#4: "Things seem to be moving pretty fast now for some reason"

Feb. 13, 1951

Dearest Helen,

Happy Day Sugarpooh. The mail train pulled in today with three big fat epistles from you all. Had given up hope of getting any until we got to Korea as we got word in Yokosuka that our mail had gone to Pusan by mistake. But they either got it back or got some more cause here it was today.

Well guess I might as well catch you up on details. Things seem to be moving pretty fast now for some reason. We got to Yokosuka Sat. the 10th and had only base liberty so I couldn't buy anything to send you & I loaned most of my money out for the boys to have a good time. I had one too. They had a real nice P.O. club with bar and dining room and floor show. So a gang of us Paul, Val, Fletcher, and a bunch of others got all tanked up and had a big feed. I had so many frog legs I couldn't hardly eat them all. So there went our dough. Then we came over to Kobe and had liberty in town with no dough. So we walked around sight seeing. Sure is educational. This town is just like they say Japanese towns are supposed to be. Little flimsy houses and narrow streets and open sewers where the gutter ought to be. Every thing seems to be pretty filthy but I guess it's all in what you're used to. Wish you could see it anyway cause it was pretty interesting. And if you would see the beautiful things I could send you if I wasn't such a boozer you'ld never want me back. And the pity of it is that stuff is so cheap. More than likely though I'll get back here sometime when I do have some money. Most of this stuff like blouses and scarves and pajamas and kimonos are all so elaborate that I don't guess you would use them for much but looking at anyway.

Boy, you should see the hot rodders in this town. There is one constant, mad beep and jangle of horns and when you hear one look out case after they blow a horn at you you're on your own. These rickshaws look like a hell of a lot of fun but I couldn't afford a ride in one. Sure wish to hell they had told us about Kobe before Yokosuka!

We've got what I guess is pretty straight work about where we're going. We've been assigned to organizations now and I'm going to be in the 1st Engineer Battalion. I don't know what Company I'm going to be in or I could give you the new address now. But the next time I write, day after tomorrow, If I can, I'll know case we'll be in Pohang, Korea then and in our new outfits. Providing of course we still own Pohang by then.

They sure are splitting us all up, as I knew they were going to, but I sure hate to leave all the boys. About six of us from the company at Tent Camp are going together but none of them are my close friends. Paul is going into the 1st Amphibious Tractor Br., Fletcher is going to 1st Ordinance Co., and Val is going to the 5th Marines Inf. with most of the other guys. But Korea isn't so big so I guess I'll see them now and then.

From the sound of your letters Baby I'd say you were missing the old gent a little. I don't know if it'll make you feel any better or not but I miss you quite a little. More than I can afford to admit to myself because the more I admit it and think about it the harder it is to take. I just try not to think about that part and think of coming home. Not at any particular time, but just coming home. That and other things, but once in awhile I get caught off guard and the next thing I know I've got a big empty place where my stomach ought to be...Or something like that. I think about those things and it seems like I can express just how I feel but when I try to write them or say them I find I don't have the words at all, just the feeling. It's kind of like telling you I love you. I never did tell you so often enough I know. Not that I think you ever doubted I did. But the reason I didn't was because the words sound so hollow and inadequate compared to how I feel for you lover that mostly they sound silly to me even if they don't to other people. I think the language could stand some new words or maybe it has them and I don't know it. Anyway I love you like crazy sweetheart and miss you worse than I'm ever going to say again cause writing it just adds emphasis. I hope this sounds alright sugar- coherent and logical, I mean, for I just turned myself loose this once and let my heart do the writing. If it doesn't say all I mean maybe you can read some of the thought or feeling behind it between the lines.

I guess I'm about exhausted after that effort. Emotionally upset or something I guess. Can't seem to collect my thoughts properly. I'm glad you're keeping in touch with the kids and I hope they don't forget to come around one in awhile.

Sounds like you and Mr. Connavo are getting along okay and the wall is progressing. I was a little worried that I'd been hasty in that deal but he seems to be on the level and I guess it will turn out alright.

They sent the mil from the ship in Yokosuka Saturday so you ought to get my letter about on our anniversary. I guess that's a pretty good present huh? Hope I can get one from you the same day.

Seems that the old man is about run down now lover. Can't imagine why either since this is only the longest letter I ever wrote in my life. I guess I just felt pretty gabby for some reason.

Anyway, tell Pasquale and family and neighbors hello for me again, give Sparky a hug for me, and "keep smiling." I'll be home as soon as I can make it.

All my love again Sugar and be a good girl.

Your lonesome ole man,

Bill

PS. Val sends his fondest regards. He wishes he'd been to Korea and back by now.

When someone sends to someone a valentine on Valentine's Day, it means that someone is fond of someone, what more is there to say?

I LOVE YOU "BW" & "HW" MY VALENTINE

[blog note: written inside a drawing of two hearts with an arrow through them.]