Please forgive me for not writing to you but it seems as if the days just don't have enough hours in them anymore. I was very glad to hear from you and to know that you are alright. I'm glad to hear that you have been accepted to college. You will never know how much it means to Dwight and I for you to finish college in America. We both are so very proud of you and we tell all of our Vietnamese friends about you.

          I arrived in Saigon on the first of Nov. 1962 so I have been here now 6 months. It was good to be home in Asia again. I am the U.S.O.M. [United States Operations Mission] advisor to the Province Chief of Darlac province. Banmethuot is the capitol of Darlac province. I'm sure you have heard of Banmethuot. The province of Darlac has a population most of which are Montagnard. About 3/4 are Montagnard and 1/4 are Vietnamese.

          In Darlac province Vietnam we have the same problem that exists in America. The Montagnards are treated by the Vietnamese as the Negroes are treated by some white people in America. We are doing all we can to bring these two parties closer together and make both parties realize how important one party is to the other and vise versa. I wonder though how rapidly we can get these two parties together since it has been over one hundred years since we freed the Negroes and they still don't have full equality. In the Highlands it is essential that we bring these two peoples together quickly if we are to stop Communism in Vietnam.

          Dwight is the Advisor to Kontum Province. We are both very happy to be assigned to the Highland Provinces. Much of the area in Barlac and Dontum reminds me of Muong Sing.

          You have heard of the strategic hamlet program that is being carried out here I'm sure. In my province things are going very well. We have almost 400 hamlets completed, we have armed and trained the people of the hamlets to defend themselves, and now we are trying to raise their standard of living or their economic and social life.

          You said in your letter that you rarely hear anything good happening in Vietnam this, I feel, is the faults of our journalists. You know that good news does not sell many papers but everyone is anxious to hear bad news. Believe me things are going very well here in most places.

          When I first went to Darlac province there were many areas that I could not travel in because there were so many V.C. In other areas I had to have an escort of 4 or 5 truck loads of soldiers --- now I travel in many of these areas by myself in my jeep. We can go to almost any area in the province with 2 or 3 truck loads of soldiers. This situation exists not only in my province but in most of the provinces throughout the country. Places where six months ago you could not travel you can travel now with little or no escort.

          Dwight and I are working mainly with the Highlanders and in my province we have many groups. We have mainly Rhode people but also Chill, Muong, Coks, and some others. I have a Rhode boy working for me as my interpreter but I sure wish you were with me again. He taught himself English but is not too good because he has had no one to practise with.

          We know that our operation in Darlac province is fairly successful because the V.C. have started to be more active. They are beginning to mine the roads and there are more and more ambushes along the roads. When our programs hurt the V.C. they strike back-they are beginning to strike now.

          I was recently in one area where we have resettled 8,000 Highlanders --- we have helped them plant their crops, helped them rebuild their houses, shown them improved agriculture techniques, given them tools, blankets, and food, built schools and hospitals and helped them produce better pigs and chickens, dug wells, and many other things to help them have a better life. They know now that they will have a better future if they are loyal to the Vietnamese Government. The V.C. are very unpopular in this area and they have stepped up fighting in this area. I had been driving back and forth in this area from village to village and about 30 minutes after I left the area a convoy was ambushed. Several Vietnamese were killed and one American officer was wounded. I guess God was with me on that trip.

          I think we will continue to win here in Vietnam. I think that within two or three years we will have the V.C. driven back across the 17th parrall.

          I do get discouraged with some of the Government Ministeries here. It takes so long sometimes to get things started. Sometimes it seems as if the Vietnamese Government is fighting us and we are only trying to help win the war. Some of the minor officials are so concerned with their power and authority that they slow us down purposely.

          The situation is getting better though and I pray that it will continue to get better.

          I am in Saigon now but tomorrow I will go back to Banmethuot. My wife and children are living here in Saigon. I see them once or twice a month, the rest of the time I spend in Banmethuot.

          I am very happy that you have been accepted by the college in Rockford. In one and a half years I'll be coming to America for a vacation. My hometown in Illinois is not far from Rockford so I will come and see you then. I am also happy about your scholarship. Don't worry about working to get extra money. Dwight and I are now making a good salary, so we can help you through college. This is your brother talking now so you be sure to write and tell me how much money you need each month when you get to college --- understand! I want you to spend all of your time studying so that you graduate at the top of your class --- you can do it I know. Don't forget to tell us how much money you need - "bo loom"

          I hope you will forgive me but I can't speak Vietnamese yet. I have been so busy that I haven't started to study yet. I will begin soon though - I promise.

          I must close for now - be sure and tell the Northshields hello for Dwight & I. We would like to hear from them if they have time.

Write very soon.
Xin Kieu

Your Brother
Earl