“There are no VC there or nitely rockets to duck...”
An original typed and signed letter from Chaplain James Regan at Marble Mountain Marine Air Facility (Vietnam) to George Christy, the beloved Hollywood columnist, dated 18 May 1971. A vivid personal communication from a warzone during a critical point in the Vietnam War, written with candor, humour, and a longing for normalcy.
Document Details:
- Typed letter signed in black ink "James of Danang".
- On cream writing paper featuring a printed vignette of the chapel at Marble Mountain, with helicopter and mountain backdrop.
- Includes original envelope with sender and recipient typed addresses, marked "Free" for military postage, and bearing a printed map showing North and South Vietnam.
- Letter size approx. 26.7 cm × 20.1 cm.
Condition:
Very Good. Light mailing folds and typical handling creases. No tears or significant stains. Please see gallery for images or request a full condition report.
Historical Context:
Written during a pivotal phase of the Vietnam War, this letter originates from the Marble Mountain Marine Air Facility (MMMAF), a major USMC helicopter and logistics base near Da Nang. In May 1971, the U.S. was deeply engaged in a phased withdrawal, yet active combat operations and rocket attacks continued. Chaplain Regan’s note—joking that "there are no VC there or nitely rockets to duck"—underscores the precarious reality of daily life for servicemen, even at secured installations like MMMAF.
The letter reflects camaraderie, dark humour, and the psychological toll of service, especially from the perspective of a military chaplain whose duties extended beyond religious rites to morale support, grief counseling, and battlefield ministry.
About the Correspondents:
James Regan served as a U.S. Marine Corps chaplain at Marble Mountain, where he ministered to troops amid the ongoing Vietnam conflict. Chaplains were integral to maintaining morale, often functioning as trusted confidants, especially in remote or high-risk locations like Da Nang.
George Christy (1927–2020) was the stylish, fedora-wearing voice behind A Good Life, the weekly gossip column that ran for 26 years in The Hollywood Reporter. Of proud Greek heritage, he was beloved by actors, artists, and insiders alike. His legendary hospitality, especially his famed Toronto Film Festival luncheons, made him a cherished figure in both Hollywood and international circles. He was also a noted food and wine connoisseur with a wide-ranging personal correspondence.
Provenance:
From the personal archive of George Christy, acquired by us directly from a California estate auction.
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