A couple of days ago, some enemy forces were spotted near the Song Nha Ngu River. Once again, it was time to go on patrol. Our squad, led by Brunner, was assigned to make sure that no enemy forces slipped through. We were told that we wouldn't be engaging in heavy fighting. We loaded up into the choppers and got dropped off at the LZ. I didn't like the looks of the area when we got off. It was a perfect place for us to get ambushed again. Thoughts of the last injury I had received went through my mind. I didn't want it to happen again. We patrolled at least two kilometers of the area, following the bank of a stream. Suddenly as we were walking, a figure came up out of the water with a splash. It was a Cong! We opened fire and took him down. Then the whole stream was alive. There were Congs popping up everywhere. We fired as we retreated in confusion. Me and Peewee separated from the group to check the ridge, while the others continued to retreat to the LZ. The enemy fired on us as we crossed the river, but they didn't get us. Me and Peewee looked down from the ridge as we reached it and realized that there was many more of the enemy than we suspected. In the dark it seemed as if there was a million of them! I prayed that the others would be all right. Me and Peewee found a spider hole to hide in. It was small and cramped, but we stayed there all night. The next morning we got out of the hole and moved out to the LZ. We spottd some Congs on the way, but we weren't seen. As we approached the LZ, we saw Monaco sitting against a tree. We hid in the bushed, trying to figure out what was going on. I saw that there was a barrel pointed at his head from the trees. The Congs had captured him and were waiting for the choppers to arrive! As we heard the choppers coming, we opened fire, surprising the Congs. The choppers spotted the Congs and started firing too. Me and Peewee sprinted to Monaco and lifted him into the chopper. As I climbed in, a searing pain went through my leg. I was hit! The pain was so bad that I couldn't breathe. As I lay in the chopper, I saw that Peewee was hurt too. I hoped that we would make it.
I had been shot in the leg. It didn't require amputation or anything, but Peewee had to go into surgery. He's all right now, but his wound was serious enough to get him back home. They finally found my medical record. I'm going home! I'm finally out of this horrid place. It's like I told Monaco before. Over here in Nam, we're all dead. The only way to come back to life is to get back into the World again.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Headed Back Into Action
Well, I made it out of the ambush with all of my limbs, but I was cut up pretty bad. They loaded me onto the chopper, and I woke up in a hospital. The doctors told me that I had been hit by shrapnel in my side and in my left leg. I was also hit by a bullet in the wrist, but it barely chipped the bone. The doctors also told me that I had recieved a concussion. I was told that if there was anything that could get me home, it was a concussion. I hoped with all my heart that this was true. I have had enough of war. I've seen too many horrible things during my time here.
My stay in the hospital was like heaven. There was good food, movies, and an absence of fear and violence. It was peaceful. There were a lot of soldiers there worse off than me. Some were bandaged from head to toe while others were missing limbs. I was so grateful that my injuries were not as bad as the others. I thought about Brew a lot during my stay. I feel really bad. I remember lying next to him in the chopper and seeing his dull lifeless eyes. Why must war claim so many good lives.
The chaplain and the colonel talked to all of the injured soldiers. They told us that what we have done is for the highest reasons. We are defending freedom. We were all given Purple Hearts. I sent mine home to my brother, Kenny
I have received orders to rejoin my unit. When I received them I threw up. I don't ever want to go back. My hands began to sweat and I felt as though there was a weight in my stomach. I have thought about running away. I need to get home.
My stay in the hospital was like heaven. There was good food, movies, and an absence of fear and violence. It was peaceful. There were a lot of soldiers there worse off than me. Some were bandaged from head to toe while others were missing limbs. I was so grateful that my injuries were not as bad as the others. I thought about Brew a lot during my stay. I feel really bad. I remember lying next to him in the chopper and seeing his dull lifeless eyes. Why must war claim so many good lives.
The chaplain and the colonel talked to all of the injured soldiers. They told us that what we have done is for the highest reasons. We are defending freedom. We were all given Purple Hearts. I sent mine home to my brother, Kenny
I have received orders to rejoin my unit. When I received them I threw up. I don't ever want to go back. My hands began to sweat and I felt as though there was a weight in my stomach. I have thought about running away. I need to get home.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ambush
A few days ago, a company sized group, which included our squad, went on a patrol sweep to scout for enemy soldiers near the base. We all loaded up into the choppers and were taken to our patrol destination. As soon as we were out of the choppers, we saw the signs of Vietcong occupation. We found traps, called punji sticks, in small trenches. As we ventured further into the forest, Monaco discovered a mine symbol. We found the enemy mines and blew them. As we continued, we found what looked like a spider hole, which is a small hole dug in the ground for one or two men to hide in. We fired a few rounds into the hole to make sure there was no one inside, and suddenly a large force of Vietcong emerged from the bushes on the mountainside and opened fire on us. Our company retreated while firing and throwing grenades. We made it to the top of a hill and called up the choppers. I thought that we were all right until I heard one word,
"Incoming!"
