152 days, 1 Nov/67, Wed.
Today is July 4th! For a day off, there certainly
has been a lot of excitement around here. Last night (after I wrote the letter)
the ARVNs captured a VC captain who, in turn, offered to tell them where a
mortar position was near Bao Trai. The ARVN put him on an armored car, and two
of our jeeps escorted them to the site – almost. After about a mile, the VC
jumped from the armored car and disappeared into the night, before they could
even shoot.
MACV made recon help do guard duty all night, afraid they
would get mortared. MACV has got to be the most frightened group of people in Vietnam. Any
idiot could see, with reasonable certainty, that the mortar position was a
device to get the captain out of the compound so he could escape. Smart VC, I’d
say. Incompetent ARVNs.
Today was uneventful. I went downtown to see what was going
on for National Day. There was a parade and people throwing fireworks, but I
didn’t go to the bicycle race or anything.
Tonight, for some reason, everyone (most everyone) decided
to get drunk – and get drunk they did. In fact, there are now 15 people banned
from the bar.
“Grandpa” Clark and Buss (a
new guy – both foolish drunks) some how got out of the compound and ere missing
from 8:00 till 11:30. were supposed to be back from
town at 900. they were really blown away and Clark
even threatened to shoot Sergeant Mahoe when Mahoe began questioning him.
There is a guard on
both of them tonight, and tomorrow both will be taken to CU Chi for – who knows
what. Court Martial possibly. As wild as Bao Trai was tonight, (it’s dangerous
enough every night) anything could have happened resulting in a disastrous
repercussion on the whole platoon. It’ll be bad enough on the platoon as it is,
for them breaking curfew. I hate to see anything happen to the, but they
brought it on themselves.
I saw in the P.O. today where Marlynn was the 1st
runner-up in the Miss teenage Columbus
contest. Definitely congratulations are in order. I’m really proud of you,
Marlynn. I just wish you could have won the whole thing. For once, finally, I’m
really proud to say I went to Westerville
High School. Phil Shank
sent me a lot of all the scores up to Groveport. It’s really unbelievably
wonderful. Phil also said they’re ranked No. 2 behind Arlington in the county. Any state rating?
See, Marlynn, it always happens the year after you graduate.
Class of ’65,
Bob
153 days, 2 Nov/67 Thurs. – 5 mos.
Grandpa and Buss went to Cu Chi for the last time today.
I’ve moved into the green hutch. It’s cooler and I was tired of living in the
tent. I’m tired of living in Vietnam.
I wish they’d hurry and find the plug and drain this country away.
Today was another day off. Bound to go out tomorrow. That’s
about it for tonight – another “0” day. Need about 213 more just like it.
154 days, 3 Nov/67, Fri (30 weeks to go)
Another off-day! Sounds more to the point than “day off”.
Now that I’m in the green hutch with the tin roof, it’s cool enough to sleep
till noon – which I did.
Wednesday I went into town, and had “the little old man with
glasses” across the street sew me a set of black pajamas. They aren’t just any
old pajamas they’re the kind worn by the VC and nearly all other Vietnamese
people as their daily dress. You see them everywhere – especially the pants.
Several of the guys wear them around here. They’re very comfortable and cool.
Pajamas to us, clothes to the Vietnamese and the VC.
‘Tis the weekend tomorrow – we always go to the swamp on the
weekend.
155 days, 4 Nov/67, Sat.
We were put on alert for a while last night. The S-2 had
gone out to intercept some new VC recruits, and we received word that they made
contact and needed help. We nearly went out, but a closer look at the situation
by radio contact with the S-2 revealed that the contact was being made by two
VC compounds – against each other – the S-2 was merely in the area. They called
artillery on the two companies; a barrage that lasted nearly all night.
It’s good to hear that the VC can ambush their own people
just as we can, only it cost them more than our little affair back in August.
Today was another day off; this makes 5 in a row. They had us on the
vehicles twice, but both times the fissions were cancelled at the last minute.
