1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Bill Saling Page 2

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Bill Saling

1965-1967

August 1966

August 1, 1966

Quiet day. We took an inventory of all the money in the platoon so we could exchange for MPC (Military Pay Certificates).
US currency cannot be used in Vietnam. Dick Donnelly had an intelligence briefing in the afternoon to give us some idea
of what we could expect in and around Pleiku. It sounds like it could be more than we bargained for as for the number
of enemy in the immediate area. Tomorrow is the big day we land in Okinawa around 1700 hours. I borrowed some
civilian clothes so I can get off now with no sweat. Played cards tonight and won two dollars. Stayed on deck tonight
watching the moon and thinking of you.

August 2, 1066

Today is the day. We should dock in Okinawa about 1800 hours. During my map reading class this afternoon the ship
all of a sudden leaned way over and started to turn in a circle. Later we found out the turn was to avoid another ship.
Sighted land for the first time in 11 days this morning at 0815 hours, sighted Okinawa about 1600 hours and finally docked at 1900 hours.

Only officers and non-commissioned officers E-6 and above could leave the ship, all the rest of the troops had to stay onboard.
It was a near mutiny when we left. Troops were lined up along the ship rail throwing anything they could at us as we left the ship.

We had a quick briefing with the MP (Military Police) to learn about curfews and areas that were off limits.

Paul Protzman (Recon platoon leader) and I ran like hell to get the first cab into Naha. Met Fiacco and Babcock at the cab
and so we all rode in together, these cabbies drive like they have their head up their ass. We were lucky to survive the ride.
We got into town and it was just like Bourbon Street in New Orleans, every bar had a guy out front opening the door and
trying to coax you in, once inside you have a girl on your arm, “you buy drink”. The waiter gives the girls a “chit” piece of paper
for every drink they hustle. The girls turn in the chits at the end of the night and they get paid for each drink hustled.

After a time the bars all looked alike until we got to this one bar that had a band. Well it took Fiacco about two seconds
to get a guitar and start playing. The crowd loved it and we had a great time.

We wound up in some bar going upstairs when I got pushed and fell through the wall (it was made of some kind of paper).
Well it seems there was a “couple” in bed on the other side of the paper wall and things got a little tense before we got out of there.

Our curfew was 0100 hours. We got back just in time. The Chaplain was waiting dockside for us.

Remember I told you the enlisted troops couldn’t leave the ship? Well it seems some took offense to being stuck on the ship
so they repelled down the side of the ship, inflated their air mattress and tried to get to shore. The SP (Shore patrol) had some time
fishing them out of the harbor. When caught they almost all replied, “what are you going to do, send me to Vietnam”.
They were confined to the ship’s brig until we landed and then they were given Article 15’s, non-judicial punishment.

August 3, 1966

Well, today we left Okinawa at 0800 hours and headed for Vietnam. Found out one of our waiters at dinner was knifed in a fight
and died while ashore last night. He was working on his masters degree and this was his summer job.

Capt. Samson is not feeling well and really doesn’t look good. Everyone was talking about last night in Okinawa as if
it were a college party. Well, the rumor mill is active onboard. It seems that our advanced party was attacked in Pleiku
and suffered some causalities according to a radio bulletin last night. (was not true).

Right now the ship has stopped dead in the water? The reason was a breakdown in the steering mechanism.
It was repaired in two hours and we were back underway.

Tonight, everyone is becoming more somber as our voyage nears its end, even I can’t think of anything funny to say,
everyone seems to be thinking their own thoughts.

August 4, 1966

Today’s excitement was a “man overboard drill”. About 1300 hours we heard 3 rings on the bell and the ship went into a steep turn.
We all ran out to see a buoy floating behind the ship. I got some good pictures of the “rescue”.

We passed Formosa around noon today and our course now takes us further into the South China Sea. Sgt. Bracy, my ammo NCO
and I computed the basic load breakdown when we arrive in Vietnam. Tonight I’ll have to repack tactically, when we get off this ship
the games are over.

