Dear Mom & Dad,
Just a brief note to let you know that I am well and fine. I'm still in the
field. I don't know when we will be getting back to Blackhorse. We have been
getting rain every day and it's getting quite muddy. We moved from our last location
at the 1st Infantry Div. base camp at Phu Loi and set up out
in the field. Here there is nothing - no latrines, no showers, no PX or
anything. We are quite away from civilization and things here are kind of lively.
We are attached to another infantry division and these guys are as jumpy as hell.
Every time an artillery round goes out they all dive for the bunkers. Just
yesterday we had a scare. A couple of guys brought back some M-79 rounds that they
found outside the perimeter. Charlie had booby-trapped them and one went off about
100 meters from our mess truck. It got four guys. They called for a "dust
off" (medical evacuation helicopter) and flew them to the hospital. When the
round went off, everybody thought it was a mortar round. It took me about seven
seconds to get to the bunker. I never ran so fast in all my life. (editors
note: two sentences redacted out of respect for the wounded). Fortunately, none of
the four were seriously wounded. I got some pictures of the evacuation.
Actually we have been fortunate being here not to have made contact. I don't know
what the war reports stateside are but things are pretty quiet here. Just occasional
contact here and there. As of yet, I have seen no evidence of Charlie in this area.
(editor's note: four sentences redacted because of mistaken information)
Enclosed in this letter are two money orders each for $100. Put this money on my
bank book. Next month my allotment will take effect and you will get my money
directly from the government. Write me periodically and let me know what my bank
balance is. It might help to build my morale. Somehow all this doesn't seem so
bad when I stop and think of the money I am saving. I can only say that I am looking
forward to the day when I can spend it.
I am going to cut this letter short because I have to go cook the supper meal.
Say hello to everyone for me and tell Dick I will write him as soon as we get back to base
camp when I will have more time.
By for now!
Love,
Bob
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