War Letters, Viet Nam Conflict Feigny, Robert E.Coll. 179
[selected passages from
four different letters written by My future home 23 April [1964] My darling wife and children, I arrived in Nha Tiang with some Santa Barbara lemons, potatoes, dehydrated granoles and a few barrels of gasoline. This place seems to be about the end of the line... There is the American army and air force in this area however there is very little if any war activity in this section of the country. We have a few Americans that work with the native people in this area.... Living conditions are extremely difficult with so much poverty and a life has such little value over here. This is a different part of the world. Americans are so well off and have such a great form of life and luxuries. I am living in a grass hut - I'll send you a picture of it soon. The John is across the street, the shower is the next building over. We are fortunate in that we have running water (cold). My little cot has a mosquito net, malaria tablets. Scotch is very cheap! The food is all right.
[27 April 1964] I don't know if I have ever been as hot as I am over here and the not season is only starting, every day into the 90s and humidity 95%. There is a great deal of work to be done. Saturday night I worked as an American was shot in the shoulder. Today I repaired a recurrent dislocation of shoulder and this afternoon a helicopter pilot was brought in after receiving a gunshot wound of the shoulder. The medical missionary brought over four patients with orthopedic problems, two with fractures that are no problem. These fellows all seem the same-putting in time and trying to make the best of the situation. They don't complain or feel sorry for themselves - only look forward to the time they will be completed. It seems like a ling time in the future. Those who have been here feel that the time has passed very fast for them.
[28 April 1964] We had an 18 year old that was shot in the knee brought to our hospital. He is a Vietnamese, one decided to do the surgery then the medical missionary will take him to his hospital and return him for a second procedure on the knee. Otherwise his treatment would be very poor if any. This way he will have a chance to walk nearly normal. I don't feel that I am some one sent by God over here but I can't recall any time where I have felt so needed and my medical knowledge is so important.
[1 May 1964] Last night we had two American that were shot, one in the leg and one in the thigh... I really don't know what is going on over here as we are separated from any military activity that has to do with the war. I read Newsweek, the Army Stars & Stripes for the news. Your loving husband, Bob Kansas War Letters Online
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