The Letters Home from Vietnam
BOOT CAMP and ITR
Camp Pendleton, San Diego
Sunday, Sept. 13, 1968
9:20pm
Hello, You All,
Well, it's almost over. We graduate from boot camp (Camp Pendleton) this Thursday, the 17th . . . Friday morning we will leave for ITR (Infantry Training Regiment) for 2-6 weeks. How long I will be at ITR depends on the MOS (Military Occupational Status) I receive. We will be told our MOS probably sometime this Wednesday. [Michael's MOS was 0311--Rifleman.] That is really the most important event happening this week--even more than graduation. It will tell me how long I go to ITR and even more important whether or not I will be in the infantry (which means Vietnam for sure) . . .
Yesterday, we (the platoon and the three other platoons from our series) ran 3 1/2 miles. When I came here I would not have made it 1 mile, but now 3 1/2 miles is just an exhilarating run. The rifle range was quite an experience and perhaps the most enjoyable segment of boot camp.
Now for the really important news. Joan and I have decided to get married when I am home on leave. I'm sure this comes as a surprise, maybe not much of one, though, but this is what we have decided. We consider ourselves married now and considered ourselves married even before I left. With each letter and each word and idea exchanged, we have grown closer to each other than I ever dreamed that a man and a woman could be.She is the woman I want to carry my name for the rest of our lives, and my name is what I want to give her while I am home . . . I know you all would rather have it otherwise, preferably after I complete my enlistment, but the only thing that will be added by our getting married will be the legality as far society is concerned and her having my name. All responsibilities and vows of marriage have already been assumed on my part. They were assumed even before I left, and they are even more firmly dedicated now. The problems that arise will be dealt with and overcome. Wisdom comes with time and experience, and this may not seem wise, but for Joan and I it is what we must do . . . .
I will close for now. Give my love to Pat & Mary Ann and know that I love you both very dearly.
Your loving, son,
Michael
Sunday, Sept. 29, 1968
10:00am
Hello, You All,
I received a letter from Pat after he arrived at Sam Houston [State University in Huntsville, Texas TX]. He is very excited about college and the new environment. I think he will fit in very well and do quite good in his studies. At least after the first semester. Hopefully the first.
The little things that I knew before coming into the Marines have become quite precious. I guess they do to all men in the service.
We will be going to noon chow in a few minutes, so I will have to close now. Give my love to all those that care, and my love goes to each of you. Thanksgiving Dinner sure sounds good.
Love, your son,
Michael.
Saturday, Nov. 10, 1968
Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary Ann
Boy, this ITR Training is really something. It's been the hardest, more so than boot camp, but it has passed by so much more rapidly than boot camp did . . . It seems strange to me to be talking so matter-of-fact about going to Vietnam, but it's a pretty certain thing now . . . Each day our physical endurance is pushed to its limit, and each day we are either farther away or higher up in the mountains.
Last weekend, we got shore liberty from noon Saturday to 7:00pm Monday night. It was my first liberty since coming in. I only wish I had had more money to take advantage of it; 20 dollars wasn't much, but I had a good time. I went by bus to Anaheim, California . . . I didn't get to go to Disneyland because of lack of money, but I stayed in a good hotel across the street, had several good meals and saw a movie. I did a lot of walking around (which is right up my alley) and had time to do some reading. It was really nice to have a chance to relax and do something different than climb hills. I wished all the time that you all could have been out here, too. California is really a fascinating state.
As for me, I'm doing fine. I've got a little cold, but I've been to sick bay and it's starting to clear up. Right now I'm at the Beach Club which is about 3 miles from the main base here and is on the coast up on a cliff. It's now about 4:00pm, and the sun is getting low and will set around 5:00. I've been sitting here drinking a coke, munching on some chocolate chip cookies, and smoking a few cigarettes while writing. The sound of the surf and the fresh sea breeze really bring the memories to mind. It's funny how, in these weeks since Aug. 12th, the memories of so many moments in the past year come to me. There is nothing I can say about how great it will be to come back home. I would just get caught up with superlatives. There are so many things, events, & people that become precious when they are no longer present. I really enjoyed life to the fullest before I came in, but now the moments will be filled even more with the joys of life. Being with you all, seeing my friends, eating good home-cooked food made by mother (it makes me feel good already), and just the fact that I'll be home. I love you all . . . I must close now and get back to camp.
