Physical Description: .7 Linear Feet(15 folders)
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series contains 334 lettters written by Sgt. Don Zuber, Jr., USA to his parents Don, Sr. and Laura Zuber beginning August
18,1968 and ending March 22,1970. They begin while he was in basic training at Fort Ord, CA, continue through communications
specialist training at Fort Gordon, GA and then the majority of his service as a radio operator at various posts in Vietnam.
In training he describes daily routine, apptitude tests, inspections and detailed combat and physical training.
He describes his fellow soldiers as "all really good guys... It seems as though all prejudice between the races is nonexistence
(sic). It is amazing because we are entirely equal here together. No one has any more than the other guy. We have about 5
colored guys here with us and everyone enjoys talking with everyone." He writes about applying for Officer Candidate School
and Military Occupational Specialty training and his good fortune of being selected for radio operator's school.
In Vietnam, principally at Bien Hoa and Quan Loi, he writes of daily life, food, books he is reading, current movies, specifics
of his job, traveling by plane, helicopter and truck to other bases to change radio frequencies and codes, fellow soldiers,
local Vietnamese people (see esp. letter of 6/27/69), commanding officers, and the rain, mud, heat and insects. In his autobiographical
description of the collection, "My Letters Home" (see Series 7, Folder 22) Zuber says he deliberately chose not to write his
parents of the negative and dangerous aspects of the war and his service. In his letter of 08/23/69 he writes his opinion
of why the U.S. must be in Vietnam, about the Vietnamese people and his change in attitude toward them.
Although while in specialist training Zuber expressed his hope of being stationed in Germany, on February 25, 1969 he shares
the news he is being sent to Vietnam. He writes that he has "a strong faith in God and I'm sure that he will protect me. I
guess he is sending me to Viet Nam to save someone's life. I am sad but I will keep my head high and do my very best.... I
must admit I am a little scared about it all but too - I'm sure it will broaden my outlook on life. It will help me grow up
a bit more." He writes of his excitement about flying over the Pacific Ocean and of the advantage of an early out of the
Army for having served 12 months overseas.
The last folder in this series (Folder 15) contains four undated letters. Most describe photos, but includes one thank-you
letter to Don, Sr. and Laura Zuber from SP/4 Tony C. (Speedy) Gonzales.