Clarence Schuster
Copied by his niece Connie Hamilton from letters that Clarence had written to home.
Clarence was killed in action on October 28th 1952 on Outpost Reno. He was in 3rd squad machine guns and was a gunner.
Connie can be contacted at: chamilton@ou.edu
April 14, 1952 – will get on ship at San Diego in 3 days. Ship is U.S.N.S. General John Pope
April 29, Has been on ship 12 days – 1 more day to go
May 3 – In Japan
May 7 – says they got there (in Korea) last Sunday night
May 9 – 40 miles from “Soul”
May 16 – 5-1/2 hr watch
June 13 – Says he’s “not” on the front lines. “They are not doing much over here, about all they do up on lines is have night watch, & go out on patrol.” Says he is in the “20th draft” the boys going home now were in the 11th draft, so after 9 more drafts go home – he will too.
June 17 – not doing much “If it weren’t for the beer a guy would go crazy
June 20 – still saying he’s in training
June 22 – hot 95 -100 – still “training”.
June 25 – Tells them he went to the front lines 5 days after he got there and was on the “lines” for 23 days. Has been back in rest camp for 20 days & has to go up on the lines again tomorrow, and will be up there for 25 days, then get off for 50 days. Only get 5 hrs sleep on the lines.
June 30 – lots of rain the last few days- carrying water out of the bunker. “We had to walk up to the lines this time, was a long walk, but I can take it I’m a Marine.” 17 more days on line.
July 3 – Has 4-1/2 hr watch every night “Boy don’t think for a minute a guy isn’t scared when he’s on watch up here.”
July 4 – was on watch & you should have heard the fireworks, the big guns in the rear fired about 2000 rounds. “I’ll close for a minute, they are going to have an air strike. I’m in my machine gun bunker & I’m going to watch it.
July 7 – don’t know what the name of the hill is that I’m on. I have 4 or 5 hours of watch every night & when we go on patrol were up all night, we just lay out there on the ground to see if they are going to come or not. We got out in front of our lines at dark & stay out till daylight, we go on one every 3rd night.
July 8 – I’m in a machine gun platoon & in one platoon there’s 3 sections & in one section there should be 16 men, well in our section we just have 9 men. In a machine gun platoon there should be about 40 men & in our platoon we just have 29 men.
July 9 – supposed to go back in reserve in 18 days.
July 17, 52
In Korea
Hi ya Folks,
Just a few lines to let you kno I’m still just fine, & hope this letter will find you all in the best of health and as for me, I’m not working to hard, you no me I never did work to hard. Ha.
Well hows everything back there. I guess I ask the same old things in every letter huh. Well there isn’t any thing else to write. There isn’t much going on over here. We still do the same thing, go on patrols and build bunkers during the day, so you can see I don’t have much news again. I guess I just wrote to many letters and I always run out of things to write. I just wrote 5 of them today. Is all? I just got through writing to Joey Fuerch, so should get an answer in a few days.
The weather here is still just as hot as it always been. I’m sitting out side my bunker again & it sure is hot. I’m about to cook. Ha ha. I should have a cool case of beer huh. That’s easy said, but not easy to get! I still got a few more pictures to take before I’ll send these films home. I still haven’t got the stamps, but should be here any day.
I can’t seem to think of much more to write. I guess if I wouldn’t write every day I’d have more new huh, but I think you kno how it is. I had to fill my pen again. Ha. So I guess I’ll close for toady, so excuse my poor hand writing and all mistakes. Till next time, the best of luck to you all, and also write again if you fine time. Don’t worry about me I’m just fine. I’ll be home before you kno it. “I hope.” So take care & don’t work to hard. So long again.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
July 20, 52
Somewhere in Korea
Dear Folks,
Received your letter this morning and was glad to hear from you again. I’m still up on lines, but just got 6 more days left. I think we go back the night of the 26th. Sure will be glad to get off of this hill too. We moved again yesterday, just from one hill to the other tho, that’s makes 3 times we moved up here on this hill, that’s the marines for you, all they ever do is move.
I got a letter from Joey yesterday & I just got through answering it. I guess that will be my last letter till he gets home, makes me a little homesick him going home. It seems like I’ll be over here by myself, ha after he goes home.
The weather here is still about the same, but we did have a little rain a few days ago (Friday I think it was). Well anyway we sure did get wet again, our bunker leaked & all of our stuff got wet, sure did make me mad. I just about came home, ha next time I will. Ha.
Well hows everybody back home, just fine I hope & as for me I’m still just fine & do about the same thing every day, like going on patrols & standing watch, & building bunkers. So you can see there isn’t much to write about.
I got a letter from George Benisch a few days ago & he’s over here too, but he’s luck, he don’t have to be up on lines. He said he sure didn’t like Korea & I agree with him. Well it just starting to rain again, so I’ll get wet again tonight on watch, sure will be glad when I get out of this country. I guess I will make a little money with that $45 a month for line time, maybe I can get me a new car huh, but I’ll worry about that when I get back. We got payed today, but I just took out $10. I got $180 on the books yet. I thought I’d wait till we got back to rest camp then send it all home by check again. Boy the rain is sure coming down know, this bunker better not leak again. We did a little work on it so I’m hoping it don’t leak this time. I guess I wrote & told you I wrote to Joey Furch. I haven’t gotten a letter yet, might have in a few days, it don’t take but just a couple of days for mail to get here if he’s over here too.
I got to write some more letters, but don’t feel much like writing today, & haven’t got any news anyway.
Looks like Joey might be home for the fair don’t it. I hope he does get there in time.
Well I have to heat me up something to eat. So it looks like I’m going to have to close again. Sorry I haven’t got any more new but that’s it for this time. Excuse my hand writing & all mistakes. So till next time the best of luck to you all, & don’t work to hard, and also write again soon ok. Well write soon again.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
July 24, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received two more letters from you last night, & also got the stamps & films. I got the letter Veda wrote the Sunday they was up there. I’ve been a little busy the last few days & got way behind on letter writing.
Well we just got 2 more days left up on lines. I think this will be my last letter till I get back to Bttn reserve, we have to walk back again, surd do hate to walk but will be glad to get back so we can see a show again. We will have a lot of training & most of it will be nite training & have schooling on the machine gun during the day. I guess they just don’t like to see the marines rest. Ha. Oh well that way I won’t get lazy. Ha Ha. That was a laugh huh. Well I’m still doing the same old thing like building bunkers during the day and stand watch at nite.
You ask me if you can send me anything you want. Yes you can send anything you want & I’ll get it ok.
Was glad to hear you all still just fine. I’m still just fine. I wish a guy would get liberty over here though, sure makes the days long this way. Say next time you send me some filsm write on the box, Films do not xray. I hope this films I send home come out ok. You can keep one set if you want.
Well I should be working right now & I haven’t got anything to write about. So guess I’ll close for this time. I’ll write more in reserve where I have more time ok. Good luck to you all & don’t work to hard.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
July 27, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received a letter from you this morning, the one you wrote the 18th was very glad to hear from you, & also glad your all still just fine. Hope your not working to hard. Have you had any rain yet. Boy we have been getting a lot of rain the last few weeks. Well we got back in reserve this morning about 3 AM. We left the front lines about 11 PM last night, & it started raining around 6 PM last night. We had to walk over these hills for about 2 miles to get to the trucks and it was sure raining hard on most of the hills we had to go up them on our hands and knees, with a pack on our backs. We got to the trucks about one & boy was we wet. I think we all fell down about 10 times on the way. Boy I never walked in so much mud in all my life. We all had packs on & us machine gunners had to carry the gun & I had to carry two boxes of ammunition. So the weight of my pack was about 85 pounds. I wasn’t so tired in all my life. We stop to rest once & I didn’t ever think laying in the mud & rain could feel so good. Then after we got to the trucks we had to ride about 8 miles. Boy was it cold & wet, we got back here about 3 AM this morning. It takes a long time for the trucks to go anywhere, because they can’t have any lights on so there for they had to drive slow. Sure was glad to get back to reserve tho. I hope we never have to go thru a night like that again. I don’t know just yet how long we are going to stay back here.
I received the films & candy you sent, sure was glad to get them (thanks)! You can send my anything you want & I’ll get it ok. We just get 2 meals a day back here, so anything you send I’ll be glad to get. I sure will be glad when I get back. Boy I got to do a lot of letters written. I’m way behind on that. Ha.