I attended the Protestant service with communion with Chaplain Sauer, our battalion chaplain and it was very nice.
When Chaplain Sauer said some of “us” would be dead before we could have another communion service everything
was definitely very quite. The service was held on the rear deck of the ship with a make shift alter and a chalk line
drawn on the deck for the communion rail.

At 1900 hours I held a platoon meeting and briefed my men that at 0800 hours on Saturday August 6th our brigade
would make an amphibious landing on the beach at Qui Nhon, Vietnam..

Word had reached us that the 25 Division was getting the hell knocked out of them.
I enclosed a church debarkation bulletin and our ships newsletter.
Well, time for bed, have finished packing and am ready to move.

August 5, 1966

Inspected my platoon at 1400 hours to make sure their packs were secure and their weapons ready for tomorrow.
My stuff is all squared away. Capt. Samson passed out three rubbers to every man in the company to prevent VD.
Well, Sgt. Bracy came by and said we had to get our mail in by 1600 hours, so I’ll write more tomorrow.

We awoke at 0500 hours and watched as we entered into the harbor of Qui Nhon.

Over the loud speakers, "1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry prepare to disembark" — in Qui Nhon, Bình Ðinh, Vietnam.

August 6, 1966

Spent a restless night to say the least. Think I’m getting a cold, have a sore throat and cough. We began to off load our gear
and my job was to accompany and guard all our equipment as it was being unloaded. We (our battalion) weren’t supposed
to get off the ship until tomorrow but Col. Morley came onboard and said they were afraid of probing attacks on our new
base camp outside Pleiku, so the battalion was flown to Pleiku and then trucked to the new base camp. Nobody can believe
the time has now arrived. I should be here in Qui Nhon until next week when all our equipment will be convoyed to our base camp.
Right now I’m sitting on a cot in a tent inside a military compound just outside Qui Nhon.

August 7, 1966

Started my shift down at the dock at 0400 hours. They (transportation folks) worked all night unloading our ship and should be
finished sometime today. Last night they unloaded 265,000 lbs. of cargo and that was a real accomplishment. From all indications
I should be here in Qui Nhon for at least two weeks, maybe more. That is fine since Qui Nhon is secure and the only city that has
not been attacked. Of course, they estimate that 60% of the people here are either VC or VC sympathizers. It is amazing
how these people live. I thought Panama was bad but this place takes the cake. You will see kids everywhere.
Last night I picked up my basic load of ammo, so I feel a little more secure.

Apartment complex Vietnam style - Qui Nhon.

Young children seldom wore any clothes - Qui Nhon.

We had all read about the Buddhist monks setting themselves on fire but this was the first monk we'd ever seen - Qui Nhon.

August 8th, 1966

(I was still in Qui Nhon coordinating the relocation of material and vehicles being off loaded from our ship.)

Today was the same old thing. Went down to the docks and checked off more equipment coming in. Our equipment is all off
our ship the USNS Walker. Now we are unloading the transport ship the USNS Boise Victory. It should take at least two more
weeks to get everything off and moved out. Tonight Major High (our battalion executive officer) came into town and said one man
in C Company was killed this morning. Shot in the head by a friend who thought his pistol was not loaded. Capt. K (won't use names)
was relieved of command and Capt. Ke is replacing him.

Lt. V took a truck convoy up to base camp near Pleiku and was fired upon. The convoy got split up and finally arrived five hours late.
I've made a few suggestions on how to improve and they told me to run the convoy tomorrow. Oh well, I had to make my debut some time.

