There was nothing more to be said to Captain Carter, so I handed the handset back to Fusner. I wondered why we never heard from battalion about anything except occasional and outlandish orders to move somewhere, occupy wherever that was briefly, and then move on. The orders to drive deep into the A Shau Valley to assist Army engineers in building an ARVN artillery support base were as bizarre and downright looney as the others that had come before. How a South Vietnamese Army unit was supposed to survive all alone at the bottom of the killing Valley to fire anything at anybody was not even in question. It couldn’t be done. The firebase might be put in but that would be it. If territory could have been defended and held over time in the valley, then the old runway would still be in use, especially since it had at one time had the full power of the U.S. military behind it.
I laid down flat. It was late afternoon and I had to think and rest. We didn’t have our rations and water was becoming an issue because of running like we had in the heat and moisture. For some reason, I thought of Captain Carter’s umbrella, and how if it was turned upside down it could serve to collect fresh water from the misting rain. The Gunny came out from deeper within the bracken clustered area around the base of a single huge stand of bamboo. Jurgens and Sugar Daddy were with him. They threw themselves down close by, neither sergeant meeting my angry gaze.
Mr. Strauss, Was wondering if you have been able to watch the PBS Series on Vietnam. It seems to have left out a lot. Anyway would like your opinion. Thanks DP
Analytically wonderful when it comes to the political background and historical records.
Antiseptic when it comes to the actual combat out in the bush. I found the interviews to
be as expected from guys who are risking everything by talking on national television.
It would have been impossible to have filming out in the real stuff because who the hell
would stay to do it? Nobody in their right mind and then there’s the conditions, equipment
and trying to catch crap that is mostly going on in the dark in dense jungle. And, of course,
the racial and friendly fire stuff is kept within tolerable limits. I enjoy watching it
however because it’s kind of distant from what I was doing and where I was. Surreal.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Welcome Home and goof luck with the eye today. Dave.
Sugar Daddy’s direct disobedience of orders could have cost the company the life () every Marine on the roster, including my own. [(of)]
Thanks and corrected
Have you posted any chapters after this one? If so, can you post the link? As usual, I’ve enjoyed each one as they are heart stopping thrillers.
Ed,
Sorry Jim has not posted any new segments. He had eye surgery and is recuperating.
We have been posting a new Arch Patton assignment, The Bering Sea
It is being readied for print and digital publication.There are 28 chapters up as of today and the rest in next few days.
Jim is anxious to be ‘back in the saddle’
Thank you for your support.
James, just finished the very patient responses to everyone who noticed dupes. Your story telling caused me to miss them all. Really! I race over the words then they put pictures in my mind. I am in Houston on the west of Buffalo Bayou and blessed. Seventeen neighbors were flooded and the over 55 community took care of their neighbors cleaning up and housing. Many folks from WWII live here, good people. I am recovering from a bad heart rhythm treatment and have been unable to help except to pray. Thank you for caring for all of the folks hit by Harvey and Irma. I am about to get a report on my granddaughter in Naples so more later. Poppa
These physical blows to so many people are hard to accommodate.
I just wish we were better as a country in having a universal responding force and funding for such disasters.
Our pasted together systems speak to the fact that these
catastrophes are uncommon, but in reality…are they?
Thanks for the thanks, of course.
Whom would not care with all their heart?
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, if we had such a reliable force for responding, then everyone would expect that force to take care of others. This way, we are taking the time to take care of neighbors and that is good!
Another of the interesting “J” observations!
Semper fi,
My friend,
Jim
Interesting article from the Washington Post today
The Daily 202: McCain and Kerry outline lessons from Vietnam after watching new Ken Burns documentary
Article dd not come through, at least not as described.
Semper fi,
Jim
Bad Link above, Jim. Connects to AOL email.
Thanks Mike..Noticed and removed
Albert, I am removing the link. It is compromised.
here is that story. not much to it, ‘let’s not make the same mistakes again’ after how many more already.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/09/13/daily-202-mccain-and-kerry-outline-lessons-from-vietnam-after-watching-new-ken-burns-documentary/59b86be930fb045176650c33/?utm_term=.e1562c53b860
“Sorry about that, Chief.” Remember that line from Maxwell Smart?
Yes, very well, Albert.
Do we need more “light humor” like that?
Semper fi,
Jim
Great read, Jim!
I was with the Americal Division in ’68 and ’69. Our unit participated in operations in and around the Que Sohn valley. We called that the “Valley of Death” also. We never knew where we were nor were we given any information about our role in whatever the current operation. Ignorance is bliss, they say! Just jump off the skids, do what you’re told, and cover your buddies ass, ’cause he’s got yours!
I got more information after my discharge than I got while in the Army.
From what I’ve read so far, I’m glad I wasn’t in the A Shau!
Thnaks for the great comment and hyour rendtion of your service E.T. Thanks for the compliment and putting it up on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Mr. James,
I have been reading the this almost non stop since discovering Thirty Days in September about a week ago. Being 65 years old and retired allows for that kind of dereliction of normal duties occaisionally. I am now caught up. I think my wife is happy that I now have to resume normal life as I wait for the next chapter. It’s a great read. Thankyou
Thank you most kindly Mike. It is more a trial to write than I thought it would be so many years ago
when I started. Without that first draft and my letters home to my wife that she kept I would never have gotten this
far. It can hard to keep track of for some kinds because we moved so much in and around that death valley.
Thanks for the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
One more minor editing note – “Too risky to move through this dense a jungle in the dark” you might want to remove the ( a ) in that sentence, unless you meant to say ( ass )! LOL! Your choice your story. Good stuff, can’t wait for next chapter!
