David, from Normal, IL, served with the 3/22nd Infantry "Walking Regulars" (25th Infantry Division) and the 1/327th Infantry "Above the Rest" (101st Airborne Division) during nine months in the jungles and mountains of Southern and Northern South Vietnam. These areas include Cu Chi (and its tunnels), Xuan Loc, Da Nang/Phu Bai, and the A Shau valley.

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"This was my last set of fatigues from 9 months in the jungle as a 'grunt'. The shirt is made of quick-drying material because of the constant rain. The sleeves were turned down when around biting ants, leeches, and bamboo (which would rip skin) and rolled up in the heat of the day. In the right upper pocket, I carried precious photos and letters from home wrapped in plastic. In the upper left pocket, I carried a small bible that my dad carried with him throughout World War II. In the lower pockets, I usually carried four grenades. We usually tied our pants (note strings) and tucked them into our boots to protect against the leeches. We got a change of clothing about every three weeks. Bye the way...no underwear!"

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"This is my fourth pair of boots in a year in Vietnam. The others rotted out because of the rainy climate. They are made of nylon and leather, with a steel sole to withstand hardened bamboo stakes, used as a booby trap by our enemy. Air holes in the bottom of the boots allow most of the water to drain out. The rule was to always get a boot one size bigger so nothing rubbed. Our socks had thick cushioned bottoms. Nothing is more important to the 'grunt' or infantryman than his feet!"