Scope and Contents

The collection consists of one oral history interview (conducted 13 March 2023) and one copy of Don Bishop's memoir "Letters Home Vietnam 1968-1969" which also includes an Introduction and post-war notes throughout the text in italics. Don Bishop arrived in South Vietnam on December 8, 1968 and served with 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, with Company A from December 1968 to July 1969 and then with Headquarters Company (HHC) from late July to early December 1969. He went on R&R to Australia (July 1969) and Hong Kong (November 1969).

Biographical / Historical

Don Bishop was drafted in May 1968 and reported to the U.S. Army Entrance Station in Syracuse, New York, on July 12, 1968. He completed Basic Training at Fort Dix (New Jersey) and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk (Louisiana). He was asked to attend NCO (Non Commissioned Officer School) but declined.

He arrived in Cam Ranh Bay,South Vietnam on December 8, 1968. He was sent to the 1st Cavalry Division in An Khe and was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. According to his memoir he was also at Phuoc Vinh, Quan Loi, LZ Rita, "The Jungle," and LZ Becky. In December 1968, he became a Radio Transmission Operator (RTO) for A/2/8th Cavalry.

After R&R in Australia in July 1969, he was assigned to Headquarters Company (HHC) with Cavalry Tactical Operations Center. In November 1969 he went on R&R in Hong Kong, returned to South Vietnam to complete his last 15 days in country, and returned to the U.S. in December 1969.