Letter Writer: Frederick Downs
Military Rank: 2Lt.
KIA/Survivor: WIA, Survivor

Their Experiences:
-Constantly operating under the mud and rain, he comes to hate rain.
-his man got hit by a grenade shrapnel, held his hand, said he got the “million-dollar wound”

Their Feelings and Point of View:
-He goes to war willingly - “it is my job, and I do it willingly”
-“a man can’t feel safe anywhere in this whole country”
- He comforts everyone but no one to comfort him

Their Relationships with Others:
-Good relationship with wife, he writes to his wife all the time, always saying “I love you”
-Hates the ‘dinks’ – told his men that the “first squad to kill a dink with a weapon, he would buy them a bottle of whisky”

Letter Writer: Rodney Chastant
Military Rank: Captain
KIA/Survivor: KIA 22 October 1968

Their Experiences:
-Promoted to captain rank on 1 July 1967. He was one of the 50 men selected for captaincy from 1650 candidates.
-Went to Philippines and saw the graveyards of thousands of Americans in the previous wars.

Their Feelings and Point of View:
-He is needed more in Vietnam than at home – “fight in Vietnam or shut up. I choose Vietnam”
-He is Proud to be an American and is proud to be fighting in Asia
-He appreciates all the letters that he receives - “I have always enjoyed your letters”
-I think he misses his home allot because he always talks about his past together with his family

Their Relationships with Others:
-He cares about his men allot.
-Close to his parents. He writes to them often.

Letter Writer: Marion Lee ‘Sandy’ Kempner
Military Rank: 2Lt.
KIA/Survivor: KIA 11 Nov. 1966

Their Experiences:
-Operation Jackson - travelled through harsh conditions.
-Another patrolling mission, travelled through harsh conditions, saw a thornless flower
-went on a patrol, got ambushed, got shot in the ass, and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Had a little conversation with the general and earned a medal.

Their Feelings and Point of View:
-well, he must’ve hated being in Vietnam because all he did was complain
-Sarcastic about the meaning of “success” in a successful mission. “It was a very ‘successful mission’ since we managed to kill a few probably innocent civilians, found a few caves and burned down a few houses”
-The war is strange,” at day we help them, at night if we receive fires from the general direction of their hamlet, fire generally reach them”
-“You are what you are what you are” – You are who you are.
-He doesn’t like the higher ups because they would turn a blind eye on the problems they are facing. “they finally left me sicker than I was before”
-he has reservations about the war “you are not alone on those feelings” but he also has a reason for fighting. Muggins questioned the American’s presence in Vietnam, and Sandy’s reply was even though the legality is very flimsy, it is still allot stronger than the previous reasons of the Americans’ past involvements in wars.
-“we are here because we think this is where we must fight to stop communist threat.”

Their Relationships with Others:
-he is close to his family. He writes letters addressed to his parents/ brothers and aunts.
-He looks after his men well. He died because he put his man’s life before his.