Thanks Dan, really appreciate the help and the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
So glad to hear you flushed that shit down the shithole. I truly believe if you had not made that decision none of us would be blessed with your truth filled writing today.
Thank you Jack, for the depth and sincerity of that compliment. And the approval that comes along with it. And putting it up all on here
to make me look better than I really am, or was!
Semper fi,
Jim
Just another note Jim, to tell you again how much you have helped me understand younger friends from whom I first heard “don’t mean nuthin “. I hope the writing helps ease your own mind a bit….
Thanks Charley, the writing has helped me a lot to come to terms with what happened, and the writing of those
who’ve put stuff up in the comments here has helped more than getting out the story! Thank you, and the men like you
who’ve actually cared…
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, when you were being treated for PTSD did you receive the Stallate Ganglion injection?
Hear of it, but no. The people at North Chicago decided that the results were inconclusive and
the application has potential side effects that are not nice. Just group therapy. They gave me
all sorts of psychotropics but I flushed them. Want none of those ‘here take it for life’ things
except aspirin and other stuff that does not play with my mind.
Thanks for asking J.
Your friend,
Jim
About 25 years ago, I’m n our bedroom going through my cigar box where I keep my stuff, my youngest son comes in says daddy what’s that one for, I say don’t mean nothing, he leaves the room, I wonder why I said that but I couldn’t figure at the time. I never explain myself, another great read Lt
You were damaged in order that he did not have to be. Enjoy that. It really don’t mean nuthin to him
and you made it happen that way. Means a lot to you. And I am sympathetic about those deep wounds…
Semper fi,
Jim
In thinking about the current situation with Kilo company digging in while the VC are heading your way, things don’t make sense. Why would Charlie leave Kilo in place to take them from behind, while Charlie is attacking your company? In that case, they would be sandwiched in between the two Marine companies.
Perhaps if I understand the scenario properly, Charlie eliminates the air support by working in between the two companies. That really does not sound like the strategy they normally followed. Yet, if it were so, it would definitely be an effective move, since your company is split up on both sides of the river. It would be easier for them to concentrate on a divided company of marines. They could also take out the Ontos as well, if they were able to overcome your company.
Didn’t sound like battalion really gave a hoot about your men, if they agreed with Morgan to keep Kilo company from moving toward the action. Perhaps they felt that they could salvage at least one company if they allowed Charlie to overrun your company. Who knows, stranger things have happened in NAM!
Mr. J’s deep thoughts and continued detective-style analysis. I sit here and smile.
Nice work J. Thanks for laying down our opinion here, and you know I can’t say any more..
Semper fi,
Jim
Well I am wondering when you are going to say more? Something else must be taking up too much of your time. Are you doing ok?
J,
Jim had another eye surgery today. He is heading home and will be back in the saddle very soon..
Thanks for your support.
Hope you are faring well.
Thanks for the info on Jim, Chuck. Sounds like cataract time, I hope it is nothing worse.
Doing fair to midline, breathing a little difficult, but still able to get around.
Thanks for asking.
Epithelium replacement J. It’s a little complex as far as a transplant goes and it is uncomfortable as hell to go through
but it’s not life theatening in any way. So, if I am a bit argumentative lately you get it. The pain will do that
and I don’t do well with the opiates. You are indeed my true friend, however….
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, no need to explain what pain can do to one’s character and emotions, been down that road for years now and still traversing it. I don’t rely too much on pain killers, more so on prayer which works much better, with less side effects.
My prayers are that you will recover quickly, so that you can get on with your mission in life as the Lord ordains. Sometimes He allows us to feel pain just to get our attention, so that we will turn to the greatest of healers, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Thanks J, as usual, you get it without much ahving to ge said…
Semper fi,
Jim
Semper
James, Sending some healing thoughts your way. May your sight be restored and your spirit lifted. Be Well
Thanks Dan. The eye is sore but getting along okay.
Be awhile before I can see out of it again though and that makes it difficult to work on the computer.
Difficult but not impossible…as you can see here.
Semper fi, and thanks,
Jim
Jim, don’t forget your eyedrops and quit straining your eyes!
Thank you J,
Completely rested Friday.
Hope to back full tilt very soon,
Jim
On the edge of my seat…..still. I would hope that you would get a better deal out of your troops and the idiot captain. Great writing Jim.
thank you Jim, working away on the next segment. Glad men like you write in…
Semper fi,
Jim
The A-Shau, a place I heard about when I was in the Nam. A place that to this day I am glad I never visited.
Thanks for this work L.T.
Glenn.
It only became a legend after the way, I think. I mean, if you’d been and lived I’m certain it got discussed, but only after
did it seem taht the name drew special attention for being such a pit of misery and death.
Thanks for the comment, as usual.
Semper fi,
Jim
I am a non combatant Marine, 1969-1971 ( volunteer for the draft) I remember my conversations with those who were in country,,, Your writing certainly rings true,,,
Thanks Peter, Yes, it was a time that wasn’t really believable to those not down in there.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Semper fi,
Jim
Afternoon Jim, Sounds remember and remain ……. The click of a .45 going off safe …… the racking of the bold on a M-60 …… The dead silence of the jungle just before Charlie comes out of the dark …… The slick sliding wet watery rubbery sloshing sounds of a body bag hitting sliding in to the cargo deck ……. Funny, That, That sound would penetrate through a flight helmet, Rotor blades, and a screaming full power T-53-L13 turbine …… That sickening wet sloppy sound …….. We brought them home, all of them home ……..
