Encoded for the Veterans History Project, February 1, 2023.
All letters in the Larry O'Neal collection were digitized; selected letters and postcards have been transcribed.
Documents are transcribed with minimal changes to the original text in an effort to preserve original appearance, content, and idiosyncrasies of composition. Period language and terminology are also retained. Transcription is literal with regard to the writer's capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and visible corrections (i.e. crossed out words). Spelling errors are indicated with [sic]; however, recurring errors in spelling or grammar within a single document have been marked the first time and and not subsequently. Crossed out words are presented {in braces}. Any special emphasis (i.e. underlining) is presented *between asterisks*. When the writer spells out the word "and" it appears spelled out; when a symbol is used for "and" the editor used the ampersand. Alterations to the original text are consistent throughout and all editorial comments appear in [square brackets]: a single space is placed between sentences, nontextual symbols (circled page numbers, scribbles, etc.) have been changed to plain typographical characters when possible or omitted with a note, obvious slips of the pen have been silently corrected, and malformed letters are presented as the intended letter, based on spelling and context. All superscripts and underscored superscripts have been lowered to the regular line of text and are not underscored. Single word interlineations are indicated with a single caret (^) before the word; multiple word interlineations are presented ^surrounded by carets^.
May 3, 1968
Dear Pat,
I just received your letter with the flicks and I must say you're looking as beautiful and sexy as ever. Real sexy! (Hope Vince don't mind.)
I would call but there's no telephones to the states from here only Hamm sets and we can't use them.
Your pictures really look great. I'll hang them over my rack and have sweet dreams all night long WOW! Especially the one with the printed dress on. ^OH THOSE LIPS SEXY!^
I believe I'm getting horny too but I was a little luckier than Tom, my wife came to see me before I left the states and we had a great time espicially [sic.] after lights out. ^HA!^
I just got a letter from Mike today also. He said he's having a pretty good time in Nam. He's got a girlfriend already.
I sure will be glad when I get to Nam. I'm just counting the days until I go. I've already told our First Sergeant and C.O. that I wanted to go. They said I'll probably go just as soon as I get to the states and I can't harly [sic.] wait.
I just might volenteer [sic.] for Recon pretty soon to get out of this God damn artillery. There just ain't no action in it. But I'll stay with it if I can be with
the Forward Observer cause he's a damn grunt anyway and that's what I want to be.
Well, I've got to say "Adios" for now so be good and watch those Palm Spring [sic.] trips ^HA!^ Sure do with I could have been there to see you in your sexy robe among a few other things! ^HA!^ Take it easy or take it anyway you can get it! ^HA!^ Love ya!
Larry
P.S. Don't feel bad about breaking rule no. 1. We're all in the same boat right? Besides it's fun while it lasts right??!! Believe me I know. ^HA!^ When I get to Calif. you and I will go out and sky up on a big [drunk?]. ^OK!^ Adios! ^HA!^ (That is if Vince don't blow my brains out when he reads this.)