SGT Martin E Conlon
US 51 213 731
Co. D 34th INF. REGT. APO. 24
c/o P.M. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
TO:
Mr. & Mrs. William Conlon
9 Elizabeth Drive
Bethpage, Long Island
New York, USA
Sept. 25, 1954
Korea
Dear Dot & Bill:
It is Saturday afternoon, its raining and there is no training or details, so it gives me a very good chance to drop you a line or two. There isn’t much of any news, but I wanted to let you know not to write after you received this letter. I haven’t received my orders to go home as yet, but they should be here by the 10th of October. They had a drop today which took an E.T.S.1 up to Nov. 17, 1954. In other words, anyone that gets out of the Army by the 17th and is still over here will go home on this drop. They clear post on the 28th of Sept. and leave here for the Debarkation point on the 2nd of October. I figure that maybe two more drops and they will be up to my name as my time is supposed to be up over here the 20th of Sept. There are so many fellows leaving this regiment at the same time, they had to keep some here a little longer than we were supposed to stay. As soon as I can clear post I will feel a lot better because as of then I am officially relieved of duty and no matter how long I stay here waiting for a ship to come in at the Debarkation Center they can’t do a thing to me such as details, guard, C.Q.2, headcount, etc. and no training. The important thing is to get the orders.
After we receive orders, they set a date for us to clear port in other words, we go to all important units such as Red Cross Library, hospital, courts & boards, T.I.&E.3 personnel, etc. to see if we are clear on their records. They see that we have dog tags, ID card, the proper shots, that our clothing form is clear, etc. After that is done, we come back to the company and turn in all station property except our field equipment and bunk. The day we leave, we turn in our bunk and head for the division replacement company which is about 20 miles from here. We take all our field equipment with us to this point and leave it here. We will stay there about one day and night and then take the train to Seoul, which is 90 miles from there and about a 5 hour ride believe it or not. Then we board trucks and head for Inchon about 20 more miles. Usually they stay there about five to seven days, depending on the number of ships waiting. At this time we receive a partial pay, get a Class A uniform, get all our records checked and turn in all our clothes except our boots unless they are in bad shape. They give us 2 new sets of fatigues, three sets of underwear, three pr. of socks and a new pr. of boots if the old ones are no good. You see, I will be traveling very light, about half a duffel bag. They also tell us what ship we will be going home on when it leaves and when it hits the States. They also tell us where we will be released from the Army which in my place will probably be Camp Kilmer, N.J.4
After we hit the states, they get us on a troop train or a plane for the East Coast as soon as possible. It will take us about three days to get out of the Army and will I be glad when that happens. If I go to Kilmer, I will probably call you up and may stay a day or two with you if it is alright.
I was very surprised and terribly sorry to hear about the death of Pete Collins5. It must have been a terrible shock to everyone. I wrote a letter to Alice yesterday expressing my sorrow. Ann6 wrote and told me about the funeral and also sent some clippings along.
I hope that you are all fine and I imagine that the baby is big by now. I am looking forward to seeing him when I get home. Well, there isn’t much more to write about, so the next time you hear from me I will probably be at Inchon Harbor waiting for a ship. At least I hope so. Give my regards to everyone and see you soon.
Love
Eddie
Notes:
1. Expiration of Term of Service, or the date on which the service member is free to leave the military or re-enlist.
2. Charge of Quarters, a military duty where a service member guards the barracks.
3. Troop Information and Education.
4. Camp Kilmer was a massive installation between Edison and Piscataway
5. Pete Collins was married to Alice R. Fogarty, the sister of Ed’s father’s first wife Margaret Elena Fogarty.
6. Ann is Ann Conlon, Ed’s aunt.
