Show Letter from Vietnam Viet Nam January 5 1967 The Vernal ernal Express Thank you for sending me methe methe the Vernal Express I really en JOY knowing what hat everyone Is I doing doln back home even though I 1 get it e weeks late some sone limes I have been transferred fr from m the Destroyer US S Jenkins and I am now serving aboard the US S Oxford a barracks ship a new type of ship Living conditions are arc really a alot alot lot better because of more room and more mOIe modern condi condi- conditions The Oxford is sit sit sit- sitting ting here off the Island of An Thai Thoi near neal Viet Nam THIS WAS a very unexpected move for me I was given a three hour notice to pack and was flown by jet to Day Bay In the Philippines a ten hour flight by jet from Pearl arbor where I was stationed The flight from the Philippines to Saigon is a very beautiful sight The country Is so green and very pretty At Saigon however I disco disco- cred a very different sight A city of war isn't pretty The buildings are sandbagged and sand bags for walls to protect ammunitions and weapons are arc everywhere Barbed wire con fusion and fear are everywhere FROM SAIGON out to the Is is- is island land of An Thoi was a flight I will Ill never forget The plane was like the ones that used to come into Vernal before the air lir port was enlarged and the landing strip on the beach is too short when everything is go go- go going ing for 01 you It had been raining the wind was really blowing and we tried twice anti and missed the runway in a near crack up both times limes The third time I around we made it I 1 was white and the pilot kidded me I have never been shot at by tracer bullets before and I watched them come up for 20 minutes I was so scared I couldn't move or breath The pilot said he usua usually lIy got u a few through the wings when he made that run Ile He said he would be worried but they were such lousy shots I was really happy when I finally got aboard the Oxford I will be In this area for about a year Thank you for listing the ser ser ser- servicemen's addresses in the paper before Christmas and I sure do thank all the wonderful people back there at home for forthe forthe the Christmas cards and words of encouragement and cheer sent to me My l new address is Richard W Offutt U S S Ox ford o lc o lc-o San Fran Fran- Francisco cisco Ill I'll be looking for the Express once more Thank you and may our Heavenly Father Father bless you all through the coming year Richard W Offutt |