"Greetings Once Again From Vietnam"
During my one year tour of duty with K Troop from April 17, 1968 until April 9, 1969 I
sent home to my mother and father 92 letters (of which all survived). In addition, I
sent home 22 audio cassette tapes.
All of my letters are reprinted here. My first letter was sent home April 18,
1968. My intention was to reproduce the letters as accurately as possible and in
their original form. I think that I have achieved that goal however, to protect my
privacy and to be sensitive to the reader I have edited out some portions of the letters.
It's unlikely that anyone will read all 92 letters but they are here non-the-less
for anyone who wishes to follow the progress of this K Troop cook's tour of duty in
Vietnam.
Bob Hersey
May 20, 1999
April 18, 1968 My first letter home
April 19, 1968 1 week of specialized training
April 21, 1968 American TV & radio
April 22, 1968 Weather, hot & dry
April 25, 1968 Finished school today
April 26, 1968 1st Infantry Div. Base Camp
April 29, 1968 First enemy assault
May 03, 1968 Four wounded by booby-trap
May 08, 1968 Today I made biscuits
May 09, 1968 A Village in flames
May 10, 1968 Paris Peace Talks begin
May 13, 1968 Bridge work
May 15, 1968 Reactionary forces for Saigon
May 17, 1968 My combat pay piles up
May 21, 1968 Incoming, our own artillery
May 26, 1968 A swimming pool?
May 29, 1968 My camera - casualty of war
June 02, 1968 Mess trailer lost
June 06, 1968 Howitzer explodes
June 09, 1968 Met a guy from Maine
June 10, 1968 A rugged life for rugged men
June 13, 1968 Baked rolls today
June 18, 1968 TV in the barracks
June 21, 1968 Back to the pool
June 22, 1968 Long Binh
June 25, 1968 Chieu Hoi
June 26, 1968 Invited to a party
June 28, 1968 Package from home
June 30, 1968 My birthday party
July 02, 1968 "Killing K Troop"
July 05, 1968 My new jacket
July 12, 1968 Cake decorating
July 15, 1968 My film order
July 21, 1968 More film
July 26, 1968 3rd Tet Offensive
July 28, 1968 Hot rolls
July 31, 1968 The promotion board
Aug 03, 1968 Promoted - Yippee!
Aug 06, 1968 Packages arrive
Aug 12, 1968 Enemy action
Aug 14, 1968 Col. Patton's on the job
Aug 16, 1968 Enemy contact
Aug 23, 1968 Back from the field
Aug 28, 1968 Killer tank team
*Sept.1, 1968 Col. Patton Visits
Sept. 3, 1968 Ramblings from Bien Hoa
Sept. 8, 1968 My photos arrive home
Sept.13,1968 Supplies request for R&R
Sept.16,1968 Received $50 OK
Sept.23,1968 "Spit 'N Polish" at Tan
Son Nhut
Sept.24,1968 Kool-Aid from Michigan
Sept.26,1968 Dave leaves the Mess Hall
Oct. 1, 1968 Bought new camera - Petri
35mm
Oct. 4, 1968 Dave is back. Saadi
goes home
Oct. 5, 1968 Don't send food
Oct. 6, 1968 Painting the ACAVs
Oct.10, 1968 R&R preparations
Oct. 12,1968 Half way home
Oct. 16,1968 Leave tomorrow for R&R
Oct. 24,1968 Back from Bangkok
Oct. 28,1968 "Three-Three" driver
killed
Nov. 5,1968 Bob Press is Killed
Nov.10,1968 Blumenstock invites me to Saigon
Nov.13,1968 Two new tracks, new replacements
Nov.21,1968 Acting Mess Sargent
Nov.29,1968 Thanksgiving dinner in the field
Dec. 2, 1968 Request money for tape
recorder
Dec. 5, 1968 New mess hall equipment
Dec. 11, 1968 The Jerry Lewis Show on TV
Dec. 17, 1968 Send money
Dec. 21, 1968 Getting ready for IG inspection
Jan. 9, 1969 Inspection results
Jan. 13, 1969 Two new cooks - one new CO
Jan. 17, 1969 Two ACAVs lost to mines
Jan. 20, 1969 The war is coming to an end
Jan. 24, 1969 Two ACAVs lost - VC captured
Jan. 27, 1969 The CIB that never was
Feb. 3, 1969 Steak and fries at
Barney's
Feb. 15, 1969 Dave gets his orders home
Feb. 16, 1969 Base closes for Tet
Feb. 17, 1969 Orders for Ft. Benning, GA
Feb. 26, 1969 Six month extension - maybe?
Feb. 28, 1969 Back to Tan Son Nhut
March 10, '69 Capt. Middaugh is shot down
March 14, '69 Plans for returning home
March 15, '69 More plans for home
March 16, '69 Trouble in paradise
March 21, '69 Dave goes home - I go to war
March 26, '69 Medevaced to the hospital
March 27, '69 I have my Port Call
March 28, '69 Clothing regulations change
April 2, 1969 Sewing up loose ends
May 19, 1969 My second tour begins
* Approximate Date
