Includes a copy of his orders (Form AF 899, Permanent Change of Station Order - Military). Mentions his travel plans and completion of schooling and inquires about the selling of his parents' house.

Mentions shipping home some of his personal items and his expert score shooting the M-16 rifle. Letter is dated only by month and year.

Three postcards describing airplane travel to Vietnam and his activities at a stop in San Francisco. He reports being awake for 28 hours and tired.

A "quick note" which gives his new APO address.

Reports that it is "hot and humid and stinks, but that's Asia" and that he works in an air conditioned building. Discusses pay and savings, the food ("not bad - fresh eggs and vegetables"), plenty of beer, not being issued a weapon, no mortar harassment of the base. "This could turn into a good tour of duty."

Still has not received mail. Writes that he has been assigned to a newly formed section and discusses his work schedule. Needs an alarm clock and a lamp from home. Lists liquor prices ("Jack Daniels Black Label $3.30 a quart") and describes the new "mamasan" who cleans the barracks with a pretty smile and giggle.

Writes that mail has arrived and discusses his work schedule. Asks his parents to write Janice (his girlfriend) but to give him a week to warn her.

Writes that he got the letter and package and praises the lamp which was sent to him. Has received "fan mail" from two 13-year old girls who evidently were alerted to his duty in Vietnam by a friend who posted his address to the World Herald. Discusses plans to purchase a camera.

Writes that he is sorry to hear about a house deal coming out so bad at home. Inquires about Janice and requests a print of him in uniform to send to her. Discusses slides which he has been taking with his camera.

. "Today is just another workday." Writes that when they leave "20 years from now the Vietnamese will have a fine city. Plenty of public housing, shopping centers, recreation..." Discusses the AC-47 airplane (a combat version of the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, known as the Dragonship or the Goony Bird).

Comments about his parents new living arrangements in an apartment. Writes that he bought a bicycle and may be requesting inner tubes from home if the Indian Dunlops and Vietnamese Michelins don't work out. Discusses at length the camera and accessories he has ordered.

Begins the letter with the greeting "I come home this year!" Discusses Christmas presents exchanged with his parents. Discusses plans for his next assignment, in Europe or the United States.

Discusses mail delays. Discusses burning classified material all week and how "this physical labor is hard on an old softie like me."

Includes commentary on pictures he took (not included in collection) including the National Palace, the downtown Saigon monument, a Studebaker car, and other subjects.

. Discusses liquor prices and partaking of a drink, wages earned in 1967, and other financial matters.

Discusses packages sent to and from the States.

A 5-page letter which begins "The VC [i.e., Viet Cong] sure know how to mess up a payday!" Reports waking up to the sound of M16s and AK47s and that the VC penetrated deep. They have had 1 KIA and 25 wounded so far and a battalion of airborne soldiers has been flown in as a precaution. "Thank God everyone doesn't have a weapon, it would have been a slaughter...I've never seen such idiots...Standing outside...trying to see who was shooting." Writes that this was going to be the Diem Bien Phu of the 2nd Indochina War but thinks that things will come out different this time. He has been inconvenienced by lack of sleep and a cold C-ration lunch with a cute WAF lieutenant.

A 10-page letter describing in detail combat at Ton San Nhut. The letter is entitled "Payday Battle Report #2." What was thought to be a diversionary attack is now know to be some full-fledged battles. ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) and Korean troops are slugging it out with the VC who continue to penetrate into the air base and are using rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) in their attacks. "This is a big push to win and we are clobbering the hell out of them." Air support has been instrumental in stopping the Viet Cong and McDowell will not "complain about the helicopters anymore. Without them I might be walking to Hanoi by now." One of his troops unloaded ARVN bodies into big refrigerators (the morgue was full) and came back looking green.

A 5-page letter continuing his account of the Tet Offensive battles. "War is over as far as TSN [Ton San Nhut] is concerned." Aircraft continue to attack retreating Viet Cong, most putting on civilian clothing and leaving the way they came. He describes casualties on both sides and the continued fighting in various locations outside the air base.