Well I guess it won’t be much longer & Joe will be on his way home huh. I bet he’s glad too. You said in your letter I got today that Joey didn’t try to come over. Well he tried hard to come but they wourldn’t let hom on a plane, so that’s why he didn’t get here.
I haven’t got the letter Lorena wrote maybe I’ll get it tonight. So Vernie Schneider is getting married huh. Well I don’t know, but he isn’t but about 17 years old is he. Oh well that’s kids for you. I guess everybody likes to get married young huh. So Dad & Donald are still plowing. I guess they should be done by know tho. I wish you would get some of this rain, we don’t need it over here, but guess that’s the way it always goes tho, always get the rain where we don’t need it huh. I told you about how many men are up on lines. I was wrong, there are a lot more men then that. I don’t know for sure, but theres around 15,000 to 18,000 men on lines, lots of guys huh but that’s just the marines.
Well tomorrow we start work again. I don’t care much for reserve, sometimes I wish we was up on lines, for we have to do to much work back here, but have a lot of watch up on lines, so guess its about as long as it is wide huh. We get fire watch back here about every 3rd day. I got it tonight, but just go one hour, & it’s a lot better standing watch here then it is up on lines. It is still raining out, I hope it stops before to long.
So Johnnie Mai has a lot of business huh. I wish I could just drive out & have me a beer right know ha ha. Say if you send me anything you can send some canned peaches & stuff like that, theres a lot of guys get that stuff over here from home. You can use my money to send it.
You ask in one of your letter how many men there was in one bunker, about 2 & some have 4 men. The way it looks up on lines is bunkers about every 20 ft & have a 4 ft ditch from bunker to bunker. I don’t think you know how a bunker looks like, Well it’s a hole in the ground about 8 ft wide & 8 ft lone & 4 ½ ft deep then we have about 2 rows of sand bags & longs over the top with about 4 rows on sand bags on that top.
Say we just got mail & I got two more letters from you they were both mailed on July 21. So wait one & I’ll read them, sure get a lot of mail huh. See you later ok. Hi back again, was glad to hear from you again. I’ll just answer all 3 of them in this one I guess. Mom you ask me if I had a rosary. I had one all the time, up to just a few weeks ago. We move so many times, & seems like I lost it some place. So you can send me one again. I have got a prayer book tho & I’ve been using it. I also got a letter from Jake & Katie today & also got one from Pat Bryant from Pratt Ks. Do you remember her. I told you I met here when I was down there cutting wheat. Its good to hear from all my friends. I’m trying to write to all my best friends. I wrote a letter to Ray Roberts a few
Days ago. I also wrote to Wilson & a few guys in Oakley. So you can see I have a lot of letter writing to do every day & I get 4 to 5 letters every day. I have to many buddys to write. I got a letter from Joey Furch & he just came back off the lines around the 23rd, he said he’s got 47 days line time & I got 50 days. He said he’s about 40 or 50 miles east of me, he said he does about the same things up on lines as I do, like building bunkers & stuff like that. I’ll have to answer his letter to yet. I don’t think I’ll ever get caught up. I got a letter from Jim H & him and Harold S. went on liberty together gutess they had a good time.
Well sure is good to be back in these tents again. We have 16 men in here know. I told you once about hoping we get some more men from the 22nd draft, well we got 4 men in our section, so that helps a lot.
How’s everything still back home. I guess I don’t have to ask that do I, you tell me tat in all your letter huh.
Well we can go to a show tonight, but I’m not going out in that rain just for a show. I got wet enough last night. I got some letter writing to do any way. I send 3 roll so film home. I hope you get them ok. Had to fill my pen. Ha You can send me more stamps too. I sure ask for a lot of stuff huh. You no now when I say they don’t have anything over here. Ha.
We had a lot of fun again today cutting our hair. Ha You should see me. Ha Oh well, I guess there isn’t any girls that see me over here. You ask me if that pictures is ok, you send. Sure it is, just as long as I have one of mom & dad. Say you wouldn’t have one of the hole family huh. If not, tats ok. I guess that’s all you have to send for know.
Well I hope I’m in reserve on my Birthday, but don’t know if I’ll have any beer or not. Ha. I hope we don’t have to be up on lines on Xmas, maybe I’ll be in reserve then to.
Well folks I haven’t got much news, so guess I’ll close for this time. I got a lot of letters towrite yet & I’m about out of news so if you have time drop me a line or two, for it is always good to get a letter. Excuse my hand writing & all mistakes. So don’t work to hard and take good care of yourself. I’ll wirte again soon, so don’t have to worry to much now while I’m in reserve. So long & the best of luch to you all. Bye now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
P.S. I don’t know just yet where I’m at right now. Will let you no as soon as I find out ok.
P.S. I think I’m a PFC again. The Sgt said I was. So he said he’s going to find out for me. So maybe on my next letter you’ll see PFC again. I got paid $10 a few days ago & I have been getting PFC pay for the last two months. I might of made it a long time ago & didn’t tell me. So I’ll put PVT on this letter & maybe PFC on my next I hope.
Aug 23, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Just a few lines again to let you no I’m still just fine, I got my check, so will send it home in this letter, hope you get it ok. Let me no when you get it ok.
Well I’m not doing to much this afternoon, I guess we go up on lines the 26th, just 3 more days. So I’ll write you next time up on lines.
The weather here is still about the same, it gets a little cool at night. Won’t be to long & it will be getting pretty cold. I just wrote you yesterday, so haven’t got much to write about today.
This morning all we did was went to a class, & they fired the guns. Boy they sure do have a lot of them. All we have for this afternoon is pack our stuff, that we tak up on lines with us.
Well I guess by now Joey is about half way home, huh, sure wish I was on my way. Ha. Maybe by next February I’ll be on my way.
Boy I sure can’t think of any thing to say today. So guess I’ll have to wait a few days before I write again. So I’ll close for this time, write again soon. So long for now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Aug 25, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received you letter last night, and was sure glad to hear from you again, I also got the Rosary & the cigarettes, thanks a lot. Anyway I can use what you send. Was glad to hear your all still just fine, as for me I’m still just the same.
Well we are getting a lot of rain again, it started raining Sat & today is Monday & it is still raining out. We was going up on lines tomorrow, but guess we won’t go just yet. If it keep up this raining I won’t get any mail again, so if you don’t get any from me you will no why. I think now we don’t have to go up till the 31st. I don’t know just yet where at up on lines, but the way I hear it it isn’t a very good spot. They are sure having a time on bunker hill, the first time I was up on lines, I wasn’t to far from it. I guess I got by lucky huh, so far! When I was up the first time we was going to take bunker hill, at the time we was up there, we call it outpost 3. Boy I hope it isn’t raining like this when we go up on lines this time, it seems like every time we move it rains.
Well from that piece in the paper about 18 mo. It look like there going to draft a lot of men that was in the last war. I guess we got the wrong work, we thought the drafters are just going to stay in for 18 mo but guess we are still in for 21 mo.
I still haven’t got around to answer Minnie letter, guess I better get on the ball or I won’t get any mail from her. But guess she can find out all the news from you. I don’t write as much as I did, I wrote to Wilson & his brother, but never do get any letters back, so I got mad, & told myself not to write if they don’t answer. Ha. I still get a letter from Emogene Mai now & then.
Well starting next month we get $45.00 on our monthly pay so I’ll get $135 a month now. I’m going to leave it on the books, so if you ever need any money this winter for any thing just let me no, maybe I can help you out. I sent home a check I hope you got it ok.
Well hope your not working to hard these days, but guess your all keeping busy huh. Oh I also got the Aug 14th paper. (thanks)!
Well folks I guess I’d better close for this time, got to go eat in a little bit. So I’ll write again soon. Excuse my hand writing & all mistakes. Till the next time I say the best of luck to you all. Sorry I never have much news, but guess that’s the way it goes. So long for this time.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
P.S. Hoping to see you all in Feb. OK.
Aug 27, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Just a few lines to let you no I’m still just fine & hope this letter finds you all the same. I’m still in reserve, but we got the word to stand by any day to go up on lines. I guess after the roads dry up a bit, then will go up on lines. About all we are doing right now is having guard duty; I’ve go guard again tonight, so there for we got this afternoon off. So I washed clothes & got all cleaned up.
Boy we are sure getting the rain over here, it didn’t rain yet today, but looks like it might start in again any minute, it will rain when I’m on guard tho, that’s for sure. Haha I’ve never seen it rain so much at one time. I sent my check home right during the rain & I’m just hoping it gets there ok.
