War | Eastern North Carolina Now

Formerly titled War Stories.

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War  

Formerly titled War Stories.

Most people will remember April 4, 1968 as the day that Martin Luther King was assassinated. While that was a more histrionically important event, that date will always seired in my mind as the date of a battle we fought in Vietnam. I was only in country for a couple of months and the loss of comr
Most people will remember April 4, 1968 as the day that Martin Luther King was assassinated. While that was a more histrionically important event, that date will always seired in my mind as the date of a battle we fought in Vietnam. I was only in country for a couple of months and the loss of comr
 
A heart warming story about Ann Margret and her Vietnam gentlemen.
 
This is what I call making a difference. If you are or have ever had a teacher like this, say a private or public thank you if they are still around.
This is what I call making a difference. If you are or have ever had a teacher like this, say a private or public thank you if they are still around.
 
I am writing my most difficult book report ever at 70 years old. It is about another GI I did not know, and an enemy I never wanted to know. Yet we were all in the same place forty-eight years ago along with a bunch of others, with us trying to kill him and his comrades and him trying to kill us
I am writing my most difficult book report ever at 70 years old. It is about another GI I did not know, and an enemy I never wanted to know. Yet we were all in the same place forty-eight years ago along with a bunch of others, with us trying to kill him and his comrades and him trying to kill us
 
Many may have heard of Desmond Doss, Here is another hero's story. I knew him.
Many may have heard of Desmond Doss, Here is another hero's story. I knew him.
 
As a Dustoff Pilot, I would fly out for pick-ups in the field. Each day I would see the conditions that the ground troops had to endure and I would draw comparisons to my own situation.
As a Dustoff Pilot, I would fly out for pick-ups in the field. Each day I would see the conditions that the ground troops had to endure and I would draw comparisons to my own situation.
 
Just two bad days in a long year
 
Long goodbyes have a finality that I have avoided most of my life.
Long goodbyes have a finality that I have avoided most of my life.
 
Most of my stories to the grandkids start with believe it or not. In 1963, believe it or not, my school was segregated and the only confusion was with two ethnic Japanese sisters.
Most of my stories to the grandkids start with believe it or not. In 1963, believe it or not, my school was segregated and the only confusion was with two ethnic Japanese sisters.
 
The war with France in 1946 and a final war with Cambodia in 1978 are like book ends to 30 years of conflict. Maybe West Point studies this one.
The war with France in 1946 and a final war with Cambodia in 1978 are like book ends to 30 years of conflict. Maybe West Point studies this one.
 
In 1960s Jungle, you could not call a taxi. You could radio base for a Chopper ride and mark your clearing with Smoke.
In 1960s Jungle, you could not call a taxi. You could radio base for a Chopper ride and mark your clearing with Smoke.
 
The Military has a simple 10 week method to determine mental health ... called boot camp.
The Military has a simple 10 week method to determine mental health ... called boot camp.
 
Cambodian Genocide (The Killing Fields) was the dream of Pol Pot to return Cambodia to an agrarian society by murdering the elite.
Cambodian Genocide (The Killing Fields) was the dream of Pol Pot to return Cambodia to an agrarian society by murdering the elite.
 
Vietnamese are not fond of mixed children and I am told the Chinese offered to send troops but got a 'thanks but no thanks'.
Vietnamese are not fond of mixed children and I am told the Chinese offered to send troops but got a 'thanks but no thanks'.
 
I truly wish that our founding fathers had been a bit more clear on what they meant when writing the 2nd Amendment but numerous contemporaneous writings clearly show their intent was for individual possession and ownership of firearms.
I truly wish that our founding fathers had been a bit more clear on what they meant when writing the 2nd Amendment but numerous contemporaneous writings clearly show their intent was for individual possession and ownership of firearms.
 
One of my Standard Operating Procedures when I hear of a Vietnam Veteran in the news is to research them to find the 'Story behind the Story.
One of my Standard Operating Procedures when I hear of a Vietnam Veteran in the news is to research them to find the 'Story behind the Story.
 
"BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL"
"BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL"
 
The recent hurricane Irma reminded me of one of the now primitive techniques we used during 1968-1969 in Vietnam.
The recent hurricane Irma reminded me of one of the now primitive techniques we used during 1968-1969 in Vietnam.
 
