Dearest Suzie

Episode 007: General Comments After One Month | Guns, Grunts, and Double Agents

October 21st, 2024  |  7 mins 48 secs

1960s war correspondence, 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 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 Bill Lowie’s reflections after his first month in Vietnam. Popi dispels the myth that American advisors were equipped with outdated, World War II-era surplus and shares his experiences with the latest military equipment and aviation. We also explore the frustrations felt by U.S. advisors over the lack of cooperation with ARVN leaders and the inherent dangers of troop lift missions. Lastly, Popi introduces us to Chou, an infamous figure who blurred the lines between friend and foe in the chaos of war.

Accompanied by a photo depicting women at the edge of the tarmac, possibly linked to Chou’s operations, today’s episode offers a glimpse into the ambiguous and complex relationships that emerged in Vietnam’s war zones.

Episode 006: 1964-10-20 | Psyops and Target Practice

October 20th, 2024  |  6 mins 31 secs

1960s war correspondence, 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 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 recounts a unique mission flying a helicopter outfitted for psychological operations, broadcasting messages to the Viet Cong as part of a psychological warfare effort. Despite initial skepticism from his fellow soldiers, Popi reflects on the potential effectiveness of these missions in reaching illiterate populations with crucial information.

Accompanied by a powerful image of flyers being prepared for airdrop, today’s episode delves into the use of psychological tactics during the Vietnam War and Popi’s first encounter with a young Viet Cong prisoner, a stark reminder of the complexities and personal conflicts soldiers faced.

Episode 005: 1964-10-12 | Jet Fuel and the Delta

October 12th, 2024  |  7 mins 35 secs

1960s war correspondence, 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 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 recounts his first flight over the lower Mekong Delta, where he experiences the unsettling reality of conducting military operations in a region largely controlled by the Viet Cong. During a three-hour flight, Popi's helicopter stops at a dirt strip to refuel, only to be tasked with transporting a new advisor to a remote outpost surrounded by dense trees. With the constant fear of enemy attack, he reflects on the paradox of relying on fuel transported by civilians who pay "road taxes" to the Viet Cong. This uneasy cooperation, in which the Viet Cong could halt military movements by stopping fuel deliveries, exemplifies the complexities and contradictions U.S. forces faced in Vietnam.