August 9, 1966

Slept well. Got up at 0500, but breakfast was late so we didn't eat. I was convoy commander but I figured I would ride in the 2nd truck.
However, after I briefed the drivers and we started out the first truck had a dead battery so I now became the lead truck in the convoy.
I aged 10 years in that trip although nothing really happened. There are about 10 bridges between Qui Nhon and Pleiku. All of them
have been destroyed so there are these by-passes you have to use. Just before my convoy got to An Khe this guy ran out into the road
and yelled, "how about a lift". I said get in and do you know who it was? Lou Gardella. He said everything is fine at home. He has 57
days left. Must be great. Arrived at the base camp at 1430 hours and found two feet of mud. I have never seen such a mess in my life.
Trucks were stuck in mud up to their beds. Tanks had to pull the trucks and my jeep out of the mud. Spent the night with Dr. M
(our battalion surgeon). Got your letters today.

My first assignment was to lead convoys from the port of Qui Nhon up Highway 19 to our new base camp outside of Pleiku, Vietnam.

All of the bridges had long since been destroyed by the VC in the area.

Road travel was inherently dangerous so it was not uncommon to have Vietnamese try to mingle with the convoy for protection.

August 10, 1966

Slept in Major High’s bunk because he was in Qui Nhon. Dr. Maur is also staying there so we had a few drinks and went to sleep.
Mortars fired harassing fire at the VC (Viet Cong) all night making quite a racket, but still slept great. One thing I forgot to tell you
the cold I got on the last night on the ship is still with me. I have a bad cough and it interferes with my sleep sometimes. I was
supposed to bring back all the trucks I took up yesterday, but A Company have been committed to a defensive position on our flank
and they will need trucks for ammo and chow resupply.

Started forming the remaining part of the convoy at noon to move out to Pleiku but because the armed support hadn’t showed up
we didn’t leave until 1700 hours. Well needless to say we were driving at night, something you didn’t want to do if you could help it.
I was lead vehicle and as we passed An Khe I saw a flare go up about a mile ahead and a little further up mortar rounds were impacting
about 700 meters off to my right. I don’t know who was shooting but I will say I was well over the speed limit getting out of the area.
We arrived at our base camp in Qui Nhon, went to the club and had a few beers then went to bed.

Lovely An Khe along Highway 19.

Boom Boom GI you number 10. You haven't lived until you've had a Vietnamese haircut. An Khe.

August 11, 1966

Got up around 0700, washed, shaved and got a haircut. Now that was a real experience. They cut your hair, shave your ears, face,
forehead, etc. give you a rub and a massage, plus a shoeshine for a dollar. To have a set of fatigues washed and pressed with starch
costs less than 20 cents. You would love that! I drove into Qui Nhon this afternoon and took some pictures. Will send three rolls
of film home soon. Today was hotter than usual. Went to the club and had a few beers. Checked the guards at midnight, all was ok.

August 12, 1966

No entry today.

(Instead of writing letters home to my wife, Jean, I sent my diary entries with rolls of film. The Army provided mail pouches
for mailing film. I never saw the pictures until I got home in June 1967.)

Housing was tough especially in the cities. This was typical, a collection of scraps that would not do well in monsoon rains - Qui Nhon.

Very few cars on the street — in Qui Nhon.

Everywhere there were orphans from the war. Later we would never allow children to get this close.
On more than one occasion a kid would drop a grenade into a vehicle and run.

The Vietnamese were very industrious, always forging for material. - Qui Nhon.

Main street Qui Nhon.

Black market stall. I don't know where they got the stuff but it was definitely US made products - Qui Nhon.

August 13, 1966

Well last night Major High came down to Qui Nhon and relieved the commander of the rear area and put me in charge. So I’m going
to be in the rear area for probably for two more weeks anyway. If I play my cards right, I’ll be billeted over by the officers club which
will be just fine. Worked all day getting a small room to operate of and setting up tents for the troops. Tonight I went to the club and
had too much to drink. After the club I had a steam bath and a massage for $1.50. It was pretty good except the masseuse was male.
It was 120 degrees today but it is much more comfortable at night.

