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U.S. Marine Corps

Tim Cahill

Lance Corporal (LCpl)
F Co, 60mm, 2/5, 1st Marine Div
Vietnam (no specific place named in his letters)
September 7, 1968
January 18, 1969

His Story

Tim Cahill of Chicago served in the U.S. Marine Corps with Fox Company, 2/5, 1st Marine Division, and wrote eight letters to Barbara Madro of Cicero, Illinois, between September 1968 and January 1969. He found her address in the Sea Tiger newspaper and decided, in his words, "why not." In his first letter, dated September 7, 1968, he introduced himself: a Marine for about fourteen months, in Vietnam for four, from Chicago's southwest side around Midway Airport, with brown hair and blue eyes, six feet one inch tall and skinny. He asked her to write back because it was "awfuly lonely here and mail means alot." Barbara did write, and Tim kept writing through the fall. Most of his time, he told her, was spent out in the field, half in the mountains and half in the rice paddies. In early November his unit was on an operation trying to cut off the enemy's supply routes. He had just made squad leader, was dug in "in the middle of no were" with a cup of C-ration coffee, and wrote that he had a lot of respect for the enemy soldiers, who "keep fighten till they can't do any more." Two weeks later he thought the war was finally coming to an end, and told her he had lost too many friends there. His letters mix jokes with news from home. He teased Barbara as "Arsoness" and wished her luck in her "life of crime." He told her his parents had sold their house and were moving to Cicero, that they had taken an apartment on "22 + central," and that his brother would be going to Morton High School. He spent five days of R&R in Bangkok in early December and came back to a new job as section leader, with three squads to worry about. His Christmas, he wrote, was quiet and sad, but he knew there were people in worse shape than he was. By mid-December he was counting 60 to 90 days until he would be home. The last letter in the collection, from January 1969, is a short one: he had to go out on a patrol.

Letters

September 7, 1968
Vietnam (place not stated)

September 7, 68

Dear Barbara,

Hello! How are you? fine I hope. Well I guess your getten alot of letters, from guy’s over here. Well I saw your address in a newspapper called the “Sea Tiger” Well I saw your address in this papper and why not. So here I am writing to you. Weather I get an answer or not is another story.

Well I guess I better introduce my self, my name is Tim Cahill, I’m a Marine, I’ve been in the service about 14 months, I’ve been in Viet Nam for 4 months. And I live in Chicago, on the South west side around Mid way airport. Well I got Brown hair, blue eyes, 6 ft 1 inch, and skinny and well I think I sound like a girl discribing my self.

Well Barbara if you write back describe yourself ok. I mean tell me about yourself. And If you don’t mind send me a picture. If you write I’d realy appriate it. cause it’s awfuly lonely here and mail means alot.

Well Barbara here’s my address in case you decide to write.

L/Cpl. T. P. CAHILL 2359296
Fox. Co. 60. M.M. 2/5 1st MARINE DIV.
FPO. SAN. FRANCISCO CALIFORINIA
“VIET NAM”. 96602

Well I guess now I can just wait for an answer.

yours truly
Tim Cahill

Two pages, numbered 1 and 2. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "getten," "newspapper," "Weather" for "whether," "appriate," and "Califorinia"). He printed his address on page 2 in block letters. "Introduce" is split across two lines in the original ("intro-duce"). NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter beyond "Viet Nam." NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the red-and-blue "By Air Mail" envelope carries the archive number "1" and has no postmark. Its return address includes "Viet Nam" in quotation marks, as in the address he wrote out in this letter. It is matched to this letter on the archive number.
October 3, 1968
Vietnam (place not stated)

Sept-3-68

Dear Barbara,

Hello! How are you? fine I hope. Well I’ve recieved your letter about 5 day’s ago. We were on a operation and were very busy. And today is the first time in along time I’ve actuly had time to write any letters.

I was glad to hear from you. and from your description, you sound like a very nice young lady. I wish I could tell you about my self but there’s nothing to tell. I guess I’ve lived sort of a fast and dull life.

You say you collect, pictures and thing’s. If I ever come accross anything of that sort I’ll be more then happy to send it to you. But you see most of my time is spent out in the field one half in the mountains, and one half in the rice paddies.

Well Barb I guess I’ve run out of thing’s to say. If you have any questions I’ll be happy to answer them. Thank you for writing. I hope you’ll write again.

