K Troop 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

The Blackhorse In Vietnam 1966 - 1972

hosted by Bob Hersey

 

My Letters Home

My
Letters Home

"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


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