Your loving son,
Michael
Sunday, Dec. 8, 1968
Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary Ann,
Well, I am at the Beach Club again. It's about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and I'm eating my chocolate chip cookies and sipping coke (again). I like it here; it's quiet, and the sun is warming the air. The sky is clear and the sea a beautiful azure blue. It's about 85 degrees which is quite different from the damp cold in Houston.
I was just sitting here thinking how fantastic life is. All the wonders that each moment holds. To live a lifetime of moments filled with the breath of life. To wonder at the marvelous creations of God and man. Truly, life is the greatest of Christmas gifts.
It was wonderful to talk with you all this morning. When I hung up, the week and a half left to go seemed like only a few passing moments. Then home. It's really rather hard to write, I'm so lost in the beauty of the sea and shore. I keep pausing for minutes at a time to just look at the sea as my mind wanders.
So, so many things I'd like to do when I get home. It will seem rather strange to come home to all the Christmas lights and Christmas trees and spirit of Christmas . . . Your love for me has come to mean more to me now than ever before. I want the help that parents extend to their son or daughter--that you extend to me. It's a wonderful feeling for me to have you all beside me. Thank you, Mother and Dad.
I'll close now and go back to the base, eat chow, and go the movie tonight. Give my love to Pat and MaryAnn.
I love you all dearly,
Michael
P.S. Would you have my white shirts laundered, please?
OKINAWA
Camp Schwab
Friday, January 31, 1969
6:00pm
Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary Ann
Well, the time has arrived. We leave here tomorrow morning to go to El Toro Marine Air Base; we will stay there tomorrow night and leave on a commercial air liner Sunday morning at 9:00. Everybody seems in pretty good spirits here, but I'm in rather a quiet mood . . . We've mostly been lazing around the barracks during the day, cleaning up, having inspections of our clothing, etc. We've had liberty Thursday and last night. I just go into Oceanside, have a good steak, watch a movie, write a letter to Joanie, and walk around.
Joanie and I have been growing more and
more deeply in love with each other as each day passes and each letter is received . . .
Everything we do, say, or think reaches for the highest plane of human beauty and goodness
that we can reach . . . Joanie is as close to myself in all areas as I think God could
create. She is my wife in every sense of the word. I take full responsibility for
her as my wife. I want you to love her as you love me
. . . Genuine love is not acted out but given freely, not for reward. She needs your love
as much as mine.
Love you all,
Michael
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1969
9:00pm
Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary Ann--
I'm here on Okinawa, and boy is it beautiful. We will be staying here for about 15 days until another unit comes in from California, and until we are needed in Vietnam as replacements. Being here really bombards the senses. The island is so beautiful . . . the aqua water inside the coral reef is clear right up to the shore. The deep blue water is brilliant outside the reef, and as the waves come into shore they break against the reef, sending up into the air a long white spray. The mountains are lush green, and the pictures you get of the sun, water, mountains, and clouds are so sensational that you can't really get used to them.
Our barracks are the best we've ever had. We're divided into cubicles with two men to a cubicle . . . thick mattresses, two wall lockers and greatest of all I have a table and chair. Our window looks out over the ocean, and we watch the clouds and sun as the new day dawns . . . sensational.
There is not much to do off base except on the weekends when you look around and maybe go to the capital city which is about 40 miles to the south. We are at the extreme northern tip of the island at Camp Schwab. So I'll mostly be reading and writing letters. We don't have too rough of a schedule here. There are no days of training, but we will do our physical conditioning, a little marching, and clean up our barracks. We get liberty at 5:00 in the afternoons.
