The Hairy Arm

In December 1967, we were back in California on home leave from La Paz, Bolivia. We stayed with Ruth, Dick’s older sister and family. Ruth and I went shopping every week because I was busy buying shoes, clothes and other supplies to take to our new post, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. One of the most beautiful items I bought was a silver punch bowl, with 12 cups. I could imagine the delicious lunches I would prepare and serve my guests champagne punch, or use the bowl for “walnut tea”, one of the most famous Chinese deserts.

One morning while we were having breakfast the doorbell rang and there was a telegram for my husband, Richard. It was from Lyndon B. Johnson ordering him to Vietnam instead. Wives and children were not allowed to go. We could, however, choose to live in the United States, Hawaii, Bangkok, Manila or Taipei. I was devastated and could not imagine what I would do with my children for the next two years.

Dick arrived in Vietnam in January 1968, two days before the Tet Offensive and all hell broke loose. He and one other American in a downtown hotel awoke to the sounds of gun fire and explosions all around the area. By 8 a.m all was quiet, unnaturally so. The armed forces radio said there was a 24 hour curfew and they did not dare leave the hotel. As all but one or two of the hotel staff had gone home for Tet, there was neither hot water nor food. The two men shared some pretzels and gum drops, which was all they had. By the next morning, they were so hungry they decided they had to venture out. They crept along walls towards the nearest Army mess, finding it surrounded by a wagon train of vehicles with armed soldiers in helmets and flack jackets on guard. They waved and called out and were permitted to enter the mess, where they feasted on powdered mashed potatoes, canned beans and canned beef. It took a few more days before the city began to function and the two men could report for work.

I had decided to go back to Taipei,Taiwan, the island I loved so much. I understood that there was an excellent American School run by the American Navy where I could send my children, Jeffrey and Leslie. We were 180 wives, with children, but no husbands. The State Department provided us with comfortable houses and transported the children to and from school.

Once we were settled and the children had adjusted to their new school, I knew I had made a very wise choice. I had the best of both worlds. We were allowed to use the officer’s club and the PX. I took my American friends to the best Chinese restaurants, and my Chinese friends to the officer’s club for steak dinners and other American-style meals.

Our husbands would come back every four or five weeks for several days and were treated like royal guests. I took over the finances and the upkeep of the car and never bothered to tell Dick when the children were sick. I figured he had enough to worry about in Vietnam. I played the slot machines at the officer’s club and had mahjong parties at home. Many of the wives played tennis and bridge, but I had not yet learned those games. I had two servants to take care of my children and the housekeeping, so the kids and I led a very comfortable life.

Several wives and I flew to Saigon to visit our husbands over the Easter Holiday. Dick was stationed in Can Tho, Region Four, in the south of Vietnam. I had to fly in a helicopter to visit him. The men were so happy to see us and treated us like movie stars. I would smoke a cigarette just to see all the hands outstretched with their Zippo lighters.

We could stay only for a few days, and I hated to leave. The children, of course, were not allowed to go. I think during the two and a half years that Dick served in Vietnam, I went about three times to visit him. The wifely visits were allowed only when the authorities considered that the areas to be visited were relatively safe.

Every week two jet loads of Americans would fly in from Vietnam to Taipei for R&R, Rest and Recuperation. They were not allowed to wear uniforms, so no one could distinguish between the officers and enlisted men. Certain wives chose to go out on dates with these men, while some of their husbands, I’m sure, had Vietnamese girlfriends. Consequently, there were a number of divorces. It was during the time of mini skirts and women looked very sexy, indeed!

Every Saturday afternoon, the military would show the latest movies and State Department people were allowed to go. I always went with my best friend, Peggy, because the movie house would be filled with servicemen. One Saturday, Peggy was sick, so I took my son, Jeffrey, with me. It was an Alfred Hitchcock thriller and quite scary in one part. Anyway, somewhat frightened, I grabbed my son’s hand. Then, I began to rub up and down his arm, when suddenly I realized that it was covered with hair and that I was rubbing the arm of an American soldier, who never moved a muscle while I was doing it! My son, of course, was sitting on the other side of me. I was so embarrassed that, dragging Jeffrey with me, we quickly fled the theater. I guess the American must have thought Chinese women were pretty damn forward!!!

The Navy Hospital was very efficient and we took our children there when they needed treatment. One day, my friend, Lt. Greg Hamilton, told me that the Navy was bringing in some flouride to treat the military children. He apologized, and explained that there would not be enough to take care of the State Department children. I pondered for a moment, then said that I’d really appreciate it so very much if he could find a way to accommodate my two kids. He was a good friend and said he’d see what he could do about it. A few days later, he called and instructed me to be at the hospital with the children on Wednesday at 4. p.m. I explained this to my kids, but Jeffrey was embarased and didn’t want to go. He had inherited his father’s virtue of always following the rules to the letter and he knew that State Department children were not included. I explained to him how important his teeth were, and that we were just going to show up and wait. If it turned out not to be possible, we would simply turn around and walk out. On Wednesday afternoon, there were many women waiting with their children, all with dental files in their hands. Of course I didn’t have a file. Jeffrey kept tugging at my arm to leave. Finally, Dr. Hamilton opened the door and announced: “I will call three names at a time and then you will follow me in.” He said, “Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Smith, please follow Mrs. Newman in”. My children had their fluoride treatment and I congratulated my friend for being such a diplomat.

After two and a half years, my husband finished his tour in Vietnam and we returned home on an American President luxury liner, visiting Japan and EXPO 70 before embarking. Our next post after home leave would be Santiago, Chile.