Well tomorrow is my birthday & don’t have a can of beer on the place, to bad huh. But guess I’ll have to wait till I get home to drink beer huh. In about 9 more days I’ll be over 4 months, its seems like I’ve been here two hears. Ha Sure will be glad when I get out of this place, but guess this is a good place for me, maybe when I get home I won’t do so much running around.
Well folks I haven’t got much news again today, so it looks like I better close again for today. So I’ll write again soon. So don’t work to hard. Excuse my hand writing & all mistakes. Till next time Sayonara. Write soon.
You Son
Love
Clarence
Aug. 28, ‘52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received your letter tonight, was glad to hear from you again, I also got one from Mary Ann, lucky I got them right on my Birthday huh. I’m still just fine, & hope this letter finds you in the best of health again. I’m still in reserve, was glad I was back here on my Birthday, but don’t have any beer! Oh well I guess I’ll get by without it.
They are sure doing a lot of fighting on bunker hill, yes the Marines are getting hit pretty hard, but that’s one thing the Marines will always hold a hill. I’m glad I’m fighting with the marines, glad I’m not in the army now. If the army was to be on Bunker hill, I don’t think we would have it any more. There’s one thing I like about the Marines, and that is if there in one man left on a hill and the company comes back with out him, they’ll send the Platoon or Company right back out to get that one man. The army don’t do that, all they no how to do is run. You don’t have to worry about me going on Bunker Hill, I don’t think we have to go there.0
You asked about the Hollywood stars entreating the Marines, well, I don’t know about that. I no I’ve never seen any. They might in the rear. I’ve seen two USO shows, but the guys that play in it are army guys, there isn’t any woman in it. All I’ve ever seen over here was the front lines to rest camp, I think you no more about this place then I do. (ha).
This next place up on line isn’t going to be to good, us machine gunners have to go out on an outpost for a week & out there we have to stay in our bunkers all day, and stand a 100 per cent watch at nigh, that is all of us stand watch at night on this outpost. We are on top of the hill and the enemy are just 80 yds from us, at night we can hear them work on there lines. I’m telling you it isn’t any fun, but what can we do about it. All I get done is pray to return back safe. I guess I never did no how lucky I was when I was home. I think this does this kid some good to go on lines. I wish they would put a few of them big shots up on lines, then maybe they would end this fighting. I guess I shouldn’t wish for any one to go on lines. I’m glad I’m the one that had to go on lines & none of my Brothers, maybe after this Donald won’t have to go. If he does I hope he never sees the front lines, for it isn’t any place for any man to be. If I weren’t so dumb I wouldn’t be here, guess I always have to learn the hard way huh. I no one think for sure a guy will sure enjoy life after being over here. I didn’t ever think life could get so miserable. Oh well, I guess I shouldn’t write stuff like this, but guess it helps to tell someone. Well so much for that.
I have to write Mary Ann a letter yet tonight if I have time. I sure feel sorry for her, she always has to work so hard but guess that’s married life for you.
Well we haven’t had nay rain now in two days, pretty good huh. But by the time we move up on lines it will rain cats and dogs again. (ha). Say have you ever got those films I send home, hope you did and hope they turn out ok.
I hope you can read this mess. I can’t see to write to good, these candles don’t put out much light, but guess it will have to do. They didn’t have a show tonight; they have about the same kind of show as back home. But most of the time the film breaks about 10 times (ha), then about that time I go back to my tent.
Well folds I guess I’ll close for this time. Say it just took me an hour to write this letter,. I hope you can read it now. If you can’t let me no & I’ll take more time. So hear’s hoping to hear from you again soon. Don’t work to hard, I’ll write again soon. So long, & the best of luck to you all. Oh, say Joey should about be in California now. I bet he can’t wait till he gets home. Let me know as soon as he does get there ok. So long again.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Sept 1, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received your letter last night the one you wrote on Aug. 25, was glad to hear from you again. I’m still just fine & hope this letter finds you all the same. I’m still in reserve, might move out just any day. I’m doing about the same things every day. I had guard duty again last night, so there for I got today off, nice huh. Boy did I ever get the sleep. Ha.
Say about those pictures I send home, you can keep them at home. Did you ever get those last 3 rolls I sent you. I also hope you got that check by know. Say can you get the number from the back of my big picture and send to Ocean-Side Calif. And see if you can get some. The kind I would like to have is the billfold size. If you can get some get about 12 of them & send me two or three ok.
We got some rain again yesterday sure are getting a lot of rain over here, sure hope it don’t rain when we go up on lines. I just got the last word, they said we are going up in 3 more days, so the next time you hear from me I’ll be up on lines
Well I bet Joey isn’t to far from home. I bet he’s sure glad to get back to goo old U.S.A. again. If everything goes good I might leave here in Feb. “Can’t wait.” Ha.
They got a new mess hall here now & they got lights in it, so I’m writing this letter in the mess hall. This is the first time I wrote on a table since I been over here. Ha. It don’t seem rights. Haha. They would have to put us up on lines just when we got a new hall. Oh well I guess that’s the way it goes tho. They are also having coffee here tonight.
I just got a letter from you so well answer it in this letter. Well to start out with you want to no why I don’t get my films developed over here. I think I told you once, if I could I would, I guess I’ll remind you again that I’m not at a place where I can get everything I want. I no you don’t know how it is over here, but I’m at a place that I can go to town and as far as Bill Boxberger gets his films developed I don’t know, But if I was back in the rear I could get them developed to. You also ask where I’m at, well I think I told you before but if I didn’t I’ll tell you again. I’m about 6 to 7 miles from Panmunjon & that is on the west front. I’m about 45 miles from Seoul, I don’t know just yet where I’ll be at up on lines this time.
I haven’t got any of the packages you sent regular mail. I should get it in a few days. Don’t send any films just yet, maybe you can get a new camera. Oh I’m also about 1 mile from imjum river, do you no where that is at. That is where we had our beer party.
Well I guess I better close for this time. I’ve got a few more letters to write. So take good care of yourself and write again if you can think of something. So long for now.
Your Son,
Love Clarence
Sept 4, ‘52
In Korea
Dear Mom & Dad
Received a letter from you this afternoon and was very glad to hear from you again, glad you all still just fine and as for me I’m still just fine considering. Today is Wed and we got all day off we go up on lines Sunday the 7th. I’m not going on Bunker Hill so don’t worry to much ok. I don’t think we have to do much till we go up, might have the next few days off, (“Hope so!” You ask me what draft I’m in, I’m in the 20th draft. The 24th draft is going to get here sometime today, so just 6 more drafts & I’ll be on my way, can’t wait. Haha
Say you got me just the camera I wanted. A 620 is a lot better then 127. How much did it cost you. Thanks a lot. I haven’t got it yet, but if you mail it air mail I should have it in a day or so. The one I got here now I’ll sell it to someone. But thanks for the one you got me. Say did you ever get that check. Hope so.
I still didn’t get any of those big packages, I think the rain slowed things down a bit. Say mom you don’t have to send me a cake. Thanks anyway for everything. You all can celebrate my Birthday. I’ll wait till I get home ok.
I hope you all had a good time at the fair this year, from the looks of things they had a pretty good fair huh. Its to bad Joey didn’t get there in time for it, but I don’t think he thought to much about getting there in time for the fair, just as long as he gets there huh.
Well the weather hasn’t been to hot the last few weeks guess It won’t be to much longer & it will start getting pretty cold over here, it won’t be to much longer & we will get our cold weather clothes. I think we will get them in Oct. So much for that.
Say mom you can write better than I can. When I read what you wrote in this last letter, I know you want to help me & that you are both sad. I just felt like crying, funny what just a letter can do, guess I’m to big of a boy to cry tho. But sure feel like it. Say am I writing often enough sometimes I write every day, hope your getting enough mail from me. I know I never have any new news just the same old thing in all my letters but I’ll still keep on writing the same things.
Well Mom & Dad I think I’ll have to close again for this time, hoping this letter finds you all in the best of health. Don’t worry about me to much, just keep up the writing. Excuse my poor hand writing & also all mistakes. Till the next time I’ll say so long to you all,
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Sept 8, ‘52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
I just thought I’d better write you a few lines today since I haven’t wrote you in the last 4 days. Sorry I didn’t write sooner, but been pretty busy. We moved up on lines the 5th, but had so much work to do. We always have a lot of work to do the first two days. I didn’t get any sleep for two days & nites. I got about 5 ½ hours last night, so I feel pretty good today, although I’m still a bit tired.
