 A.M.Hi Doll, Although it is still slightly early in the morn, this is the best day of the month. Payday! The one only, good day of any month that the Army has to offer. Funny you should ask, but the outfit no longer resides in the Punchbowl. We moved west another 24 miles 6 days ago into the Mundung-Ni Valley and are now in direct support of Heartbreak Ridge. Must admit I’m getting sick of all the unnecessary moving, though. It’s a mess everytime we do...

Transcript 7/4/53Dear Ila, Sitting around wondering this evening whether I’m in the doghouse or that the mail hasn’t come through. Haven’t heard from you in what seems quite a long time and couldn’t help thinking that I’ve probably don the usual and put my foot in my big yap again. I sincerely hope that I haven’t said anything off color that might lead to false conjecture on your part. I’m honestly interested in this correspondence and am thoroughly enjoying myself in writing to...

Transcript 9/4/53Dear Ila, Of course after writing to you 3 nights ago and wondering where you were I got a letter and am back with my trusty sword in hand. As far as your writing more often goes, I think it’s a P.D. (peachy dandy) suggestion. I’m available, that’s for sure. Yeah, my mother informs me that our home is like a bughouse what with my sis getting married. It’s in June but the Army doesn’t see it my way and I’ll still be here pushing ‘em out instead of home. Don’t...

Transcript Hi Doll, This will be a shorty, but I’ve got some pictures to take the place of the missing words. Remember that Confucius said “one picture is worth a thousand words.” Got sergeant a few days ago, which was rather a surprise. I wasn’t seriously looking for it. Rather hoping, would be better. Lot of rumors floating around about moving, but I’m pretty sure we’ll stand fast. Not much necessity for the artillery moving principally because we’re in good position and are the...

Transcript 25/4/53Hi Doll, Got your lovely letter this evening which boosted my morale considerably after a rather miserable day. Was up all last evening figuring out data for a turkey shoot, so I spent a little time in the sack only to get up and find the battery commander pulling a bunch of baloney on me. I’m afraid I don’t get along with him too well and vice versa. After just making me Sgt. I can’t see why he’s trying to give me such a hard time. Heck, no I’m not mad at you...

Transcript 1/5/53 11:30 P.M.Hi Doll, What is it with this younger generation? Today yet I’m a big deal, and a kid. RE: Your letter dated 22 April 1953. Say is that a bunch of squares in that town or a load of hep cats ? If you read me, cat, square off some pulp wood with a little India. Better wise up the community, though, because I hear there’s a commander up that way eating 3 squares a day. Dig me? Cool your heels, Frankie and let’s gum ten. I’m afraid I’ve got spring fever...

Transcript 12/5/53Dear Ila, Finally heard from you this evening, but it wasn’t your fault. Nobody in the battery had gotten any for 6 days until tonite so the mail system was just screwed up. Sounds as if you’re despairing of school again. Heck, I’d be cheerful if I had only 19 days to go over here. As it is I’ve got only about 4 more months to go, so I don’t feel bad about it at all. Not long when you really consider. I’m glad you got the pictures O.K. The only trouble I’ve...

Transcript 19/5/53Hi Doll, Whatever it is, you win. I don’t remember what it is I said, and it probably wasn’t anything intelligent. I seem to have the knack, fortunate or otherwise, of putting my foot into my mouth without any trouble at all. I’m sure, though, I was just fooling around and hope you’ve taken no offense. Sounds to me as though you’re a little squeamish, or else you’ve never had a really good meal of worms and grubs. Why just this evening we had a lovely green...

Transcript 28/5/53Dear Ila, My goodness but you really wound up when you get started on a letter. I’m 3 days late and already yet I’ve forgotten you. How can you assume such a thing? I get much pleasure out of writing to you + also hearing from you and there you go already. Whoa, young lady, slow down. I’m still here and faithfully trying right down to the last nickel. Why, I’m highly complimented to think that you’d really like to have me in your community. And even go as far...

Transcript 3/6/53Hi Doll, Received a chipper letter from you this evening, which I’m enjoying right now. Yes, you might say I’m sick of the Army and vice-versa, but I’m still living and enjoying it. Glad to hear you’d like to help, and it doesn’t sound stupid at all. I don’t know what you think I’m thinking, but if you want me to think what you think I’m thinking, I’ll think it. Doggoned if you aren’t giving me a hard time. Here I am biting my fingers off waiting for pictures...

Transcript 3/7/53Hi Doll, Nice letter from you last nite, so with a free man (myself) and a minute I’ll scribble a few sounds as though you’re on a sort of vacation whirl what with running and scouting all over the place. All that swimming and sunbathing has me jealous, but I imagine I’ll be getting my licks in before too long. I really hate missing the romance part, though. Not that it probably means too much to you, but after being here for a year I’d give my left arm for just...

Transcript 16/5/53Hi Doll, Lovely letter from you this evening. Did a wonderful job of brightening up an otherwise lousy day. Seems as though all the days lately have been poor but I guess it’s just because I’ve got only a short time to go and am getting sick of this place. Doggonit all. When I say that you are undoubtedly a sweet young lady why I mean that you are undoubtedly a sweet young lady. You no doubt will gate me for this but I honestly had to smile when you said you’d...

Transcript 17 July ‘53Hi Doll, Back again with the usual tired feeling. Seems as though I’ve been that way for the past week, but guess it is because of our moving around. Two days ago we moved and now occupy a miserable position halfway between Christmas Hill and the latest Chinese break-thru. To our direct front the main line is about 5200 yards but to our direct left it is only 1700 yds or less than a mile. The distance doesn’t mean anything because we’re in an extremely...

Transcript 29/7/53 0400Hi Doll, Goodness but you certainly worry an awful lot about me. Right at the present I wouldn’t mind if you did a little of that worrying on my shoulder but I guess that isn’t too logical. War, or at least the fighting appears to be over. We’ve still got a war going with the army brass, but nothing that can’t be won eventually, I guess. Practically as soon as the armistice was signed everybody started outlining stuff we’d have to do. Naturally the...

Transcript 26 AUG.Hi Doll, No, I probably won’t give an arm for the privilege of a kiss, but I do feel that way, especially after 13 months over here. Only good suggestion I can give for not going to the dentist is either a bullet through the left temple or a knife thru the heart. Both are relatively quick and simple ways with much less pain than the dentist. However, I’ll leave the choice entirely up to you. If you really want to write me after I get home you know dad-burned...

Transcript 30/8/53 5am.Hi Lil’ Doll, official word in the CP that I should be leaving here within 30 days and probably in about 2 weeks. Can’t say I’ll be overly sorry to leave this place. In fact you might say I’ll be damned glad to leave. Got another field problem tomorrow that should be a dandy. The exec. Officer should be down to the rear getting the pay so I’ll be all alone figuring up the data to deliver the fire. On top of that a survey has to be run and I’ll be the...

Transcript 6/8/53Hi, you lovely little doll, A letter from you this evening, which was a great help to my morale. I hope you notice that there is an E on the end of morale. You spoke of my morals in the letter but that is an entirely different subject alltogether. You check the dictionary and I’m sure you will find quite a difference between morale and moral. My morale is quite high and my morals are even higher considering the circumstances. At present I don’t have any...

Transcript 3/7/53Hi Doll, My goodness, but you certainly worry about me, young lady. Not to say it isn’t flattering to have so much attention, though. Don’t stop, I love it. And as for being mad – heavens no! Get hot, maybe, but that’s just looking at those pictures. Still roosting in the same place and doing nothing out of the unusual. Only good thing that’s happened in the last few months was my promotion to Sergeant First Class. Can’t say’s I earned it, but anyhow it’s...