I got my first roll of slides since I got the camera for
Dad. All are good. Three or four are prize winners. One I’d enter in a contest
if I could find one – it’s perfect! Other than the pictures, the mail’s been
slow. Haven’t even heard from the folks but once since their pleasure trip and
buying spree (actually I haven’t written them too much either).
We’ve got to go out tomorrow, don’t we? I hope we
have another September – out only 7 times. I really wish I could say more, even
make up something to say. I guess the novelty of Vietnam and everything has worn
off. I’m beginning to feel I’ve lived here all my life, and always will. Thank
God, neither is true!
156 days, 5 Nov/67, Sunday
Six days in a row. To tell the truth, it gets boring. I got
the clipping in the paper about Westerville
clinching the title – that’s number one! We watched movies and played
basketball most of the afternoon. I managed to twist my right foot, but nothing
serious – I probably won’t even be able to get out of going out tomorrow – if
we go out. Here it is, the 5th of November, and I just realized
Halloween has come and gone. I’m surprised the VC didn’t come trick-or-treating
– with mortars. They didn’t even soap windows, or throw corn. No sign of the
Great Pumpkin; the only Jack-o-lanterns we have over here have fuses instead of
candles.
Boo!
Bob
157 days, 6 Nov/67, Mon.
Hi,
Our 7th day off was filled in by the celebration
of Phuong Du Thet – meaning snap, crackle, pop. It is a Vietnamese national
holiday honoring the three giants of the world of rice, during which a
cease-fire in the war is declared, and Viet Cong and Vietnamese celebrate the
day as one brotherhood of people.
The traditional diet of the day is Rice Krispies for
breakfast, Spanish rice for lunch, and Rice-a-Roni for dinner, with rice
pudding for dessert. Rice wine replaces water the whole day long. Often the
upper class enjoys a rice and jelly sandwich before turning in for the night.
There is a parade in the afternoon in which everyone dresses
as their favorite grain of rice, and dance all about town, trying to identify
Phuong, Du, and That, who are similarly disguised (somewhat like our Secret
Santa). The penalty of a wrong guess is a snapped finger, crackled toes, or
popped nose, administered by the offended a this own choice. The one correctly
identifying anyone, or all three, receives a Blue-Cross card, and a Medicare
application. Phuong Du That is a fun day for all.
We have invented a new candy bar (getting away from rice, if
I may). We simply cut a coconut from a tree and cover it with chocolate and
sprinkled nuts. We call it Recon Hard Ball. Hard to swallow, and hard to
believe. Melts in your mouth (if you have a large enough mouth) not in your
hands. It’s a chance to go a little nuts.
I got a chance to go into Bao Trai today after the parade
and pick up some pajamas. Paris
originals, with fine mesh and delicate lace cuffs and collar. There are pearl
buttons that glow in the dark, and a trap door for ventilation – which is also
the only way to get into and out of the silly things (Pierre didn’t have any zippers). The buttons
are just sewed on – Pierre
was also out of buttonholes. I’ll send you a picture, if you think you can
stand it (I’m not sure I can).
I guess our vacation is over – we have a mission at 7:15 tomorrow morning. Seventeen VC,
mine, Chieu Hoi guide – sounds like another farce.
158 days, 7 Nov/67, Tues.
Well, I retract my last statement form yesterday. We had an
outstanding mission. The Chieu Hoi was good – one of the VC we captured was the
Chieu Hoi’s brother! Sounds like the Civil War, doesn’t it? Our fist body count
came when Little Joe spotted a guy running across the field. We gave chase and
fired a total of nearly 400 rounds at the idiot, but he kept running and we
couldn’t hit him. Finally Broton got smart and took aim. One shot in the neck
form 400 meters – good shooting.
Meanwhile, the ARVNs had captured 4 confirmed VC, and about
5 suspects, including a girl, and had killed another who was firing a carbine
out of a hole. They pulled out the body – a girl! We had a good mission
finally. Reminded me of the old days with Cito.