We are now East of Pannunjon about 4 miles, I guess Bunker Hill is about 2 ½ miles from here. We are on a hill named Bruce, have you ever heard about it. We have to do our work at night. We build one bunker 4 times already, every time we build it they blow it down the next day. My buddy & I are taking care of one machine gun & we don’t have a bunker to sleep in, we have to sleep in a ditch that goes from one bunker to another, sure is rough up here this time.
I got a big package yesterday and two small one’s today, sure was glad to get them. My buddy here got one too today so we got a lot to eat right now. I don’t know what to say. I guess about all I can say is thanks for all what you are doing for me. I sure like that camera you send, its just the kind I wanted. I haven’t gotten any letters in4 days, I guess because of that is that we moved. My buddy just went down to our Co. C.P. to see if the mail came in yet. Maybe I’ll have a letter from you huh.
Well hows every thing still around home, about the same I guess huh. I guess it won’t be much longer & you will start drilling wheat, are you going to put out much wheat this year. Joey should be home to help you by then. Well we hanen’t been getting any rain now for about a week. Maybe the rain is over sure hoe so, it sure does get cool here at night any more, guess it won’t be to long & the snow will be flying. Well I’m about to run out of words, so will wait till he comes back with the mail. Ok.
Hi. Well I got a letter from you I receive the one you wrote on Aug 31. Was glad to hear you all still just fine & also was glad to hear Joey is back in the States. Today is Monday so he should be home, I was just think how I would like to be there now. I sure would of like to seen him, but guess I have to wait a long time yet. I now fell like I’m over here by myself. (ha) I sure wish my discharge was up, but maybe some day soon I can call you from California & tell you I’ll be home in about two days huh.
Well Mom & Dad I guess I’ll close for this time. I have to work all night on our bunker again, so write again soon. Tell Joey Hi for me ok and also tell him to write. So long & the best of luck to you all back home, you lucky people. (ha) Bye now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Outpost War – Page 150
Outpost Bruce, a particularly critical position, was located east of Bunker Hill. Later in the war, it would be called Outpost Reno. Bruce tied in tactically with two adjacent Chinese positions, Hill 155 on the east and Hill 190 on the northeast. Thus, Bruce broached a defendable line, which, if occupied by the Chinese, could eventually unite to create a new and formidable enemy MLR. Line Bunker Hill, Bruce needed to be held.
During the months ahead, Outpost Bruce would witness severe fighting repeatedly as combatants clashed over and over for possession of the innocuous pile of dirt on the landscape of North Korea. Yet, while the Marines stubbornly held, the Chinese, just as stubbornly, continued to attack. According to Lieutenant Colonel Hicks:
The CCF often attempted to overrun outpost positions with sheer force of numerical superiority. Coming in successive waves, his attacks were preceded by heavy concentrations of artillery and mortar fire. In an attempt probably calculated to disperse Mariene defensive artillery fire, simultaneous attacks against several different outposts were made. Communist supporting fire was in such close proximity to the CCF attackers that a number of casualties were inflicted on Chinese troops.
Sometimes the enemy would stealthily approach and completely surround the outposts, hoping to gain his objective by a combination of surprise and strength. Usually, however, massive artillery concentrations were employed for screening enemy movements, and frequently he used smoke.
Nowhere is Lieutenant Colonel Hicks’s thesis more vividly portrayed than with the Chinese attacks on Bruce and its neighboring outposts. On 4-September, Outpost Gary first became the target of enemy machine-gun fire for an hour preparatory to an assault by an enemy platoon. Then, after a ten-minute firefight, the Chinese suddenly shifted their attack to Outpost Felix and hit it with a reinforced platoon supported by mortars. This battle raged for an hour and a half as the Marines fought back. Then, as suddenly as they had attacked, the Chinese dropped back and left ten dead soldiers. Twenty-five wounded men were left either to surrender or to escape to their own lines.
Outpost Allen was also hit that night. Following an artillery and mortar barrage, two reinforced enemy platoons struck in wave formation, one wave followed by the other. After a two-hour battle, the Chinese withdrew and evacuated their casualties. In their wake, however, were three dead and seven wounded Marines.
The attacks on Felix, Gary, and Allen, however, were merely diversions. At midnight, the Chinese began a major battle for Outpost Bruce and saturated it with a barrage of artillery and mortars. The platoon-sized outpost was attacked from all sides by a battalion of Chinese infantry. Under cover of automatic and small-arms fire, enemy soldiers used satchel charges and Bangalore torpedoes in an attempt to destroy forward bunkers and blow gaps in the wire. They sought to gain entrance to the trenches and drive the Marines from the ill.
Replacement men and material were rushed to the outpost as efforts were made to rebuild fortifications. Columns of Korean laborers and Marine reinforcements traveled back and forth between the MLR and Bruce while fire from enemy machine guns and mortars attempted to interrupt their progress. Ultimately, the platoon on the hill was replaced by fresh troops, and more ammunition, medical supplies, and fortifications were brought up. The Marines were determined to hold the position. The following night, history repeated itself when, on 5 September, the Chinese stormed Bruce again.
During the hour-long artillery barrage, an estimated 2,500 artillery rounds fell on the Marines. The incoming was so concentrated that within minutes, most bunkers and trenches were completely destroyed. Then, at 2015, two companies of Chinese infantry stormed the outpost from all sides. The fresh replacement Marines fought them off. At 2130, a second enemy wave assaulted the hill with the same outcome. Twenty minutes later, a third attack wave was repulsed.
Following a four-hour respite, the attack resumed in the early hours of 6 September. Moving forward under a fifteen-minute artillery barrage, two more companies of Chinese surrounded the outpost and began another attack. Chinese determination was matched only by Marine tenacity.
On the last occasion, however, the Chinese commander had misjudged Marine firepower. Division supporting arms had assembled massive retaliation from the MLR and beyond. Eight sections of regimental .30- and .50-caliber machine guns and mortars targeted the area around Bruce. Marine tanks on line awaited the attack. An artillery time-on-target firing was brought to bear on the enemy troops massed around the outpost. The destruction was devastating, and the Chinese were driven off. They could not attack through that collective rain of exploding fire and steel.
The men of Item Company, 3/5, on Outpost Bruce had stood fast through a fifty-one hour siege. Although the original platoon had been replaced several times, there were never more than forty men on the hill at one time. Yet, each group of forty men fought off assaults by the hundreds.
During those hours, the Marines on Outpost Bruce met and exceeded their test of courage. Twenty-eight of them died, and seventy were wounded; history does not record the number that survived without wounds. Nor is it know how many casualties the enemy sustained.
Pages 152-155 is a story of Alford McLaughlin, who received the Medal of Honor, and his fighting on Outpost Bruce. (Clarence was on the MLR).
Sept 9, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
I just received a letter from you so there for I’ll try to answer it right away. Was very glad to hear from you again. I also got the pictures so will send them back too, was that all the pictures that turned out, out of 3 rolls.
Well it looks like you finally got some rain, hope you got more so you can drill wheat when its time. The weather over here is still pretty hot during the day but sure does get cold at night. We haven’t had any more rain as of yet. I’m outside my bunker and it is about to get dark so I guess I better get this done.
Well by now Joey should be home and having a good time, maybe by the time you get this you’ll be at Hutchinson huh. Hope you have a good time down there.
I went on two patrols since we came up on line, last night we went way out by our outpost Bruce and we got in these ditches, boy that’s to far for me, but I made it back again. Boy they sure are doing a lot of fighting on Bruce. I had one buddy out there and he cracked up yesterday, sure are a lot of them getting hit out there to. I have to go out there for 4 days and nights, I don’t like it one bit, all I do is pray to get off the lines safe again. I’ve had good luck so far. I don’t know how long we have to stay up here this time.
Well I finally got a letter from Wilson today. He went down South to cut wheat again this year. He said his wheat made about twenty this year, guess he sure has a lot of work to do any more. He’s got ten quarters to farm, I guess his Brother (Sonny) does most of the field work and he does plumbing. Guess I’ll have to answer his letter to today.
