PVT Martin E Conlon
US 51213731
Co. D 34th INF. REGT.
APO. 24 c/o P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL
TO:
Mr. and Mrs. William Conlon
9 Elizabeth Drive
Bethpage, Long Island
New York
July 31, 1953
Yong Dong Po1
Dear Dot and Bill:
Well, so far we have done quite a bit of traveling throughout Korea. We have gone from Pusan in the southern tip to within 10,000 yards of the front line and now we are located 7 miles South of Seoul. Fortunately for us, there were no attacks of large force, otherwise we would have probably gone into combat. The day they signed the ceasefire agreement2, we moved out to make room for the divisions on the front line to move back. According to the cease fire agreement, all divisions, equipment and weapons had to be moved 4000 meters from the front line within 72 hours.
We took a convoy, which was very dirty and dusty through many towns and villages that were hit during the war of which Seoul was the worst hit. I never have seen a place hit so hard. the section passed through by us really proved this. There was hardly a building left untouched; it was either bullet ridden or bombed out.
It was dark when we arrived in Yong Dong Po so we slept in an old dilapidated building that night. The roof was partly burned off, no windows in the place, plaster off the walls, and bullet holes all over the place. The construction of the building showed that it was either a school or a hotel.
We spent the night and part of the next day in this building. About five o’clock the next day we put up our squad tents, which will hold about 12 men comfortably. When we finished that job it was rather late, so we cleaned up a little bit and went to bed. The next two days they let us sleep until seven o’clock so that was OK by us.
The purpose for us being here is to take the prisoners of war from the railroad across the street to the stockade and the camp where they spend the night. The next day they are supposed to be loaded on trains and we are to escort them up north to what they call the “Freedom Bridge3,”where we walked them the last 500 yards.
Yesterday the first train load arrived and everything went according to plan with no trouble at any time. We took in about 1800 prisoners and 600 of them were officers. The others were mostly old men and we didn’t have any trouble from them either.
Last night our group was on alert so we had to sleep with all our clothes on in a building next to the prisoners. We also have to have our gas mask with us all night because in case of any serious trouble we were going to use either tear gas or vomiting gas. It most likely would have been to your guests because vomiting gas can cause a person to choke to death if he is not treated properly and immediately. Again last night there was no trouble and everything was quiet all night except for some singing in the early morning, but they soon stopped when they were told to.
We were supposed to take these prisoners out this morning, but for some reason they are still here. There is word that they aren’t going to take any more in for a few days. I don’t know the reason why.
That brings up to date so I guess that is about all the news for now. I will try to write again soon when I when anything of interest happens. I hope that everyone is fine and in good health and that you had a good time on that on the trip to Whitman. Give my regards to all.
Love
Eddie
Notes.
1. Yong Dong Po (Yeongdeungpo) is an the Han River which was a scene of many battles.
2. The armistice (cease fire agreement) was signed July 27, 1953.
3. The Freedom Bridge across the Imjin River was used to repatriate prisoners of war.
