Letter from Russell W. Curtis to President Johnson, 7/3/68

AQ/C Naval Hospital Oakland, Calif. 94627 July 3, 1968 President of the United States The White House Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I was wounded while serving in the Republic of Viet Nam during August 1967, resulting in the loss of my left arm and damage to the right hand, shrapnel and blast wounds to my legs, abdomen, chest, and face, causing approximately 80 percent loss of vision. Since 23 August 1967 I have been under the care of the Orthopedic Service at the Navy Hospital, Oak- land. During the nine months I have been a patient here, I have heard complaints from the men, some perhaps valid, others which I believe to be childish and said without consideration for a group of people who work a lot of long hard hours for our benefit. Yes, there are times when the laundry is late and we don't get clean sheets until afternoon, times when transportation is tied up and you must wait a half hour or so, times when the soup is cold and the milk is warm, but this is not often and can be expected to occur in an operation as large as this, especially when there is a big increase in patients because of the war in Viet Nam, resulting in serious personnel shortages. Perhaps due to our despair and concern, even fear, we tend to find fault and complain more when we are uncomfortable and forget to praise and be grateful when all is going well and we feel better. The worry of families is to be realized and respected. Parents finding their sons seriously or permanently injured and often hospitalized many miles from home feel even more heartache when they hear their sons complain. This sometimes results in unfavorable correspondence with congressmen or other officials. Unfortunately this can bring about discouraging and embarrassing moments for a group of doctors, nurses, and corpsmen whose dedication and loyalty are proven by their presence and spirit. I am grateful to the Orthopedic Service, Prosthetics Laboratory, Eye Department, Physical and Occupational Therapy Services of this hospital for their abilities and cheerful attitude in helping me to recover. I have expressed this gratiđude many times. I believe these people should be admired and respected for their work. They deserve a "pat on the back" for a job well done. I would like to extend this feeling of gratitude to you, Sir, and to ask your help in giving them this "pat on the back." Respectfully, Russue D' Curtis Russe 11 W. Curtis M/SGT, U.S. Marine Corps