"Not much to add to the letters I've already written." Describes pullout of U.S. Army troops and various aircraft used in battle during the past couple of days including the new "Huey Cobra" helicopter gunship.

"The VC continue to plague us (Walter Cronkite's quaint way of putting it)" and "the 'war' in Saigon is not over." Discusses continued nearby combat, casualties, curfews and movement restrictions, and shortages in food and base exchange merchandise.

"Attacks and rumors of attacks continue." Describes operations to isolate the Viet Cong and long lines on the base for meals, etc. Vietnamese maids have returned but are under a curfew and have limited working hours.

Mentions receipt of a package, leave plans, and plans to purchase clothes and a slide projector ("I am sure gathering the plunder over here").

Describes an early morning mortar and rocket attack and many explosions from incoming and friendly fire.

Describes sweating out another rocket attack and provides a description of the weapon being employed against them (its operation, range, explosive charge, etc.). Notes that the chapel was hit in an attack. They have not had rain since November, and he facetiously writes "wait til the 'Annual Monsoon Offensive'" when "there won't be an able bodied male Vietnamese between 13-40 on either side by the time the monsoon gets here."

Describes another rocket attack by "Charlie" and its effects on buildings and personnel at the air base. They continue to sandbag their barracks for protection "Rumor has it that the VC/NVA want this base as the victory he needs so bad."

Recounts his efforts to pick up his new camera at Cholon but the base exchange there was closed. More rocket shelling is described; it is "kinda routine now."

Threat reports indicate a major mortar attack is pending. Likens the attacks to "being scared by a really close lightning strike" and then "the adrenaline really starts pumping." Fears that they are being lulled into ignoring threat reports and then a real attack will hit them. A recent explosion from a friendly weapon sent everyone under beds after which there was the "sound of bunks being lifted off of middle aged bellies" as they emerged from hiding.

"Its so damn peaceful here again, its boring!" Writes that he finally got his new camera and that he needs quality film for it mailed from home.

"All's quiet on the TSN front." Open food left around since the emergency has attracted rats and bugs which are being trapped. Has been issued field gear (helmet and flak vest).

. Discusses photography and mentions that with the passing of the "emergency" things have gone to pot again.

Has received letters and film from home. Mentions some artillery or rocket fire including possible friendly fire from American howitzers or "Charlie" using captured ARVN guns. Heard Lyndon Johnson announce the bombing pause ("couldn't hear anything else he said for the sound of NVA [North Vietnamese Army] trucks starting up & heading south!") and that he would not run again for president ("I don't believe that liar").

Discusses film developing and beginning of the monsoon.

"The VC are getting brave again." Mentions a few mixed mortar and rocket rounds exploding off the base.

Discusses taking pictures, sending savings bonds to his father's children by his second marriage, and the appeal to him of a new BMW automobile, the 2002 model. Discusses his girlfriend Janice's situation back in the States.

Describes his next Air Force assignment at England Air Force Base, Lousiana, with the 1st Air Commando Wing. He is unhappier about this than he was about coming to Vietnam.

Discusses slides accompanying the letter and an incident involving two Australian girls needing a ride and the enthusiastic response of the troops to their needs. Compares Air Force and U.S. Navy photo interpreter procedures and notes that the Navy's response time in attacking identified targets is often much quicker than the Air Force's.

In a letter written from Hong Kong, discusses leave in that city (rainy weather, going on tours, dating, food, and spending money).

More discussion of leave in Hong Kong, taking pictures, spending money, and shopping.

More discussion of leave in Hong Kong, taking pictures, spending money, and shopping.

Discusses his departure date from Vietnam and asks for directions to his parents' home.

Discusses sending items to his parents and financial matters.

Discusses worsening working conditions, his finances, and how "Charlie is getting a little bold again & the B52s are hitting 3-5 times a night close to town ... everything shakes."

Gives his departure date (September 2).