A.W. (Peter) Machen to Arthur and Rose Machen

Oct. 3, 1969

Vietnam 

Dear Mom and Dad,

It's been raining pretty hard for the past two days and it seems impossible to keep anything dry.

Bill was shot in Arizona territory about 20 miles west of here.  It's one of the hottest places in Nam.  He seems to be doing fine and really enjoying himself.

Well, yesterday evening we went out on a “stroll” to set up an overnight ambush.  On our way out, a VC walked across our path.  Before he had a chance, our point man (the first man or front man) zapped him in the upper right portion of his chest.  He didn't kill him though.  Our corpsman patched him up as best he could.  We put him in a poncho and took turns carrying him back to 190 for a POW.

We had amtraks to come out and meet us. As soon as we made our rendezvous the little slant eyed gook died.  At least we captured 1 AK-47 which is a Chinese automatic rifle, two Chi-coms which is a homemade hand grenade and a few magazines filled with ammo.  The lieutenant it was very pleased, as usual.

Still no definite word on going afloat but we have our fingers crossed.

We have a new captain.  He is a Mustang – a once enlisted men.  He believes that we should not go out a lot so many patrols and let artillery, air strikes and tanks do more of the work.  He also said that if officers and staff can drink beer during the day and so can the troops.  All in all, everyone is pretty happy about the whole thing.

Jack has kept me well supplied in Kool-Aid.

I haven't heard from Sharon.  No big thing!

Terry Jo has been at writing the very religiously.  Some of the best letters she has ever written.  I'm still not going to let that girl burn me again.  I count on nothing.  I'm still in love with her, but she has made all the verbal advances.  There is a chance she will be there waiting for me.  She says she is.  Oh well, time will tell.  I'm too busy to worry about her anyway.

I'm doing fine and everything is going well!  Please give my best to Angie.

Love to all,

Pete