I'm pretty tired now after already writing Joan a letter tonight, so I’ll close for now.
I love you all dearly.
Your son and brother,
Michael
P.S. Maybe you could put this in an envelope and mail to Pat.
IN-COUNTRY
I CORPS
Michael now a combat
veteran
Aug. 1969
Hill 55--Vietnam
In the 2nd photo, taken 11 days before his death,
Michael had lost twenty pounds to malaria and the bush.
Note the 'white' boots, a sign to all vets that this man had been in the bush.
Sunday, Feb. 23, 1969
7:30pm
[Michael's platoon went In-Country Feb. 25 to serve as replacements after Mike 3/7 experienced the horrendous losses of Feb. 1969.]
Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary Ann,
Well, the time has come. We leave for DaNang tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. They told us this morning about 9 a.m. By 2 this afternoon, we were here at Camp Hansen to be processed for our trip. We leave tonight at midnight to go down to Kadena Air Base until the flight leaves.
Boy, what a day this has been! Besides getting used to the shock of actually going, we've been rushing around like--well, like Marines getting ready to go. I don't know . . . I'm pretty mixed up as far as how I feel about it. I haven't had any time to sit down and get my thoughts together. I have to get a few hours of sleep before midnight so I won't have any time now. Maybe it's for the best that I don't have much time to think.
I'll write you another letter tomorrow on the plane. I'll have more time to think then and write a better letter to both you and Joanie. The flight should take about 5 hours. It's going to be quite a long day tomorrow, so I'm going to close now and get a few hours sleep.
I love you all dearly.
Your son and brother,
Michael
Mary Ann, thank you for the stamp. I will use it to
write you a good letter. I love you. Michael.
P.S. I'm not forgetting Pat. Give him my love and tell him to write. I'll get you my
address as soon as I can.
Sunday, Mar. 9, 1969
10:00am
Hello, Family,
I go out into the bush, again, today for 2 days. We just had a day and a half of rest (more or less; there really wasn't much rest) after being out for 3 days. We got here--well, I'll tell you where 'here' is in a minute--about 2 weeks ago. I can't remember the exact day. There is no time as you know it here.
Anyway. I was assigned to the 3rd battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. How about that? Then I was assigned to "Mike" company. There are four companies in the battalion--India, Kilo, Mike, Lima.
[Historical Note from Jerry Chong, Mike 3/7 Sergeant and Squad Leader, 1967-68: "Mike Company of the 7th Marine Regiment was at Guadalcanal and others island invasions during WWII and at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. In a battle on February 23, 1969, Lance Corporal Lester Weber of Mike Company 3/7 received the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. He was the machinegun squad leader of 2nd Platoon. I suspect that Michael was one of the replacements for the Marines lost during this battle which was chronicled in A Company Called Mike website. Mike Company no longer exists in the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps dropped the number of infantry companies in a battalion to three from four. So all Delta, Hotel and Mike Companies were dropped from their respective battalions. For historical purposes, Mike 3/7 fought as a unit for the last time in the Vietnam War. The guidon flag of Mike Company with its battle streamers was recovered by General Tom Draude from Okinawa where it was warehoused and given to our association. It is our association's most treasured memento and truly irreplaceable. It is kept by George Martin and sent to the reunion site every year. When the reunion is over, it is returned to George for safekeeping. The guidon is special because it represents all of the Marines who have served in the company." ]
We are situated about 12 miles SW of DaNang (I went into DaNang yesterday to get paid--$75). It's a pretty good place, larger than I expected, with good defenses and a view of the countryside for about 2 miles all around. The mission of the 7th Rgt. is to keep the area clear of NVA (North Vietnamese Army) who try to get close to DaNang to launch their rockets on the airbase and vital area there. The rocket attacks on DaNang you hear of so often on the news are what we are trying to prevent. We do this by patrols, reconnaissance missions, and ambushes in our area of responsibility in the SW sector around DaNang.
