Korean War Letters

Korean War Letter, June 3, 1952

2011-09-27T05:28:00.001-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, March 27, 1952

2011-04-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter, about Bunker Hill, August 18, 1952 First Marine Division

2011-04-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

This letter was written August 18, 1952, by a young Marine serving in Korea, during the Korean War. He was in the Hq. 1/11, 1st Marine Division. From the letter……

Dear Mom and Dad,

   Well, I guess I’d better write you a few more lines. How is everything going at home? We’ve been having quite a bit of hot weather lately, however today it is raining and has cooled things off considerably.
   We’ve been getting a few rounds in on the guns the past week. They’ve been doing a lot of firing to support the infantry on a hill we call “bunker hill.” The boys have done a good job of holding so far. There’re out to show the army how easy it is to hold a position with a regiment of men and not be pushed off everyday like they were on “Old Baldy.” The first Marines are the ones taking it. That’s the outfit Chaplin is with. We told them if they have too many casualties that we can supply them with a few men. We haven’t any work to do at the present time, so there’s no sense in one outfit carrying the load. But the C.O. of the 1st Marines says no dice. It’s their baby and they’re going to do it alone. Just a case of pride. Of course if General Selden says all available men report to Bunker Hill, that’s the final word.
   It sure was nice of a lot of the fellows to come home for Heigl’s funeral. I’m sure glad it was a beautiful affair. I know the old gang wouldn’t neglect one of their buddies.
   I’m going to take my whole 30 days at once and then I’m going to try for another 20 days at Xmas. I’m allowed 30 days a year and so far I’ve only used 10 days in about 2 years, so that means I should have about 50 days on the books.
   Well, I figure only 16 more days left in Korea now. It won’t be long Mom, until I’ll be sitting down to one of those meals of yours.
   I think I’ll close for this time.

Love,

Korean War Letter, USS McDermut DD-677, April 17, 1952

2011-03-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

This letter was written during the Korean War period, by a sailor serving aboard the USS McDermut DD-677, April 17, 1952. From the letter……

Hi Folks,

   I guess it’s about time I write a letter. I received a few from you and didn’t get to answer them because when I have liberty I usually go ashore and when I have duty I have to stand watches. I am on fire watch now and shouldn’t write but the welder isn’t welding now.
   I had a real good time last night. I rented a 51 Ford convertible, yellow with red leather and red dash. Man that car really burned rubber and I ran it as hard as it could run. I want to buy a new Ford or Merk, when I get out so that’s why I made out the allotment and sent that hundred dollar money order. Then you receive it let me know.
    I haven’t worn my uniform once since I came back off of leave. I have one suit of cloths on the base and one out in town in my locker. So I always have one clean suit. When the one I am wearing gets dirty I just go to the locker in town and change to clean. Then have the dirty one cleaned and pressed. I received the Easter egg and we really enjoyed it. I was going to call up on Easter but it would’ve cost too much, so I didn‘t bother.
   We are going to go over seas some time in June and I take my 3rd class test in June. I just hope I pass it. But I won’t know till around Oct. It has to go to Wash. To be approved.
   I am feeling real good but still not getting along to good with the 1st class. And I don’t want to put in for over seas duty till after I take my test. I hope everything is going OK back home.
    I stopped writing to that girl that was writing every day. She is a nice girl. But too young for me. And when I get out of the Navy I don’t want to have a girl. I just want to go and do as I please. You know I don’t like to be tied down. I have more fun that way.
   Well, I have to go now, the welder is ready to start and if an officer would see me writing instead of watching for a fire to start it would be bad, so I will say so long for now.

Love,

Harry S. Truman's Diary Entry for May 18, 1952, concerning Korean War

2011-02-25T07:16:00.000-08:00

This is the actual diary entry of Harry S. Truman, for May 18, 1952. In it, he vents some of his frustration about mistreatment of prisoners and civilians, by the Communists. There are 6 pages.

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This diary entry is courtesy of the National Archives, and is part of the President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration), collection. ARC Identifier 201528

2010-08-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Written by a Marine with the 1st Marine Division, during the Korean War, from Korea, in August 1952. It is written on First Marine Division letterhead. From the letter……Well this is the last letter you’ll be getting from me for quite a while. They jumped us up another day and we’re leaving at 3 o’clock tomorrow morning. As soon as I get in the states I’ll give you a phone call. The guys have really been razzing me. About all I do is pace up and down. They say I look like a steam engine for as many cigarettes as I’ve been smoking lately……..I guess those last packages of pepperoni you sent me are lost or one of those clowns in the rear decided he needed it more than I do. I’d like to catch the guy. I’d wring his neck. It looks like we’re going to get the $45.00 a month combat pay. The only artillery men that get it are the ones that have at least 6 days a month under fire……….The “Army is going to start using the flak jackets we use. I suppose they’ll be using our thermo boots this winter too. I guess the marines are the guinea pigs for these new ideas coming out. Those flak jackets are worth their weight in gold. They’ve saved a lot of lives so far…..

