In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes after a long day that started with a trip to the rocket range and ended with the rescue and repair of a downed helicopter. His friend, Louis Litt, made a safe emergency landing, and by nightfall, the ship was patched up and flown out — a rare win in a war where victories are hard to come by.
But the letter quickly shifts. Lt. Tucker, missing for days, has been officially declared dead. There’s a service planned in Saigon, but Popi doesn’t plan to attend. One was enough. These aren’t isolated events anymore — they’re piling up. And the weight of them is starting to show.
Though not mentioned directly, this letter falls the day before Operation Fact Sheet officially launched in Vietnam. Designed by the U.S. Information Service, this psychological operation targeted civilians in rural areas with anti-communist messaging. But like so many efforts to win hearts and minds, it often missed the mark — or worse, made civilians into targets themselves. Popi may not have named the operation, but he flew similar missions. Loudspeaker broadcasts, leaflet drops. Words meant to change minds. Words often drowned out by bullets and fear.
What’s Covered:
- Popi’s April 13 letter about a quiet rescue mission and a fallen friend
- The emotional toll of repeated memorial services
- The launch of Operation Fact Sheet and its limited impact
- A look at psychological warfare in Vietnam from the air
📷 Featured Photo: A blurry shot from inside a helicopter cockpit, with two Hueys visible through the windshield as they bank in formation.
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