I'm sitting on the steps of our hootch (3rd platoon, 3rd squad) looking out over the rice patties and fields to the South. The Vietnamese are in the fields and patties, working as they do every day. There are four kids riding their water buffaloes out there, too. The sky is overcast, which is very unusual, and the temperature is about as perfect as it can be.
I went to the movie they have in the EM Club last night for the first time since I've been here, a western with the first 3rd missing, but it was something different. And, when I came back, guess what was waiting for me. Five, yes five letters from Joanie and 10 pictures of Joanie, Tom Sparks and Kathy, and a few others from school. I was ecstatic. One of her letters was 22 pages long--beautiful. She is great--I don't know any way of describing her to anybody; there is no way for them to understand unless they were me. She means the world to me and will make the 12 months here bearable.
I don't know how to describe Vietnam or what it's like for me being here. It's totally alien is all I can say. There is no time for me to be myself. And I hope the extent of the changes that it will make on me will be minimal, and when I come home I'll be able to forget that I was ever here and return to my old self . . .
My thoughts are mostly on Joanie and the time when I'll be home again. I think of our plans and what we will be doing once I get back to the states and can start living my life again . . . The first thing is for me to get back into school--that will be great. Next we will need some kind of a car and an apartment. Everything else will take care of itself.
[Letter cut off at bottom]
Sat., April 12, 1969
8:30am
Hello, Folks,
It's been a long time since I've written. I hope you will understand. We've been on an operation since March 29th, so this makes the 14th day out. It's called Operation Oklahoma Hills. We've had practically no time at all to write, and I was able, only yesterday, to send Joanie a second letter since being on the operation. It's a large-scale operation involving 7 battalions, all working in the mountains to the West and Southwest of Hill 10 where Mike Company is. We are now on Hill 1235--1235 feet above sea level, and it has really been rough, with about 50lbs of gear on our backs, going up and down the mountains to get to the next higher mountain. Well at least we are at our final objective now and will stay here two more days before heading back to the hill to arrive there about the 28th or 29th--a whole month in the mountains. The first week was real hot and climbing got difficult--we had a few heat casualties but I kept taking my salt tablets and conserved my water so I escaped that ordeal.
So far we've been really lucky--we've encountered very few of the enemy and our platoon hasn't even seen one since the beginning of the op'. Hope it stays that way. I've lost about 10 or 15 pounds but still feel pretty good although kind of hungry right now. The last week has been pretty bad as far as supplies of food and water getting to us. We are so far up that clouds and fog prevent the re-supply choppers from getting to us, so we've been going on maybe 1 or 2 meals a day and 3 canteens of
water.We've really been going through some beautiful mountain terrain, though, with moist rain forests and cold mountain streams tumbling over large boulders--really quite a sight. It reminds me of the trip we took to Ridgecrest in So. Carolina when I was 14. But not much time to stop, relax, and appreciate the view. If the day is clear we can see the ocean and barely make out DaNang in the distance about 20 miles away to the N.E.
Yesterday was a great day; I got 2 letters from Joanie my first 2 days out but no mail since then. Then yesterday--WOW--8 letters I think it was --3 from Joanie, 1 from Mother, 1 from Dad, 1 from Mary Ann, and 1 from Aunt Lois and Uncle Leslie, and the newsletter from RPBC. It was great--we got chow and I ate and settled back for a few minutes with a can of hot cocoa and a Marlboro to read the letters. It couldn't have been a better day. I was so hungry for letters and 8 at one time was almost too much. . .
I think about you all, all the time. Spring back in Houston, really sounds great. Joanie writes and describes the beautiful day, and you tell me about the yellow flowers and newly planted rose bushes. It sure will be good to get back to the Hill and take a shower and partake of all the necessities that seem like luxuries out here.
