Therese Belivet in Passing

Reginald Fuller
Lead Journalist — Southeast Asia
The Times
London, England

Carol Aird
c/o Longbow Furniture
50551 4th Avenue
Manhattan, NY 10003

1 March 1968

Dear Carol,

I apologize for not writing sooner. I hope you remember meeting me at the Ritz Tower Hotel in the spring of 1965. I understand if you don’t; our globetrotting Therese knew thousands and was adored and admired by almost all of them. I’m typing from the still of my office on a rainy Friday evening; most everyone has gone home. I refused to let another day slip by without writing the love of Therese Belivet’s life to express my deepest condolences for our shared loss. The Tet conflagration and an injury prevented me from travelling to the States for our brave lady’s funeral. That is something I will always regret.

Therese and I were on the same airliner in 1966. Yes, we began our ‘Nam’ adventure together. We were each delighted to discover a familiar face on that flight. A kind stewardess swapped some seating assignments to place us side by side. Of course, the always visually-oriented Therese had to have the window. We raised a glass of scotch to you and my beloved wife, Judy.

Therese and I met while attending a press seminar at the UN in 1965. We became the best of mates but seldom saw one another in the interim. Her New York Times hosted the Ritz cocktail party I referenced. I must say you two were charming inside and out at that soiree, and your deep affection for one another was obvious.

At the time of our flight, I was The Times of London’s newly appointed man for Vietnam. I realized on that flight what a groundbreaking decision the New York Times made in sending Therese, a woman, to join their ‘in-country’ pool of combat photographers. We often crossed paths over these past two years. When time and situation allowed, we would share a meal and too much alcohol, usually with my camera clicker, Harry Smyth, and her brilliant reporter, Stanley Faber.

Carol, please don’t be jealous when I say that her companionship was an utter joy. To have a female friend that posed no romantic…