Instead of walking all the way back to Bao Trai, we stopped
a convoy of about 20 filled dump trucks and rode in on the piles of dirt. After
7 days of rest, I’m “bou cu” tired. I did get several combat pictures,
including – sorry – the dead girl.
159 days, 8 Nov/67, Wed.
Morning off. In the afternoon, a whole fleet of mechanics
came out from Cu Chi and we had a mass repair on all jeeps. I got off easy
again – repainted all the bumper numbers.
We got 4 new guys today and plan on two more tomorrow. We
have an all day mission tomorrow. It sounds bad. All day in the swamps three
different LZs to go to, the last one a 6 click walk through the swamp. All in
the heat of the afternoon. Hope I don’t get heat-sick again.
Well, maybe I do. The target was at first a battalion of VC
and through rumors, has grown to 1,500 North Vietnamese regulars – the ones
with military training and uniforms. DMZ refugees. True or not, it still sounds
bad. We’re going on the west side of the Oriental River.
Usually we stay on the east – never have gone on the west. That’s definitely
where Charlie hides during the day!!!
There will be a unit of ARVNs with us (a battalion, other
than the S-2 platoon) but what good are they? They’re the same ones that shoot
at us all the time!
To be continued (maybe)
Bob
160 days, 9 Nov/67, Thurs.
Well, here I am,
Compared to what they had planned for us, today was a walk
in the park. Our plans called for an LZ near Trang Bang and the Oriental River,
then on to another LZ on the west side of the river, along another creek, which
is known to be the main supply route form Cambodia for the 264th and
271st VC battalions.
The colonel guaranteed contact at thesis LZ. After
that one (if there were any of us left) we were to go to an area in the swamps
near Bao Trai, and walk 6 clicks through the swamp Lt Straub said that whoever
planned the mission didn’t leave time for chopper refueling, etc. and we might
not have enough time for he third LZ.
We landed at the first objective at 11:15 a.m. – searched it, had our C-rations, and
waited till 4:30 p.m. It
was so late that they had changed plans
altogether, and they dropped us near Bao Trai – about 1 ½ clicks out, and we
walked in from there.
So, instead of 500 VC, and a total of 13 licks walking, we
wound up with a picnic and an afternoon hike – and I don’t even carry a
rabbit’s foot; somebody else must have one.
161 days, 10 Nov/67, Fri. (10 months in Army)
Day off! Seven new replacements (for who?) today. Trivia
Dept: if I had gone to OCS,I would have graduated today and my 2 years would
just be beginning. It’s been 23 weeks today since I’ve been in VN. Also, my
tenth month in the Army. Looks like that 2-year, 10 month estimate would have
been right.
Rained all day today – 162 days, 11 Nov/67 Sat.
The first rain there other than a few night drizzles, since
Oct. 28th. Hints of the dry season, is my guess. Day off again for Michigan State and Notre Dame – good game – three
weeks old.
Haven’t heard from you in quite a while. Hope every thing’s
all well. Teaching this year? Hope you’re keeping the old folks at home
informed with these letters. Would you believe – in about 20 days, I’ll be
starting down the hill; that is, I start counting down from 183, instead
of counting up to 183. Yep, half way!
I’ve been thinking (how about that?) of all the things I
mess about the world. Not just home and family – those are understood – but the
little things. I miss watching football on the color TV, miss watching it in
person, and even miss commercials.
I’ll be glad when I can get home and have a BBF hamburger
and milkshake. When I can get in a car and drive around OSU and enjoy the – uh
– scenery. I especially miss driving the Alpine down highway 605 at 80 mph, at one o’clock in the morning on the way
home from work. I miss Western Electric, and all the wonderful hillbillies I
worked with.
I miss slot-racing (believe it or not). I miss snow and cold
weather. I get tired of the hot sun, green grass, and trees. Even the flowers
are still in full bloom – some just coming out – and it’s the middle of
November. Everyday, somehow, I miss that freedom bird that’ll take me back to
it all.
I even miss your garden,
Bob
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