You asked if there was anything you could send me--YES--would you believe this list. Really, you know we think of things that we would like to get, like kool-aid for our water and homemade cookies, etc., but now when we are all so hungry our minds start thinking of food. I thought that I'd make a list of some things you could send me. The more I thought, the more I realized that there are so many things that are right there in the supermarket that cost very little but to me here would seem like a feast and I would go wild over . . .
[What follows is a touching multi-page wish-list to combat the infamous blandness of C-Rations, including the following: Mom's homemade cookies, onion bread, biscuits, cakes, etc.; Nestle's Quik; Ritz Crackers and cheese; Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee Dinners; all kinds of breads; donuts; instant oatmeal; Lipton's soups; marshmallows; cocoa etc.]
Well, I've talked mostly about food, but I still think of you very much and love you all dearly. I constantly think how great it will be to get back to Houston and you and Joanie.
I'll close for now.
Your loving and well son,
Michael
Sun. April 28, 1969
7:00pm
Hello, Everyone,
This will be just a short note because it's almost dark. I'm well but, oh, so very tired. Tomorrow will mark the 30th day of the operation, and I'm so ready for it to end that--it's about all I can think of. Somehow, right now, I don't even feel like eating but I'm so thirsty I could die. But I'll live, and the good news just came to us. The operation will last only 4 or 5 more days. --WOW--
I keep thinking of the package of good things to eat waiting for me back on the Hill. Joanie sent a box of 3 1/2 dozen cookies, and she and her mother made an apple cake that should get there just as I do. I keep thinking of the cold water and cold milk waiting back at the mess hall on the Hill. On the radio (military communications radio) they told us they had steaks and cold beer waiting for us when we got back. Everyone is looking forward to that . . .
Well, it's dark now so I'll say good-night. I love you all.
Your son and brother,
Michael
Thursday, May 8, 1969
10:00am
Dear Mother, Dad, Pat, & Mary Ann,
Again, it's been awhile since my last letter, but with these operations we're on, it's rather hard to write. We are now on the 3rd phase of Operation Oklahoma Hills. Up in the mountains again doing the same 'old' thing. We got back to the Hill on May 1 and left again on the 3rd, so we only had 2 days rest. Not much, but it was a change. They had beer and sodas waiting for us as we walked in--they sure were good--and that night they had steaks, Irish potatoes, boiled shrimp, ice cream and strawberries for us. Wow--it blew our minds.
It's starting to sprinkle now so I'll have to hurry. Tonight, I got Pat's letter. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but will after I finish this. When I got back to the Hill, there were two packages waiting, both from Joanie . . . I've sure been making good use of those things out here. I'm feeling good, nothing wrong that a few hours sleep doesn’t remedy. I realized tonight when writing Joanie that I've been in the Marine Corps 9 months and I have 9 months left in Vietnam--so, I've reached the halfway mark. It's amazing how fast the time has passed.
I love you all dearly. I know this isn't much of a
letter, but I'll try to write again within the next few days.
Sunday, May 18, 1969
10:00am
Hello, Everybody,
Sure is good to be able to sit down and have a little time to write. I received your letter the other day, the one dad wrote while Mother was in the hospital. Mother, I hope you are feeling much better now. It's good to have it over with. The dread of such an operation is usually worse than the operation itself.
I can't remember how long ago I wrote the last
letter so I don't know really how much to fill you in on . . . May 2 we began another
phase of the Operation, so we are back out here in the hills again. Not the mountains, I'm
glad to say, but just hills and valleys of endless elephant grass. In some ways I'd rather
be back in the mountains, though. It's cool up there, there's plenty of water, and best of
all there are no leeches. It rains every afternoon here, and the leeches thrive with all
the moisture. I know my mentioning leeches must conjure up horrible visions of what they
are. But mostly they are just a big nuisance. Trying to keep them off is a pastime of
ours. We vent all of our violence on the leeches.
I better shut up . . .
Spring must be beautiful back in Houston with all the flowers in the yard and the lush green grass. My mind can just picture what it's like. Dad, did you ever finish painting the house? That's quite a job. I was thinking the other day about how different it must be for you and mother around the house. With me here, Pat in school . . . and Mary Ann having little time at home. Quite a change from a year ago.
