Letter to Louisa Messolonghites

Item

derivative filename/jpeg
363-08097 to 363-08098.pdf
Digital Object Identifier
363-08097 to 363-08098
Title
Letter to Louisa Messolonghites
Description
Letter to Louisa Messolonghites, for The Reporter
Transcript
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- Page 1
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Saigon
April 10, 1962
Louisa Messolonghites
The Reporter
660 Madison Avenue
New York 21, New York
Dear Madam:
Your letter of March 2nd arrived while I was traveling extensively
in the southern delta and northern plateau regions of Viet Nam.
I propose to write a 4000-word article, which might be entitled,
"Viet Nam--Country in a Crossfire. " It would explain the problems of
the populace in supporting either the government or the Communist Viet Cong;
the problems of the Vietnamese military in combatting the enemy and the
problems of the U. S. military in their delate position of advising, but
not leading troops.
The article would be illustrated by my visit to Cao Lanh, the
capital of Kien Phong province, an area almost completely under Viet Cong
control near the Cambodian border.
Until three months ago Major John K. Munson, of Groton, Mass., was
the only American advisor in the province. He lived with the Vietnamese,
ate their food and taught them English with a Boston accent. Two
Midwesterners and two Southerners then arrived not only to complicate his
linguistic accomplishments, but also to expedite the training of local
militia units. Within two months a 30-man barracks will be built for more
Americans an indication of the build-up of American personnel even in the
most remote areas.
One of the first large-scale operations Major Munson advised was the
sending of two battalions to encircle a known Viet Cong encampment.
Government forces captured only three Viet Cong and ninety suspects, who had
thrown their weapons into a canal so they could not be held as prisoners.
"It's their ability to change from fighter to farmer status that throws me,"
the Major emphasized.
8
With heavy military escort, I visited a small hamlet near Cao Lanh.
"We are caught in the crossfire," said an old man in white blouse and baggy
pants.
are afraid to go out at night; the soldiers think we are V. C."
The most serious complaint in the village was not the Viet Cong, but the
rice shortage--an illustration of the need for economic improvement in the
rural areas to undercut the Communist arguments.
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To expand the Cao Lanh story to the whole country, I talked with
Vietnamese military division or corps commanders and American military
dvisors. I have been assured of having an interview with either President
Ngo Dink
or his powerful brother and political advisor, Ngo Dinh
Nhu, sometime in April. My article will be ready for airmailing a week after
receipt of your reply unless you specify my waiting longer for nither interview.
Thank you for your oonsideration of this letter.
Diem
Sincerely yours,
(Miss)
Beverly Deepe
% Associated Press
Rue Pasteur 158 D/3
Saigon, Viet Nam
Cable:
Associated Saigon
Date
1962, Apr. 10
Subject
Vietnam, 1961-1975;
Location
Saigon, South Vietnam
Coordinates
10.8231; 106.6311
Size
20 x 26 cm
Container
B1, F8
Format
dispatches
Collection Number
MS 363
Collection Title
Beverly Deepe Keever, Journalism Papers
Creator
Keever, Beverly Deepe
Collector
Keever, Beverly Deepe
Copyright Information
These images are for educational use only. To inquire about usage or publication, please contact Archives & Special Collections.
Publisher
Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
Language
English