Day 1 139 Days Left First letter from Vietnam. Found desk job in Dong Ha. Picture of home sweet home
May 20
Dear Maxie,
Well, I got my desk job. Am working in a company office at Dong Ha, which is pretty close to the DMZ but behind the lines. It’s pretty safe here, so don’t worry about me. The only danger I have here is incoming artillery every now and then and we have pretty good trenches for that. Still beats being out in the bush with the rest and getting shot at.
The only thing that really bothers me here is the heat – it is HOT. It will take me quite a while to get used to the heat. I exist with a cup of warm water to sip on nearby. I don’t know how hot it gets, but, I’m sweating how just sitting here writing a letter.
It’s a little hard for me to eat much – I’ll have to get used to being hot first and then I can start eating again. What I crave most is something cold – and it’s almost impossible to find. Ice is worth more that money around here.
The outfit I’m working for has had quite a time out in the field. They’ve had a lot of guys killed or wounded in the past couple of days. I’m thankful that I get to stay back here which is pretty great compared to the front. There is a club which has cold beer and cokes if you get there first. There is also a p.x. that doesn’t have much more than cigarettes. The guys out don’t get anything and have a pretty hard time out there. It’s a hot, dirty, mean war and Marines get hurt and some get killed. Seems like an awful place to die – halfway around the world from home but I guess it has to be done.
I live in a tent with six other guys which is also the company office. They have bunkers dug to sleep in so we don’t have to worry about incoming at night. Anyway I look at it, it beats the shit out of being up front and I’m thankful for that.
My Address is L Company, 3rd Bn 4 Marines 3d Mar Div FPO San Francisco 96602
All I can tell you now is that I miss you very much and that I love you. Hope the time will pass quickly so I can be home with you and out of here. I love you.
