With Fusner boosting me from behind I got out of the hole I’d taken refuge in. The Gunny’s words had bitten hard, and I wished he hadn’t said them in front of Fusner but there was nothing to be done for it. It was hard to leave the protection of the wet muddy redoubt, dug as a refuge against a deadly outside world. The hole was the only respite I’d had since arriving in country, except for the under-runway cave carved out by the river so many days and nights in the past. That under-the-runway place, with the brief period of time I had there was all that had passed for sleep since I could remember. It seemed as if it existed only in some half-forgotten dream. But the Gunny was right again. I watched him walk away, toward the Marines getting ready to follow the details of my latest plan. I would not be coming out of the A Shau, if I ever did, resembling the young nubile and dumb-as-an-ox young man I’d been when I entered. I moved toward the edge of the jungle, not far from the burned-out wreck of the truck Tex had brought with him to support the Ontos. The site of the low-slung little monster of multiple-barrel recoilless fire reminded me of how ticklish our current situation was. The machine could not be left unattended, so there would have been no moving the whole company down the valley to get Kilo across even if I hadn’t modified the plan.
The Gunny came to where Zippo, Nguyen, Fusner and I were huddled near the jungle’s edge getting ready to begin the operation.
James, this week I attended a reunion of old soldiers from Vietnam, E Btry. 82nd Arty (Avn) It was instant brotherhood and yes love. Old story’s got better and or wife’s just rolled their eyes. We where kids again!
Then tonight my wife and I sat down for dinner in a restaurant, I was wearing my Cav hat, when the waitress approached and informed us that some one had paid for meal and have said “Thank you for your service” My wife have never experienced this before and I was once again in awe of the change from my two home comings so long ago. What a week.
Now that’s a terrific story. There are some great citizens out here. When I got back from Vietnam and could into my blues for one last time
we went to a restaurant down the coast from San Francisco. Our dinner was purchased in the same way as your own meal. It was wonderful, especially since we were pretty broke at the time. Thanks for the sharing…
Semper fi,
Jim
Captain Morgan had an opportunity to question you, the Gunney, Nguyen, or anyone else in the area with regard to how to survive the coming night. He clearly did not understand the RPG weapon in the hands of the NVA. He did not recognize the range and accuracy of this weapon. You, and the company under your command, stayed alive by staying on the move, and keeping the enemy guessing. You made yourselves hard to kill. This battlefield was no place for beginners.
Actually, the battlefield is so deadly that it attracts beginners all the time.
The biggest beginner problem is the one I found most common and thankfully,
with the Gunny’s help, did not have.
That is the beginner who believes he or she knows.
And that is a very quick trip into how the battlefield teaches.
Combat teaches by killing. Shitty way to learn, even if its others getting killed.
I wonder just how many there really were of those who experienced real combat.
2.7 million served in country. One in seven saw combat, and that would be 385,000 or so.
There were 58 thousand dead and 304 wounded.
That’s a total of 362,000. If you went into combat in Vietnam
you were likely not going to walk out of it on your own two feet.
Semper fi,
Jim
Minor edit – “Our M-16’s are all firing tracers and the M-60’s fire one tracer for every three rounds.
Wouldn’t it be one tracer for every four rounds (of ball ammo)?
Thank you for telling your truth. May many young shavetails read it and learn.
You are most welcome Dan and thanks for being a part of the editing team.
Without you guys I don’t know what I’d do.
Even so, it is really difficult to come to final clean edit before going to the printed copy.
There is no help anymore for publishing books unless you can pay ten bucks a page.
Semper fi,
Jim
When I see a new chapter is out, I stop everything to read it. Keep it up Jim!
Thanks David, then you will be happy tomorrow!
Great compliment…
Semper fi,
Jim
Me, too, David. I’ve been following since the first. Captivating, Lt.
Thanks Jack. You guys being right there is making me be right here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Sir,
A question. Although a CPT, does Morgan really have “Command Authority” over your unit. He obviously isn’t in your COC.
Command authority in the Marine Corps can be problematic. The answer is yes and no.
The yes part is in combat the highest ranking officer is in command of all gathered Marines.