August 14, 1966

Today at 0615 we sent out our largest convoy yet, 42 vehicles. So my new plan worked well and the convoy ran a lot smoother.
Oh, by the way Major High is still here and last night he said (after drinking with us for a couple of hours) that I was to be recommended
for promotion to Captain. Now, I don’t consider that a possibility but I thought I would mention it anyway. Of course he was probably
talking out his ass with too many beers.

I’m sitting in my bunk now sweating like a pig, it is 130 degrees here and let me tell you that is hot. Eventually you will receive
my Randall knife that your brother gave me because the rule came down we could not carry personal weapons.

We had another man killed, a sergeant who was crushed between two trucks in the mud at the base camp in Pleiku.
Well if this continues the VC can just leave us alone and we’ll kill ourselves.

Convoy just arrived from Pleiku. They said a patrol went out this afternoon around the base perimeter and a guy was killed
when the grenade on his belt got snagged on a branch and exploded. Injured three others.

The dirt from each trip was amazing. I didn't think I would ever be clean again.

August 15, 1966

This morning got up as usual 0500 hours and sent out another convoy, 72 vehicles. This convoy was the biggest yet and went smoothly.
Rumor has it that we’ll (1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry) be going on an operation very soon. So my easy job here is getting short. Oh well,
I was getting bored anyway in Qui Nhon. Went to town shopping and couldn’t find anything to send for your birthday. I looked for a
telegraph office but it seems Western Union doesn’t operate here. I will send you a card, even if it is late to let you know
that I remembered your birthday.

August 16, 1966

My replacement arrived and I briefed him on my operation here at Qui Nhon. Most of the day I just lay around and looked for your
birthday card. I finally found one and also an anniversary card, which I mailed so at least you should get at least one card on time.
Went down to the water point and washed out my socks and underwear. Getting to be very self-sufficient. Went to the club tonight
and went back to my shack and packed the rest of my rucksack.

August 17, 1966

Got up late cause the damn guard fell asleep on duty. I made the convoy, however and drove a jeep to Pleiku. Arrived at 1400 hours.
Because of the deep mud around base camp it took hours to go 3 miles. Every vehicle gets stuck and must wait for a bulldozer to
come and pull you out. Our base camp is about 18 miles south of Pleiku, so you can mark that on your map. Word is that our battalion
will go on an extended operation near Tuy Hoa, which is on the coast. Our battalion will join the 101st Airborne in protecting the rice harvest.
Vietnam is considered the rice bowl of the orient. Got my cot set up with a mosquito net so I am ready to retire.
I will read your letters again before I go to sleep.

August 18, 1966

Today was spent trying to get all our equipment out of the mud. This doesn’t sound like much, but the mud on these roads
is 3 to 4 feet deep. Bulldozers are even getting stuck. Life here in the new base camp isn’t quite as comfortable as what I had
going down in Qui Nhon, but it gives me the feeling of doing something. Capt. Samson will be in charge of the base camp
while we are deployed to Tuy Hoa. This deployment should be a good deal unless we run into unexpected trouble.

Tonight Major High came up from Qui Nhon and explained what was expected of our battalion in Tuy Hoa. Poor Larry, he is
really under the gun. Major High told Col. Morley that we would have hot chow tomorrow or he would have Kinchloe steak.
Donnelly is happy now that he will go on his first patrol tomorrow. Well, it’s getting late so I’ll close for tonight.

And then it began to rain, and rain. Everything turned into a quaqmire. My jeep was stuck and had to be pulled out of the mud by a tank.
We lived in this mud for almost a month before our first operation.

August 19, 1966

Today was another battle with the mud. I’m getting so damn tired of crossing a “street” in 3 feet of mud I could scream, I’ve got
4 trucks buried up to their running board in mud, it is getting so disheartening. Rained again this morning. Fifteen minutes of rain
produces little rivers everywhere. Paul Protzman and I put up our tent today. More real work than I’ve done in weeks. Sgt. Major
Arruda gave us some old lumber, so we even have a floor. Received your letter today about your new wig. Tried to clean up
this pig sty of a tent but got tired and just slept amidst all the junk.

