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Secretary
Conway Car Shop
Conway, PA
This is a letter from my Uncle Dominic to his sister Rose, my Aunt while stationed in Korea. The letter is postmarked June 17, 1952, the day he was killed in Korea that I would like to share this with everyone. Was unable to scan the letter it was not legible so I typed what I could read.
Dear Rose,
I received your most inspiring letter, and was very happy to hear everything on the home front is in tip top shape. I received your letter late yesterday afternoon. I had every intention of writing sooner, but our lines were infiltrated and we had a hot time of it. Especially me. As you probably know, I am now a Corporal and I have a squad of my own. They are nine new men right from the states, and it is quite a job trying to keep them from being scared. I took 3 of them with me a few nights ago on a listening post over the lines. Boy you should have seen me when we got back. We heard the enemy working about 75 yards away, but these guys were so jumpy that they made me a nervous wreck, and we had to come in. They are all a young bunch of boys, 18 & 19. (My Uncle was 23).
The night we were infiltrated took the cake. Bunker 6 has 2 new boys in it, and myself. I was checking on the other 2 bunkers when the shooting started. The enemy tried to come right up. These new guys got so scare that they were throwing grenades and firing like mad. So I came running back and here was this fellow. He weights about 97 lbs. soaking wet throwing grenades like mad, and he wouldn’t stop. After it was over I really had to laugh. He was so excited he almost shot me. One of the boys is from North Tonawanda. His name is Norman Gilbert.
Well Rose, in 2 more days I will be pulling back into reserve. Boy I can’t wait. I hear we will be back there for 2 months. At least maybe I will see a movie and get to take a shower I hope. We have been up here for 42 days, and I hate this punchbowl area worse than Heartbreak Ridge. After we get back from reserve I think I will be on the lines once more for 30 days and I will be coming home.
Oh yes, since I have made Corporal (and going for Sgt.) I am going to send more money home for that new car. That is the first thing I am going to do. Maybe you and I could put some money together and I can get it on payments through the Army. We will buy a nice Oldsmobile if you want to. I have about 7 hundred dollars. When I get home we will do it. Of course I will leave the car with you until I get a discharge. If I decide to stay in the service it will be all yours, except when I’m home on week-ends. When I get back I will be making about $220. a month so I may stay in.
Well Rose, I have written quite a bit, and I can’t think of any thing else to say except take care of everything and don’t worry about me. Maybe I will be seeing you real soon. Love and kisses to all my nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers and a big kiss for you.
Love and thoughts
always,
Dom
PS I haven’t gotten that box o candy yet, but thank Guido for me.
Enclosed is a picture of a couple of buddies of mine. The boy on the left is Mills. He was hit about a week ago, but I think he will be back.