Four jaybirds perched on a log Chico, myself, Burleson and Jobe stopping for a smoke break somewhere in Viet Nam. I have two distinct memories of Chico, a.k.a. Edmundo Gutierrez, or "Doc." He was brave to a fault in the tradition of latinos serving in the armed forces. He was quick to smile, always ready with a comment in any situation. One time near LZ Salty that I have mentioned before, we were pinned down by an enemy machine gun in a hidden bunker. Ski and I had managed to get to a huge … [Read more...]
Quan Loi
Most anyone who served in the 1st of the 5th Cav, as well as the 1/7, 2/7, 11th ACR, etc. in the years 1969 to 1970 is likely to have been to Quan Loi. Here's a good idea of it's location. This base camp could be found approximately 60 miles north of Saigon and 12 miles from the Cambodian border. This is in Binh Long province, just to the east of Tay Ninh. First known as LZ Andy, in 1966 it was established as the base camp for the 1st Infantry Division. As a base camp, there would be … [Read more...]
FSB Vivian Photos
Bob Turay send these photos. That's a big gun. 155 howitzer. CComing back in from patrol. Eddie Dixon in one of the mortar pits at Vivian. That's a lota ammo! The Most Point Team Outstanding! Thanks Bob, will post some more later. Happy Veteran's Day and Welcome Home! Bird-out … [Read more...]
1970-Cambode tribesmen with 3rd platoon, Bravo Co.
Hey Guys and Gals, Here are some more photos from Lt. Schottenhamel. He said 3rd platoon provided security for the Doc and medics while they cared for the local villagers. Great photos to say the least! The Lt. said the tribesmen played a concert for them. Outstanding! Bird-out … [Read more...]
Firebase David: Photos!
Hey everyone, Here are some of the photos that Lt. Schottenhamel forwarded to me. Great stuff, interesting to see after all these years. 49 years... Paul said they (Bravo Mongoose) were the first lift into David's location. Paul was a platoon leader with Bravo, 1/5. Bird-out … [Read more...]
FSB Nancy
I was glad to visit with Dob Neuhaus at the Myrtle Beach reunion. He reminded me that we used to shoot the rats in our bunker with soap bullets. FSB Nancy was the first firebase I was at that we didn't have to build ourselves. That was the good news, bad news was the old bunkers were infested with rats! Now I remember! We would "pull" a bullet from an M-16 round and shove the cartridge into a bar of soap. Gee whiz Wally! We can safely shoot our rifles inside the bunker! Blam! One dead … [Read more...]
Why your family should attend at least one reunion.
I am the proud daughter of a Vietnam Veteran. I am one of the lucky ones. Although my dad has PTSD from his time in Vietnam, he was always willing to talk about it when I asked. When I decided to write my senior paper on the Vietnam War, he answered all my questions. After he started attending the reunions he changed. He started proudly displaying his Vietnam memories. In public you will see him wearing his veteran hats, vest and even the car has a veteran tag. I know that for a lot of the … [Read more...]
LZ Salty
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...]
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...]