August 20, 1966

Got up this morning and it was sunny and hot. Had first hot breakfast since I left Qui Nhon. Got Paul’s pan and shaved and washed
up real good. No shower for a week, great. Had some more pictures taken and will mail before we go on our operation. We are
supposed to go to Tuy Hoa later this month. We’ll be attached to the 101st Airborne for operational control. Screaming Eagles
or puking buzzards this should be an interesting attachment. Got most of the battalion equipment out of the mud and into base camp
today. Lt Richardson made Captain today in a small formation with Col. Morley. There is a chance that Paul’s Recon platoon and
my Support platoon will be combined into a large Recon element but I’ll just have to wait and see. I really wanted the Recon platoon
before we left so maybe this will work out. Took my bottle of Jim Beam over to Donnelly’s tent and we all drank a toast to Richardson.
Major High kept everybody entertained with his war stories. We got chow tonight (turkey) for the first time since arriving in base camp
(no Kinchelow steak). Tonight I unpacked my little pillow and everyone is jealous. Pays to plan ahead. Received letter #11 but missing #8.
Your picture is beautiful.

August 21, 1966

No entry for this date.

August 22, 1966

Today was a big day for me. I took my first bath in 2 weeks. I just couldn’t stand it any longer, so this morning I got up,
ate breakfast and brought 3 buckets of hot water from the mess hall tent. I poured the hot water into a big pan and soaped up.
Everyone coming back from breakfast had to stop and watch for a while but it was worth it. The rest of the day was spent getting
ready to move out on our first combat operation. They still aren’t sure exactly where we are going or when.

Lou Dinetz went out on an ambush patrol with the 25th Infantry Division last night and his group killed 6 Viet Cong,
so he is the first to draw blood.

I am sweating like a pig, just got done digging a trench as we are expecting an attack tonight. Hanoi Hanna has said that tonight
they will run the 4th Division out of Vietnam. Good luck with that. But everyone was digging in expecting the worst.

I just received letter #12 mailed on 16 August so it takes about 6 days. My mother wrote on the 18th of August and mailed it airmail
and I got it today, so it is about 2 days faster by airmail, but who is in a hurry, I’m not going anywhere.

It is 1945 hours and we are waiting for Puff to arrive our location. Puff is a modified C-46 or DC-3. A WWII airplane that has been
outfitted with three Gatling guns mounted on the side of the plane that fire 12,000 rounds a minute. It sounds like a huge burrrp.
It looks like a red hose reaching from the plane to the ground. A one second burst will put a round in every square inch
of a football field. Awesome firepower.

My first bath in Vietnam.

August 23, 1966

Nothing happened. No attack. I had a few drinks before bed and fell sound asleep anyway. Donnelly and Richardson were so nervous
that when some of our mortars started firing H&I (harassment and interdiction) fires they woke and started running for their holes.

I just mailed the second bag of film, so you should have a total of 4 rolls now. The first two rolls weren’t marked as film
so I hope they didn’t X-ray and ruin them. Today I started getting my stuff together for the move on Thursday.

At Tuy Hoa the Malaria is so bad the 101st Airborne is losing a man a day. So I will definitely try to avoid mosquitos.
Tonight, after dinner the entire battalion had a weapons test firing but neglected to tell Headquarters Company, we had
people running and jumping into foxholes everywhere. There were four people in one hole with more trying to get in.

August 24, 1966

Finished packing equipment for the move to Tuy Hoa. Larry and I wrote a logistics order for the move and started to pack our
personal gear. I got your card mailed the 12th of August today, I guess they lost it somewhere in the mail. Capt. Sampson got his
ice machine working and so I had a Scotch on the rocks. It was great. Guy in C Company was diagnosed with malaria today, first case
in the battalion. Larry and I got our baseball gloves out and played catch for about ½ hour. Stopped in and saw Donnelly, had a
few drinks and headed back to the hooch. Donnelly and Richardson are ever on alert waiting for the attack that so far hasn’t come.

