The wait through the rest of the night was wet, dark and conducted mostly under my poncho. It had taken several tries for me to convince the Gunny to get Jurgens’ flashlight from him so I’d be able to lay out what we might do to ensure our return across the angry river water without taking terrible casualties. Although the enemy had been forced inside a dense jungle compound of sorts, the same open area that extended out between our position and that jungle growth, which was protecting us, would serve as a killing field if the NVA could not be forced to move away from the river area. It would take at least twenty minutes for us to lay and then use the ropes to get across even the short distance of water we had to traverse. Twenty minutes of exposure on open ground in broad daylight was an invitation to death if even one machine gun could be mounted to open up with any protection around it. The NVA had to be ensconced in their caves and the paths we knew they had to have running along just under the flora cover. They could pop up at any time, however with potentially devastating and deadly results.
I pulled the poncho open to get fresh fetid night air, mixed with the misty goo of early monsoon misery. Jurgens had delivered his flashlight but needed watching, since he hadn’t left the vicinity once after handing it over. Flash lights weren’t that uncommon in the unit, so I was mildly disturbed about why he might want to remain so close to somebody he knew had no use for his continued life on the planet. That he obviously felt the same about me was what was really bothering me. I could make him out in the night only because of the glow from his cigarette. How he kept it going in the rain I had no idea. I knew the Gunny was close by, but I didn’t know how close.
“Danger Close Cool,” he said, with a slight laugh. “Puff the Magic Dragon is coming to our amusement park.”
For some odd reason that passage made me smile for the first time in awhile and feel positive. I guess that also goes with your recent eye episode and it now healing…. that should make you smile as it does me.
So glad that your vision is returning.
Randy English (US Army, Ret.)
Thanks a lot Randy for the nicely worded and meant comment.
Merry Christmas,
Jim
in 2nd paragraph: Jurgens had delivered his flashlight but needed watching, since he hadn’t left the vicinity once handing it over.
could be more precise to add “after” in between “once” and “handing”
Noted and corrected.
Thank you Mike,
Semper fi,
Jim
James, great to see the story continue. Semper Fi. Mike VonTungeln, USMC, Retired
Thanks Mike! Means a lot to get the support on here, as you must know…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hey LT been out for awhile, my sis’s husband of 44 years passed.a Marine Nam vet 3rd amtrac Batallion, 69,70. A warrior who came back to the world finished his education and taught 1st, 2nd, and third grade children for 35 years. Was honored to speak at his memorial. Agent Orange James, chalk up another to the Nam….
Sorry to hear that Al. Yes, that crap has claimed so many so silently all these years later. Whom would have a thought? Other
than the people who made it so carelessly, knew about its risk and used it anyway.
Semper fi,
Jim
Damnit, I’m always a bit sad and angered when I have to wait for the next story. But…when I check in and see a new one, the wait is always worth it. Good stuff James, cannot wait to see how this all plays out. Keep doing your thing man!
Thank you my friend. It is enervating to have people write in like you have
and help keep me motivated and going.
Great compliments and well received…
Semper fi,
Jim
James, I am almost speechless with memories as I read your chapters. I recall “once upon a time”, sitting atop a sandbag bunker watching in awe as the thin red curving line came down out of the darkness to repel those seeking to destroy us. Truly memorable even to this day, as many other memories strive to reappear and get recognized.
I am praying for your physical healing and well being.
SEMPER Fi
THE EYE HAS MADE A MIRACULOUS RECOVERY, according to the doctor today. The epithileum, against all hope and possibility, attached itself
to the underside of the cornea and is working. No pain and I can see. The doctor said he’s never seen anything like it and he’s a long time
pro. No surgery again next week. Three week visit and the vision improves daily. I don’t know what to say except thank you to all the people who prayed because that’s the other thing the doctor said: “it’s probably God,” and although he was being facetious, I am not being that way.
Thank you for the care and also for being a part of this story…with your own life experience…
Semper fi,
Jim
Absolutely Awesomeness, James Strauss! God’s purpose and love for you exceeds words. Priceless Miracle.
One happy pebble here thanking God.
Nancy
I much enjoy the comments made by my ‘pebble,’ and, of course your well received prayers. I am aboard my rickety boat atop the
wild white water seas of faithlessness. Thanks for tossing me a paddle…
Semper fi,
Jim
I started to throw you a rope but decided by paddling you would find your own way out of the abyss and then God sent you a big ole Evinrude motor and shining clear beam of light through the fog.
