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

December 5, 1969

Namu Bridge

Dear Mom and Dad,

I got your letters.  I haven't written lately because of jungle rot on my right hand.  It's a lot better now.

I have send Angie a card, as a matter of fact, a few weeks ago.

Hope Hank can use the parachute for his rockets.

Some news!  I've made team leader temporarily and it seems  that the present team leader will go to Japan because of an infected kidney.  I went to 1st Med Hospital to see him and unfortunately got asked to help them unload some med evacs off the choppers-dead Marines.  Since then, my morale has dropped a little bit.  At least it will make me more careful.

Can you see me as an officer?  Well I've already put it for it.  January I will take a college test, equivalent of 2 years of college.  I must get at least a 30% on it.  Then take my GCT test over again because I have only 111 and I need 9 more points to be 120.  This will cause my present enlistment to extent not more than 6 months because I'm already in for 3 years active duty.  So, I haven't even yet qualified.  No telling what will happen.  My plt. CO says that if I passed those two tests (which I should) I should be an officer candidate in no time-5 weeks OC + ? weeks and I'll be a 2nd Lt.  plus more training.  This is nothing definite so please don't count on it or publicize it yet.  You understand?  Thank you!

Well, write when you can.  I hang on every word.

Love to all,

Pete

PS. What did you read to Lewis Azrael?  Curious!