Houck, Lawrence Emanuel (Vietnam War correspondence), 1968 May 10

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Summary

Title:
Lawrence Emanuel Houck II Vietnam War correspondence
Dates:
1968 May 10
Creators:
Snyder, Robert E., Jr. and Houck II, Lawrence Emanuel
Abstract:
This collection contains one letter, written by 1stLt. Lawrence Emanuel Houck II. Houck, USMC during the Vietnam War.
Containers:
box: Vietnam 1
folder: 2-3
folder: 1-2
Extent:
0.025 Linear Feet (1 envelope)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Lawrence Emanuel Houck II Vietnam War Correspondence (2014.051.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is available online in Chapman University's Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/lehouck_collection/

This collection contains one letter from First Lieutenant Lawrence Emanuel Houck II, United States Marine Corps to his friend Robert E. Snyder Jr. during the Vietnam War. Houck was a helicopter pilot and his tour began February 27, 1968 and ended on February 4, 1969, when his body was recovered in a helicopter crash.

In the letter, Houck talks about how disappointing it is that some of the countries with the "old world feel" (like Japan and Thailand) are modernizing with the rest of the world.

Houck mentioned that they were fired upon while aboard the USS Iwo Jima while near the Cua Viet River. He also talked about fighting with the North Vietnamese Army.

Houck was a pilot and talked about the oldest helicopters in the Marine Corps, the UH-34Ds, and how he enjoyed flying them.

While on medivac duty, got a call for two priority medivacs north of Dong Ha. They were fired upon by the NVA with 30 caliber automatic weapons and grenades. The pilot was hit in the eyes and shrapnel broke Houck's visor, sending pieces of plastic in his right eye and cutting his cheek. Because the pilot couldn't see, Houck took over the controls and attempted to fly them out. They were able to escape, but the helicopter was badly damaged and everyone was wounded.

Also with the letter are two newspaper clippings.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Robert E. Snyder, Jr.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type and chronology.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Daniel Levy
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-01-21 16:52:42 -0500 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Lawrence Emanuel Houck II Vietnam War Correspondence (2014.051.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
Website