I'm glad you got my list and thank you for sending the items. I've been off the Hill so I haven't gotten anything yet, but we should be back on the Hill pretty soon and all that will be waiting. Sounds too good to be true . . . Joanie and her mother baked me an apple cake for my birthday [Michael's last birthday was May 24]. Sounds good, doesn't it? I just hope we get back soon enough to enjoy it. Joanie did say that it keeps a long time, though . . . .
Monday, May 19, 1969--Michael's
Letter Continued
2:45pm
From the word we got last night we should be going back to Hill 10 in about a week. Sure will be good, but we know that whatever they say we're going to do can change in just a matter of hours. So we really don't count on anything. I've been thinking about so many things lately. There is a new order out that we serve 11 months and 20 days instead of 12 and 20 days. So that would get me out of Vietnam about the 2nd of February. And it would take about 2 weeks back in the States before I get my discharge. Then a civilian--WOW. School wouldn't start until September, so that would leave about 7 months before getting back to school. Joanie and I should have around $1700. We will need an apartment and a car. I'd like to get my old apartment back if possible. (So many good memories of '4623'--I've become very attached to it, and Joanie loves it.) . . . Dad, do you have any thoughts on what would be best concerning transportation for us? Also, Dick Smith (Sailboat Shop) said that I could have a job with him at the shop when I get back. I would love that, and the money would probably be more comparable to other jobs then, as he is building up pretty fast. In any case, it would be readily available to me, so that we wouldn't be spending our savings on such things as the apartment, food, etc. Joanie and I are both looking forward to tackling the problems encountered when just starting.
"Good Ole 4623" -- our Apartment
[first floor on the right, facing] and street where we took evening walks
The summer of 1968
Wed. May 21, 1969--Michael's Letter Continued
I just thought of something else. Work socks--thick socks, oh, and a comb.
Some good news today. The operation will last only 5 more days if we don't encounter any enemy activity in the place we are going tomorrow. And Sengstock (our point man) came back today. He cut his arm pretty badly about a month ago and has been in the hospital. The good news is that I don't have to walk point for the squad anymore. I've been point for the last month, but it seems like so much longer than that. Being point (point is the first man walking up front when the squad or platoon moves. He hacks the trail and watches for snipers and booby traps.) is not as bad as it sounds, but it's good not to have the added responsibility and work.
Well, I'll close for now so I can get this into the mail.
I love you all,
Michael
[Included with this letter is Michael's sketch from in-country of a sailboat, on which he wrote: "Just Dreaming!" Michael built model sailing ships, one of which we sailed on the pond at Hermann Park the day we met, July 24, 1968.]
© FEVER TREE and
Scott Holtzman
Houston Rock Group Michael and I loved
In the Summer of 1968
Founder and Lead Guitarist,
Michael
Knust, passed away
Sept. 15, 2003
June 9th, 1969
[Michael in hospital with malaria; using 1st Marine Letterhead]
Dear Mother, Dad, Pat & Mary Ann,
I'm sorry I haven't written sooner, but as you can see I'm just now able to write. I'm here at the 1st Medical Battalion Hospital in DaNang. Last Thursday I started having a fever, but it wasn't bad, so I didn't pay too much attention to it. Friday, I felt bad all day, couldn't eat, and all I wanted to do was just go to sleep. Anyway, that night I went to see the corpsman and I had a temperature of 104°. So the 'doc' took me up to the aid station where they lowered the temperature by rinsing my body with ice cold water while a fan blew over me (pretty cold, it was!). Anyway, the next morning they choppered me along with 8 others to the hospital here. There seems to be an outbreak of the fever on the Hill. About 25 so far from Mike Co. I didn't find out until I got here what I had. Mike Co. & Kilo Co. were in one area together, and apparently some of us contracted malaria from the mosquitoes in that valley. So this is my third day here in the hospital and the worst is over; my fever is down and I'm feeling much better. There's no need to worry. The hospital, doctors, and corpsmen are quite familiar with malaria and they should have me out of here in another 9 days.
