30 March
Dear Dad,
I’m glad you asked those questions. I have a hard time trying to explain things when I don’t know what you want to know.
1. There are 13 Marines and 18 Regional Forces Vietnamese in my CAP now. One Marine is on R&R. They are going to give us about six more Marines since we’re so badly outnumbered.
2. There are no officers in my CAP. My CAP leader is Sgt. Burd. The rest are all Lance Corporals or P.F.C.’s. There is one officer in 7th Co., a captain. I see him once a month when he comes around to have us sign the pay roster.
3. I live out in the bush seven days a week and will probably do so for the rest of my year.
4. I got split up from my buddies when I left CAP school. I haven’t made any close friends here but I get along all right.
5. I’ve gotten the paper four times now, the latest was dated March 30.
6. I’ll be eligible for in-country R&R after 90 days in country. I’ll be eligible for out-of-country R&R after 150 days in country (I think).
7. I carry the pistol in my right waist pocket of my jungle jacket.
8. I got the balance of the ammo today. You sure did take some extravagent (sp?) precautions on it.
9. I’m now located at a village named Dinh Banh, about 20 km south of Da Nang on Highway One.
(Again, Dien Ban was our district and our village was Thanh Quit)
The fastest any letter has gotten to me in the last three weeks was five days. Most take 7 to 10 days.
Will close.
Love
Roch