Bruce Hammonds of Bessemer, Alabama Posted this one before of course, but that was several years ago and this being one of my favorite photos of all time, I'm posting it again. Early in May, 1970, Recon was visiting O Rang, Cambodia, looking to see what was up. A quiet little town, it was completely deserted and our time there now seems idyllic. I had been in country since Dec, 1969 and had yet to fire a shot in anger. It wouldn't be long before I would see the NVA soldiers 4 or 5 at a time … [Read more...]
Coming home 1970
Talked with an old friend yesterday who had been drafted after graduating high school in 1968. When he was discharged and passing through an airport on his way home, a young gal called him "baby killer" as he passed by. Even though he was trying to catch another flight, he stopped and talked to her. I think he felt the need to straighten her out; mentioning that she had no reason to insult a service member under any circumstances and the fact that he was returning from Panama, for crying out … [Read more...]
Memorial Day 2022
This Memorial Day weekend I stopped by the Boone County Courthouse to photograph the memorials there. Thirty names are etched into the Vietnam Memorial. Most if not all of them graduates of David H. Hickman High School. Three names of soldiers and marines are etched into the Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom memorial. The WWII and Korean War Memorial. WWI-The war to end all wars. The Great Civil … [Read more...]
May 11, 1970
Cambodia- Just over the border from Vietnam in the area known as "The Fish hook". Conditions: extremely hot and dry. Mission- Check and clear enemy bunker complex. Unit- Echo Recon 1/5 Cavalry. After Action Report- Complex included medical facilities where wounded NVA could be attended to. Unit of enemy soldiers was cleaning weapons and 105 howitzers were called in, scoring some hits on the enemy. In addition enemy soldiers hiding in complex were killed. Lone NVA soldier approaching … [Read more...]
FSB Eagle – 1969
Echo platoon members in Charleston, S.C. -2021- I was never at Eagle, but now have heard a few stories about the place and thought it worth posting. Hopefully this will generate some comments. From what I've heard this must have been a miserable place, with heavy rains during the time Echo Company was there, in August and September of 1969. They were under constant attack, the NVA were using their big 120mm mortars and 122mm rockets. The rockets were a simple but effective weapon. They … [Read more...]
Photos from Patriot’s Point
These are a few photos I took at the Vietnam Experience Exhibit while at Patriot's Point. It was interesting to see a Chinook up close again. It wasn't as big as I remembered. I only flew on a Chinook once. It was taking me to Bien Hoa and the 1st Infantry Div. Medic station or shack. Everything here looks authentic. The construction of the shack, the "Mule" parked outside and the duckboards. 3/4 Ton ambulance with a real Medic...Doc … [Read more...]
L-Tee Szczebak
Lt. Frank Szczebak served briefly as platoon leader for Recon in May, 1970. He was assigned to Recon after we were already in Cambodia. As I recall we had been out on patrol near FSB North with Lt. Jenkins* as platoon leader. We were close enough that we just walked back on to the firebase. Enter a new platoon leader, a position Szczebak had been filling with Bravo Co. Szczebak was a likeable fellow with an unusual name, but someone who took their job seriously. He took command of … [Read more...]
Current events/Mine removal still going on in SE Asia
Cambodia today: Over three decades of armed conflict has left Cambodia seriously affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance ( UXO), and kept poor communities impoverished by limiting their access to farmland. The Khmer Rouge, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), Vietnamese, and Thai militaries laid extensive minefields during the Indochina Wars, Vietnamese occupation, and factional fighting that ended in 1999. The 2019 Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor reports that clearance of … [Read more...]
Ace-The mortar man
(Photo: Fauquher) I heard a good story about Ace at the Charleston reunion. I think anyone who met Ace, a.k.a., Harold Davis, would remember him. A easygoing guy who liked to talk and play the guitar, he looked like a character actor from a crime movie. Not a thug, mind you, but a cab driver or bartender maybe. So I heard... one day Ace was headed into Quan Loi with a jeep to pick up supplies. I also heard Captain Joyner was particular about his appearance and had his uniforms … [Read more...]
Charleston Reunion – 2021
Greetings all! I must say the site for this year's reunion was an outstanding selection. The hospitality of Charleston and the great history of that location made it an ideal place to get together. And of course many thanks to Mother and Toni for doing the ground work and planning the agenda. While we didn't have the restaurant meals typical of past reunions, they "organized" carry out meals that were quite good. And thanks to all those who helped out with the work of putting the meals out … [Read more...]