A.W. (Peter) Machen to John P. (Jack) Machen

September 26, 1969

Vietnam

Dear Jack,

How is old P.U.?  We're supposed to go afloat on October 13 to the Philippines.  Then we come back to Nam and go to the DMZ.

Tomorrow I go on operation to the mountain jungles north of the Namu River.  There is a company of NVA waiting our arrival and I’m sure they will have a reception committee to greet us.

I am now gunner!  We have added a 4th gun to our platoon.

I got a full mustache now.  Would you to me a big favor?  If you don't have time or can't don't worry about it.

What I want is a bottle of bourbon, Calvert Extra or Cabin Still.  Even a pint of whiskey is so rare out here it's worth its weight in gold.  I'll send you a money order for your labors.

Instructions.  Put bottle in a box in the middle and wrapped in a newspaper.  Lots of it very tightly.  The more the better.  Make it so the bottle won’t rattle around in the box and won’t break if roughly handled.

Army Navy and Air Force can buy hard liquor in Nam except Marines.  Why?  I don't know.  They must think we are crazy when we drink. (This is true).

You would make one battle weary Marine very happy.  Can you imagine what it's like to go all this time without one fucking drink?  It's Hell, that's what it is sheer Hell!  Watching all those mother fuckin’ anchor clankers drink their cock suckin’ heads off is enough to make me strangle one of them.

Who's doing all the fighting over here?  The Army?  FUCK NO!  MARINES!  Who is doing all the drinking?  The Army.  The mud sappy doggies.

I don't mean to sound off to you Jack. It just pisses me off.  I go out every day and  can't even get a drink.  That's a bust.

Man, if you could help me out, Jack, I would be forever grateful.

Thanks a lot.   Please!

Your birthday is in a couple of days, and as soon as I get on ship, I'll send you something!

Sincerely yours,

Pete