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.