Welcome to Dearest Suzie, a podcast and photo series that brings to life the personal letters, diary entries, and photographs of U.S. Army helicopter pilot William “Bill” Lowie during his service in the Vietnam War. In this introductory episode, host Alexander Lowie—Bill’s grandson and an anthropologist—sets the stage for a journey through family history and wartime memories. With the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam War approaching, Alexander will share Bill’s experiences in a unique “on thi ...
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Episode 021: 1964-11-18 | Casualties in the Cafeteria
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we delve into one of the most intense days of the Vietnam War as described in Bill Lowie's diary entry from November 18, 1964. Dubbed the "biggest troop lift in the history of war," this operation saw every UH-1B helicopter outfit in central and southern Vietnam mobilized under the command of General Nguyễn Khánh. …
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Episode 020: 1964-11-17 | The Forgotten Folder
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie reflects on a typhoon that narrowly missed their base and an impending troop lift to Saigon. This seemingly calm diary entry contrasts with the emotional weight of rediscovered family photos from Vietnam—slides that have become central to preserving and sharing his legacy. Accompanied by a humorous photo…
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Episode 019: 1964-11-16 | A Storm of Insomnia
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we explore a night fraught with tension, as Bill Lowie’s diary entry from November 16 recounts an evening on high alert for a possible Viet Cong attack amidst a typhoon warning. The haunting atmosphere of that night, made worse by memories of the Bien Hoa incident, left Popi and his comrades sleepless and on edge. …
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Episode 018: 1964-11-14 | From Resupply to Medevac
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi’s diary recounts a harrowing Medevac mission on Saturday, November 14, 1964, in which he and his crew were called away from a resupply run to extract wounded ARVN soldiers caught in an ambush. Despite the urgent conditions, they managed to transport 15 soldiers, many with severe and life-threatening injuries. …
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Episode 017: 1964-11-09 | The Flare and the Nerves
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we delve into Bill Lowie’s November 9th diary entry, capturing a raw and tragic side of the Vietnam War. Bill recounts a troop lift under fire, the confusion of battle, and the unimaginable toll that came when a bird strike was mistaken for enemy fire—leading to an attack on civilian structures. The entry reflects …
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Episode 016: 1964-11-08 | The Lost Bird Dog
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we explore the events of early November 1964 as Bill Lowie reflects on an L-19 aircraft reported missing over Vietnam. These versatile planes, known as "Bird Dogs," were often used for reconnaissance and forward air control, though they flew low and were vulnerable to enemy fire. Popi’s diary notes the search-and-r…
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Episode 015: 1964-11-04 | Election Year In A Time Of War
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we join Popi in the days leading up to the 1964 U.S. presidential election. Popi notes an unexpected lull in activity in Vietnam—an odd quiet that contrasts sharply with the political turbulence brewing back home. The episode recounts an intense ARVN-led troop lift operation near Ca Mau, where dense jungles and hid…
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Episode 014: 1964-11-02 | The Mortar Strike on Bien Hoa
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we delve into a significant attack on Bien Hoa Air Base as documented by Bill Lowie in his diary entry from November 2, 1964. Located just outside of Saigon, Bien Hoa was one of the largest U.S. air bases in Vietnam, housing a substantial concentration of aircraft and personnel and serving as a critical hub for lau…
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In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we’re bringing together all of Bill Lowie’s October 1964 diary entries, creating a powerful, unified narrative of life at the heart of the Vietnam War. From the intense helicopter missions and dangerous outpost attacks to moments of reflection on the emotional toll of combat, this supercut highlights the hi…
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Episode 013: 1964-10-28 | Outpost in the Mist
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie’s diary describes the attack on the remote outpost of Io Chou, where both U.S. and ARVN forces suffered heavy losses with minimal known casualties on the Viet Cong side. Today’s entry offers a haunting glimpse into the isolated and vulnerable nature of these outposts, where soldiers faced surprise ambush…
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Episode 012: 1964-10-27 | Downed Hueys in the Delta
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we delve into Bill Lowie’s October 27 diary entry, recounting a high-stakes troop lift deep in the Mekong Delta. During the operation, two gunships were brought down by enemy fire, triggering a complex and dangerous recovery mission. This episode explores the precarious work of H-37 recovery helicopters, facing bat…
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Episode 011: 1964-10-26 | Quiet but Not Safe