Semper Fi/This We Defend Bob
Brothers all Brothers All! ………
Yes, the sounds and smells remain with us for life.
Sometimes the feel. Picked up a box of .45 ammo some days back and took out a round. The special feel of that
round. Nothing like it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Don’t mean nothing Lt. Mojo take care of it…………..love this much…..Be Blessed and welcome home………..
It don’t mean nuthin’ Most will never understand that expression.
Semper fi, brother…
Jim
Correction:
“What are you going to do with them?” I asked. If it wasn’t Sugar Daddy who’d pulled the fire team, regardless of the risk, then the members of the fire team itself had to be called into accountability. The entire company either already knew what had happened or soon would.
If it wasn’t Sugar Daddy who’d pulled the fire team, regardless of the risk, then the members of the fire team itself had to be called into accountability. The entire company either already knew what had happened or soon would.
So noted and corrected.
Thank you.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, I ordered and read the First Ten Days based on catching your periodic transmits on e-mail, I have to say I was not disappointed. I want to thank you for your honest work and finally bringing to light the experiences of my friends and family members who will not discuss their Vietnam experiences but instead bury it within themselves rather than unload it. Hopefully this book will find itself being read by our nation’s warriors and they can recieve a measure of peace and completeness where needed. Respects.
I have no idea of whether the books will somehow be picked up to reach out beyond the small audience that Amazon provides.
Thanks for writing those big thoughts and hopes though.
Semper fi,
Jim
Sir, I am no expert on the post war trauma of our veterans, but what I can see in your writing is the cause and long term effect of how the impact of their experiences are with them to this day and how the strongest of young men, mentally and physically, will be impacted. For the veterans they can visualize graphically your experience and relate it to their own and realize, hopefully, a better understanding of where they are with their own issues today, and use that understanding to help heal their wounds. With their loved ones & care givers this knowledge would be positive in so many ways especially when the veteran will not talk about his horrific experience. I hope I have not over simplified this problem. Respects.
Post Traumatic Stress. The definition that the VA and the entire psychological disciplines will not accommodate in any way.
Because, by the nature of the definition, there can be no cure. There can be no forgetting. Here it is, and I created it after
a lot of bitter experience, thought, treatment and exposure: Post Traumatic Stress is a human being’s reaction to being exposed
to the real world and then returned to the phenomenal world. The syndrome is exacerbated by the inability of the human beings living
in the phenomenal world to understand or believe that there’s a real world out there that is vicious, predatory, with no
scruples. It lives, breathes and dies, with violence as its central feature and the foundation of its existence. Humans have built
phenomenal worlds in pockets (small) around those areas of the world (most) where the immediate harshness and abrupt ‘justice’ of the real
world abounds.
You cannot forget reality and you can’t make believe it does not exist out there any more than you can ever (if you lived in it) fail to
think that the real world may be coming to take you back, and the ones you love, at any time. Combat veterans have guns but don’t shoot them.
Why? Combat veterans stay up at all hours of the night. Why? Combat veterans don’t discuss the real world they know so much about. Why?
Combat veterans almost never fully adjust back into the phenomenal world (called home). Why?
Thanks for the depth of your comment and reading what I have to write about it….
Semper fi,
Jim
“Let’s go surfin’ now, (everybody’s learning how;) come on and safari with me…”
Need to italicize entire song lyric.
“The ‘not’ answer was much more likely, given that the NVA didn’t much go in for suicide missions of any kind(, and the enemy knew that).”
Delete “, and the enemy knew that”
Love the story. Sometimes you just get caught between a rock and a hard place — whether due to conflict within your own unit or the enemy’s maneuvers.
Thanks for your help.
Noted and corrected.
Semper fi,
Jim
I think maybe the Gunny is getting on board with junior in trying to keep some sort of semblance of a cohesive unit to fight and survive with. After all surviving the valley is paramount to everyone.
Riveting reading as usual, thanks James for the telling that many will never know.
Thanks Sgt Bob. Your comment hit the right spot, as usual!
Semper fi,
Jim
I’m so addicted to your story. Horrified at the situations our vets endured. Proud of the everyday courage. It shows so much that courage is not the absence of fear, rather in spite of fear.
Thank you for shedding light on the struggles of our finest.
Jon
Thanks Jon, much appreciate the supporting comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Advice from Brother John —–
Run Through The Jungle Lyrics
Whoa thought it was a nightmare
Lord it was so true
They told me don’t go walking slow
The devil’s on the loose
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Whoa don’t look back to see
Thought I heard a rumblin’
Calling to my name
Two hundred million guns are loaded
Satan cries “take aim”
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Whoa don’t look back to see
Over on the mountain, thunder magic spoke
Let the people know my wisdom
Fill the land with smoke
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Whoa don’t look back to see
Semper Fi? This We Defend Bob
A classic over there, of course. Thanks for the lyrics and the support in your writing them on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
TY sir, another great chapter.
Thanks Joe, I am working away at it…
Semper fi,
Jim
Great stuff. Not easy.
Any thoughts on the Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, documentary, “The Vietnam War,” airing Sep. 17?
I have heard of the documentary. I have not seen it. I have no clue how they might go about
telling the truth about anything that happened over there without towing the company line.
Just the way things are. I am sticking my neck way out there simply telling my story
and sticking to the awful crap that happened to us in the bush…but that’s not going to
come out of any documentary.
Semper fi,
jim
This was a little messed up, but I am so into the content of the story I don’t worry about the mistakes. I know they will be dealt with. Good job. When I read about your experience I can smell the smells, feel the Miskitos and remember being so miserable because your wet all the time. Thanks for sharing
The new editing program didn’t work so good the first time around.
