Dearest Suzie

Episode 001: 1964-10-06 | Saved by a Flak Vest

October 6th, 2024  |  6 mins 44 secs

1960s war correspondence, arvn, asia, bangkok, civil war, family history podcast, grandfather’s vietnam war letters, helicopter pilot, helicopter pilot war stories, 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 the very first entry from my grandfather Bill Lowie's Vietnam War diary, dated October 6, 1964. Serving as a helicopter pilot in the 114th Assault Helicopter Company, Bill recounts a close call involving Specialist Kelley, a crew-chief and gunman who narrowly avoided serious injury when a .30-caliber bullet pierced through his helicopter. Thanks to his flak vest, Kelly walked away with only a bruise, a reminder of the constant danger these soldiers faced.

We also explore the history and significance of the 114th "Knights of the Air" and their critical role in transporting troops during high-risk assault missions. Additionally, I reflect on the normalization of life-threatening situations for these men and the technological advancements that kept them alive.

Accompanied by a rare photo of Kelley, today’s episode offers a glimpse into the realities of war, where even a minor injury tells a larger story of survival.