Arnold's Letters Home #4 & #5

November 5th, 1966: To his sister Marcia

Say Marsh,

The Congs are keeping us pretty busy. We found a couple of regiments three days ago. Found 250 tons of rice, salt, medical supplies. It was all in caves. The Congs are about 15 miles from base camp. Some Congs are attacking base camp too. They're coming from Cambodia, which isn't far from camp. They mortored our hospital and killed 21, two were doctors, 52 were wounded.

I'm OK of course. 

Well, so much for combat. If I write anymore you might think we're at war.

November 6th, 1966

Hello Ma an Dad,

I'm writing this letter with pens I got with the radio. I can get plenty of batteries too.These pens came in good time, I was writing with my last one and it was just about out of ink. The radio is in perfect condition, you wrapped it real good. It picks up all kinds of good stations too. I can even get short wave army radios. England, France, Japan, Singapore and some others I can't think of right now. The radio lacks one thing-WMEX- Ha Ha

I thank you both very much for everything. Seeing as where I am I guess all I can say is thank you. But I'll repay you with something you both need when I get home.

Well my R and R finally came through. I'm going December 15 to Tokyo Japan. I've got $240 so I'll have a real good time. I can probably pick up you and Marcia a dress. I was going to send 100 dollars home to put away but some f the other guys that went took about the same and said it was expensive. So I figure I'll spend it there, probably not all of it but I may as well have a good time. I will be sending my checks home from now on anyway. Well, that's about all that's new.

We came in from an operation today and supposed to go back tomorrow. We've been spending lots of time in the field but the time goes by real fast when we're out. I'm sending a roll of film home of chinooks (helicopters that are real big). They lift our guns to positions we can't get at by convoy. 

Well Ma and Dad the day is coming real fast when I'll be hitching down 128 for home again. Hitchhiking never bothered me and the next time I do it I'd enjoy even walking part of 128 just to look at Mass. again.

I've got to cut out for now so take care and God Bless you both.

6 more pay days here.

Loads of Love,

Arnold

Chinook

Nov. 5th Letter

Nov. 6th pg. 1

pg 2

pg 3