Dearest Suzie

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.

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.

Episode 004: 1964-10-10 | Screwdrivers to Saigon

October 10th, 2024  |  7 mins 1 sec

1960s war correspondence, arvn, asia, 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, Popi recounts a challenging day filled with the recovery of a downed Huey helicopter, the long wait under the scorching sun during a formal medal ceremony, and a disturbing injury that reflects the psychological toll of war. I also provide some background on another helicopter.

Accompanied by a photograph of soldiers standing at attention among U.S. state flags, today’s episode offers a glimpse into the daily challenges of military life during the Vietnam War.