Well folks I guess I’ll bring this to a close and go on watch. I’ve got 9 hours of watch tonight, for my buddy is going on a patrol tonight and I’m here alone sure is a long night just stand at one place and look out in the dark, about all I get done any more is think & worry. I hardly ever get more than 4 to 5 hours of sleep a night, guess I’ll look like an old man by the time I get out of this place. (ha). We just don’t have any thing to look forward to, just that we no we have watch or patrol the next night again. Well like I said I’d better close. I could sit here and write all night about my thing that goes on over here. So write again soon ok. So long.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Sept 13, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Just a few lines in answer to your letter that I received yesterday. I was very glad to have heard from you again, also glad that your all still just fine. As for me, well I’m ok as of yet. I also received a letter from Joey and Minnie, so it looks like I better get to work and answer these letters today, about the time I get half way through with this one, there’ll have something for me to do. Ha.
Well I’m still up on lines and sure am having a lot of fun, like heck. Ha. I’m still standing watch every night, I just had 2 ½ hours watch last night, but it was sure a dark night. Couldn’t see anything at all. I don’t care much for them kind of nights. We sure did get a lot on incoming last night again. I’m beginning to think they don’t like us very well. Ha. Well in a few more days I have to go out on out post, the out post is about 1800 yds in front of our lines and just 200 yds from their lines, we have to go out there at night and then stay in the bunkers all day and then everybody stands watch all night, during the day we can’t get out of our bunker at all. If we have to shit we have to do it in our bunker in a can or box then throw it out. Ha. I don’t think its going to be much fun up there. I think we have to stay up there 4 days. We was going to have to stay up there a week, but there’s to many guys cracking up from all the incoming and stuff so they cut it down to 4 days. Guess I better stop writing you this stuff or you will worry to much huh.
Well I guess by now Joey should be home. So I’ll say Hi Joey. I got your letter but don’t know if I’ll get time to answer it today, any way have a good time and drink a few beers for me ok.
The weather over here is still about the same every day, although it hasn’t been to hot. It also looks like it might rain again today, hoping it don’! That about all about the weather for this time. Oh before I forget I got the WaKeeney paper yesterday too.
Well the 14th and 15th draft might leave Korea this month. I hope they do. If they do I’ll just have five more months to do. I still might leave here in Feb sometime, sure do hope so. I just can’t wait till I get on that ship I don’t care how sick I get going home. Ha.
Well folks I haven’t got much more to write about so guess I’ll bring this to a close. I’m still just fine and I’ll see you all in five months ok. Don’t worry to much about me. So long and write again soon. Bye now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Sept 14, ‘52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received you letter just now so though I’d answer it while I have a little time, was very glad to hear from you again and that your still fine. I’m setting out side my bunker for it is to dark in side. I’m sitting in a ditch, nice place to be writing a letter huh, but any place will do over here. (ha). I’m still safe and hoping to stay that way.
You ask if I need any stamps. Yes, I could us a few again. I got one roll of film left. You also ask if we iron our clothes, no we don’t. (Ha) When we are in rest camp we wash our clothes then put them on our bed and sleep on them for a few days, then we put thm on and take pictures so they look nice, pretty good huh. (Ha).
There isn’t any of my buddies from Kansas. There are 16 of us that are in the same machine gun section and there are two squads in a section and 8 men to one squad. I’m in the 2nd squad of machine gun, all of us 8 men are always together up on lines and in camp. There was one guy just got here, he’s been over here 18 days, and he got killed last night. A guy sure feels bad when one guy leaves like that. He was a machine gunner too.
I don’t think you have to send the Hays paper, for we get the news a day sooner then you do. Say is there ever anything in the paper about Bruce, I don’t know for sure but they might call it Reno back in the States or twin hill or maybe Allen, over here we call it Allen and Bruce. Well any way that where I’m at! You no the enemy was just 50 yds from Bunker Hill. The enemy is just 20 yds from us on Bruce. I was there one night on a patrol and we could hear them, but couldn’t see them. The guys that got hit on Bruce during the day have to wait till night to get them off the hill, it is just about as bad as Bunker Hill. Well so much on that.
You don’t have to send the “Leatherneck” magazine, there’s some guys that get it and I can read it. Thanks any way. I have just received 3 packages so far, might get the rest in a few days.
Well folks I guess I’d better close for this time. So don’t work to hard and write again soon. OK.
P.S. This peace about the missing plane. I seen it go down and crash. It was right in front of our lines.)
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Sept 15, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks
I just thought I’d write you this letter today, for I’m going out on outpost Bruce tonight. We can’t take anything out there but our rifles, so you won’t hear from me for about 6 to 7 days, don’t worry about me I’ll write you as soon as I get back from outpost ok. I just thought I’d tell you so you won’t worry when you don’t get any mail. I’ll be ok.
Well I’m still just fine and hope this letter finds you all in the best of health. The weather is still about the same over here, we get a little rain again this morning so much for that.
I was just thinking how I would like to be home right know, to get to see Joey and all. Ever since he left I’m sure getting home sick. I just can’t wait till I get back. Oh well I guess its best not to think about home to much. It wouldn’t be so bad if we had a town or someplace to go to pass the time, just the same old thing everyday and night. I’m just hoping and praying there’s better days ahead.
Well Mom and Dad I guess I’ll close for it is getting dark. So don’t worry I’ll write as soon as I can. So long and keep writing. See you all in five months. OK.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
P.S. Sorry I didn’t have more news but I just wrote yesterday.
Sept 23. 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received two letters and film and a big package today was sure glad to hear from you again and thanks for the film and stuff.
Was glad to hear that your all still fine, as for me I’m still the same. I just got back from out post twin hills. I was out there 6 days, Boy was it ever good to get back on our lines again. I hope I don’t ever have to go back out there again. We didn’t get hardly any sleep and then, we all had to stand watch all night and then had to stay in our bunker all day, we couldn’t lay down for there was 29 men in one bunker and we just had two bunkers left on the hill, all we could do was just sit and smoke and wait for the next round to come in and hope it don’t hit our bunker. I’m sorry I couldn’t write sooner but just couldn’t write at a place like that. I also didn’t get any mail myself. We sure did get a lot of incoming out there. I sure got by lucky again, I just hope it keeps up till I leave here. Say have you ever heard about twin hells. It is the furtherest out post on the hole 155 mile front. At night we had to go out in front of our outpost to get some dead marines that have been out there for over two weeks, there was also a lot of dead Koreans out there, and we had to dig the marines out and bring them back in. There wasn’t much left of them after being out there that long, but like I said before the marines do not leave any man behind dead or alive, there was 8 of them out there and we could just get one or sometimes two a night. Boy if you ever seen a mess, I’ve seen it. Boy did it ever stink out there. I couldn’t hardly eat anything for all the dead people. I wish I could have had my camera out there I’d get some good pictures. You should of seen us when we came back in the this morning after being out there 6 days and not washing. It was sure good to get back on our lines again. I didn’t ever think I’d like to go back on lines so much but after being out there, this feels like home. Well I guess I wrote to much already about this stuff, so guess Id better stop huh. I could write a book about what we had to do and what we see, but I don’t think you’d like to read it any more then I’d like to write about it.
Well I guess the next thing to write about would be the weather. Well we haven’t had any more rain but it sure is getting cold at night. So much on that. Well I think by now Joey should be home. In the letter I got today you said he should be home tomorrow. I bet it sure feels good to be home. Oh well in just 5 more months I’ll be on my way, like Joey always says, it won’t be lone now. Ha Ha.
Oh by the way I was glad to hear that Frank and Lorena got their baby girl. Tell him I got a can of beer right here and I’ll drink it right now. OK. I’ll celebrate a little too. Ha. A guy in my squad had a baby girl too the 16th of Sept. he gave me a cigar yesterday and I haven’t smoked it yet so will do that right now to. Tell him to drop me a line or two if he’s got time. Wait one and I’ll open that beer. Ha.
Well I havent’ got much more to write so guess I’ll close for this time. So long,
Your son
Love
Clarence
Sept. 26, 52
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Hi. Just a few lines to tell you thanks for the package that I received today, that’s the 3rd one I’ve got since I’ve been on lines, “this time”! Sure is good to get them, I bet it sure cost yu a lot don’t it. The guys in my squad said I must sure have a good mom and dad. I told them I’ve got the best family in the world. True!
Boy we are sure getting the rain again, oh well I guess we have to look for some now and then, no. Well today makes us 20 days on line already. All together now I’ve got 70 days front line time. I think we got 20 more before going back to reserve again. I just hope we are in reserve during Xmas, would be nice huh.
Well how every thing still back in the states, still about the same huh. Are you all working ahrd yet, I guess I don’t have to ask that, do I. ha I’ve been waiting to hear if Joey got home yet, but guess he’s there by now, no. I bet he’s having him a good time, can’t say that I blame him tho. Ha.
