Hill 110 lay quiet in the distance. I realized for the first time that I lacked a forward observer’s most important tool, a pair of binoculars. The Army had Leica German range-estimating binoculars back at Fort Sill, but any pair at all would be better than bare eyes. I lay prone on a bed of dry reeds, astounded that anything in the pre-monsoon lowlands could actually be dry. The sun beating down, even in the early morning hours, was hot and relentless. No mosquitoes though, and I wasn’t about to overlook that blessing. Little bumps still dotted my wrists, face and neck, only the daily ration of anti-malaria pills probably keeping me alive.
My memorized artillery registrations were only approximations when it came to the hill itself, since I’d not been able to adjust fire on it since before the company supposedly took it. I’d be firing on it intensely, however, once we got the order to move on, if for no other reason than I felt bad about disobeying orders in a cowardly way and also guilty about what another unsuspecting outfit might come upon, thinking the hill was subdued and clear prior to their encountering it.
I would like to add this to my previous comment.
I was fresh out of Army flight school with my new wings and Wobbly One bars pinned on and flying home for leave prior to deployment. As I waited for the plane a Marine E-7 approached me and asked if I was a helicopter pilot. I stood and responded in the affirmative. He reached forward and shook my hand thanking me profusely for all the times Army helicopters had come to his rifle company’s aid.
I pointed at my nearly medal free chest and told him I hadn’t even been to Vietnam yet …
And he replied “Well then sir, I want to thank you for what you’re going to do …”
That absolutely sealed my sense of responsibility to our ground troops … I was young and stupid (I judged my 20 year old WO1 self from the perspective of a 40 yr. old CW4 at times.. [I was a good pilot and a crappy officer]) but the one single thing I feel best about was I never fell short in that respect …
What a great selfs-effacing comment. Like I felt about me too.
Like I still feel about my service. Thanks for putting this down in print and on here and thanks
for risking that with all the vets reading this.
Semper fi,
Jim
Just two comments. I was a Warrant in an Army assault helicopter company 70-71. I thank God we had esprit de corps and while discipline wasn’t rigid (I never saluted REMF officers), within my company/battalion it existed.
Second. I never didn’t go in to support troops regardless. Nor do I recall any pilot in my Company not going in. We supported Marines up in the Parrots Beak. We looked upon CH-46 drivers askance. Of course I was 21 and immortal. Marine pilots were older with families. It was bragging rights in the club to get a Huey shot out from under you. Marine pilots got their heels locked in front of the CO for loosing their aircraft.
There is no way I can ever repay the debt I, and my Marines owe the warrant officers
who consistently came to get us in the deepest shit and fire when nobody else could or would.
Thank God for the U.S. Army.
Semper fi,
Jim
I’m thoroughly into your story. Great writing. Takes me right back. 101st Airborne 1964-66, 65-66 in RVN II Corps, MACV Adviser 1971-1972, III Corps.
Thank you for liking the story and saying so here, not to mention your service.
Semper fi,
Jim
Yes, I too had as a non-com had to deal with McNamara’s gift to the Armed Forces. Cannon fodder, that’s all we were. Meat for the Nam grinder is all we were, just didn’t know it at the time. I still had the innocence of war. We couldn’t put these poor souls on point or given great demands. Hell, we were all poor souls not wanting great demands. They served a necessary, true and honorable spot of ammo bearers for the M60’s. Someone had to do it.. A co, 1/327, 101st 68-69
Don’t forget hauling 60 mike mike mortar rounds either. Hauling everything.
People back here have little idea of all the stuff that’s got to be hauled through
the jungle to survive. Resupply can be a week away in some situations and then some of
it air dropped doesn’t survive the drop (try dropping five gallon plastic bottles of water
a hundred feet!). Anyway, yes, we had to take all comers in the Nam although everyone in the Nam
sure as hell did not venture out into the shit. Not if they could help it. Cursed them back then.
Now I understand.
Semper fi,
Jim
I do not ever remember loi-ing and crying at the same time!
Thank you Sherm. That’s quite a compliment, really!
I could not be more pleased with such an analysis.
Semper fi
Jim
Me too James, busy catchng up that is. This is my second reading session on “September”
I am “catching up” a few chapters at a time with a day or so off between readings to digest it all.
Part of me says run like hell or the dreams will come back. But the Soldier in me makes me stand to in support of you who suffered a worse experience in the Nam than I did.
Thank you again Major. I shall endeavor to persevere.
Semper fi,
Jim
Busy catching up James…
Well hell, Al, me too! Working away on the Tenth Day Second Part, to start out the second book.
Got to keep going or I will never get there. Thanks for the comment and the thought and the reading…
Semper fi,
Jim