In peace time not so much but still arguements ensue but only if command gets invovled.
By and large the highest ranking officer present is in command…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hi Jim, Thank you for writing this, it helps me understand some men I have worked with. I think I found a couple edits for you. “The site of the low-slung little…” should it be sight? and “Your new plan takes that into account because were….” should it be we’re?
Thanks Evan for joining the editing effort, and also for the blatantly powerful compliment…
Semper fi,
Jim
“Yes, sir, I’ll have the rest of the men dig in for the night ahead,” the Gunny replied quickly, again omitting the sir and rising to his feet.
Yes sir, then omitting….tactical faux pas?
Riveting as ever
Thanks Paul, for the editing, and yes you are right, of course.
And thanks for the compliment…
Semper fi,
Jim
I just finished reading all of the amazing comments to you on this segment. Surely you know now you are never alone while you write. God has sent you so many sincere heart felt comments to help you along with so many prayers that have been said for you. God definitely has His arms around you.
The purpose He has for your story is touching and healing so many including you. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever been witness to read.
God Bless you James Strauss.
Henderson
Thank you so much Nancy. By saying alone, I didn’t mean it that way.
In Vietnam, while leading the men, many if not all that I loved, I felt totally alone.
I felt that at any moment, for all the right reasons, they would jettison me like they had others
who could not be useful to their own survival.
I fought to measure up but in trying so hard to measure up I also grew alone, if you can understand that.
When I was so long in the hospital in Japan and then Oakland, I worked my way out of that aloneness by mostly being alone.
I wrote to the producers of the romance shows that were my daytime television entertainment through the surgeries and the pain.
They wrote back, amazingly. What a different time.
My wife could only make it across the bridge once a week to visit me as we were broke and so was the car.
Tough times indeed.
I am not alone, but I harken in telling the story to back and being alone…
Thank you so very much for the usual supporting and truly caring words.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, what I meant and so poorly said was God was always by your side and placed others around you to protect you. God has remained by your side through out your life and stands next to you as you type your story.
The most beautiful gift God has given you is a loving devoted wife, who has remained by your side through thick and thin. What a beautiful love she has for you.
You don’t need to post this, just clearing up what I meant.
Prayers for you always,
Nancy
Thanks Nancy, and of course I publish everything you say, because you say it so well coming from a wonderful place…
God bless you,
Jim
This is the 46th segment of the second 10 days and not a one of the segments (including all those in the first 10 days) has been anything but riviting.
Thanks again James.
Ken Brown
Thank you Ken. You guys have motivated me in the best way possible so I am churning out another segment tonight and then another tomorrow.
These are tough segments and you’ll see why. It was a tough time and I don’t think the word tough really covers it…although I did not really
become tough from the experience…although I thought I did for awhile.
Semper fi,
Jim
Outstanding. How were you capable of functioning without sleep for days on end? Your exhaustion is palatable as I read and reread each segment. The sound of the river and the grate of the gatling guns from Puff. The smell of the mud and the jungle torn to shreds is here and now. I fear for all of your Marines not making it home. Thank you for another great well written chapter.
I can still function without sleep for quite awhile.
When I came home and got out of the hospital I could go for two nights straight without sleep
and the doctors said that was not really possible. Yes, it is.
We are amazing survival creatures. I began writing to much because I had nothing to do in the
night except guard my family from non-existent threats…
Semper fi, and thank you so very much…
Jim
Interesting that you said: “guard my family from non-existent threats.” Last year I observed an Iraq vet patrol the parking lot and establish a perimeter at a small ice cream shop while the rest of us in the group stood in line and chatted away. His two tours in Iraq were over a decade ago, and, yes, he saw combat. I’ve read all your segments, and all the posted comments, and it seems to me that you are accomplishing as much by demonstrating to other vets that your experiences, both in combat and afterwards, were not unique, but shared by all who actually fought.
I want to thank you for that comment Mark. Unintended consequences.
I never, through all the years, thought my own experiences were
anything but rather exclusive and due to bad fortune.
And then the guys and gals on here started to write and I was blown away.
There are so many of us who went through that wringer.