Better now but there was definitely some cleanup work that had to be done.
Thanks for sticking with it and thanks to all the editors I have on here that caught everything
and made us fix it!
semper fi,
Jim
“He’s gone surfing, Sir”………Remember Duval’s line in Apocalypse Now….”Charley don’t surf!!””…you either loved it, or hated it… but he was right….Charley didn’t surf….I only hope that Captain Morgan falls off his board soon…and someone a little more savy takes the reins of Kilo….Your options are dwindling and unless Bn has had enough of Kilo’s faltering….then you “might’ be in for a rough night…lol….as for the weapons individual sounds…the 1911’s safety “snick’ is distinctive…but having someone just a few feet away in the very quiet darkness of the jungle..do that long, slow double click,pulling back of the hammer of a 1911…now that will get your attention..your breath will stop, and your heart gets really loud….in the distance, sound echoing up the canyon walls, fighting to be heard above the sounds of the river…just a lot of noise, 16’s and 47’s mixing it up….Now, up close and personal..yeah, each is very distinguishable… Had our Gunny come up after one of our fast and furious encounters and ask me just how much ammo I carried for my grease gun…he said he heard at least 100 rounds fired by me… I told him I carried 4 30 round magazines for it….and had used them all….as I sat there reloading them one by one…..loved that M3A1.. He could tell it from all the other weapons being fired at the same time…A good “Gunny’ can make you or break you….I see a Glimmer now and then…..just hoping it’s not a Glint instead…….”GET SOME” LT….Semper Fi…
Thanks Larry for that complex and educational paragraph. There were a couple of twelve gauge pumps that came along
later in the story but by and large the Marines carried M-16s and the enemy used AKs. The Korean war and WWII stuff we
armed the South Vietnamese with were used further down south and earlier where we were but the VC were all abut gone when
I was over there in I Corps. Thanks for the remarks and the gritty truth in your writing…
Semper fi,
Jim
so is Tiger Force going to show up with their shotguns
I heard of those guys working the highlands not far from where we were but I never saw or met any of the men in that unit.
Thanks for mentioning them though.
They are controversial to this day, just like this story…
Semper fi,
Jim
Just a mostly off topic comment about sounds. I had just settled down for the night about thirty minutes ago when there was a knock on my front door. I don’t get late night callers. Pull on my jeans and grab my Colt Commander off of the chest of drawers by my bed as I head for the door. Trying to wrestle into a T-shirt while the 1911 was in hand was a struggle and by the time I had hands free to rack the slide I was at the front door. A kinda high and rising to near squeek man’s voice said, “It’s your neighbor!” Well hell, it was kind of a toss-up about shooting him, I’ll see what he wants first.
Doesn’t match an 870 for pucker factor racking a slide but the 1911 is still an attention getter!
The problem with armnament. It fires at whatever we shoot it at. And we are damaged by lack of information, emotion, alcohol and much much more
when we make our decisions about such things. Always…always…find and buy a shotgun round for your firearm, rifle or pistol and load it as your first round.
You can alway shoot twice if nead be but that first round is a decision maker. Your drunk brother-in-law, neigbor, friend, spouse or child is much better off
going to the ER to remove pellets than having to have your appear at their inquest. In the U.S., for almost all intents and purposes and in almost every corner of
this wonderful country there’s never any reason to shoot anyone. I fought for that to be true. And it is.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, your response here is a duplicate of every time I have seen you deal with this topic. The consistency of your well thought out philosophy is amazing. Thank you again for knowing when and how to say the same thing in words giving indisputable evidence of a soul seared by fire. And like Chief Chester Kelly always said; I love ya man”. Poppa Joe
I am not sure what to think of that comment Poppa! We believe certain things and our portrayal of those beliefs should probably stay pretty constant.
Thanks, I think for that comment and the affection, always, of course…
Semper fi,
Jim
Your answer to Mr Lowrey shows you have a Ph Din Communication. A thinking PHD is that person who can explain facts and truth in the way that the person listening understands those facts or beliefs, and those beliefs or facts are unchanged in anyway. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has never changed even in the retelling for centuries. I never meant to imply that you write the truth as it fits the situation. Apologies for sure if I managed to offend in anyway. Poppa Joe
Situation ethics is always with us Poppa. Sometimes, no matter our sense of honor or the following of the strongest belief system is subverted by fear or terror.
I blame some of what happened to me in the Nam on making decisions based upon situation ethics and then worrkingh about the real integrity and ethics later on…
which of course ever remains on my mind. The Bible is a tough one because of its hugely complex and often differntial presentations and interpretations. Thanks for the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, thank you. Helps me understand the situation my son and grandson are presently in, son is helping his son through the conflicts of his first deployment. Praying they both find peace. Sorry to keep interrupting your work. It is important stuff. Poppa
You are not interrupting. You are making the work work…so to speak. You are making the work worth it. You are making life more worth it
as I get a bit of it thorugh your wizend eyes…and even your childrens. Stuff I’d have never known without coming on here to sort of write the book
and live my own life at the same time. Only on here am I the honest person inside…and all the duplicity drops away. I owe nobody on here anythong except
me and they don’t owe me anything except the real them…and you.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT, I have to make myself read each sentence under my breath, slowly digesting each word and every syllable. Otherwise I try to get ahead of myself, and what you give us deserves to be savored. To quote Buck Owens, you’ve got a tiger by the tail, it’s plain to see. Thanks for another look down into the A Shau Sir, keep it coming. Semper Fidelis.