Alex Ortolano recently posted an article here on BCN which explained how a Medivac crew located and picked up wounded soldiers during his tour in 1965. Here is another tribute to those Lunatics of the Sky.
Alex Ortolano recently posted an article here on BCN which explained how a Medivac crew located and picked up wounded soldiers during his tour in 1965. Here is another tribute to those Lunatics of the Sky.
 
The documentary shows the tactics of both sides. I have not seen another documentary with these details. This battle was between Australians and Vietnamese.
The documentary shows the tactics of both sides. I have not seen another documentary with these details. This battle was between Australians and Vietnamese.
 
I did not serve with Lt. General Harold Moore but I benefited from his trail blazing techniques in the use of helicopter warfare. May have possible seen the movie about the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14-15, 1965 at LZ X-Ray in South Vietnam.
I did not serve with Lt. General Harold Moore but I benefited from his trail blazing techniques in the use of helicopter warfare. May have possible seen the movie about the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14-15, 1965 at LZ X-Ray in South Vietnam.
 
Here are the North Vietnamese. No series would be complete without mentioning both sides of a conflict. South Vietnamese communist were labeled Viet Cong.
Here are the North Vietnamese. No series would be complete without mentioning both sides of a conflict. South Vietnamese communist were labeled Viet Cong.
 
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) surrendered in 1975 ending foreign domination started by the French in 1861.
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) surrendered in 1975 ending foreign domination started by the French in 1861.
 
New Zealand provided a force of combat soldiers despite protests at home. A total of 3800 served in combat resulting in 37 killed in action and 187 wounded.
New Zealand provided a force of combat soldiers despite protests at home. A total of 3800 served in combat resulting in 37 killed in action and 187 wounded.
 
The battle of Tra Binh Dong was between the South Koreans and North Vietnamese.
The battle of Tra Binh Dong was between the South Koreans and North Vietnamese.
 
The Army had a detailed method for accounting for the location and duty status of each soldier in each unit. Each unit submitted a morning report showing strength and number of soldiers in each unit as of the date of the report.
The Army had a detailed method for accounting for the location and duty status of each soldier in each unit. Each unit submitted a morning report showing strength and number of soldiers in each unit as of the date of the report.
 
For many civilians, the memories of a military event are an abstract memory. However, for the participants it is the faces, names, and specific events that mark the event. Here are some of their stories.
For many civilians, the memories of a military event are an abstract memory. However, for the participants it is the faces, names, and specific events that mark the event. Here are some of their stories.
 
An average day in the life of a grunt in the II Corp area Northeast of Saigon in 1968 consisted of Eagle Flights. We would form groups of six in two columns. The Huey helicopters would come in to pick us up. Usually three men from each side would upload on the Hueys.
An average day in the life of a grunt in the II Corp area Northeast of Saigon in 1968 consisted of Eagle Flights. We would form groups of six in two columns. The Huey helicopters would come in to pick us up. Usually three men from each side would upload on the Hueys.
 
A visit from an old combat buddy rekindles the guilt and angst again.
 
I recently had a chance to reconnect with a fellow Combat Brother after 48 years.
 
Survival techniques that are not so useful back in "The World."
Survival techniques that are not so useful back in "The World."
 
Below are some pictures from the Charlie Company Website. This was the field meals as delivered by helicopter in case quantity. Usually the case was opened (sometimes using the old M16 prong flash suppressor as shown on left below – put over wire and twist until broken) and then turned upside down
Below are some pictures from the Charlie Company Website. This was the field meals as delivered by helicopter in case quantity. Usually the case was opened (sometimes using the old M16 prong flash suppressor as shown on left below – put over wire and twist until broken) and then turned upside down
 
The US Army can train an infantry man in 10 weeks after a 10 week boot camp.
The US Army can train an infantry man in 10 weeks after a 10 week boot camp.
 
My memory is cloudy on this exact dates but sometime around March or April 1968 we made an incursion into Cambodia.
My memory is cloudy on this exact dates but sometime around March or April 1968 we made an incursion into Cambodia.
 
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