Copy of letter I wrote in 1968. Envelope: Mr. David Scritchfield 11 Arnold Street Buffalo , New York 14213 From: SP/4 Kenneth Sutphin A Btry 6 Bn 71 Arty APO San Francisco 96377 (January 1968) Dear Uncle Bud, I got your letter today. What a day, for that matter what a week. You probably already heard about the big step up all over Viet Nam. They didn’t leave this place out either. The VC blew up a plane on the airbase here and have attacked all over. Last count 32 VC were killed and 9 Americans. We have been on an alert for a ground attack every 3 or 4 hours. We have doubled guards and put machine guns all along the parameter. It is expected to keep up for the next few days then they are supposed to get a big push. If they have it here we have had it because we could never hold out. The mortars and artillery have just started again. I may have to go out on another alert soon. There is a rumor here that this unit is going to move. It seems we are going the wrong way though. (I mean safety’s sake).We are supposed to go up to Da Nang, Near Dak To. I am sure you have heard of that place. The marines had a big missile site up there but when they had that big battle up there they lost part of everything. So they had to move out and we may have to go up there to replace them. But it is not supposed to be until sometime in April through June. If it is not till June I will not have to go because I will be on my way back to the States. But anytime before then I will have to go. I am finished with the dentist. He couldn’t replace the tooth I got pulled but he said when I get back to the States I can get them straightened and at the same time close up the gap. I got a letter from Joyce Miller. I wrote back but haven’t gotten an answer. (That artillery’s getting closer.) I have to go down to the airbase tomorrow (if it’s still there) and take some test. If I pass the test (Boy that artillery is getting louder) then I have a chance to go to school for a computer operator. But even if I pass the test I still have to be accepted by the school. Hope I can get it because that wouldn’t be such a bad job as a civilian. I also will have a chance to try for a computer programmer and they make $14,000 - $25,000 a year. In case you are wondering the temperature hits about 110 degrees every day here. That rainy season only lasted 3 weeks. It is starting to warm up for the summer now. Tell aunt Patty and Mike I said hi. I am sure they will read this letter anyway. That is about all I have to say so I will close for now. Write when you get the chance for I am always glad to here from you. Your Nephew Kenneth E Sutphin
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:09:24 +0000