Thanks Mike. I take yur whole comment as a giant compliment. And it means a lot to me,
especially the way your wrote it. Guys wonder how I reply to all the comments but it is the comments that
give me meaning. I’d never have gotten past the first book without them. I wasn’t at all aure that what happened
to me and my Marines in that valley wasn’t an isolated ‘Brigadoon’ kind of one off experience. I found out on here,
for the first time in my life, that I wasn’t alone. There were a lot of us and most were like me, just shutting the hell up
and getting by back here. There’s freedom and education in these comments and I so happy to be a part of them.
Semper fi,
Jim
Seems like a couple of cases of Captain Morgan would be a good trade for the captain Morgan. I don’t mean to make light of the situation you are in because it is dire. You sure are telling this story very, very well and I thank you for telling to us.
Rick
Thanks for that conclusion Rick. Some of the officers showed their fear in different ways. Since
Morgan was down in the valley being a Pointer then he’d probably also gotten himself there somehow
like I had. Lots of things killed over there and nobody and nothing as effectively as the leadership
we all so counted on. Thanks for the compliment too…
Semper fi,
Jim
I have no problems with your writing. Just wish you had better support from your command. Can’t wait to see what’s next. Keep up the great work and stay low.
Thanks Peter, for the compliment and that conclusion.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT, as the corpsman, I am waiting.
Jim, as the corpsman I know you understand, more than almost anyone here…or there.
Semper fi,
Jim
WOW…looks like Morgan has let his lack of intelligence show again. He’s hung you out to dry after you saved his sorry ass… but that was the way it worked…I think the military originated the CYA concept. He will take credit for defeating the enemy, which should have been credited to you and your men…and then try to make sure that you don’t survive to tell the truth…of course the “truth” was always controlled. You seem to be between a rock and hard place…an overwhelming number of the enemy heading your way, your men on both sides of the river, and your air support gone for the time being…it’s gonna be a long night I believe…as usual, outstanding writing and you make us feel every step of the journey.
Thanks for the compliment and also for the interesting comment about life over there in general.
Appreicate the support and your identity with the story…
Semper fi,
Jim
The typos are not nearly as irritating as the “editors”. Let it rest people. Great job as usual James. Semper Fi.
We are working on the new program we bought for editing. It seemed wonderful going in.
Then we find that it duplicates and duplication is hard to catch without reading for content.
I only have Chuck and me and the guys and gals here…so don’t run down my editors. I need the help.
Without the people here clamoring we would not have known. We were too busy celebrating the new ‘perfect’ editing program.
Shit.
Thanks for your comment though…
Semper fi,
Jim
I gotta tell ya Brother. When you eat cold ham and claymores, that’s just the way it is.
What you get out of that can is what you get.
I read what you have written holding my breath, Don’t notice any of the little nuances that every one points out. On the double paragraphs? Not a problem. O adjusted my T & E. and kept reading.
You got some problems, which you are, obviously improvising for and overcoming.
Take a deep breath, Hell, take a couple deep breaths.
Then sit down and get to bangin on the keyboard.
I’m Jonesin here. You got me hangin
Thanks Bud, I write on and your comment is both entertaining and insightful…not to mention
complimenatary. Thank you for all three. I will endeavor to live up to your high expectations of
hearing about what really happened under such circumstances….
Semper fi,
Jim
Great stuff. I did not notice typos. Please keep it coming.
Thanks Frank, I have to have the work as ‘clear’ as possible if it is ever to be picked up.
Content used to mean so much more than it means today, but times do change.
Semper fi,
Jim
What is the literary phrase? Emphasis added. Noticed the duplications, read right thru them. This one just about wore out my Levi’s from the inside, lots of squirming around trying not to chicken out. Functioning as a matter of survival would be hard enough, having to justify every thought with a bunch court martial candidates had to have been absolute insanity. At about this point I would have put my hands in my pockets and wandered away whistling. No worrys.
Thanks Walk, as usual, you are spot on…
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh the black and white thing. Back on 1962 the Army was trying to fix the segregation thing. The 10th Cavalry unit was in Germany. The 12th Cav was Ft.Kewis, WA. So they transferred the names/colors and we, the 12th Cav. An integrated unit, became the Buffalo Soldiers. It was fine. I would trust my life in combat to some of the black guys more than I would to the guy I joined with on the “buddy” plan out of high school.
I was shocked to run right into the racial problems in the company. I had no clue and no warning.
In training, I had three black guys in the Basic School and they were all pretty terrific guys and there were
no racial problems I knew of.
Thanks for your comments on the subject.
Semper fi
Jim
Saw that also, but thought I just lost my place reaching for the mud cup. LOL
Thanks Harold. Much appreciate your comments on here and your support…
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
Thanks for your good narrative of the action on the ground, as usual. Seems like you are withdrawing into yourself and thinking more. Please keep at it. It is odd that battalion doesn’t talk to you. Who sends in your after action reports at this point, like Morgan does?
Later, Dave.
Here are some typos:
… cost the company the life (of) every Marine on the roster, including my own.
and repeated sentences:
Would I be able to unsnap the Colt, …
“They hit Kilo, and vice versa, …
Even if the NVA had left some sort of element behind, …
The enemy would certainly know Kilo was downriver …
We’d stood twice for Kilo and it was time …
This sentence may not need the ending phrase: and the enemy knew that.
The ‘not’ answer was much more likely, given that the NVA didn’t much go in for suicide missions of any kind, and the enemy knew that.
