When we pulled out of Cambodia they flew us (entire battalion) down to Bien Hoa for several days of “stand down”, meaning clean up, get drunk & whoop it up. And we did! Everyone glad to be alive & getting a break after two months of chasing the NVA up the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
We partied all scattered out in the 1st Cav compound there & caught rides to the PX, etc. We were drinking & talking a lot. Talked with the grunts from Bravo Co. a lot. They were shocked about Tim Brown & wanted to know what the hell happened.
The grunts from Charlie Co. said when they wrapped up operations at “the City”, they were sent on a sweep of the valley below LZ Salty & Kuhn. They counted 26 fresh graves in that valley.
Bird-out
Doc Tumas looking for Norbert.
Who could ever forget Burl all tanned up. Wearing a Boonie Hat. Walking like he knew where he was going. Confidence in a War Zone, Who would of thunk it ?
l’ll certainly never forget you, man! l often think of you & usually l picture you with a pack of “Lucky Strikes”, & offering me one…l always enjoyed pausing for a smoke & talking to you. Bird
Tet was hell-Cambodia the edge of hell.
Tried to keep everyone alive.
Lost most of B company in Tet (60% of the entire Battalion)- too many names to list-one died before we even knew his name.
Lost Tim Brown in Cambodia-talked him into going to echo/recon.
Still feel guilty for all I could not save.
Memories differ-Bird and Lt. know who was on point.
Forget me-I am gone….
Norbert, do you remember Doc Tumas. Tet 68 walking out at night and reaching the hill as morters came in, and living through that week?
Doc T.
Would love to get in touch with you if possible. Never heard or saw anyone from 67/68 and Tet. Yes he remembered you.