Nancy
Happy Birthday Henderson! Thanks for all you have done and do for me…and I did not find my own way. You did. I just followed where you
told me to go. Hope this a wonderful day for such a wonderful woman…
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you so much for the Birthday Wishes, James. I had an Awesome Day. Praying your day was Awesome too. God loves you, He has you in His arms and His purpose for you is so Great. You are always in my prayers.
Love,
Nancy
Glad your birthday went well. I think you have a big admiration cluster out here and I am happy to be one of them.
Thanks for the thanks and great wishes too…
Semper fi,
Jim
Never know you’re tough until you do. My “aha” moment came early in Marine Corps boot camp. I dropped out near the end of our first 3 mile run. My drill instructor, Ssgt Butler refused to let me stop. After nearly drowning under a faucet, Ssgt Butler said, let’s go. Starting at a walk, then jogging slowly, I entered our platoon area, head up, jogging and NOT defeated. You’re as tough as you have to be. Taught me to Never Ever give up. The most valuable lesson I have ever learned. Love the series. Semper Fi.
Thanks for the story of measuring up. Yes, the Marine Training instilled and brought out so much.
I will never forget Sgt. Baines and how he worked so well with so many of us who had no clue about life.
Semper fi, and thank you…
Jim
Puff was so Impressive and so WELCOMED!
What a asset!!!
Never forget that “roar/burp” of steel/lead raining down such intensive fire power with every short burst.
Your writing is appreciated putting in words “how it was”
Thank you,
Chris
I think the key to the whole design was the plane’s ability to fly pylon turns, as they call them. From
that they could raind down fire on one spot as they went around and around.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great story that brings us back in time to which so many years ago that we all were counting our days to leave. Hopefully your eye will improve back to 20/20.
Thanks Walter. Appreciate the sentiment and liking the story…
Semper fi,
Jim
Ah Puff, I was fortunate enough or unfortunate enough depending on how you look at it to see Puff in action a few times. The beautiful red lines like blood running out of the sky, what a sight. My track driver, Reb, called Puff a pee bringer, he said “Puff has them little bastards pissing all over themselves” I believe he was right.
That’s kind of a neat comment Bob. Thanks. I smiled at the thought, remembering my own inclination at the time…
Semper fi,
Jim
Yes, Short history of the Gunships, Puff The Magic Dragon ‘AC-47’ came first, One hell of a Christmas present for the troops; Puff’s first significant success occurred on the night of 23–24 December 1964.
Then Spooky The AC-130, was selected to replace the Douglas AC-47 Spooky gunship 3 miniguns, 3 Vulcan 20mm cannons, and either 2 40mm Bofers cannons, or in later mods 1 40mm and a 105mm Howitzer.
The last Gunship used in Vietnam and then retired was the Stinger, AC-119-K, two M61 Vulcan 20-mm cannons were carried in addition to the AC-119G’s four GAU-2/A miniguns.
Yes, Got to work out with all of them at various times, Yes the AC 47’s were suppose to be retired but soldiered on till the US withdrawal so did the AC 119 Stinger ……. But we still have Spooky/Specter, AC 130 now in it’s 6th generation…..
Semper fi/This We Defend Bob.
Great history here and a lot I didn’t know about those gunships.
My own experience was with the old C-47 style gunships.
Semper fi
Jim
Yes, The AC 47, For being the old maid of the fleet, even in 72 The AC-47 still could bring down smoke, fire, and a large piece of hell to earth …………..
Semper fi/This We Defend Bob
Amazingly simple and endurable design and construction of this plane. I think a few are still flying.
Semper fi,
Jim
iN THE 70S I WORKED WITH A VET W HO TOLD OF BEING ON A GUNSHIP WITH MINI GUNS STICKING OUT THE WINDOWS THAT COULD PASS OVER A FOOTBALL FIELD AND LAY A BULLIT IN EVERY INCH OF IT.hE SAID YHEY LOST 17 FT OF A WING AND WAS IN A DEATH SPIRAL AND THE PLOT PULLED THEM OUT. nOW I KNOW HE WAS IN A PUFF SHIP. gLAD YOU ARE BAAAACK
Thanks Joel. I didn’t know one of those birds would fly with that much wing missing. Wow.
Thanks for telling that on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Sir, I have posted a link to the Air Museum pub on the history of Puff to your web pg in the contact us area.