I dove to the ground as a blast hit us. As I tried to stand, I found that I couldn't. We were hit by another blast and I saw Brew go down, blood spurting from a wound in his leg which was so deep that I could see the bone. I tried to go to help him, but again I couldn't walk. I looked down and realized that I had been hit. Suddenly the pain hit me. My vision went hazy and all that was going on around me became a blur. Time dragged by as I was examined by a medic and loaded onto our choppers. I turned my head to the side and saw Brew lying there. He was gone, just like Jenkins.
"Incoming!"
I dove to the ground as a blast hit us. As I tried to stand, I found that I couldn't. We were hit by another blast and I saw Brew go down, blood spurting from a wound in his leg which was so deep that I could see the bone. I tried to go to help him, but again I couldn't walk. I looked down and realized that I had been hit. Suddenly the pain hit me. My vision went hazy and all that was going on around me became a blur. Time dragged by as I was examined by a medic and loaded onto our choppers. I turned my head to the side and saw Brew lying there. He was gone, just like Jenkins.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Why I Fight
October, 1967
Today, Captain Seward came in with a television crew. They filmed us all cleaning our weapons, then they ask us why we were fighting in Nam. Lieutenant Carroll said that we had to demonstrate that the United States stood for something. Sergeant Simpson said we were trying to free the South Vietnamese people. Brunner said he was fighting because he hates Communism. Walowick said he was fighting because his country asked him to. Lobel and Brew said something about the domino theory. If Vietnam fell to Communism, then other countries might follow. I told them that if we didn’t fight here in Nam, we would be forced to fight in our own streets. Everyone seemed to like this idea, but I’m not sure that is the only reason that I am here fighting. It is more of everyone’s reasons combined that we are fighting here. Anyway, after they asked us that, we all got into the Hueys, which are really big, choppers, and they filmed us flying for about two miles. Then we landed for about twenty minutes. The television team took a bunch of photographs and we started back to the choppers. Along the way, Monaco, who was at point, opened fire. He said that he had seen a VC, or Vietcong. He stood still for a moment and then began to fire again. This time we all joined in, including me. I pulled the trigger to my weapon, but nothing happened. Suddenly, Simpson ordered us to cease fire. I realized that I had not loaded my weapon. If we had been caught in a fight, I realize that I would have been in trouble. Here in Nam, everything depends on your awareness and reflexes. We are fighting for our lives.
Today, Captain Seward came in with a television crew. They filmed us all cleaning our weapons, then they ask us why we were fighting in Nam. Lieutenant Carroll said that we had to demonstrate that the United States stood for something. Sergeant Simpson said we were trying to free the South Vietnamese people. Brunner said he was fighting because he hates Communism. Walowick said he was fighting because his country asked him to. Lobel and Brew said something about the domino theory. If Vietnam fell to Communism, then other countries might follow. I told them that if we didn’t fight here in Nam, we would be forced to fight in our own streets. Everyone seemed to like this idea, but I’m not sure that is the only reason that I am here fighting. It is more of everyone’s reasons combined that we are fighting here. Anyway, after they asked us that, we all got into the Hueys, which are really big, choppers, and they filmed us flying for about two miles. Then we landed for about twenty minutes. The television team took a bunch of photographs and we started back to the choppers. Along the way, Monaco, who was at point, opened fire. He said that he had seen a VC, or Vietcong. He stood still for a moment and then began to fire again. This time we all joined in, including me. I pulled the trigger to my weapon, but nothing happened. Suddenly, Simpson ordered us to cease fire. I realized that I had not loaded my weapon. If we had been caught in a fight, I realize that I would have been in trouble. Here in Nam, everything depends on your awareness and reflexes. We are fighting for our lives.
The First Patrol
September 25, 1967
I can’t believe what I have just witnessed. It was the most horrifying sight I have ever seen. Jenkins is gone. I can’t get his face out of my mind. His face pale white and mouth foaming. His eyes full of shock and pain. Blood gushing scarlet out of his wound. Then everything was still and he was gone, just like that. It is a strange thing to meet someone one day, and have them gone only days later. I just met Jenkins. I didn’t know him all that well, but for some reason I feel as though I have lost a part of me. One minute he was walking and talking with me, and the next, he was lying there dead. It makes me feel as though someone reached in my chest and twisted something.
The day started out normally. The company was playing games and watching TV when a Sergeant Simpson announced that we would be going on patrol. We got our gear and loaded into a chopper. We flew for about ten minutes and then reached the landing zone or the LZ. We all jumped out. I was excited. I had trained for this reason. We walked through woods and rice paddies, looking for signs of the Vietcong, or the guerilla forces of the Vietnam. The whole time, I imagined Vietcong ambushing our small group. Finally, Sergeant Simpson called the chopper to pick us up at a different zone than the one we had landed in.
I can’t believe what I have just witnessed. It was the most horrifying sight I have ever seen. Jenkins is gone. I can’t get his face out of my mind. His face pale white and mouth foaming. His eyes full of shock and pain. Blood gushing scarlet out of his wound. Then everything was still and he was gone, just like that. It is a strange thing to meet someone one day, and have them gone only days later. I just met Jenkins. I didn’t know him all that well, but for some reason I feel as though I have lost a part of me. One minute he was walking and talking with me, and the next, he was lying there dead. It makes me feel as though someone reached in my chest and twisted something.