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we explore Bill Lowie's diary entry from October 26, 1964, where an eerily quiet day in Vietnam reveals the ever-present danger beneath the surface. While there were no direct confrontations with the Viet Cong, their silence could mean something far more sinister. We dive into the tactics of guerrilla warfare, the …
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Episode 010: 1964-10-25 | A Life In Motion
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we read Bill Lowie’s diary entry from October 25, 1964, where he recounts another mission chasing Viet Cong forces with ARVN troops. Beyond the battlefield, this episode takes a deeper dive into Popi's life, tracing his journey from his birth in Georgia to his experiences across the globe. From peeling potatoes for…
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Episode 009: 1964-10-24 | Borderline Chaos
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we explore a tense encounter near the Cambodian border on October 24, 1964. Bill Lowie’s diary recounts the assault on the Dan Phouc outpost, where Viet Cong forces approached through flooded rice fields and captured an American captain. Popi’s vivid entry captures the strategic vulnerability of these border areas …
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Episode 008: 1964-10-23 | The V.C. In A Vise
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we dive into an intense entry from my grandfather’s diary, where he details his first assault mission in Vietnam. In this mission, Popi describes transporting ARVN troops into a Viet Cong stronghold, facing enemy fire, and narrowly escaping danger thanks to gunship support. Accompanied by a personal story of my own…
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Episode 007: General Comments After One Month | Guns, Grunts, and Double Agents
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we dive into Bill Lowie’s reflections after his first month in Vietnam. Popi dispels the myth that American advisors were equipped with outdated, World War II-era surplus and shares his experiences with the latest military equipment and aviation. We also explore the frustrations felt by U.S. advisors over the lack …
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Episode 006: 1964-10-20 | Psyops and Target Practice
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie recounts a unique mission flying a helicopter outfitted for psychological operations, broadcasting messages to the Viet Cong as part of a psychological warfare effort. Despite initial skepticism from his fellow soldiers, Popi reflects on the potential effectiveness of these missions in reaching illiterat…
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Episode 005: 1964-10-12 | Jet Fuel and the Delta
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie recounts his first flight over the lower Mekong Delta, where he experiences the unsettling reality of conducting military operations in a region largely controlled by the Viet Cong. During a three-hour flight, Popi's helicopter stops at a dirt strip to refuel, only to be tasked with transporting a new ad…
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Episode 004: 1964-10-10 | Screwdrivers to Saigon
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi recounts a challenging day filled with the recovery of a downed Huey helicopter, the long wait under the scorching sun during a formal medal ceremony, and a disturbing injury that reflects the psychological toll of war. I also provide some background on another helicopter. Accompanied by a photograph of soldie…
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Episode 003: 1964-10-08 | The First Wake-Up Call
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, I share an entry dated October 8, 1964. During a harrowing night, Bill and his comrades were fired upon by the Viet Cong (V.C.), awakening nearly everyone on the compound. While no hits were reported, this close encounter underscores the ever-present danger faced by U.S. forces in Vietnam. We delve into the history…
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Episode 002: 1964-10-07 | The Lost .50-Cal
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, I explore an entry from my grandfather Bill Lowie's Vietnam War diary, dated October 7, 1964. In this account, Popi recounts the tense recovery of military equipment after a U.S. Mohawk reconnaissance aircraft is shot down near his base. After the pilot jettisoned his .50-caliber guns to lighten the aircraft, Popi'…
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Episode 001: 1964-10-06 | Saved by a Flak Vest
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, I dive into the very first entry from my grandfather Bill Lowie's Vietnam War diary, dated October 6, 1964. Serving as a helicopter pilot in the 114th Assault Helicopter Company, Bill recounts a close call involving Specialist Kelley, a crew-chief and gunman who narrowly avoided serious injury when a .30-caliber bu…
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Episode 000: Introduction | The Projector and Its Family
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Welcome to Dearest Suzie, a podcast and photo series that brings to life the personal letters, diary entries, and photographs of U.S. Army helicopter pilot William “Bill” Lowie during his service in the Vietnam War. In this introductory episode, host Alexander Lowie—Bill’s grandson and an anthropologist—sets the stage for a journey through family h…
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continue reading