Got it Dave, and thanks for being a part of the editing team. Working away at getting better at editing while
I continue to get the segments up.
Semper fi, and thanks for putting your stuff up on here.
Jim
I totally appreciate your posting the next chapters before the final editing. Makes me feel like you consider us part of the team and worthy of peeking at the early release. Every chapter leaves me with the thought of “damn, can’t he get a decent break sometime?” Still have nothing but disdain for Morgan, arrogant sob. If he lived through Nam, he has you to thank for it. And I have a full appreciation for your sharing everything so fully with us. I know and have worked with a lot of Marines, and you, sir, are one hell of a Marine.
I think the posting of the chapters is part of the ‘fiber’ of the effort I am making with the presentation
of this story. The comments of people like you have effected everything, and me too…
Thank you!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh my that was intense for me, it took longer to read some of it I know I read 5 times. My stroke makes me read and read again ha, oh well that’s my life , I felt like me stood and look you and your Co. and I like it.
thanks a lot Bill. You had a stroke. I am so sorry. I am glad that you can still read and are entertained and occupied by the story.
I will work to get another segment up tomorrow…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hope you start reading Bering Sea. Starts slower but man does it build .. ..
Monday eve – some editing suggestions: “were as bizarre and downright lonely as the others” loony instead of lonely?
Several instances where a paragraph was double copied into the text with the first sentence not in the second instance.
“Gunfire?” Jurgens asked. “Gunfire, like it when the enemy… “it” seems extraneous.
I watched the Gunny tense up as emotions began to become evident again in our expressions again. Two “again”s Either works.
but dumping rounds down based on such anecdotal evidence bothered me.
“down” seems redundant.
“Jurgen’s needs his question answered Gunny, Apostrophe not needed.
to catch the Brother John’s last song of the day “the” useful? or not?
the Skyraiders guarding us against above, “against” seems unnecessary
I have a question about “There was no distinguishing between M-16 and AK-47 fire” Each weapon has a unique sound. Certainly true for one rifle or a few. Are you saying that in a large firefight the total sound predominates as one large roar where individual weapons don’t really stand out (at least from a distance)? If so, WOW!
Thank you for another installment. Sounds as if the night is going to be a long one. Hope you had c-rats and extra water with your gear.
Be Well
Appreciate your sharp eye.
So noted and corrected.
Some in a large fire fight it is a cacophony of sound.
Thanks again
Semper fi,
Jim
Would I be able to unsnap the Colt, bring it up and release the safety in time, I wondered? I saw the look in Sugar Daddy’s eyes, as he seemed to read my mind, and I saw fear. I wasn’t afraid. Not this time, even though I was unsure who’d win the race, if it came to that. Sugar Daddy looked away, and I knew it wasn’t going to come to that.
Would I be able to unsnap the Colt, bring it up and release the safety in time, I wondered? I saw the look in Sugar Daddy’s eyes, as he seemed to read my mind, and I saw fear. I wasn’t afraid. Not this time, even though I was unsure who’d win the race, if it came to that. Sugar Daddy looked away, and I knew it wasn’t going to come to that. (Doubled up need to drop one.)
If it wasn’t Sugar Daddy who’d pulled the fire team, regardless of the risk, then the members of the fire team itself had to be called into accountability. The entire company either already knew what had happened or soon would.
If it wasn’t Sugar Daddy who’d pulled the fire team, regardless of the risk, then the members of the fire team itself had to be called into accountability. The entire company either already knew what had happened or soon would. ( Repeat)
“They hit Kilo, and vice versa, and we’ll know they’re committed downriver. It’ll only take us about twenty minutes on the open bank to make the hike to our stuff and then figure out how we’re going to cross the river.”
“They hit Kilo, and vice versa, and we’ll know they’re committed downriver. It’ll only take us about twenty minutes on the open bank to make the hike to our stuff and then figure out how we’re going to cross the river.” (repeat)
The enemy would certainly know Kilo was downriver somewhere but there was no way in the weather and in the depths of the wet miserable jungle to tell exactly where they were unless they transmitted in the clear.
The enemy would certainly know Kilo was downriver somewhere but there was no way in the weather and in the depths of the wet miserable jungle to tell exactly where they were unless they transmitted in the clear. (repeat)
We’d stood twice for Kilo and it was time for Captain Morgan to understand that his company had every chance in the world to strike back at the NVA soldiers that had killed so many of his Marines, and he also had a chance to help us.
We’d stood twice for Kilo and it was time for Captain Morgan to understand that his company had every chance in the world to strike back at the NVA soldiers that had killed so many of his Marines, and he also had a chance to help us. ( repeat)
Thank you for your notice..seems to be all fixed.
Appreciate the support
Semper Fi
Jim
DanC,what year where you in Nam Pete? What branch did you serve in? What was your rank?
DanD SGT E5 Central Highlands Vietnam 68-69
Nice to see you guys sharing stuff on here. Good forum for the real deal guys to communicate….
Semper fi,
Jim
Dates in RVN Dec 66 to July 68. I extended my tour by six months. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Arrived back from leave in time for Tet. Didn’t seem like such a good idea then. Army. Did COMSEC communications security all over III Corps. Supported MACV, USARV, & SF. Arrived PFC, shortly became Spec-4. Later given acting-jack Buck Sgt stripes as Team Chief. Kept those stripes when promoted to E-5. Reverted back to Spec-5 after DEROS. Had one of the neatest jobs – nothing at all like James.
