Finding Aid for Lawrence Emanuel Houck II correspondence 2014.051.w.rd
Daniel Levy
Center for American War Letters Archives
11/17/2014
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
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
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Robert E. Snyder, Jr.
This collection is arranged by material type and chronology.
[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.
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.
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.