Thanks for the compliment and putting your deep and interesting thoughts on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow, just when things are looking up. SNAFU or FUBAR if you wish. Sometimes are worst enemy was our officer Corps. D4/31 69-70
Things would perk up for a bit but then reality would set in.
Our casualties were so humongous that we kept losing people who we didn’t want
or need to lose and the burden of continuing just seemed to get
harder and harder.
How was that possible?
I don’t know. Read on…
Semper fi,
Jim
“I wasn’t at all certain that the enemy would be as phased as the Gunny felt.” (fazed instead of phased?)
The crap just keeps getting deeper LT. I am curious as to how this new development is resolved.
Yes, of course, Glenn. Thank you si very much….
Semper fi,
Jim
Interesting as always… but one small criticizm… You wrote ” join the Gunny and I in having some coffee” that should read “me” not “I”
Yes, you are most correct GMSgt! thanks for being part of the most excellent editing crew aroiund…
Semper fi,
Jim
Looks like the best thing to do is register area across from cap Morgan and move toward ontos and when the nva open fire on capt Morgan fire ontos along enemy on far side of river and depending on supply of ammo blast that ares every 15 minutes or so just to keep nva in there holes and give Morgan cover if he get smart and move down river toward ontos.
Funny how it really works out when you are in it. I wasn’t always the sharpest knife in the drawer…
Thanks for those thoughts…
Semper fi,
Jim
Another riveting chapter!
Thank you for sharing your struggle. You describe the scenes with a vivid, absorbing flair that gives the reader a chance to see, smell, and even taste (such as ice cream and spaghetti) your experience. I check everyday to see if you posted a new chapter.
I have not contributed to your endeavor, so I hate to ask for a favor, but I will anyway as others may also benefit. For your consideration, would you be able to provide a rough sketch of the AO. I guess that I’m a visual guy and I crave an image.
Thanks again and please keep them coming!
I have an image from a rough map I just drew myself but don’t know how to put it up on here.
Thanks for the comment. I have your email address so I will sent it as an attachement to that.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim to get that photo on here, I would snap a pic of it with my cell phone, download that to my computer and paste it in my work. That is unless your computer has a camera built in. Just a suggestion.
I drew a map and sent it to the guy who wanted one of where we are right now. I dont know how to get it up here on this site though.
I will have to ask Chuck in the morning. Thanks Glenn.
Semper fi,
Jim
You know how sometimes you will save a favorite snack until just the right time? That’s how I treat these segments. As something to sit back and savor each and every word, let the sentences roll around on my brain and evoke the memories and images tucked away in so many cracks and crevasses.Leaches, the smell of mud, the bite of burning C4 in my nose. The sharp tang of fear pushed down by the determination to be alive while the boonie rat song plays softly in the background. I’ll buy this when it’s in print and it will join with J. Del Vecchio, M. Baker, M.Herr,J. Clark, and the others until I read it again and again. Thank you LT.
Grand compliments here Rick and I am soaking them up! Sometimes it really helps for guys like you to say things like that to guys like me.
I write mostly alone here, with all my supporting stuff gathered around me. You know the kind of aloneness I speak of because so many of the
combat vets have it. Alone in a crowed kind of a thing. Isolated while I am writing because I’m back there…and that’s mostly back there among
the dead. But this odyssey is forcing its way out and I have to keep on going. Thanks for the motivation to finish today’s work…
Semper fi,
Jim
crowd
Say what?
Jim
In your response to Rick Currier I see resignation and determination to complete this alone or not. The writing on this particular post is crisp, and spell binding. Much like you are drawing a perfect picture for those reading who were never there. Two fold purpose for finishing all three parts. Thank you for tolerating and educating the audience who sleep well like myself. I believe I was purposefully sent to read your efforts by the same God you prayed to that night. You have given me the knowledge to know when to shut up when my boys are talking, so I do not do an idiot stunt that put walls between us. Thank you to all the Spectre guys out there carrying the lead these days.
James, you are some kinda really smart Dude, great writing, Sir. Poppa
Poppa J. You are a pretty sharp cookie yourself and a pretty good writer too.