August 25, 1966

0200 hours this morning PFC Cross, a member of my platoon came stumbling into my tent drunk. He was in such bad shape
he couldn’t find his tent. I got up and took him down to Sgt. Miller. By the way Sp5 Miller got promoted to SSG E-6, so now he
is really hell on wheels. He is a good platoon sergeant and keeps the men on their toes. I would not want to be PFC Cross in the morning.

This morning I read charges to two men from C Company who are being court martialed. I am still the Trial Counsel. I’ve been in that job
for over 13 months! One guy is being tried for having a sign on his helmet “F**k President Johnson” when he landed in Vietnam.
Took a nap this afternoon after I finished packing.

Went to an A.R.A. (aerial rocket artillery) demonstration at 1700 hours. This is nothing more than helicopters firing rockets.
Played catch with Larry and Dr. Maur. My cold is gone and I feel fine. Generator crapped out so I’m writing you by candlelight.

August 26, 1966

Got up this morning, had breakfast and inspected my platoon. Several needed haircuts, so I got out the clippers and cut up a storm.
I’m actually not bad. Today was washday since I was running out of socks and underwear.

After a wonderful lunch (C-rations) we had a class on air loading at Camp Holloway. Got my first ride in a CH-47 Chinook.
It is a large helicopter with two blades, much bigger than the Huey.

Packed last minute things and went to a meeting with Major High and found out I will be going down to Tuy Hoa on the first flight.
Major High wants me to set up a base camp for the battalion rear elements. Time for bed, it will be up early tomorrow.

August 27, 1966

Got up at 0500 hours and ate breakfast. Went to the vehicle holding area and took the first 10 chocks (convoys) to the airfield.
We loaded C-130 aircraft all day with troops and trucks. I took the last plane this evening and arrived in Tuy Hoa at 1700 hours.

Went to our assembly area where our base camp will be located and could not believe my eyes. It is paradise. We are located
on the beach 400 yards from the ocean. There is ice-cold beer, swimming and hardly any VC. In fact, we aren’t required to
carry our weapons in base camp, which is where I’ll be most of the time. I hope we can stay here for a couple of months at least.
The one thing we have to worry about are snipers which shoot at you at night on the road.

Loading up for trip to Tuy Hoa. Boarded the last plane out. — at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Vietnam.

At Camp Holloway Pleiku Vietnam.

August 28, 1966

Got up and worked all day unpacking my vehicles and getting my platoon organized. Met the reporter from the Seattle paper who
has been traveling with us. If anyone has written more about “Clarence”, Jay Vaughn’s snake, I’ve not seen it.

Jay smuggled his pet boa constrictor onboard the USNS Walker in a gym bag. He kept the snake in his room with no problem,
until one day the damn thing got loose and got up into the pipes in the ceiling. That wouldn’t have been a problem except
“Clarence” decided to come out when one of the Pilipino stewards was cleaning up the room. You’ve never heard such a
blood-curdling scream as that steward ran down the passageway getting out of his room.

Larry and I went swimming today. The beach is open for swimming between 1300 and 1900 hours daily. Sgt. Bracy and I went
in together and bought an ice chest today. This will provide for a good ole cold beer after working in this heat.

Larry Kinchloe, my boss and me on the beach at Tuy Hoa. We had a good deal for awhile.

We could make anything out of ammo boxes. This is our canteen. — at Tuy Hòa Beach.

Someone once asked if this was the chapel. No, this was the officers latrine. It was nice when it was raining. — at Tuy Hòa Beach.