USS Mcdermut Korean War Letter 1951

2010-08-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Written by a sailor serving aboard the USS Mcdermut, during the Korean War, in 1951. From the letter……It’s really been hot over here for the past week. I never sweated so much in all my life. Yesterday and today we were handling stores and ammo. The small arms men handled all the ammo today there were only four of us that carried the small arms aboard. And we worked from 7:30 in the morning till 3 this afternoon. The boxes weighed 67 lbs. apiece and we carried them from back aft all the way up forward. And stowed them in the small arms ammo compartment. It is 3 decks down. Then I went over on the tender and stood in a line one hour for some Gedunk. That is ice cream. And when I cam back I was on a working party handling stores.
I am up on the O-1 deck catching what little breeze there is an writing this letter. I received a letter from you today and was glad to get one after working all morning…….We pull out tomorrow and I am sort of glad. I think I would like to be at sea again for awhile. We don’t have as much work to do. But we don’t get as much sleep. And stand a lot of watches……The ship looks in good shape again. It is all painted and ready to go. I was ashore again yesterday after working hours. Jackson came back and asked me if I wanted any money. He gave me three bucks so I got 1080 yen and went ashore. That is the last liberty in this place. And I don’t care if I never see this place again. All I want to see is the states……..We are docked out in the bay about a mile and as soon as we got close to the shore you can smell it. But I still like to get off the ship when I can……I saw our old Chief today. He is on the Tingey docked right next to us. Every time he see’s me he talks to me……..The latest scuddle butt. We are going to Okinawa, then Formosa, Hong Kong, and I don’t know where else…..…

Korean War Letter Changdong Korea 3rd Infantry Division

2010-08-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

This letter was written by a soldier in the 3rd Infantry Division, who was in Changdong Korea, at the time he wrote the letter, in 1952. Some excerpts............

Just a few lines to say I am alright and hope you are the same........I got a very nice hair cut today for 3 cents, tell uncle Nick he will have to come to Korea for a 3 cent hair cut Ha Ha......

U.S. Marine First Marine Division Korean War Letter

2010-08-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

This letter was written by a Marine who was with the First Marine Division. He was in Korea at the time he wrote the letter, in 1952. Some excerpts from the letter……….

Dear Mom + Dad,

Well not too much to say as usual. It seems as thought the g**ks have it in for our survey section. We lost another man yesterday. He got a little shrapnel in the chest. Nothing too serious though. It seems as though we just get our instruments set up and they start letting us have it. The trouble is that they have us so well surveyed?? in that they don't waste any shells to get in on us, so we can't hear any going over us to let us know they are adjusting on us. We can just hear them for about a second and that's all. We had a little more excitement last night than usual. A B-29 had motor trouble and caught fire over the front lines. It crashed by one of our out posts and caused a few casualties......So far we've found 4 of the crew members.....

Chang Dong Korea Letter about Girl Friend from G.I. 3rd Infantry Korean War

2009-10-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

This letter was written by a soldier in Chang Dong Korea, October 5, 1952. He was with the 3rd Quartermaster Co., 3rd Infantry Division. From the letter…..

Just a line to let you know that I am feeling alright and hope you are the same. Last night I was telling Meokea, my Girl Friend, that Gock, Aunt Marie, and you were going to send her some slips and stockings, and she said that she was going to save her money till G.I. Christmas and buy you all a gift, she wants to make you a Korean dress and sent it to you with a pair of shoes. I told her not to spend her money, to keep it to get food with. Her mother was blew up by a bomb, and her father was cut up cause he wouldn’t fight in their Army. I felt so sorry for her last night when she was telling me, she had tears in her eyes. She works 17 hours a day just for two meals. It makes me feel good to make someone happy like that. Well tell Shorty I said hello. Well close for now hope to hear from you.

