It was December 17th, 1969. In 8 days, I would celebrate my 20th Christmas. I had been in-country Vietnam for one week. At breakfast this morning I received instructions to check in at headquarters. On my way there I was in a mental tug-of-war about my purpose for the trip. On the door of the office was a large notice for everyone to check the bulletin board nearby for updated Unit assignments. I wasn’t worried, I still had another week of training due in Bien Hoa, and the scuttlebutt was … [Read more...]
Defending LZ Kuhn – copy
If I ever stayed at a miserable shithole of a place, this is it. The monsoon rains had begun in earnest and everything was wet; the ground, your gear, the ponchos were muddy and 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. We had set up in our position in the middle of an enemy cache site on a ridge in Cambodia cuz that's what the air cavalry does. We hadn't … [Read more...]
LZ Kuhn – Part ll – copy
First and most importantly, all of Recon's wounded survived. Sadly, Jerry 'the Degree' Trumm passed away this last year. I'm glad he lived so long. His greatest battle was fought from a hospital bed, which is described well by Hutch in his poem, Hero. You can read that under the SCRAPBOOK tab on this website. Please help me out here...I'm relying on my memory, ha,ha. Please post a comment or email me if you were there that day. I was confused whether it was Alpha or Delta that was there and … [Read more...]
Vietnam Issue/Anti-malarial Drugs – copy
I decided to repost this blog after a comment yesterday, due to health concern of all vets, no matter where they served or when. I remember taking two different pills during my time in the field and then on FSB Nancy where I finished my tour of duty. I think everyone remembers these, the big orange pill once a week and the little white ones once a day. What the hell were those drugs? I just did as I was told. I sure didn't want to get malaria. I did hear guys complaining about side effects. … [Read more...]
Ken Burns Revisited
So what's up? A friend showed me this book. A Lt. Colonel in the Marines, George Ross raises some interesting points. He served as a helicopter pilot in 1967 and '68. It's been several years since I viewed the documentary and I would say I didn't raise any objections while watching, except occasionally, I would think something was over looked. Overall, I thought it was well done and I was pleased to see the interest generated in the viewing public. Ross has taken a serious look at … [Read more...]
Echo Mortars
I lie in my tent
Ode to the Infantryman in RVN l lie in my tent, thanking God for free rent. While outside the rain pours, and inside my buddy snores. Muddy floors & a wet cot, but still thanking God a lot. Got hot chow every day, rain or shine, come what may. Got a dog bout two weeks old eats C-rations hot or cold. Special Forces all around, keeping safe this hallowed ground. 1st Cav in the air, landing, fighting here & there. Ain't got much but could be worse, just ask the men in the … [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...]