I too was worried the medics were keeping you down and not really comfortable. Understand no pain relief desired. This segment is most outstanding. At 76, I am amazed what I still do not know what really makes a combat leader, but instinctively I know I would be right on your hip. Thank you for holding forth through so much you have experienced lately. Poppa
To this day I am not at all sure I was a good combat leader Poppa.
I sometimes think I was but then there was stuff that simply blew by me or I got away with good luck.
I had nobody to talk to at all, about any of it while I was in the bush.
The Gunny talked to me and I listened and followed what I could of his advice
but I didn’t talk to him. We shared many silent moments together by the side of the paddies,
the paths and the cliffs.
I had my team but I did not talk to them either. They also talked to me in some detail about personal stuff.
But I never felt I could share anything. How do you lead men when you don’t really have a relationship with them?
The fear and the being alone was murderous on me. I came back and talked a lot, sold insurance,
worked for Nixon when into the CIA and more.
But I never talked about anything of substance. I could entertain and I could spellbind with a gift for such talking,
and that has not left me, but the real stuff, this is the first real stuff I have let out,
this and my novels of CIA adventures which I never published before.
Chuck makes me put everything up and there’s much more. I write to myself and then people read it and it seems I am writing to them….
Thanks for your usual words of support and wisdom, and thinking I was a good leader.
That makes me smile…even if I don’t really believe it.
Semper fi,
Jim
I have thought for awhile that a good leader is one who can encourage troops to do what is needed and at the same time sublimate their own needs without being unapproachable. A lot of water has gone under that Army bridge but I think you are on the correct path to a more peaceful life. I will keep that specific thing on my heart where I think prayers begin. Poppa
Thanks Poppa, much appreciate your comment, as I do all of the ones you write…
Semper fi,
Jim
It is a matter of trust isn’t Jim? I well know what you are saying about not being able to talk to others about your personal thoughts. One would guess that was also a problem between you and your father. Some call it a fear of self exposure, along with the fear of failure or not being socially accepted.
Then too, there is the problem that one must deal with leaders, who do not want to disclose their weaknesses for fear that you will excel beyond their abilities. It is a similar problem that one encounters between father and son. In such cases, it is a dog eat dog situation, where one has to fend for themselves and learn on their own, the hard way.
Yes, J, you described my relationship with my father to a “T.”
We never communicated about anything. When I tried to tell him
about what happened in Vietnam back in 1972 he said he’d lived through the depression
and didn’t share those stories with me so why share my own with him.
I flew back home, speechless. Living through the depression as a teenager in Dallas was probably tough,
but Vietnam combat tough? I don’t think so.
Thanks for the usual in depth and accurate analysis.
Semper fi,
Jim
Greetings to you Sir,
I was pleased to have the opportunity to gain a little more insight from those men who were there and returned. I wanted to thank you for your service, and for sharing your perspective, in the manner you do.
For this post, two things would compel me to reply to you. First, your concern for Mr. Strauss as it went to a stay in (I can only presume) a VA medical facility. My late brother would also be hospitalized for colon cancer. Anyways, in my life, I would spend nearly 32 years in the Medical Imaging/Radiology. I have heard complaints from many patients, regarding their long wait time for services. Yet, it was extremely rare to meet a person who was considerate of a brother’s well being first, even before their own! Thanks for being you in this regard!
Then you mentioned pain relief. My father would spend the last 9-10 months of his life with me, by his choice. He was a combat veteran of Korea, and completed two years as as a member of the Marine Corp. I’ll sum up now, my father would consistently refuse local anesthesia. For that matter, even if he was in severe pain he would still choose to hold off as long as he could! Would you sir, be able to provide an explanation to me as to whether this practice is peculiar to having been a Marine? Perhaps as a tradition or some old school service training? I thank you in advance of your reply, sir. Sincerely, Dennis D. Hayes
Interesting questions Dennis. I am not going to step in between you and Poppa
but I would say that the pain thing is as much about being clear and cogent for everything going on as well as the Marine thing.
The Marine Corps does not make you tougher, it simply makes you come to terms with the fact that you
were already tough and didn’t know it.
Semper fi,
Jim
August 1969 I Corps Delta 4/31 196th LIB walks off LZ West straight into a battalion of NVA. We were quickly surrounded and pinned down. The only reason I can relay the story is because of Puff. What a magnificent light show that had the advantage of keeping us from being completely overrun. Visited the Wright Patterson Air Museum in 2015 and cried when I saw Puff up close and personal. It brought everything back in a flash. 120 men walk off the hill and 3 days later 34 humped back up. Newspaper reports we suffered light casualties. Great writing again by you Jim. Thank you.