For those who have not served in the infantry, this is the enlisted men's latrine. Underneath the box was two 55 gallons drums that were cut in half.
The really great job was everyday someone got nominated to remove the box and pour diesel fuel into the tub and burn the contents until they were gone.
— at Tuy Hòa Beach.

Mama san helped fill sandbags for around our tents — at Tuy Hòa Beach.

August 29, 1966

Last night we had a good sea breeze and it was cool so I slept with a blanket that kept falling off. Sgt. Miller went to brigade
and picked up 20 Vietnamese laborers to fill sandbags to protect our tents and other menial jobs.

Col. Morley had a briefing this morning at 0800 hours and explained our mission here. Our main job is to secure and protect
Highway 1, the infamous street without joy. Runs from Saigon to Hanoi along the coast.

Tomorrow I will take the battalion up to our new position in my trucks so that should be interesting. This morning they discovered
4 landmines planted under the road. Every morning the engineers clear the road before we depart. Here’s hoping they continue to do
a good job.

Sgt. Bracy and his ammo crew really humped today trying to get all the ammo staged for tomorrow’s operation. They worked
a good 12 hours building the ASP (ammo storage point). Sgt. Bracy had to drive 10 miles to the main magazine to pick up the ammo
and was shot at a couple of times enroute. My two truck drivers, Spader and Caslop are still shaking.

Today was the first day since arriving in Vietnam I had 3 hot meals in one day and even took a shower tonight it is almost like
being home.

God it is hot here. I’ve never sweat so much. It is over 120 degrees everyday and the night is not much better. It is a real effort
to work long at anything. I told the platoon if they got our assigned jobs done I would give them a day off to go into Tuy Hoa.

August 30, 1966

Well, this morning I got all my vehicles lined up and ready to roll. Our battalion moved out at 0930 hours to travel the famous
Hwy 1 south to our new AO (area of operation). Everything went well. Chaplain Sauer wanted to go forward with us so he rode
with me in my jeep. B Company is set up in an old burned and bombed out village between A and C Companies.

The highlight of the day was when I discovered 7 big containers of ice cream. I talked Capt. Coleman, Col. Morley’s pilot into
flying the ice cream and me out to the troops in the field. He flew at 80 knots about 10 feet over the ground, what a ride.

Major High arrived tonight in rare form. He was running around wanting to know what we have done and what we plan to do,
definitely hyper.

My tent is a mess. I left my tent flaps rolled up and it poured rain. All your letters that I’ve been saving were soaked and blown
everywhere. We were told to burn all personal letters before we left base camp but I didn’t. The mail is so slow that I reread
your letters often. Oh well, now the letters are ruined I guess I’ll burn them.

This afternoon was my first trip into Tuy Hoa and I must say it is really a nice town compared to Qui Nhon and Pleiku.
The buildings are concrete and the children seem cleaner and better fed. I bought you a bathrobe, so I hope it fits.
Tuy Hoa is On Limits from 1300 hours to 1800 hours, so there is no such thing as a night on the town.

At Tuy Hòa

This is the S-4 team; me, Larry Kinchelow and Mr. Bohn — at Tuy Hòa Beach.

My driver, Thomas Locke and a puppy I found. Just before heading out to our new AO. — at Tuy Hòa Beach.

August 31, 1966

Today was another cool and rainy day here at the Tuy Hoa beach club and bar. I finally did my wash after being filthy for 10 days.
My underwear and socks are still hanging all over the tent. With the wet weather it takes forever to dry or at least dry enough to wear.

Went into the PX (post exchange) and bought a case of pop and beer, so tomorrow I’ll get an ice chest and be in business.

Tonight, Hal Wolland, Platoon leader for the engineers attached to the battalion and my tent mate, had his platoon sergeant over.
He brought some booze and we had a few drinks before turning in for the night.

My hooch, mosquito netting and plywood floor. This was the best accommodations I had in Vietnam.
After Tuy Hoa everything went downhill. — at Tuy Hòa Beach.

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