June 10, 1969--Michael's Letter
Continued
9:00am
Feeling much better today. Went to the mess hall this morning. I had two lightly fried eggs, apple juice, and part of a grapefruit. The eggs were so good. I just hope they will stay down. I'll be writing Joanie this morning. I don't know whether to tell her or not about being in the hospital [He did, and I wanted him home immediately.] There's no need to worry, but I know she will.
Thank you for the package of socks, brushes, & combs--they were much needed, but I'm afraid the combs will have to wait a while before I can use them. When we came in off of the operation we had to cut our hair short and shave the moustache. And my moustache was looking better than it ever did when I had it before joining the Corps. It's hard to realize that was almost 9-10 months ago.
I'm going to close now and go take a cold shower--I take about 5 a day to keep my temperature down.
Michael
Saturday, June 14, 1969
Dear Family,
I'm sure you are all doing well. I'm feeling fine. My temperature is down and I'm not nauseated anymore. I'm now just lying around all day, getting some luxurious rest. The air conditioning here in the building is so great. Anytime I feel like it, I just roll over and go to sleep for a few hours. We have books and magazines to read, even though the selection is not what I'd normally pick out. I'll probably be going back to the Hill in a day or so. I'm not looking forward to that but I guess I'll get used to the old grind pretty quick.
The first sergeant from Mike Co. is bringing mail in to us today. There are about 25 from Mike Co. here with malaria. If a person gets malaria a second time over here, then he is sent back to the United States. But I don't think I want to go through it again.
Have you done any more in the way of fixing up the house, new furniture, etc? I'm sure it looks real good. I hope the summer there won't be too hot so you can retain your lush green grass all summer long. That grill in the back yard sounds great. But who does the cooking? I remember some real good times in Fort Worth when we would cook a chicken or steak out in the back yard late in the evening. But that's dream food to me now. I'll have to wait a few more months. Just 71/2 months before I'll be getting out of Vietnam.
[Note from Joan--though food was always on Michael's mind, I learned this from one of the corpsmen in his company: He says in the bush Michael had an idiosyncrasy in that when all the others would sit down to eat chow, Michael wouldn't; that when the others urged him to settle down and eat, he would say, 'no, I'll eat later,' and instead would keep watch over them, and that's why he lost so much weight. He took care of his men, which is still remembered thirty years later.]
Well, I'll close for now.
I love you all,
Michael
Sunday, July 13, 1969
5:30pm
[The Summer Offensive of 1969; Michael becomes squad leader, July 31.]
Well, I know it's been a long time since my last letter, but as you probably guessed, I've been pretty busy. That doesn't quite describe the intensity, though, really. As you know 3rd platoon was working as security platoon for Hill 55 here. Well we joined the rest of the company last Sunday. Mike Co. is now patrolling the area previously patrolled by another company which is now on an operation. The area is about 5 miles south of Hill 10 and west of Hill 55, just off the Hill.
We've had a pretty rough schedule of patrols and night ambushes. A 6 to 8 hour patrol during the day and an all night ambush at night. But we get either a night or a day off every 3rd day. So you can imagine how tired we are. We came in this morning at 6 o'clock, and I slept until 12:30pm. Sure was nice.
I've been acting as squad leader for the last 4 days. Our squad leader went to the hospital for a bad rash, and we don't know yet when he will be back. It's been quite an experience taking over the squad and running the patrols. I realize now how great a responsibility it is to lead 8 to 12 men out into the bush. We have a good squad, and all the men know what their job is and what to do in case we run into anything. So my job is made much easier . . .
Well, I've got a patrol tonight, so I'd better get ready. I love you all. I did receive your letters--Dad's, Mother's, Mary Ann's. Thank you. I love your letters.
