June 27, 1971: It seems as everyone showed up to begin boot-camp today, I fear though, that this is not the thing for me. I don’t understand why they must take everyone we have from us, we have no personality, all we are is cold hearted marines. When we first arrived all we heard was the drill instructors yelling at the new recruits. Personally, I can’t see why we put up with this, we marines lose everything, from our parents to eventually our life. I suppose that’s what marines are for, to go in, fight for your country, and possibly die while doing so. Well, its lights out here at Paris Island, I will write again soon.
June 31, 1971: I’m proud to be here, or at least that’s what the navy has been telling us all day. I guess it is better than to be protesting the government, when they can’t just get up and pull out of the war once it’s already started. Well, some of the other guys in my squad have been telling me not to think about that, since once you’re here the only way
out is when the war ends. I really like my squadmates, I hope that we end up in the same platoon once we get shipped off to nam’.
July 13, 1971: Sorry for not writing, things have been very busy around here, with all the running, shooting etc. We began weapons training yesterday, I never knew how much work went into just getting a gun to shoot, I had to get someone to help me assemble my gun thought, I think I am starting to get the hang of it though. Today we went to the rifle range, I ended up doing better than I expected, hitting all of my targets. The drill instructor seems to be nicer than he was before, or I’m just getting used to the constant screaming in my ears whenever I do something wrong. Well I’m off to bed only one week to graduation.
July 20, 1971: Today is graduation, I don’t know if I should be excited about going intoVietnam or not. Sure there are no more drill instructors there, but in Vietnam, you’re wanted dead by every Vietnamese soldier. My family is coming today to see my graduate today, I’ve missed them over the past few weeks of training. It’s weird though, the reason why I
came here was to get away from my family, when the whole time I’ve been missing them. Well its time to go to the drill field, Vietnam here I come.
July 31, 1971: My time is short with you today; I have been stationed in the Ia DrangValley. I and a few other of my brothers, or people from my squad in boot camp are in 154th Black Knights with me. There haven’t been any major attacks on us, just a few shots here and there come in. We go into battle in one week, and I fear that I may not return. So in closing I would like to say that I love my mother, father, and my sister. I know I have not seemed like a cared for you when I was back home, but you have no idea how much I really missed you.
August 7, 1971: Today we are leaving for battle, there are over 3000 Vietnamesesoldiers stationed there, weird thing is when recon went to check it out they only found about 100 soldiers there. Rumors have spread that they left, but I think they areunderground, in the mountain. If this is true, it could mean we could be attacked from anywhere. Well I hear the sirens squealing now, its time to pack up and move out.
August 11, 1971: The firing has ceased, for now, we've been holding LZ Albany for 2Now. The attacks have finally calmed down. Many of my fellow soldiers have fallen in This battle, 2 of my brothers died before my feet. I’ve been living in this foxhole now for A day, and I'm getting pretty sick of it. Well, it’s my turn to be on watch, ill write later.
August 17, 1971: It seems this may be the end LZ X-Ray has fallen yesterday. With that Only being a few miles a way I feel we may be surrounded later today. We were Supposed to get reinforcements 2 days ago, but they never came. We don’t know if our Base even stands. For all we know they could’ve high tailed it out of here after they heard
about x-ray. The firing has started again, I must go.
August 19, 1971: Reinforcements have a arrived, but to no avail, we are still under constant fire from all sides, some one-thousand more soldiers have arrived at LZ-Albany it seems we may have a fighting chance now.
August 28, 1971: Today, is a good day, we over took all of Ia Drang Valley. The generals Have arranged for someone famous to come here and congratulate us on our efforts. I can’t see why anyone would want to come all the way over here to Vietnam, an attack could happen at anytime, from any direction. Hopefully though, they will show up,
some of the soldiers have been real down about losing one-thousand plus guys and really need a moral boost.
September 6, 1971: Well it turns out that the famous person hasn't shown up, as it turns out there never Was any famous person coming to greet us, the generals just made up the whole thing, but that’s alright since we have begun being sent home! I’m going home on the 10th, hopefully I will see my family again by the end of the month. By the way, this will be my last entry, hopefully I will see you all again soon, and to all my brothers of war, I thank you for being there lying in the dirt with me for hours on end holding of the North Vietnamese Army.