Lots of Love,

U.S. Marine Korean War Era Letter April 10, 1951

2009-10-05T05:06:00.000-07:00

This letter was written by a U.S. Marine, 2nd Lieutenant, April 10, 1951. Not sure where he was when he wrote the letter. From the letter……

My Dearest darling wife,

   Darling today has been a very busy one for me, because I have the duty, so my Darling I hope that you don’t mind if this letter is just a little shorter than usual.
   We had drill this morning and this afternoon we had an informal guard mount?? That had to be letter perfect and low and behold it was for a change. All in all it made me feel a little good to know that I could hold one without any mistakes.
   Today has been a little chilly, but tomorrow it will no doubt be raining. It seems that you have everything planned for me w3hen I get back or when we get together, shall we say.
   Darling I must be running along for now, more tomorrow. I love you with all my heart and soul.

Your loving husband,

Photos from the Korean War

2008-12-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

Much of the Korean War was fought under less than ideal conditions, as is shown in this photo.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, record group 342. ARC Identifier 542210 / Local Identifier 342-AF-78460AC

This Chaplain, who is wounded himself, holds a memorial service for Marines on the snowy ground, Koto-ri, Korea, December 1950.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, record group127. ARC Identifier 532413 / Local Identifier 127-N-A5552

January, 1952, ground crew work on this B-26 Night Intruder in a bad snow storm korea 1952. This plane was part of Operation Strangle.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 342. ARC Identifier 542255 / Local Identifier 342-AF-82607AC

This freshly captured North Korean, is being held by U.S. Marines, and is still wearing his prisoner of war tag, Korea, September 1950.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 127. ARC Identifier 532398 / Local Identifier 127-N-A2122

These two Marines man a machine gun, and are dug in for the night, 1950.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives,

These paratroopers of the 187th Regimental Combat Team, wait to board a C-46, so they can be dropped Somewhere in Korea, June 20, 1953.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 342. ARC Identifier 542268 / Local Identifier 342-AF-84143AC

These paratroopers of the 187th Regimental Combat Team, ride in a C-119 "Flying Boxcar", as they approach the drop zone at Munsan-ni Korea, March 1951.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group ARC Identifier 542315 / Local Identifier 342-AF-117302AC

315th Air Division drops paratroopers over enemy territory, March 1952, Korea.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 342. ARC Identifier 542316 / Local Identifier 342-AF-121729AC

This POW arrives at Freedom Village, Korea, August 5, 1953. He was part of a UN POW exchange. (MUNSAN-ni, Korea)

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 342. ARC Identifier 542270 / Local Identifier 342-AF-84276AC

This group of prisoners at a United Nations prison camp, at Pusan, contains both north korean and chinese communist prisoners, April 1951.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 306. ARC Identifier 541956 / Local Identifier 306-PS-51(7134)

Members of the 1st Marine Division are shown here, with captured Chinese Communist soldiers. March 2, 1951.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 127. ARC Identifier 532414 / Local Identifier 127-N-A6759

These North Korean POWs were part of a POW exchange, September 1953.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Archives, part of record group 342. ARC Identifier 542271 / Local Identifier 342-AF-84293AC

Korean War Letters 1st Marine Division, Sep. 29, Oct. 1, Oct. 3, 1951

2008-05-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

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September 29, Page 1

September 29, Page 2

October 1, 1951 page 1

October 1, 1951 page 2

October 3, 1951, Page 1

Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Oct. 31, 1951

2008-05-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Oct. 30, 1951

2008-05-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Oct. 12, 1951

2008-05-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Oct. 8, 1951

2008-05-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, April 2, 1952

2008-05-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, June 22, 1952

2008-05-10T05:51:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, June 16, 1952

2008-05-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, July 18, 1952

2008-05-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Jan. 28, 1952

2008-05-06T04:32:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Jan. 22, 1952

2008-05-06T04:28:00.000-07:00

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1st Marine Division Korean War Letter, Feb. 2, 1952, on letterhead

2008-05-06T04:24:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, June 12, 1952

2008-04-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, June 1952

2008-04-26T03:57:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, May 25, 1952

2008-04-26T03:51:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Nov. 12, 1951

2008-04-26T03:47:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Nov. 2, 1951

2008-04-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Nov. 8, 1951

2008-04-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, April 16, 1952

2008-04-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Dec. 18, 1951

2008-04-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, Dec. 30, 1951

2008-04-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

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Korea War Letter, Jan. 10, 1952, First Marine Div.

