Finding Aid for the Dale M. McGinley Vietnam War correspondence 2015.087.w.r
Lauren Menges
Center for American War Letters Archives
11/23/2016
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Dale M. McGinley Vietnam War correspondence
source:
McGinley, Dale M.
Identifier/Call Number: 2015.087.w.r
Identifier/Call Number: 1299
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear Feet
(4 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1968 March 7 - 1969 April 5
Abstract: This collection contains the correspondence and photographs of SPC Dale McGinley, USA during the Vietnam War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Vietnam 2
Container: 7-10
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Dale M. McGinley.
Specialist Dale M. McGinley USA
[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Dale M. McGinley Vietnam War correspondence (2015.087.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 URL's, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains 40 correspondence written by SPC Dale M. McGinley, USA, to his parents and siblings during the Vietnam
War. The collection also contains over two hundred photographs that Dale took while serving in Vietnam depicting his camp,
fellow soldiers, the field, Saigon, and the Vietnamese people.
Dale McGinley was from El Cajon, CA and began serving in the army at age 20 - it is not clear if he enlisted or if he was
drafted. He first served as a PFC, but was later promoted to SP/4 in C company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Division of the
Army.
Dale's letters are generally upbeat and positive - it is clear he does not want his family to worry about him. He writes very
little about any combat experiences he may have had, but rather about his duties around camp and his fellow soldiers. He was
very interested in photography and mentions taking pictures with his camera frequently.
His letter dated June 7, 1968 mentions the assassination of Robert Kennedy. It seems that he and his friends sometimes took
turns writing to each other's families. The letter dated August 17, 1968 was written by his friend Gary Scoles, who describes
Dale in this way: "The only thing Dale is good for is making us laugh. He is very innocent and very sly." Dale was proud to
be a Californian and mentions this from time to time in his letters. The collection also contains a photograph of him with
the California state flag.
The letter dated November 2, 1968 says "We heard on the news yesterday that Johnson stopped the bombing of N. Vietnam as of
9:00 last night. I sure hope he knows what he's doing."
The most critical Dale became of the war is evidenced in the letter dated December 9, 1968, shortly after he received a new
work assignment off the front lines. He writes, "It sure is a relief to be off line. (for you too I'm sure.) It's really been
bad out there the last few months and there isn't any let up lately. Charley company needs people out there real bad but I'm
not about to go. I really hate to see what's happening but there isn't much one man can do to help. I figure I did my share
and I'm too damn scared to go out there anyway. The only way they could get me out there now is to take me up in a chopper
and push me out! The more time that goes by the more I hate this Army and mostly this stinking, useless war! Sometimes I don't
know whether to scream or cry."
Shortly thereafter, Dale decided to extend his stay in Vietnam for 50 days so that he could leave the Army earlier after he
returned to the United States. In the letter dated January 22, 1969, he mentions listening to Richard Nixon's inauguration
address and that he was surprised that Nixon didn't say more about the war.
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.
Correspondence -- California
War letters -- California
Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Correspondence
McGinley, Dale M.
McGinley, Dale M.