Thanks Dan, and yes there were a whole bunch of wars over there, some fought in the A Shau
and places like that and some totally different. Thanks for sharing your own experiences on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
You repeat this paragraph: Would I be able to unsnap the Colt, bring it up and release the safety in time, I wondered? I saw the look in Sugar Daddy’s eyes, as he seemed to read my mind, and I saw fear. I wasn’t afraid. Not this time, even though I was unsure who’d win the race, if it came to that. Sugar Daddy looked away, and I knew it wasn’t going to come to that.
Would I be able to unsnap the Colt, bring it up and release the safety in time, I wondered? I saw the look in Sugar Daddy’s eyes, as he seemed to read my mind, and I saw fear. I wasn’t afraid. Not this time, even though I was unsure who’d win the race, if it came to that. Sugar Daddy looked away, and I knew it wasn’t going to come to that.
Thank you..the duplications have been corrected.
We were in a hurry and using a new reformatting system.
Appreciate your sharp eyes.
Semper fi,
Jim
The the paragraph that begins “The enemy knew exactly where we were”. The meaning of the last sentence of the paragraph is unclear to me.
As always, enjoying the story.
The enemy always kind of knew where we were unless we moved in the rain at night.
They were much more populous in that valley than we were and although they did not have our
great communications they managed to know enough to be damned brutal and ferocious.
Semper fi,
Jim
I had a Lt. that was a real Dick like Morgan.
He ended up transferring himself out of the Bush to a firebase where he was over a Morter platoon and gave bad coordinates and fired on a friendly village killing many.
Later tried and found guilty and sent to Prison.
I am not so sure those officers were more of hazard to themselves than the Marines who served under them.
As you might pick up from the telling of this story, the Marines had ways of self-correcting the situation…
Semper fi,
Jim
“My hand went to the butt of my .45, although I didn’t’ unstrap it or snick the safety off.”
Did you mean [Flick] the safety off instead of snick?
Thanks, Dan.
Great catch and corrected
Semper fi,
Jim
The sound is a snick. You don’t really flick the safety off a .45 because of the way it’s built.
Thanks for the thought and the comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
I like “Snick”… shows you’ve done it a few times.
Yes, that sound is engrained in my memory forever. Like the racking in of a 12 gauge in a pump shotgun.
Thanks for noting and catching that.
Semper fi,
Jim
OMG the shit keeps coming. This is the Eighteenth Night or Seventeenth Night, part 3. Correct? Some repetition with your paragraphs but I figure you have seen that by now. Am sending your book(s) to an Army buddy of mine who served in Nam and said to me two weeks ago, “I didn’t know the Marines were in the Au Shau Valley.” His name is Mike Kribbs and I am writing up one of his vignettes during Tet when he was wounded. I will share with you with his permission. Jim you are an amazing writer and I envy you style. Thank you for your story!
Thank you so much for spreading the story around. It’s hard to reach a large audience today. The competition is unbelievable.
Thanks, as well, for the compliments…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT, I am not gonna correct your errors, just say I can’t wait for the next chapter, Thanks for writing this down when you had the chance back then.
Thanks Leo, I much appreciate the compliment and the support it give me to have you write it here.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, not to criticize but you have repeated the last sentence in multiple paragraphs. Reread you’ll find them.
Dan
As others have mentioned, thanks, Dan
We have them corrected.
Used a new formatting system and needed to fine tune
Somehow a paragraph got repeated. Fixed it, thanks to you. Let me know if there were more than the ‘morning’ thing…
hard to catch myself…
Semper fi,
Jim
Read the first post of this chapter and though the bicycle crash on Saturday had given me another concussion. (tongue in cheek) Thanks for clearing my mind.
As far as the chapter goes: The Ashau; a gift that keeps on giving. Out of daylight, out of air support, and out of Kilo and gotta be low on projectiles. Pass the ham and mothers.
Yes, the A Shau became a legend for its killing power, although not spoken of over here
as many WWII or Korean battlefields. It was sure special to us…
Semper fi,
Jim
Spot on Lt surf’s up dude
Temper fi
Thanks Steve. Means a lot to get your written support…
Semper fi,
Jim
Techno gremlins jumping all over you on this one, Strauss. But, I’m sure you know that already. Lots of repeated phrases and paragraphs. It’s the shits, I know. That’s what often happens when you’re really on a roll, the car jumps the tracks completely.
Great addition, regardless. I’m like a junkie following you and your raggedy ass Marines. Not looking for a cure though. Just going to continue to enjoy it, and try to keep it out of my dreams. The ones that find me getting killed by my own incompetence over and over again.
“Right On”, was the theme of the conflict we all experienced in those tumultuous days. “Write On”, works better for all of us on this end.
SF,
John Conway
Thanks John. Yes, the Grammarly program did not work out. It did that all on its own.
Thanks to guys and gals on here we caught it early and fixed it. Need a few more bodies on this
end to final edit but don’t have them yet.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Don’t mean nothin’ Homes in my pocket and now Six ActuaL’s stepped out. Getting spooky out there Lt. Am I learning something??
Well hell, Wes. I hope so. Not sure what though.
Semper fi, and thanks for writing on here…
Jim
I’ve been bothered from the beginning about what happened to the officers of your company before your arrival and no one has been held accountable. If those officers were like Captain Morgan (I hope they weren’t) I am starting to understand it. You’ve saved him a third time by delivering accurate fire from the Ontos and air support and he just leaves you hanging.
It was a whole lot of every man for himself down in that valley. The less you did every man for himself the
better chance you really had but who knew that upon arrival? I had the Gunny to show me….Morgan didn’t.
Semper fi,
Jim
*This is a duplicate line included in the paragraph directly above it.