[Michael next requests a Polaroid camera and film so he can send pictures home without having to worry about film and printing--but he died before the family could get it to him. He did manage to get one to me taken by a buddy shortly before Michael died.]
I'd sure appreciate it, and Joanie sure does want a picture of me. She sends me pictures constantly and I love them. She hasn't seen me for 7 months and I want to send her pictures. I know how much her pictures help me endure it all. And pictures from me I know would give her great joy and bring me closer to her. Thank you.
Love,
Michael
[Graphic by Vic Vilionis--Panel 18W of The Wall]
[Michael's Final Letter Home.]
Sunday, August 10,
1969 10:20am
Dear Mother, Dad, Pat & Mary Ann,
Right now we are in a village west of Hill 55 for the day. I'm writing on a table that the Vietnamese build themselves out of bamboo. It's strange--they have tables and benches, etc. out here, the things we would like but don't have up on the Hill.
Sometime between the 15th and 20th of this month, the 7th Marine Regiment will be moving. We haven't gotten any specific word yet, but the word seems to be that we will be going South to set up somewhere around Chu Lai. Other than that I don't know. How long we will be there and exactly where I don't know either. Just have to wait for further word . . .
[Mike 3/7 entered Hiep Duc Valley--Death Valley for the Marines and GI's trapped by the "buzz saw" of NVA artillery--August 26.]
I'm hoping that if I have to stay over here the whole 13 months, that I'll be able to make Sgt. The reason I say "13 months" is that we are all hoping to be among those being pulled out of Vietnam. I read the other day that another 100,000 military personnel were to be removed sometime soon. We are hoping that the 7th Marines will be next to be pulled out because, as we understand it, the 7th is now the senior division after the 9th Marines was pulled out last month. But we've learned not to get our hopes up too high. We won't believe it until it actually happens.
[The 7th Regiment was pulled out by Nov. 1970.]
Joanie wrote me about her visit with you. She really enjoyed being with you all. It was also a pleasant way to spend an evening away from her studies. The senior level courses she is taking now are really difficult as far as involving a lot of time. She has so many books to read and papers to write. Most of her letters to me are written late at night or a short one sometime during the day, so I know exactly how busy she really is. That's good, though, because it makes the time go by fast. It's hard to realize that I'm already in my 7th month. The time has been going by quickly for me also. Each day seems to slip away into the dusk . . . .
I learned that the PX in DaNang not only sells Gen. Motors, Chrysler, Ford and American Motors cars, but also that I can get a Volkswagen. I haven't been able to get into DaNang to talk about it. But from what I understand . . . I can buy a Volkswagen and continue paying for it after I get back to the States. That's good because we can hold the money that I've been saving as a reserve rather than using most of it to pay for the car. Joanie also wrote about a lot of garage apartments that are really nice for less than $100/month. Something like this will be good for us.
[Note from Joan: Michael had made me his beneficiary along with his parents. Several months after his death, when I could bear to deal with the inheritance he left me, I bought my father's old red VW Bug to get back and forth to classes--which was the first car I ever owned in my life, and the very car we had thought to buy upon his return; a small stereo so I could listen to our music (I thought Michael would like that); a desk I still have--and I paid for my graduate program in English. In essence, though it was never our intention, Michael provided for me to go on alone and allowed me to fulfill the goal to continue in school and to teach as he had dreamed we would together. Everything, absolutely everything I am today is because Michael made it possible for me then.]
Sept. 9-16 is the date. R&R in Sydney, Australia. A friend just got back from his R&R there. He said it was really great. I really am looking forward to it.
Love,
Michael.
My Michael was hit by mortar fire during the Death Valley battle, Thursday, Aug. 28th, 9:00am and died at 9:30am of mortar fragments to chest and back. His men he was defending were safely evacuated. Our precious Michael was buried with full military honors in his hometown of Houston on what was to be his first day of R&R, Sept. 9, 1969.
TEARS ARE
THE PROOF OF LIFE . . .
" Good
night, sweet prince
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. "
~~ Hamlet
