14 Nov. 68
Bob,
Boy I'm sorry I haven't been writing. I can't even remember when the last time I wrote you. Well I don't really know where to start, it's been so long.
First off, I just got back from R&R. I'll send you a couple pictures. I took some pictures but they haven't been developed yet. Boy it was really great. I went to Taipei and I hope to go back in December on my seven day leave.
Have I written you since we moved back on the ships? I can't remember. Anyway we moved onto the LST on Oct 17. The living conditions are really bad. No foot lockers. We lived out of duffle bags. We had 24 people living in an area about the size of a bedroom back there. Well two days after I left for R&R the ship was blown up. Wow that was close. We lost 6 army and 22 navy killed. I heard about it while I was up in Saigon.
When I came back I found that two "C-4" explosives, one on each side of the ship, where (sic) put on the ship. One went off, the other didn't. They were 100 lbs of C-4 each. They had moved the troops over to another LST. Where I'm at now. People lost their tape recorders, gear, weapons, etc. The government is going to have to pay a lot of money for the things lost. In the compartment where I slept the water level only got about ankle deep but in other compartments it got as high as the ceiling. Do you remember Jose? Well he's one of the men who got killed. I didn't know any of the others. I've found everything of mine finally except my weapon. Also lost my letters. Man they say this war is dying down but it sure don't seem like it. Even in the field it's bad. I sure hope I make it out of here. Only 85 days left until Deros. God I can't wait.
Well that brings you up to date. I hope I can make myself write more often. Tell me, do you read or hear much of the 9th Div. back in the states? We're doing a hell of a lot of fighting down here?
Wright Right(crossed out) soon
Your Army buddie
Dan
(First enclosed photo)
Taipei, Taiwan
Nov. 2-7, '68
The guy with the beer is our guide.
The couple behind us is a friend of mine from our Co.
(Second enclosed photo)
Having some pictures developed now. When I get them back I'll send you some.
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Mac is on the left
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