It's good to have someone to tell your troubles to. I can't tell them to my parents or Darlene because they worry too much, but I tell you truthfully I doubt if I'll come out of this alive. In my original squad I'm the only one left unharmed. In my platoon there's only 13 of us. It seems every day another young guy 18 and 19 years old like myselfis killed in action. Please help me, Mad. I don't know if I should stop writing my parents and Darlene or what. Oh, and one more favor. I'd like to know the truth now. Has Darlene been faithful to me? I know she's dating other guys, but does she still love me best? See if it's God's will. I have to make it out of Vietnam though, cause I'm lucky. I hope. Ha ha.
Love,
Ray
PFC Raymond C. Griffiths went to Vietnam just after Christmas in 1965 and was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He wrote this letter to Madeline Velasco, a friend from high school in San Francisco, California, in June 1966. He was killed a few weeks later, on the Fourth of July. He was 19 years old. The average age of the combat soilder in Vietnam.