Well guess what there having out front again, Right, they’re having an Air Strike again, Boy I’m sure glad the goonies don’t have them on us, (Ha) but guess that’s fortune of war huh. Boy it sure is getting cold here at nights, guess it won’t be long and the snow will be flying. I get cold just thinking about it. Ha.
I went to Church this afternoon, I had to walk about a mile to it, I also went to confession again, I’m a good little boy huh.
Boy I sure haven’t been getting much mail the past few weeks, all I’ve been getting is from is the family, but guess as long as I hear from then its ok. I guess I told you that I got the filn you sent, now all I have to do is find something to take huh. Wait one, I’ll light me up a cigarette ok. Hi, back again and I’m about out of news, and it is also getting dark. So it looks like I’m going to have to close for this time, excuse my poor hand writing and also all mistakes. Till the next time I say the best of luck to you all back home, and write again soon. Bye now.
Your son
Love
Clarence
P.S. Tell Joey to write.
Sept 28, 1952
In Korea
Hi ya Don,
Just a few lines to tell you thanks for the candy which I received today. The candy got here in good shape.
Well hows school this year, looks like you should learn a lot in that new school building or are there to many girls to keep your eyes on. Ha. Do you like the games they play, maybe you will become a football star. No. Ha
Well I’m still up on lines and doing about the same old things, I guess we still got 20 days left before going back to reserve again, hope we are in reserve during Xmas, but don’t think we will be, no such luck for this kid. Ha. I sure haven’t got much to write about. Just that I’m fine and hope you all the same back there, guess I’ll close for I’ve got some work to do you. Bye now,
Your Brother
Love
Clarence
Sept 30, 1952
What a place – In Korea
Dear Folks,
Received two letters from you today and also a big package. I’ve gotten more packages this week then letters. Ha. I’ll get fat if you keep sending so many packages but they are still good to get them.
Well today is the last day of September already this month sure did go by fast. I hope the next months go fast too. We are having a nice sunny day again, but was it ever cold last night. It hasn’t gotten as cold to freeze yet. We also got a little rain yesterday. It sure does like to rain over here. Ha.
We also got enough clothes, so you don’t have to send any. I got the candy Donald made and it got here ok. Tell him the guys said he sure can make good candy and also thanks.
Well I hope Dad’s knee is better, is it? Say Minnie, I’m sorry for not getting around to write you, but I just can’t seem to find time, I’ll try tho.
Did Joey get the job at Hays, hope he did. By the time you get this you should be back from Hutchinson. No. I’m still up on lines, I guess we are going to stay up 40 days. If so we got 16 more days to go, then I’ll have 90 days on lines. I’ll be glad when we get in reserve again. I hope this letter finds you all in the best of health, as for me I’m still just fine. I haven’t got much more news so guess I’ll close for this time. Excuse my poor hand writing and all mistakes. So long and don’t work to hard. Bye now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
October 2, 1952
In Korea
Dear Folks,
Just a few lines in answer to your nice long letter which I received today. Was sure glad to have heard from you again and also glad you are all still fine, as for me, I’m glad to say that I’m still ok. I got the letter you wrote on the 23rd also got the pictures. Thanks. You don’t have to have any more made, and you can keep the rest of them.
So Joey is going to work for Wilson huh. Well I’m glad he got a good guy to work for. I sure wish I was working for him again, but as they say fortune of war huh.
Well we go off the lines the 16th of Oct. I have to go out on outpost again tomorrow night, have to stay out there 7 days again, so won’t get to write you again for the next 7 days, after I get back in reserve again I can write more. Say Mom & Dad don’t worry to much about me. I’ll keep my head down. It won’t be much longer and I’ll be back again ok. I want to thank you all for what you are doing for me. I bet it sure is costing you a lot for all the packages and films huh. You don’t have send so many packages.
Well we had a little rain again this morning, but I got a good bunker right now it don’t rain in so I don’t care how much it rains. Haha Sure does like to rain over here tho.
Well I got my beer yesterday, just 6 cans tho. I have to drink them before going on outpost, sounds ok by me. Ha. It won’t be long and it will bet to cold to drink beer.
Say Minnie you ask if I like those pistachio nuts, sure I like them, be good for my beer huh. I’ll be living like Stateside over here. Haha
Well I guess I’ll close for this time I should write to Minnie and Maryann yet today., hope I get time. So don’t worry to much about me and write if you have time. So long for now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Oct 11, 1952
In Korea
Dear Mom & Dad & Family,
I bet you thought I’d never write again huh. Well I just got back from out post last night, so I thought the first thing to do was write home. Sorry I couldn’t write sooner. I had a letter & a package waiting for me when I got back here. Was glad to have heard from you again & that your all still fine. Oh thanks for the package, it sure good to get them. I’m still just fine so don’t worry to much.
Boy we sure haven’t been getting much mail the last past week, sure makes us mad, we don’t get any for about a week then we get it all at once.
Boy it sure is getting cold a night. It isn’t to bad back on lines, we just have 3 hours watch, but on out post we had all night, thats about 11 hours & it gets pretty cold around morning.
Well they changed the world again. We don’t go back to reserve the 16th. We have to stay up longer. The 3rd Btln got hit pretty hard, so there for the hole 1st Div is on lines, there isn’t anybody in reserve right now, so we don’t have any body to relieve us. So don’t know how long we have to stay up here. We’ve been up here 36 days today. Oh well maybe I’ll be in reserve at Xmas huh. There are about 250 men in Easy Co. & we had about 100 of them hit, just this time up too. The 25th draft got here yesterday, so I think we’ll get some new men today. I hope?
I have a lot of work to do today. I’ll write you again tomorrow ok. So long for now & write soon.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
Sun Oct 12
In Korea
Dear Folks & Family,
Hi. Just a few lines in answer to your letter which I received today. I couldn’t write much yesterday on count of not having much time, hope you didn’t get mad.
Well I guess to start out with today is, that I was glad to hear from you again & also glad your all still fine. I’m still ok, but don’t like this cold weather we’ve been having although I must say it keeps our beer cold. Talking of beer, we should get our ration today Guess its getting to cold for beer tho. Say is that me saying that – never to cold for beer huh. Ha I guess I told you I got a package from you yesterday. You asked me if the stuff you send is all right. Sure is anythings ok. Ok say can you get some packaged soup, a guy got some today & it is sure good to have hot soup when its so cold, you don’t have to send a package every week. It cost you to much. You also ask if there are any catholics in our section. Yes there are 6 of us in the 2nd Section that are Catholic.
Well we still don’t know how long we have to stay up on lines, might have to stay a long time yet. Sure will be good to get back in reserve after being on this hill. Our first Sgt said we are going to have 90 days reserve this next time. Boy I sure hope so then maybe I might not have to much on lines anymore. They are not having any peace talks any more, so it don’t look like its going to end. I just hope the goonies don’t push until the snow flys. After it gets cold we don’t have to much to worry about.
Well how everything still back home. I guess it won’t be to much longer & it will be getting pretty cold back there huh. Say is Joey working for Wilson now. I just got one letter from him since he’s been home. I guess the mail just hasn’t been coming in right. I just got two letters in the last 10 days, that isn’t good ha.
I’ve got a few more pictures to take yet, then I’ll send you 3 rolls of films. I sure hope these turn out good. If they don’t. I guess I’ll stop taken them. Ha.
I got the WaKeeney paper to yesterday.
Well I got up this morning at 10:30. I’ve been in my bunker all day. Nice like huh, just sit around all day. I just got 3 hours watch tonight so don’t have it bad right now. I guess if we stay up here longer, we have to go back out on outpost again. Oh well, I don’t care just as long as I get back ok. I have to spend so much time over here, so might as well stay up on lines, but it would be good to be in reserve. Ha. I went out last night on a patrol & a guy that just got her on the 25th draft & it was his first patrol, he got killed last night, he was just 1 day up here on lines as they say, when a guys time is up its up. Guess that’s no way to look at it tho. Boy well I’ll be glad when I pull in that good old town WaKeeney. I won’t leave that place till my leaves up. I might just stay at home. I don’t have a car any way ha. I haven’t missed my car much yet but I bet after I get home I’ll wish I’d still have it. Ha. Oh well I’ve done so much walking over here I guess I can walk back there.