Thanks you for the intelligence revealed in this responding comment.
I have found so many sincere and real people communicating with me on here.
It’s kind of shocked and blown me away. And the care and sensitivity has been
amazing, not to mention how good the writing of so many are when they speak from the heart on this site…
Thanks you!
Semper fi,
Jim
I know just what you mean Lt. I go to bed around 0400 because I get so much time to do as I wish. I remain on watch as I drift over my life’s memories. You pen paints a vivid picture, in full living color, and says “There it is.”
Thanks Rick, yes, us late night fellow travelers through life. Thanks for the compliment about the writing and making it on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Random thoughts continually popping up as I read this chapter. One wonders why you or the Gunny did not ask Morgan to have a private chat and discuss the possibility of the VC siting in on Kilo’s position? While the captain wanted to flash his authority about in giving orders, there was a good chance that he would have listened and considered what the Gunny had to offer in private, at least for his men if nothing else. Hind sight is 50-50 though, isn’t?
Then too, there is the question of protecting the Ontos, which was a vital piece of equipment. Did Morgan have any men in his company that were proficient with that vehicle? The VC certainly had time to zero in on that weapon as well, so it would need to be moved to a more strategic position as well as both companies of marines.
Then there is the position and area that has been more insecure then any other near the air strip and river. One wonders how many American troops lost their lives in that area since Special Forces first arrived? It would seem that the hillside that both your company and Kilo descended into the A Shau valley, was loaded with caves and VC’s who set up ambushes as the troops entered into the valley. They now have that hillside, while your troops have their backs up against the river. On the other side of the river is another group of VC. Looks like they have a cross fire advantage.
We are left hoping that you still have artillery support for the nighttime fireworks sure to erupt.
The Gunny was not a real talkative guy, and he had little interest in educating anyone who was
not directly involved with his own unit or survival.
He was impressed that I was concerned about other units but not to the point of going as far as to bother trying to talk to Morgan.
The Ontos was sort of self protected in that it could move about a few meters here and there
but also because the enemy did not want it to shoot back. Funny how often that worked on both sides.
The hill sides were not so filled with tunnels as the
valley floor and up over the top edges of the highlands.
And our artillery would not drop in over that cliff from back in An Hoa
(because it was near the end of the howitzer’s range and indirect high angle fire does not work that far out).
The 175’s were beyond the end of their range even using a red bag load.
Whew. You make me work J!
Semper fi,
Jim
In analyzing your current situation, one was trying to figure out how both companies would establish a secure area under the present situation. No fort to go to or a place to hide, while the Indians were circling. Looks almost like Custers last stand.
Having seen the vast tunnel systems in Vietnam, one assumed there would be plenty of tunnel entrances and exists, leading from within the mountain ranges. In your descriptions of the valley floor and the raging Bong Song, it would seem that tunnels would be flooded along the valley floor. Fox holes and trenches would not last long if dug too deeply. Oh well, that is what assuming will get you, lol.
From a strategic point of view, it would seem more plausible for both companies of marines, to move within the range of supporting artillery as the aircraft were not always dependable with all of the rain and evening cover. Time to dee dee mow out of that hell hole!
Very analytically presented, this argument about tunnels.
They had tunnels all over it is true but they had some problems for certain.
The could not tunnel through rock nor in areas where the water table was too high.
And flooding in a tunnel system is nothing to laugh about either.
So there were some limitations. Also, it is hard to just get up and move against orders not to move.
You can get around some of it but not all of it when you are out there.
Semper fi, and thanks, as usual,
Jim
I was a navel reservist HM3 corpsman attached to a Recon Marine Unit. 1971 Thur 1976. Did not go to Vietnam. Always felt guilty about that. After reading about your tour, I am glad that I did not go. I thank you for your service Sir. I would have been proud to serve under you. Anxiously waiting for the next chapter. Wes
I am glad that you did not go either.
And a whole lot of the guys on here that feel bad that they didn’t go.
You are here reading this. Let the price those of us who went, most unknowing,
enjoy the fact that you are writing on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Some of the names have slipped my memory, but their faces will always be burnt in to my mine>
Semper fi, Jim