Physical Description: .66 Linear Feet(8 folders)
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series contains correspondence that CPL Bruce M. Pilch wrote to his family in Van Nuys, California while serving in Vietnam.
Pilch was with the 81mm Mortar Platoon in Khe Sanh during the Battle of Khe Sanh. Pilch also writes letters from Phu Bai,
Con Thien, and the USS Princeton. The letters discuss activities in Vietnam, military operations, and R & R procedures and
locations, including China Beach. Pilch also writes frequently about events at home, including news events and entertainment
events. He also writes often about the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Letters of interest include a letter from November 17, 1967 in which Pilch writes about Major General Bruno Hocmuth being
killed. A December 25, 1967 letter discusses President Johnson's trip to Saigon.
In a letter on February 17th, 1968, Pilch reveals he is in Khe Sanh and discusses "Operation Scotland." A February 9, 1968
letter also refers to "Operation Scotland." In an April 1st, 1968 letter, Pilch writes about President Lyndon Johnson's decision
to not run for reelection and also writes about "Operation Pegasus."
In a May 24, 1968 letter, Pilch writes about the 26th Marines receiving a President Unit Citation for Khe Sanh. A few letters
in June 1968 refer to Bobby Kennedy's assassination. An October 22, 1968 letter mentions memorial services for Marines who
got killed at LZ Mango and the DMZ.
A few letters also mention the book "I Protest!" by David Douglas Duncan about Khe Sanh.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Battle of Khe Sanh (2nd) (Vietnam : 1968)
Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Vietnam.
Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Correspondence