Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Arrangement
  • Preferred Citation
  • Scope and Contents
  • Conditions Governing Use

  • Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
    Title: Lawrence Emanuel Houck II Vietnam War correspondence
    source: Snyder, Robert E., Jr.
    Creator: Houck II, Lawrence Emanuel
    Identifier/Call Number: 2014.051.w.rd
    Identifier/Call Number: 197
    Physical Description: 0.025 Linear Feet (1 envelope)
    Date: 1968 May 10
    Abstract: This collection contains one letter, written by 1stLt. Lawrence Emanuel Houck II. Houck, USMC during the Vietnam War.
    Language of Material: English .
    Container: Vietnam 1
    Container: 2-3
    Container: 1-2

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open for research.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Gift of Robert E. Snyder, Jr.

    Arrangement

    This collection is arranged by material type and chronology.

    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.

    Scope and Contents

    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.

    Conditions Governing Use

    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.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Vietnam.
    Snyder, Robert E., Jr.