Well Mom & Dad I guess I’ll close for today. So write again soon. I’m still just fine so don’t worry to much about me. I’ll write you again tomorrow. Don’t work to hard & I’ll see you all I hope in 5 more months. Boy isn’t that going to be the day. Just before I get home I’ll write to all the beer places & tell them to get a lot of beer on hand for Schuster is coming home. I bet you think I’m a drunkard huh.
Well so long for now & the best of luck to you all.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
October 13, 1952
In Korea
Dear Mom, Dad & Family,
Just a few line in answer to your letter which I received today, was very glad to hear from you again and also that your all still fine. I’m still in good health and intend to stay that way. I also received a letter from Joey today and just got through answering it.
I’m in my bunker and I go on watch before to long. I just got 4 hours tonight. “Is all”!!! I’m using a candle to see to write with, so here’s hoping you can read it. I just got through firing the 50 cal machine gun, that is here in my bunker. I just fired two boxes, that’s only 210 rounds. I have to fire it at 7:30, 10:30 and 4:30 every night. All it is H&I firing. You know – just to let the goonies know we are still here (ha!) and sometimes they fire back. “that isn’t good” (ha)
Well we still haven’t gotten any word when we’re to go out on out post again. I don’t mind it to bad, just that we don’t get much sleep for 7 days.
You asked me if it would be ok to send a few cans of beer in the packages. I don’t know why not, sounds ok by me. You also asked what I would like to have for Christmas. Well I can’t use much of anything. A ½ pint would be nice. AHEM. (ha)
Boy, I’m sure not getting very many letter any more. I wrote to Johnnie but he hasn’t answered my letter. I also wrote to Franking and just got one letter from him and that’s been two months. Guess they don’t have much time to write. But Joe still writes to me. They just don’t know how good it is to get a letter.
Well by the sounds of your letter you’re still working hard. I guess Joey likes plumbing pretty good, he said it was a lot better than being in the service.(ha) I sure wish I was back there again.
We are sure having a lot of casualties this time up on lines. We also lose a lot of machine guns, but our section (2nd) got by pretty lucky again. The 1st and 3rd had a lot of causalities.
The weather over here is sure getting cold. We haven’t had any rain for over two weeks now. It might even snow before we get off lines. Sure will be nice to be in reserve. I don’t think we have to do much in reserve during the winter, just sleep (ha).
Well I know I haven’t got much news again, & its about time for me to go on watch. So write again soon. I’ll write again as soon as I can. Don’t work to hard. The best of luck to you all back home. Bye now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
October 17, ‘52
In Korea
Dear Mom, Dad & Family,
Just a few lines in answer to your letter which I received today. I also received two packages yesterday. Thanks again for the packages, sure is good to get them. Was glad to hear from you again & glad your all still fine. Don’t worry I’m still just fine & intend to stay that way. I received the letter you wrote on Oct. 6, the one that Don wrote and put in with yours.
You said the 7th Marines Regiment lost it’s hill, yes they did, but it was the 1st Bttn. 7th Marines, and as you know I’m in the 2nd Btln. So please don’t worry to much OK, I think I worry more than you do (ha). If I get off of this hill, I think I’ve got it made.
Well today is the 17th and we still don’t know when we are going in reserve as I say in all my letters. I’ll be glad when we get back there again. We are still doing about the same things, I have to go on a patrol again tonight, Have to stay out there till 2:30 in the morning. We have to walk about 11/2 and to top it all off, I’ve got to carry the machine gun, “(it’s just 35 lbs.)”. We have to go out on outpost again in 8 days.
We’ll we had more rain yesterday and last night, It sure is getting cold every night, they say we don’t do to much over here during the winter, but you don’t know the marines. (ha)
I got 3 letters today one from Wilson and one from Jim, so it looks like I’ve got more writing to do and don’t have much time to do it in. (ha).
So Joey and Betty Ann got engaged huh. Well I guess everybody are getting married or engaged, oh well I guess its ok. Maybe in about five years I’ll be getting married – who knows huh. I got a letter from Wilson and they said the girl I used to go with from Page City got married too, I think you know her, Wanda Reagar. I’m still writing to a catholic girl at Hutchinson. I don’t think you know her. I met her at Pratt, Kansas, her name is Pat Bryant, you know I have to write to some girl (Ha).
Yes we can fire back at the Reds. I guess the place that he meant was at the Punminyon road, they have a no fire zone there. That is where I was at my first time up, the firing zone is about 40 yds wide, 20 yds to the right of the road and 20 yds to the left of it. So maybe that is what he meant, but where I’m at right now we can fire at them.
You asked me what I would like to have for Xmas. Well I haven’t got any hints. Maybe I’ll get mine when I go home. I also wish we was in reserve at Xmas. I think Xmas will make a lot of guys homesick. If you want to you can send a ½ pint or so, for me & the guys in my section, some guys have been getting some. I’ll tell you a good way you can pack it. Get a loaf of bread and put it inside, then it won’t break (ha.)
Well folks I’ve got some more letters to write, so guess I’ll close for this time. Don’t work to hard and write again soon. I’m not much of a letter writer, but hope this will do. Bye now.
Your Son
Love
Clarence
October 18, 52,
In Korea
Dear Folks & Family,
Received a letter today the one you wrote on Oct 8, was sure glad to hear from you again and also glad your still fine. I’m still just fine and very glad to say so, I’m still the same old Clarence. I don’t think I change any at all. Ha. I received a letter from Frankie today, but guess I’ll wait till morning to answer it. Me & my two buddies are sitting here in our bunker writing letters and it is about time for one of us to go on watch, we don’t know who is going on first. Ha. Well we just pick numbers, and I go on 2nd so I got about 2 hours before going on watch. Well so much for that huh.
Well we are still doing the same things here on line, like standing watch and going on patrols. We still don’t know when we will go in reserve. I guess I write the same old things in every letter. I guess I told you that I’m getting the packages ok.
You ask if the guy that is 27 years old got drafted, yes he did, but he don’t have any kids. He came in Nov 28, 1951, and I came in Nov 5, 51. He came over on the 22nd draft. He was 26 when he got drafted tho.
The weather is still about the same, and haven’t had any more rain, but its pretty cool during the night. I wish you would get a little rain back there, I bet you are wishing the same thing huh.
I haven’t heard anymore from Joey _____, I wrote him last and never did write back again. I guess they call our two outposts (hells twin) back in the States, we are still holding them so I guess that’s why you never heard of them yet.
Oh, I also got the WaKeeney paper today. Thanks.
Well I guess it won’t be much longer and Joe & Betty will be getting married. Sure would be nice if they could wait till I got home. Sure would be good to go to a good wedding dance again. Ha. I bet I forgot how to dance. Ha. Ok Ok so I never did no how. Ha.
Well I guess everything in WaKeeney is still about the same huh. Has there been very many guys drafted in the last few months.
Well folks I guess I’ll close for this time. I’ll lay down and get a little sleep before going on watch, sure will be nice when I can lay down and sleep all night again. I go on from 9:30 till 11:30 then from 3:30 till 5:30. So guess I better try and get some sleep. Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health and don’t work to hard. I’ll try and write again tomorrow night. Say Mom please don’t worry to much. I’m still ok. I’ll be home before you no it ha. Oh the guys that are in the rear have to stay a lot longer than the guys up on lines. I think they have to stay about 14 to 16 months we have to stay about 10 to 11 months.
Well so long and the best of luck to you all back home. By-now.
Your son
Love
Clarence
P.S.
Write soon?
October 25, ‘52
In Korea
Dear Mom, Dad & Family –
Well I guess its about time I write huh. I’ve received 3 letters since I wrote last – so will try and drop you a few line in return. Was glad to hear from you again, and that your all still fine – I’m still just fine. I’m still up on lines – this is over 50th day up and they still don’t know when we’re going back, although now I’ve been up on front lines 100 days – not bad huh? Out of 51/2 months. Today is Sat, and we go back up on out post again Mon or Tues, this time we have to stay up 10 days, so you won’t get any letters again. I sure will be glad when I get off of these lines. I think we will have a long reserve this time.
The weather is sure getting cold. Guess we’re going to have to make us a stove so we can keep warm here in our bunker.
Yes the goonies are taking a lot of their hills back – they haven’t’ gotten the one I’m on yet. We went out on patrol again last night. But just got one red, or as we say goonie. We even took him back with us.
I got a letter from Joey yesterday and also a few letters from some friends in Colby & Oakley. Got one from Pat too!!! She’s the girl from Hutchinson. She sure is a nice girl. She don’t do any running around, she’s catholic – working – 18 years old and saving all her money – she also said she’s waiting for me – and no other man can take my place, (ha). Don’t see how she can say that, do you (ha) and she don’t some nor drink.