2008-04-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

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Korean War Letter 1st Marine Division, July 1, 1952

2008-04-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

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1st Marine Division Korean War Letters

2008-04-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

The letters below were all written by a Marine in the First Marine Division

Korea, Sep. 29, 1951
Korea, Oct. 1, 1951
Korea, Oct. 3, 1951
Korea, Oct. 8, 1951
Korea, Oct. 12, 1951
Korea, Oct. 30, 1951
Korea, Oct. 31, 1951
Korea, Nov. 2, 1951
Korea, Nov. 12, 1951
Korea, Nov. 8, 1951
Korea, Dec. 18, 1951
Korea, Dec. 30, 1951
Korea, 1952
Korea, Jan. 10, 1952
Korea, Jan. 22, 1952
Korea, Jan. 28, 1952
Korea, Feb. 2, 1952
Korea, March 27, 1952
Korea, April 2, 1952
Korea, April 16, 1952
Korea, May 25, 1952
Korea, June 1952
Korea, June 3, 1952
Korea, June 12, 1952
Korea, June 16, 1952
Korea, June 22, 1952
Korea, July 1, 1952
Korea, July 18, 1952

Korea, August 18, 1952

Korea, August 30, 1952

Aircraft Used During the Korean War, Page 2

2008-04-14T03:49:00.000-07:00

Curtiss XP-60 in flight

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Curtiss C-46E in flight, towing Waco CG-15A glider

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Same Curtiss C-46E, and Waco CG-15A glider, as in above photo.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Grumman SA-16, 5th Rescue Squadron

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Douglas C-54D, 9/27/1950, Kimpo Air Base, Korea.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Casualties being loaded by way of ramp, on a C-54D at Taegu, 1951.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

This H-5G was fitted with two stretchers for evacuating the wounded.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

This B-29, from the 19th Bomb Group, drops it's bombs on North Korea, Feb. 1951.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

A T-6D, Korea 1951.
National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

B-26C light bomber, on mission, Korea, 1951.
National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Napalm explosion, Korea, 1951.
National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

This British Meteor, was used by the Royal Australian Air Force. It was part of the No. 77 Squadron, which was a unit attached to a USAF fighter wing. Prior to using the Meteors, they flew F-51s.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Aircraft Used During the Korean War

2008-03-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

This C-47 was used to carry casualties from the front near Hagaru-ri during the Chosin retreat.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Casualties are being unloaded from this C-47 , in Japan, July, 1950.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

These Airmen are droppping ammunition and radio equipment to Army ground from a C-47, November 1950. (U.S. Air Force photo)

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

B-29s were real work horses during the Korean War. Two are shown here on a day bombing run, Korea, 1950.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

This F-84, and others like it were brought into use in Korea, in Dec. 1950.

F-51D 1950.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

The 27th Fighter Escort Group was sent to Korea in November of 1950. Here a one of the F-84s being loaded onto the carrier USS Bataan for shipment.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

This photo shows 4 different planes used during the Korean War. Straight-wing jet F-80 (upper left). The F-82 (upper right). The swept-wing F-86 Sabre (lower left). The F-94 (lower right).

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

F-82G fighters at an air base in Japan.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Republic F-84D Fighter Bomber, of the 79th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 1950.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

An F-82 in the foreground, with F-80s in the background.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

An F-82G Twin Mustang of the 68th All Weather Fighter Squadron.

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

This impressive photo shows a Republic F-105, and all the armament it could utilize.

Foreground, 2.75 in. rockets; Vulcan cannon (directly behind pilot) 20mm ammunition shown on either side. Left side (L-R): first row: rocket launcher; air-to-air missiles with launcher; second row: fire bomb; chaff dispenser; 450 gallon wing fuel tank; "buddy" refueling tank; third row: fire bomb; two 750 pound bombs; 1000 pound bomb; bomb-carrying pylons; (extreme top left) flare dispenser. Right side next to plane (top to bottom) nuclear weapon bombing trainer; secret nuclear weapons; next vertical row: practice bombs; bomb bay fuel tank. (Note: all other items, including the pylons behind the practice bombs, are duplicates.) The F-105 could carry nuclear weapons. The "half shell" object to the left of the nose is the center fuselage nuclear bomb-carrying pylon."

National Museum of the US Air Force Photo (U.S. Air Force photo)(click on image for full size)

Harry Truman letter to Eleanor Roosevelt, April 1951, about MacArthur

2008-03-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

This is a letter from Harry Truman to Eleanor Roosevelt, expressing his appreciation of her approval of Truman's decision to remove General MacArthur from his command of U.S. Forces in Korea. The letter is dated April 13, 1951.

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2008-02-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

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