Tim

Two pages, numbered 1 and 2. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "recieved," "actuly," and "accross"). NEEDS VERIFICATION - date: the letter is headed "Sept-3-68" in his ink. "Sept" is struck through in pencil and "Oct" is written above it, in what appears to be a different hand. The correction fits the letter: he is answering Barbara's reply to his first letter, which he wrote on September 7, 1968, so this one cannot date from September 3. The letter is filed as October 3, 1968; the date as he wrote it is preserved in the transcription. NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter. NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the plain envelope marked "air Mail" in his hand carries the archive number "2" and has no postmark. It is matched to this letter on the archive number.
November 4, 1968
Vietnam, in the field (place not stated)

November 4, 68

Dear Barb,

I’m sorry I hadn’t, answered sooner, but weve been pretty busy. So howve you been? Fine I hope. Did you have a nice halloween. I hope so. Thank’s alot for the card.

Well were on another operation, weve been moven all over trying to cut off the enemy’s supply routes. Weve captured alot of weapon’s, and about 10 V.C. or N.V.A. soldiers.

Did you hear what the marine corps. finaly did. Well they finaly gave us camoflage utilities. They don’t help the war, any, but they look nice. We look the realy fighten marines they show in the pictures.

Well I finaly made squad leader over here. after being in for 17 months, I’m finaly getten up there. Right now were dug in out in the middle of no were. I’m enjoying a nice, cup of C ration coffee it tastes like —-! excuse the languge, I didn’t use.

Were waiten for some N.V.A soldiers to surrender to us. They realy are brave. I have alot of respect for the enemy, They keep fighten till they can’t do any more. They’ve got gutz. But so do we, We fight till the last man. I hope I’m not the last man!

Well my folks sold our house there moven to Berywn or cicero, there looking at home’s now. I guess I better go. Thanks for writen Barb. Take care + write soon if not, sooner.

Tim

Two pages on blue-tinted stationery, numbered 1 and 2. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "moven," "finaly," "camoflage," "no were," "languge," "gutz," and "there" for "they're"). The dashes after "tastes like" are his own. NEEDS VERIFICATION - wording: the town name on page 2 is read as "Berywn," presumably Berwyn, Illinois; the middle letters are unclear. NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter. He says his unit is on an operation and "dug in out in the middle of no were." NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the plain envelope carries an archive number read as "3" (it is written at an angle) and has no postmark. It is matched to this letter on the archive number.
November 17, 1968
Vietnam (place not stated)

Nov, 17, 68

Dear Barb,

Hi! How are you? Fine and in good health I hope. I received your letter today and picture, it was very nice of you to send a picture, thank you very mutch.

I’m sorry you must have mistaken my last letter, I have been in Viet Nam for 7 months (seven) not 17 (seventeen). I wish I were here 17 month’s, but if I last my first 13, I just might last another 6.

It seems the war is finaly coming to an end. Theres less and less action every day. They talk of redrawing our troops back to the states. The N.V.A. North Viet Nam army has already with drew, most of there units. That’s one reason were having less, action over here. I’m sure gonna miss the action, but I won’t ever regret it. I’ve lost to many friends over here. To many men died for a worthless cause.

My folks, sold there house and are moving to Cicero. They say they have found a place but, they hadn’t sent me the address. I sure hope they found a nice place.

Well it’s getting kind of late so I better be going. I’m gonna send you a picture. It’s not so hot. but it’s a picture.

Well Take care + write soon.

Timmy

Two pages on blue-tinted stationery printed with a map of Vietnam, numbered 1 and 2. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "mutch," "finaly," "redrawing" for "withdrawing," "with drew," and "to many"). He signs this letter "Timmy." His correction about "7 months ... not 17" refers to his letter of November 4, where "17 months" was his time in the service, not his time in Vietnam. "I wish I were here 17 month's" is transcribed as he wrote it. NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter. NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the blue-tinted envelope, which matches this stationery, carries the archive number "4" and has no postmark. It was scanned with page 2 of this letter and is matched to it on the archive number. In the original scan the envelope lies over the blank lower part of page 2, so that page image ends below the signature. He mentions sending a picture; no photograph was among the scans.
November 30, 1968
Vietnam (place not stated)

November 30-68

Dear Arsoness,

Howve you been? Fine I hope. I recieved your letter today, I was very happy to hear from you. How come you never told me you live a life of crime I never thought you were a arsoness. Only joking.

Well I’m finaly going on R+R. I’m going to Bankcock for 5 day’s. I hope to rest up and enjoy my self as mutch as possible.

My folks got an apartment on 22 + central, There gonna buy a house as soon as they can get a good deal. My brother will be going to Morton high school.

Well only 3 more months and I’ll be back to that beautiful place called home.

Well Barb I guess I’ve talked my self out. Write soon. Take care, + good luck on your life of crime.

