November 2, 1968: Martha Raye visited us today. She did not put on a show but gave us a speech and posed for pictures. (Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs and Pete Richert, Baltimore Orioles also visited but I failed to indicate the date)
November 3, 1968: A guy in our bunker received a Dear John letter from his wife. Halloween night was quiet, no one came to our bunker asking for candy. Everything is quiet around here.
November 5, 1968: Just received my Combat Infantryman Badge. We have been laying more barbwire. Another bunch of new guys arrived today. This makes me feel like I have been over here for awhile. Some brass is coming for a visit so we have to conduct a couple of police calls.
November 6, 1968: I have gate guard now. Things have been quiet around here and we haven't been pulling any details. They are supposed to be sending a Dental Clinic out here. There is one guy in our Company who has only four days left in the field. You would not believe the dust out here, 3 inches deep and every time a vehicle passes by you choke to death. When the Monsoons come it's all mud so you can't win.
November 8, 1968: They said we would stay here (LZ Joan, Duc Co) until after Christmas. Yesterday I made a tape and it is going to be played on a Boston radio station. A Specialist 4th class asked me some questions, what's my job, what town do I come from etc.
November 9, 1968: Met a couple of guys who came in country with me they are a short distance away from here. I have been elected to carry the PRC 25 radio. This will be an additional 33 pounds to carry. If it is too heavy I will be able to reassign the radio.
November 11, 1968: Yesterday we made a sweep of our perimeter. You wouldn't believe how thick the brush is we went through. We went through some banana plantations and I was tempted to pick a bunch. I got rid of the radio it was too heavy. We had a scout dog with us. Today we are stringing more barbwire.
November 15, 1968: I have been out on a SRP. A couple of days ago we got mortared, about 25 mortars dropped out in front of our bunker.
November 16, 1968: I am heating up a LRRP meal, which consists of freeze-dried food. They are really good. All you do is add a half canteen of water, hot or cold.
November 18, 1968: I had my teeth cleaned this morning and I have a cavity in my front tooth. I had a battle with the rats last night. Tonight I will sleep with my boots on and a knife at my side.
November 19, 1968: The only bad things here are the rats and dust. Whenever you take a step you create a cloud of dust.