11 May 1968

Dear Mom and Dad,

Got a pleasant surprise today. My bronze star and citation came in. I didn’t even know for sure that I had been written up for it and I certainly didn’t expect to get it. I was embarrassed to even read the citation it made it sound like such a big deal. Much bigger than it seemed at the time. Don’t know when it will be presented, probably not until Capt. Austin’s next trip up here from Saigon. Anyway you can imagine, I have a grin as big as Marc’s.

By the time you get this, I’ll be down to 5 months. The rest should go by pretty fast. Just in case I forgot to tell you, I’ll be staying on the Pt. Welcome to train the incoming CO. After that, I’ll be riding along any 82’s that need me as much as I can. I really don’t want to go up on the barge now, even if it means I won’t get to go to Japan.

I have been thinking about it and I think Harry is making the right decision to take classes at the Junior College for right now. Everything is changing so fast and I think staying in school is a good idea. Speaking of, I can’t believe Jeannie will be starting high school in the fall. Please tell her that big brother misses her and please let everyone know I’m looking forward to seeing them soon.

Love,

Gerry