Your’s Truly
Tim

Two pages, numbered 1 and 2. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "recieved," "arsoness," "Bankcock," and "mutch"). The greeting "Dear Arsoness" and the jokes about a "life of crime" answer something in Barbara's letter to him, which is not in the collection. "22 + central" is transcribed as he wrote it. NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter. NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the red-and-blue air mail envelope carries the archive number "5" and has no postmark. Part of its return address is smudged. It is matched to this letter on the archive number.
December 12, 1968
Vietnam (place not stated)

Dec, 12, 68

Dear Barb,

Hello! How have you been? Fine and in good health I hope. I recieved your letter + card today, It sure was nice of you, to send the card, Thanks.

Well I got back off, R+R, the 8th it sure was, decent in Bangkok, real nice people, there, I had alot fun and alot of rest.

And tomarrow we leave on operation in the mountains, I hate mountain, were suppose to be up there for along time.

And I’m no longer squad leader. Now I’m a section leader. Now I have 3 squads to worry about. I’m only an E3 – L/Cpl. and I have a Seargent’s job, I would say there’s something wrong, somewere’s.

Only 60 to 90 day’s and I’ll be home again. How nice it is, to be short. Well Barb I can’t send a card so I hope this will do. I wish you a Merry Christmas, and, Happy New year. Write soon, + Take care.

Tim

Two pages, numbered 1 and 2. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "recieved," "tomarrow," "I hate mountain," "Seargent's," and "somewere's"). "Short" is his word for having little time left in his tour. NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter. He says he returned from R&R in Bangkok on the 8th and leaves the next day on an operation in the mountains. NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the red-and-blue air mail envelope carries the archive number "6" and has no postmark. It is matched to this letter on the archive number.
January 2, 1969
Vietnam (place not stated)

January 2, 68

Dear Barb,

Hi! Howve you been? Fine I hope. I recieved your letter today it was very nice of you to send those pictures, I want to thankyou very mutch, I’d rather have a picture of you HINT! HINT!

Well my Christmass was quiet and sad, but you know we all have to make sacrifices, I know there’s people who are in worse shape then I am. So I can’t complain. I hope the strike ends real soon and your place get’s back to normal.

I imagine it was realy nice when those little kids, came singing christmass carols, I’d realy be chilled by it. It’s nice to no that kids are still the same as alway’s I hope they never change.

Well Barb I guess I’ve run out of thing’s to say. Well I hope you had a enjoyable christmass + New year. and good luck on this New year. Take care + write soon if not, sooner.

Your’s Truly
Tim

Two pages on blue-tinted stationery printed with a map of Vietnam, numbered 1 and 2. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "recieved," "mutch," "Christmass," "realy," and "no" for "know"). NEEDS VERIFICATION - date: the letter is headed "January 2, 68," but it belongs to January 1969. He did not begin writing to Barbara until September 1968, the letter looks back on Christmas, its envelope is numbered "7," and the profile card gives the correspondence as Sept '68 to Jan '69. The "68" appears to be a new-year slip of the pen. The letter is filed as January 2, 1969; the date as written is preserved in the transcription. NEEDS VERIFICATION - wording: "chilled" in "I'd realy be chilled by it" is transcribed as it reads; he may have meant "thrilled." The word "ends" is written over an earlier attempt. The strike he mentions is not identified in the letter. NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter. NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the pink-and-blue air mail envelope carries the archive number "7" and has no postmark. It was scanned with page 2 of this letter and is matched to it on the archive number. In the original scan the envelope lies over the blank lower part of page 2, so that page image ends below the signature.
January 18, 1969
Vietnam (place not stated)

Jan, 18, 68

Dear Barb,

Hello! Howve you been? Fine and in good health, I hope. I recieved your letter today I was realy glad to hear from you. I liked your picture very mutch. And I enjoyed reading your fathers letter.

Nothing new here it’s still the same, sweat + huff all day, try and stay awake all night.

Well I guess I better cut it short we have to go out on a patrol. I’ll write next chance I get. Take care + be good.

Timmy

One page, numbered 1. Spelling and punctuation follow the original (for example, "recieved," "realy," and "mutch"). He signs this letter "Timmy." There is a small mark after the word "picture" that is not transcribed. NEEDS VERIFICATION - date: the letter is headed "Jan, 18, 68," but it belongs to January 1969, for the same reasons as his letter of January 2: it follows the 1968 letters, it thanks Barbara for the picture he hinted for on January 2, its envelope is numbered "8," and the profile card ends the correspondence in Jan '69. The letter is filed as January 18, 1969; the date as written is preserved in the transcription. NEEDS VERIFICATION - location: no place is written on the letter. NEEDS VERIFICATION - envelope pairing: the red-and-blue air mail envelope carries the archive number "8" and has no postmark. It was scanned with this letter and is matched to it on the archive number.
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