The day started out normally. The company was playing games and watching TV when a Sergeant Simpson announced that we would be going on patrol. We got our gear and loaded into a chopper. We flew for about ten minutes and then reached the landing zone or the LZ. We all jumped out. I was excited. I had trained for this reason. We walked through woods and rice paddies, looking for signs of the Vietcong, or the guerilla forces of the Vietnam. The whole time, I imagined Vietcong ambushing our small group. Finally, Sergeant Simpson called the chopper to pick us up at a different zone than the one we had landed in.
My Company
September 21, 1967
Over the last few days, I have met some of the men who will be traveling with me to join our company. First there’s Peewee, who I already mentioned. I’m getting to be good friends with him. Then there’s Jenkins. He’s from Fort Dix. He seems like an all right guy, but I don’t know him very well yet. The next guy I met was man named Johnson. He’s a tall, masculine guy from Georgia. I like him, but him and Peewee get into some arguments. All of us are black guys. I realize that these are the men that I will have to trust with my life. They are the ones who will be watching my back and fighting at my side. I hope we never actually see any fighting. I’m a little worried about my medical profile. It still hasn’t come through. Until it does, I’m going to have to be just like every other soldier. Peewee, Jenkins, Johnson, and me got our firearms just a while ago. Me Peewee and Jenkins got the standard issue M-16 rifles. Johnson has gone through machine gun training, so he got an M-60. It’s a huge beastly looking thing that makes our weapons look tiny. Peewee got a pistol along with his rifle. The armorer told us to make sure that our weapons were always clean and ready for combat. I hope that we never have to do any fighting, but I’m going to follow the armorer’s advice and be ready.
Over the last few days, I have met some of the men who will be traveling with me to join our company. First there’s Peewee, who I already mentioned. I’m getting to be good friends with him. Then there’s Jenkins. He’s from Fort Dix. He seems like an all right guy, but I don’t know him very well yet. The next guy I met was man named Johnson. He’s a tall, masculine guy from Georgia. I like him, but him and Peewee get into some arguments. All of us are black guys. I realize that these are the men that I will have to trust with my life. They are the ones who will be watching my back and fighting at my side. I hope we never actually see any fighting. I’m a little worried about my medical profile. It still hasn’t come through. Until it does, I’m going to have to be just like every other soldier. Peewee, Jenkins, Johnson, and me got our firearms just a while ago. Me Peewee and Jenkins got the standard issue M-16 rifles. Johnson has gone through machine gun training, so he got an M-60. It’s a huge beastly looking thing that makes our weapons look tiny. Peewee got a pistol along with his rifle. The armorer told us to make sure that our weapons were always clean and ready for combat. I hope that we never have to do any fighting, but I’m going to follow the armorer’s advice and be ready.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
From Fort Devens to Vietnam
September 15, 1967
I am on my way to Nam. I'm not even sure why. Going to Nam makes me nervous, but I have heard that the fighting is almost over, so I'm not too worried. I have heard so much about the war and the Vietcong soldiers that the United States are fighting against. I have just left from Fort Devens, where I have been training. Before Fort Devens I was an all-star basketball player, but I hurt my knee in a game. I have a medical profile that is supposed to keep me out of combat, so I shouldn't be seeing too much action. The captain told me that the only reason I am on my way to Nam is because it takes forever to process a medical profile. It's just a paperwork messup. I'll probably be headed right back home once my profile catches up with me.
I have met a lot of new people on this journey. The first person I met was a nurse named Judy. She trained at Sam Houston then went to medical school, but she got bored of that and decided that she needed to do something else for a while. She's like me. Judy doesn't know why she's going to Nam either. I also met a guy called Peewee Gates. I don't know what his real name is , but he wants to be called Peewee no matter what. He's a pretty funny guy. He is really gung-ho about this going to Nam thing. I don't know why he's going there, but it might be that he has nowhere else to go. I'm not sure anyone knows why they're going to Nam.
I am on my way to Nam. I'm not even sure why. Going to Nam makes me nervous, but I have heard that the fighting is almost over, so I'm not too worried. I have heard so much about the war and the Vietcong soldiers that the United States are fighting against. I have just left from Fort Devens, where I have been training. Before Fort Devens I was an all-star basketball player, but I hurt my knee in a game. I have a medical profile that is supposed to keep me out of combat, so I shouldn't be seeing too much action. The captain told me that the only reason I am on my way to Nam is because it takes forever to process a medical profile. It's just a paperwork messup. I'll probably be headed right back home once my profile catches up with me.
I have met a lot of new people on this journey. The first person I met was a nurse named Judy. She trained at Sam Houston then went to medical school, but she got bored of that and decided that she needed to do something else for a while. She's like me. Judy doesn't know why she's going to Nam either. I also met a guy called Peewee Gates. I don't know what his real name is , but he wants to be called Peewee no matter what. He's a pretty funny guy. He is really gung-ho about this going to Nam thing. I don't know why he's going there, but it might be that he has nowhere else to go. I'm not sure anyone knows why they're going to Nam.
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