“They hit Kilo, and vice versa, and we’ll know they’re committed downriver. It’ll only take us about twenty minutes on the open bank to make the hike to our stuff and then figure out how we’re going to cross the river.”
*This is a duplicate line included in the paragraph directly above it.
Would I be able to unsnap the Colt, bring it up and release the safety in time, I wondered? I saw the look in Sugar Daddy’s eyes, as he seemed to read my mind, and I saw fear. I wasn’t afraid. Not this time, even though I was unsure who’d win the race, if it came to that. Sugar Daddy looked away, and I knew it wasn’t going to come to that.
* I believe there was a third incident of this, but don’t seem to be able to find it. Maybe one of your other readers will point it out.
Yes, Richard, we got the corrections installed after figuring out it was the new editing program.
Semper fi,
Jim
As exciting as the previous chapters!
There are 4 duplicate paragraphs:
Would I be able to unsnap the Colt, bring it up and release the safety in time, I wondered? I saw the look in Sugar Daddy’s eyes, as he seemed to read my mind, and I saw fear. I wasn’t afraid. Not this time, even though I was unsure who’d win the race, if it came to that. Sugar Daddy looked away, and I knew it wasn’t going to come to that.
“They hit Kilo, and vice versa, and we’ll know they’re committed downriver. It’ll only take us about twenty minutes on the open bank to make the hike to our stuff and then figure out how we’re going to cross the river.”
The enemy would certainly know Kilo was downriver somewhere but there was no way in the weather and in the depths of the wet miserable jungle to tell exactly where they were unless they transmitted in the clear.
We’d stood twice for Kilo and it was time for Captain Morgan to understand that his company had every chance in the world to strike back at the NVA soldiers that had killed so many of his Marines, and he also had a chance to help us.
Thank you for the excellent book.
Yes, our new editing program did that. Grammarly. Had to fix the editing program!
Thanks to guys like you for catching it so fast.
Semper fi,
Jim
Bwahaha !!! Screw the arrogant S.O.B., Attaboy Gunny ! Keep it coming Lt.
Thanks Jimmy, I am hard as it tonight. Watching the hurricane with one eye though.
Lot of good guys and gals in that things way. Not me, thank God.
Semper fi,
Jim
Yes, I have some friends leaving Central Florida to stay in my house in Miramar Beach/Destin. I am in Kentucky watching Irma’s progress. God Bless those in the path.
I have no idea of how this thing is going to play out because I just don’t know what to believe
of what the mass media tells me. How bad is it really and where is it really going to hit?
There are real problems with what we get told. There was no good air coverage of Houston. Why not?
There’s no good air coverage of this hurricane either, nor of Houston now. Why not?
Crap.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, I spent most of the day working out in the dreaded Florida heat and humidity. After calling it a day I read your latest chapter and thought that I must be suffering from heat stroke LOL. I had to go back and read a few paragraphs because it looks like you got some duplicates. Nonetheless another great chapter. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
God, I hope you are out of there for Irma Robert. Sounds like rotten shit headed for the whole state.
Semper fi, and God Bless and care for you…
Jim
Thanks Jim, Yes I’ve been doing nonstop Hurricane Prep for 7 days and now it’s time to see how much of it pays off. As you know one little change can make a world of difference. Two days ago my house was right on the track line. My son is in Tampa attending USF and we told him to stay there because he would be safer. Today he is on the track line and we are safer! So we hope that at 19 he has a good enough head on his shoulders to get him through. Thanks Again.
It is difficult to get the actual situation because the ‘news’ entities out there
do such a great job maximizing making more stars of the announcers and minimizing the actual physical effects of the storm.
I hope you are okay down there. This is a big one with more to follow.
Regardless of global warming beliefs, this mess of hurricanes is very real
and a lot of people are being hurt. I hope and pray you are not one of them.
Semper fi,
Jim
Riveting as always….
The following three paragraphs were repeated twice in the narrative, sir. Just a heads up….
Hooyahh
“They hit Kilo, and vice versa, and we’ll know they’re committed downriver. It’ll only take us about twenty minutes on the open bank to make the hike to our stuff and then figure out how we’re going to cross the river
Even if the NVA had left some sort of element behind to prevent our return upriver it wouldn’t be nearly as dangerous as encountering the full strength of the force we’d ambushed that morning.
The enemy would certainly know Kilo was downriver somewhere but there was no way in the weather and in the depths of the wet miserable jungle to tell exactly where they were unless they transmitted in the clear.
Yes, they were because of a new program added called Grammarly. Didnt work out to be a better editor at all…
Semper fi,
Jim
I say “Oil what a fine mess you have us in now! ” With there being another week to fret over the next installment. You do spin a fine yarn Lt for a historical fiction that is…wink wink…
Thanks Doc, and yes this fiction is a big emotionally draining to have to ‘dream’ up every night!
Semper fi,
Jim
I think I’m seeing double 😎
You did the first time around…~~smile
Another great chapter. Keep ’em coming.
A lot of repeated paragraphs.
Thanks for the compliment and yes we fixed the glitch on the paragraph thing…
Semper fi,
Jim
Am I rreading double?
No, it was a software glitch as we added a new program called Grammarly. Fixed now, thanks to the guys and gals on the editing tema here.
Semper fi,
Jim
i am reminded of a scene from Braveheart where William Wallace was told “The lord says he can get me out but you are f__ked!”
Keep up the good work LT, I can’t wait for what happens next.
Thanks for the neat quote Rob, although I’m not sure I really understand the depth of it…
Semper fi,
Jim