In memory of Tim "Salty" Brown (Photo: Cossey) Greetings all, Just trying to remember everything that went on at our first big cache site. I recall walking off another LZ nearby where we had flown in. I believe that may have been Bravo Co. They had a cache site of their own there. They had secured that and cleared an LZ. Don't know if it had a name. This was as rugged a place as I have ever been. Steep, steep ridges covered with heavy jungle. We started down a road from … [Read more...]
Defending LZ Kuhn – copy
If I ever stayed at a miserable sh-thole of a place, this is it. The monsoon rains had begun in earnest & everything; the ground, your gear, the ponchos were muddy & wet. This is the only time I know of when Recon "dug in". We all spent some miserable nights in our muddy foxholes. There was no chance of setting up a shower in this place...an enemy cache site on a ridge in Cambodia. We hadn't been on the move as we usually were and so were not able to bath in the streams. All these … [Read more...]
Kessler – copy
On my way out of Taipei following my R & R, I was walking through the customs free area in the airport & spotted a bottle of Kessler whiskey. Hell, that's Martin's preferred drink! I immediately purchased a bottle & stowed it in my bag. After arriving back at FSB Nancy, I unpacked & placed that bottle on a shelf in the bunker that Cossey & I shared. The next morning we were informed the Colonel would be inspecting the men's quarters. When the hell did the Battalion CO ever … [Read more...]
One Night on Fire Base Ann
Fire Base Ann April, 1970 Memory is a funny thing; why one day or night would stand out, one event is so vivid and others aren't. I have a great memory of one night on Ann. I had been out with Recon on my first patrol. We had walked off, patrolled several days and walked back in. There was plenty of beer for Recon and by the time the sun went down, everyone was three sheets to the wind. Well, of course, Cossey would have been sober, but I think he was listening to the Armed Forces radio … [Read more...]
Firebase Granite and other stories
I remember flying into FSB Granite in what must of been mid-March, 1970. My first firebase, my first day assigned to Echo Co. 1st Battalion/5th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry. It looked like it had been hacked and bulldozed out of the jungle, a rough barren circle in the middle of the all that green. Echo company saw fit to put me in the .50 caliber squad. My MOS was "unit armourer", earned OJT in Hohenfels, Germany, my first overseas assignment. I had attended a weapons maintenance class that … [Read more...]
Bad to Worse by Mother
If you are already in Vietnam, in a line company, an FNG and the monsoon season is about to begin, I didn't think that things could get any worse. I had been in country for about 45 days and been humping the boonies for about 35 of those off LZ Vivian in north central III Corps. A FNG in a line company is nameless and walking drag so as not get anyone in trouble. We were not given any instructions and pretty much learned what not to do by watching someone else screw up. I had already been in … [Read more...]
Veteran’s Day / Favorite Poem
Excerpt from the "Rouge Bouquet" by American Joyce Kilmer, killed in action 1918 In a wood they call the Rouge Bouquet There is a new-made grave today. Built by never a spade or pick Yet covered with earth ten meters thick. There lie many fighting men, Dead in their youthful prime, Never to laugh or love again Nor taste the summertime. … [Read more...]
The Legacy of the Vietnam Veteran
I may be overstating the obvious, but we're not expecting parades. So that's understood by veteran and non-veteran alike. There is a legacy though and that does count. So ok, Bird, what is that legacy? Well, it comes in several parts. Today soldiers, sailors and marines do not pass through airports and other public places without being recognized. Not everyone, but someone is going to thank them for their service. There was a cultural shift across the US of A after the Vietnam war. People … [Read more...]
Duty Soldier
I've been writing on this blog for several years and would say I'm fairly satisfied with what I've written. Recent comments have been enlightening. I have, from time to time, mentioned my writing to friends and family, and while there weren't many takers, some did read and offer encouragement. A few old high school friends had seen it, and they are successful folks; you can lay to that, mates. West Coast lawyers and such. More than one expressed the idea or opinion that, "I could have gotten out … [Read more...]
From the Grave
Not long after Recon had been guarding the bridge on Hwy. 7, we were sent into an enemy bunker complex that had been discovered. Probably spotted by a helicopter pilot, this was not in heavy jungle, really open woodland. It turned out to be a medical complex with the rudimentary facilities and supplies to care for the wounded NVA. Recon did the standard search and clear; checking all the bunkers. If not sure about a particular bunker, you could roll a grenade into it and following the explosion … [Read more...]
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