Sorry to hear your not getting any rain, we got some more rain Wed. and a little last night, sure does get cold when it rains. I guess it won’t be much longer and one of those rains will turn to snow. In a way I wish the snow was here then there isn’t much chance for the goonies to make a push.
I haven’t taken any more pictures – so don’t know when I’ll send these fils home. There just isn’t anything to take pictures of.
I’m still doing about the same things. Had to work yesterday building a bunker for the Doc.
Well I’ve got to write Joey a few line yet. So guess I’ll close for this time. Don’t work to hard and don’t worry to much. Write again soon. Bye now.
P.S. I’ll write before Going on out post
Love
Your Son
Clarence
October 26 ’52
In Korea
Dear Folks –
I’ve got two hours before going on watch so though I’d write a few lines. Well today is Sunday and to us over here its just another day. They don’t have mass up here on lines on Sunday – we have it on Tuesday. They try and have mass for the boys in Btln on Sunday. I didn’t do to much today, I just had 2-1/2 hours watch last nigh, so that wasn’t to bad.
Got our beer ration, Wed and, Dave and I drank about 8 cans, got to feeling pretty good, and was sitting here talking about the good old days and got pretty homesick, didn’t have any more beer – so we went to bed, Dave is 20 years old and married and it sure is hard for those guys. Sure will be good when we can all go home again. A guy just don’t realize how good he had it back home till he comes over here.
Well it won’t be long and I’ll be in the Marines a year. I got in Nov. 6 and Nov. 5 I’ll be over here 6 months. Six months without going any place or having a good time, it won’t seem right to go back to where they have big towns and cars again. Oh well in 5 more months I’ll be coming home. I’m going down hill now (ha).
The weather is still about the same, it was pretty cool all during the day isn’t to much on the weather to write about – but have to write a little about it or the letter wouldn’t sound right. Ha ha.
Joey said in his letter that he would wait till I got home before getting married – he’s going to have a long wait – but it would be nice if they did wait.
I’m still getting letters from Jim A. & Harold S. I wrote to him when he was in the
States – then he said he was coming to Korea and haven’t heard from since. I got a letter from Jim and he said Harold was on his way over here. I guess you know George B. is over here too. I guess Jim is the only one that hasn’t been over here yet. I’m the only one that has seen the front lines. The Navy don’t even know what fighting a war is. I guess Francis and the guys that never leave the States think they got it rough. They don’t even know what the word rough means. Oh well I guess there’s better days ahead for me.
I guess I told you in my last letter that I’m going out on outpost for 10 days. So guess this will be my last letter till I come back off of Hell’s Twin. I guess you have heard about the goonies talking to us over the loudspeaker haven’t you. Well they are talking again right now. It’s 7:30 so they talk to us all night again. They do that about once a week. They want us to give up. They say they got good food and nice warm lace to stay and that we can write letters home. There isn’t any Marine that will give up, we are fighting for the U.S. and there isn’t a man over that that will give himself up. They say if we don’t give up, that we will all die, but they forget one thing, they have to come get us first. Ha. Please don’t tell any one all this – for there’s things that we’re not suppose to write home. There’s a lot of things that they don’t’ let the papers know about and its best they don’t know. Well I guess I’ve better not write to much huh.
Sorry to hear your not getting any rain, sure wish you had some of rain we’ve been getting. It don’t look to good for wheat, does it? Maybe you’ll get a lot of snow this winter.
Well there isn’t to much to write about, guess I never do have much news. I guess I’ll close and lay down a while before going on watch. So write again if you have time. Don’t worry to much for I’ll be home before you know it. I’ll write as soon as I come off of outpost OK? The best of luck to you all back home. Bye now.
Your Son
Love Clarence
ASSAULT ON RENO - Outpost War (Page 196-197)
In late October, division intelligence anticipated that a buildup of enemy forces would strike Outpost Reno, Carson, or Vegas. As a consequence, prior to 1800 on 26 October, a majority of the supporting arms, artillery, and tanks was directed toward this area. Outpost Reno was further protected by a supplemental platoon dug in at the rear. This position, called Reno Block, guarded the most vulnerable part of Reno and was destined to play a vital role in the fighting to come.
At 1800 on 26 October, an ambush platoon from Easy Company, 2/7, departed for Reno Block. On reaching the hill, the men concealed themselves in prepared positions that had been dug and camouflaged. While they waited, as they had done on previous nights, two companies of Chinese were stealthily circling Reno to attack it from the rear. At mid-night, the Marines at Reno Block detected faint noises to their front as enemy troops deployed for the assault. The ambush platoon remained quiet and undetected as the enemy assembled directly in front of them.
Alerting Reno of the presence and location of Chinese troops, the men of the ambush platoon held their fire. When it appeared that the assault was about to begin, they fired. The ambush took the Chinese completely by surprise. When they turned to engage the ambush, the Marines on Reno began shooting. The enemy force was caught in a deadly cross fire and withdrew forty minutes later.
Three hours later, at 0400, another company assaulted Reno from the northeast. This assault also lasted forty minutes before Marine artillery broke it up. Enemy casualties for this encounter were estimated at sixty killed and fifty-six wounded. The Marines kept Reno but lost nine killed and forty-nine wounded.
In October, the order of battle for the 7th Marines was the 2nd Battalion, on the left, responsible for Outposts Carson, Reno, and Vegas; the 3d Battalion, in the center, with Outposts Berlin and East Berlin; and the 1st Battalion, on the right, manning Outposts Ronson, Warsaw, and Verdun.
“E” Company
2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
1st Marine Division (Reinf) FMF
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
Mr. Joe Schuster
WaKeeney, Kansas
Dear Mr. Schuster,
The untimely death of your son, Private First Class Clarence L. Schuster, U.S. Marine Corps, is a source of great sorrow to me and his many friends in this company. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your bereavement.
I know you wish to learn the circumstances surrounding the death of your son. Clarence, acting as a machine-gunner was attached to a rifle platoon which had the mission of defending a strategic hill overlooking one of our outposts. He was manning his machine gun when the enemy launched a full scale assault upon the outpost. The fire from Clarence’s gun and those of the platoon caught the enemy between the deadly cross fires of the outpost and their platoon. Suddenly enemy mortar shells began to land in the area. It was at this time that he was mortally wounded. He died instantly and suffered no pain.
Clarence’s integrity and devotion to duty won for him the respect of all who knew him. Although I realize that words can do little to console you in your grief, I earnestly hope that the knowledge that your son is keenly missed by his many friends will in some measure alleviate your sadness.
Sincerely yours,
James R. Flores
Captain U.S. M.C
Commanding.
From a web-site (forgot to write it down)
Carson was the westernmost outpost, located 800 yards from the MLR. It blocked two Chinese positions--Ungok and Arrowhead. Reno was situated in the center. It was the farthest from the MLR, about 1,600 yards, and the most difficult to defend because of rough terrain.
Just south of Reno was an area called the Reno Block. Occupied only at night, it was established to stop an enemy drive on the MLR if COP Reno fell. Vegas, the highest of the outposts, was to the right of Reno and approximately 1,300 yards in front of the MLR.
In his book, The Final Crucible: Marines in Korea, 1953, author Lee Ballenger wrote: "The location of the Nevada Cities was a problem. They were surrounded by higher ground held by the enemy, and each one depended on the others for flank defense. If one outpost fell, the others were as vulnerable as a stack of dominos in a hurricane. As March waned, the winds began to blow."
Who is Wilson
Who is Jim A
Who is Harold S.
Connie's conversation with Harold Loy, March 2, 2004
He read some of Clarence’s letters and the one of Sept 23, talks about getting a cigar to celebrate the birth of his buddies baby born on the 16th. This was Harold’s daughter. Harold said that her birth saved his life. He was out on the outpost and received work to return to the MLR. When he returned they told him that his daughter had been born and all was fine. He asked if he should return to the outpost and they told him to wait until morning. The outpost was overrun that night and wiped out.
He said the Chinese would sound a bugle before they charged and when they charged it looked like ants swarming a hill.
He arrived in Korea in February 1952. He said that he and Clarence were in different squads so they were not on the outpost at the same time. He was also a machine gunner – 30 and 50 calibur.
He mentioned that one of Clarence’s letters said that there were 6 Catholics in the unit – Harold was one of them.