Kate Collie — Soldier's Heart
Da Nang, February 1970 [2 of 7]
![Da Nang, February 1970 'Da Nang, February 1970' shows a general awarding Steve a Purple Heart in a quonset hut hospital.
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<p>Mom</p><p>
I got it real bad the other day. I tripped a booby-trap & now I'm on my way to Japan.
</p><p>
I was on patrol near Phu N'an 9 about 25 miles from Da Nang. I picked up a sack of clothes & everything exploded. I was thrown to the ground and I couldn't move. Shrapnel smashed my (L) hand, (R) knee and in my back. They performed surgery an hour later. I now have a hole 3 by 4 inches in my knee & an opening of 8 inches down my leg. My hand is broken & has two openings 1 1/2 by 2 inches & my back also has a large opening. I won't be coming back to Nam & I won't be comming home for about two months.
</p><p>
A general came & presented me with the purple heart. I'll send it home when I get to Japan.
</p><p>
Don't send any of the money I told you to.
</p><p>
Tell everyone I'll write when my hand gets better.
</p><p>
Gotta go
</p><p>
Steve
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</p><p>
[received February 17, 1970]
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</dl>](Da%20Nang,%20February%201970.jpg "Da Nang, February 1970 'Da Nang, February 1970' shows a general awarding Steve a Purple Heart in a quonset hut hospital.
<dl>
<div align=left><p>
<i>
<p>Mom</p><p>
I got it real bad the other day. I tripped a booby-trap & now I'm on my way to Japan.
</p><p>
I was on patrol near Phu N'an 9 about 25 miles from Da Nang. I picked up a sack of clothes & everything exploded. I was thrown to the ground and I couldn't move. Shrapnel smashed my (L) hand, (R) knee and in my back. They performed surgery an hour later. I now have a hole 3 by 4 inches in my knee & an opening of 8 inches down my leg. My hand is broken & has two openings 1 1/2 by 2 inches & my back also has a large opening. I won't be coming back to Nam & I won't be comming home for about two months.
</p><p>
A general came & presented me with the purple heart. I'll send it home when I get to Japan.
</p><p>
Don't send any of the money I told you to.
</p><p>
Tell everyone I'll write when my hand gets better.
</p><p>
Gotta go
</p><p>
Steve
</i>
</p><p>
[received February 17, 1970]
</p>
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Mom
I got it real bad the other day. I tripped a booby-trap & now I'm on my way to Japan.
I was on patrol near Phu N'an 9 about 25 miles from Da Nang. I picked up a sack of clothes & everything exploded. I was thrown to the ground and I couldn't move. Shrapnel smashed my (L) hand, (R) knee and in my back. They performed surgery an hour later. I now have a hole 3 by 4 inches in my knee & an opening of 8 inches down my leg. My hand is broken & has two openings 1 1/2 by 2 inches & my back also has a large opening. I won't be coming back to Nam & I won't be comming home for about two months.
A general came & presented me with the purple heart. I'll send it home when I get to Japan.
Don't send any of the money I told you to.
Tell everyone I'll write when my hand gets better.
Gotta go
Steve
[received February 17, 1970]