Dearest Suzie

Episode 013: 1964-10-28 | Outpost in the Mist

October 28th, 2024  |  5 mins 57 secs

1960s war correspondence, army, army history, arvn, asia, aviation, aviation history, bangkok, civil war, family history podcast, grandfather’s vietnam war letters, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot war stories, huey, legacy of vietnam veterans, letters from vietnam, military, military history, military history podcast, personal vietnam war archive, pleiku, saigon, vc, veteran stories, viet cong, vietnam veteran memoirs, vietnam war, vietnam war diary, vietnam war letters, vietnam war oral history, vietnam war personal accounts, vietnam war photo archive, vinh long, war, war correspondence

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie’s diary describes the attack on the remote outpost of Io Chou, where both U.S. and ARVN forces suffered heavy losses with minimal known casualties on the Viet Cong side. Today’s entry offers a haunting glimpse into the isolated and vulnerable nature of these outposts, where soldiers faced surprise ambushes with limited reinforcement options.

Inspired by scenes from "Apocalypse Now" and "Dispatches" by Michael Herr, we explore the psychological impact of serving in these remote locations and how the Viet Cong’s mastery of the terrain left troops in constant suspense, never knowing if an attack was imminent.

Episode 012: 1964-10-27 | Downed Hueys in the Delta

October 27th, 2024  |  6 mins 57 secs

1960s war correspondence, army, army history, arvn, asia, aviation, aviation history, bangkok, civil war, family history podcast, grandfather’s vietnam war letters, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot war stories, huey, legacy of vietnam veterans, letters from vietnam, military, military history, military history podcast, personal vietnam war archive, pleiku, saigon, vc, veteran stories, viet cong, vietnam veteran memoirs, vietnam war, vietnam war diary, vietnam war letters, vietnam war oral history, vietnam war personal accounts, vietnam war photo archive, vinh long, war, war correspondence

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we delve into Bill Lowie’s October 27 diary entry, recounting a high-stakes troop lift deep in the Mekong Delta. During the operation, two gunships were brought down by enemy fire, triggering a complex and dangerous recovery mission. This episode explores the precarious work of H-37 recovery helicopters, facing battlefield ambush risks and the weight of protecting valuable assets. We also discuss the technical struggles that Hueys faced in Vietnam’s harsh environment, including rotor degradation and engine malfunctions, and the rapid adaptations that improved their resilience.

Episode 011: 1964-10-26 | Quiet but Not Safe

October 26th, 2024  |  6 mins

1960s war correspondence, army, army history, arvn, asia, aviation, aviation history, bangkok, civil war, family history podcast, grandfather’s vietnam war letters, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot war stories, huey, legacy of vietnam veterans, letters from vietnam, military, military history, military history podcast, personal vietnam war archive, pleiku, saigon, vc, veteran stories, viet cong, vietnam veteran memoirs, vietnam war, vietnam war diary, vietnam war letters, vietnam war oral history, vietnam war personal accounts, vietnam war photo archive, vinh long, war, war correspondence

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we explore Bill Lowie's diary entry from October 26, 1964, where an eerily quiet day in Vietnam reveals the ever-present danger beneath the surface. While there were no direct confrontations with the Viet Cong, their silence could mean something far more sinister. We dive into the tactics of guerrilla warfare, the meaning behind "Charlie in the trees," and the psychological toll of navigating a landscape riddled with booby traps like Punji sticks, Bouncing Betties, and tripwire explosives. Even on calm days, the jungle was never safe. These traps, often invisible to the naked eye, turned even routine missions into dangerous endeavors.

The Bouncing Betty mine, originally developed by Germany during World War I and later adopted by the Viet Cong, was designed to inflict maximum damage. Along with Punji sticks and tripwires, these traps contributed to the psychological toll of soldiers who felt the jungle itself was their enemy. This type of warfare has persisted into modern American engagements, seen in the widespread use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the U.S.’s war on terror.

Episode 010: 1964-10-25 | A Life In Motion

October 25th, 2024  |  9 mins 3 secs

1960s war correspondence, army, army history, arvn, asia, aviation, aviation history, bangkok, civil war, family history podcast, grandfather’s vietnam war letters, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot war stories, huey, legacy of vietnam veterans, letters from vietnam, military, military history, military history podcast, personal vietnam war archive, pleiku, saigon, vc, veteran stories, viet cong, vietnam veteran memoirs, vietnam war, vietnam war diary, vietnam war letters, vietnam war oral history, vietnam war personal accounts, vietnam war photo archive, vinh long, war, war correspondence

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we read Bill Lowie’s diary entry from October 25, 1964, where he recounts another mission chasing Viet Cong forces with ARVN troops. Beyond the battlefield, this episode takes a deeper dive into Popi's life, tracing his journey from his birth in Georgia to his experiences across the globe. From peeling potatoes for Hungarian refugees following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution to “capturing” Elvis Presley in Germany, Popi's story is one of service, adventure, and devotion to family. Alongside stories of war, we explore Popi's post-military life, flying for Starkist Tuna, his near-death experience at sea, and his fight with alcoholism. His life was complex, filled with trials and quirks, but ultimately a reflection of a man who never stopped moving.

Episode 009: 1964-10-24 | Borderline Chaos

October 24th, 2024  |  5 mins 28 secs

1960s war correspondence, army, army history, arvn, asia, aviation, aviation history, bangkok, civil war, family history podcast, grandfather’s vietnam war letters, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot war stories, huey, legacy of vietnam veterans, letters from vietnam, military, military history, military history podcast, personal vietnam war archive, pleiku, saigon, vc, veteran stories, viet cong, vietnam veteran memoirs, vietnam war, vietnam war diary, vietnam war letters, vietnam war oral history, vietnam war personal accounts, vietnam war photo archive, vinh long, war, war correspondence

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we explore a tense encounter near the Cambodian border on October 24, 1964. Bill Lowie’s diary recounts the assault on the Dan Phouc outpost, where Viet Cong forces approached through flooded rice fields and captured an American captain. Popi’s vivid entry captures the strategic vulnerability of these border areas and the dangers American forces faced, even from across the Cambodian line.

Episode 008: 1964-10-23 | The V.C. In A Vise

October 23rd, 2024  |  7 mins 6 secs

1960s war correspondence, army, army history, arvn, asia, aviation, aviation history, bangkok, civil war, family history podcast, grandfather’s vietnam war letters, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot war stories, huey, legacy of vietnam veterans, letters from vietnam, military, military history, military history podcast, personal vietnam war archive, pleiku, saigon, vc, veteran stories, viet cong, vietnam veteran memoirs, vietnam war, vietnam war diary, vietnam war letters, vietnam war oral history, vietnam war personal accounts, vietnam war photo archive, vinh long, war, war correspondence

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we dive into an intense entry from my grandfather’s diary, where he details his first assault mission in Vietnam. In this mission, Popi describes transporting ARVN troops into a Viet Cong stronghold, facing enemy fire, and narrowly escaping danger thanks to gunship support.

Accompanied by a personal story of my own encounter with a Vietnam War exhibit at the National Infantry Museum, this episode highlights the tension, fear, and chaotic reality that soldiers like my grandfather experienced.