Diary Entry 25: Saigon, Sunday Night, 11 July 1965

                                                                                                                  Saigon
                                                                                                                  Sunday Night, 11 July 1965

Feel pretty pleased with myself tonight.  Worked real hard all day and got caught up with that infernal paperwork.  Feel like I can breathe again with all of it out of the way for a day or two.
   
Grady moved today so it is kinda quiet here tonight.  He came by to tell me his room at the Vinh Loi is not as nice as this apartment, but he expects to move up to better things as others move out.  No more guns around here to scare me.
   
Woke up this morning at 4:30 a.m. when it seemed all hell broke loose across the river.  Lots of artillery and small arms fire.  Was real close, so I couldn’t get back to sleep.  Seems like I wake up over any small noise.

Called lots of people back to work today to get a crash project out, but they all responded quickly because I had shown displeasure at not being able to contact people the last time I had to.  This time all but one was available.  Will bet you 100-to-1 that he will be available next time!
Go to Vung Tau tomorrow to look over some business and am taking 2 officers with me. Sending another to Cam Ranh Bay also to watch the shop.  [Clark and the officers went to these locations to assist in troop movements associated with the arrival of the 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.]  This will be my 24th air mission and 30th hour of flying since I arrived.  Hear my boys call me Rambling Richard when they think I’m not listening!

I try not to get frustrated when people don’t put out, but it is hard to accomplish this.  Seems like people just don’t have the sense of urgency that they ought to.  Yes, I know I can’t win just by myself, but I like to go to bed every night feeling that I really put out the effort and tried my best.

Feel real proud of myself that I have not felt scared at any time since coming here.  Having once been through something similar and knowing exactly what is in store, I wondered often whether the thought of it would frighten me, because as a lieutenant I sure had some scary times.  Not been upset or worried at all.  Just cautious and patient.  The fact that I haven’t been shook up gives me confidence.