I looked at Nguyen. His features remained as impassive as ever in the face of our dire situation. We could not get to the end of the bridge without being carried down past the tank into the rapids below that led deep into enemy held territory unless Kilo Company had moved in to support our rear and there was no indication of that. We had no radio. I had my .45 and my K-Bar knife while Nguyen had an M-16 and his own exotic knife. We didn’t have our packs, or anything else, and we were laying on the flats next to a river that was about to become the most perfect and deadly field of fire the NVA had ever seen. The light was fast improving, and it wouldn’t be long before we started to take the kind of fire we would not be responding to, other than to get hit and die. The Skyraiders would come back but they’d be too late. What remnant of my company was left on the other side of the river couldn’t be expected to hold the fire back from what gave every evidence of being an entire regiment of well-equipped and experienced enemy troops.
Nguyen’s limited English didn’t call for my coming up with a cool sounding plan. There was no plan, and Nguyen didn’t need one. Without saying anything he eased to his feet, crouched down and headed off across the open sand and mud flat toward whatever crease might exist between that surface and the bottom of the cliff to our west. I followed. Both of us ran low and bent over at first, but after only a few yards abandoned the idea of trying to avoid bullets that would be delivered by automatic weapons, if they were to be fired at us at all. No zig-zagging was going to save us from machine gun fire at close range, and the longer we were exposed the more likely it would become that we wouldn’t make it to any kind of cover.
While the Lt stares into his screen, probably with a cool beverage in his hand, here’s a commentary on NAVY air.
http://www.midwaysailor.com/midwayva25bomb/
Thanks a lot SCPO. I got a good chuckle out of something else in Vietnam that I did not know.
And much appreciate…
Semper fi,
Jim
Morning Jim, You doing OK? Digging up the past can be rough, Been there and done that, Yes, actively dealing with PTSD and trying to keep it under control for 45+ years, Hope things are going good, My prayers for you brother, Hope all is well.
I am working one a project, If it turns out I would love to send it to you.
Semper Fi/ This We Defend Bob
Yes, this is quite an exercise in true grit. Some segments are easier than others and the there is
regular life that keep son intervening! Thanks for the care and please send me the project!
Semper fi,
Jim
When will Book Two be available at AMAZON ?
The second book is still underway, being written as you may observe if you go to the front page
and check out the Second Ten Days. I am on day sixteen part III…so there are a few more segments to do.
Sorry about the time but these do not come out very easily….as you might have guessed.
Semper fi,
Jim
Sorry I missed the party , but tradition dictated that I stayed in the DFW area !! We touched off over $1,000 worth of fireworks !! Kids had a ball !! Sounds like y’all did also !! Interesting segment !! Was gunny going upriver or headed back to cross the river where you are !! I’m kinda confused!! You’re doing good !! Keep on keeping on 🏈🍉!!
I am asking the Gunny to come back across the river but he does not want to,
obviously. We’ll see in the next segment…
Semper fi,
Jim
How long before the next segment James?
J. It will be up in 24 hours or less.
Getting back from the rendezvous was more time consuming
than I thought.
I live a really active life and when I push the ‘hold’ button, everything stops all right,
like the water behind a dam…
and then when I get back the spillways open up…
Thanks for asking and caring…
Semper fi,
Jim
I give up
When does the book come out???
The second book will come out in August. I am sorry that I have not been quicker or more regular with the segments
I’m writing but this is no ordinary series of novels, as you no doubt already figured out or you would not be so frustrated
with me. Thanks for the unmentioned compliment!
I’m working as fast as I an able under the circumstances…
Semper fi,
Jim
Mr. Strauss, I received your book The First Ten Days as a gift from a retired Marine Colonel Glenn Dyer. Glenn and I have had a couple of afternoon discussions about Nam, he’s one of the few people I’ve opened up to about some of my experiences in Nam. I’ve read all the chapters you written to date and will say I’ve truly enjoyed what I’ve read. My experiences do not mirror yours but we were in different parts of the country and I was a Ma Deuce gunner on a Weapons track in the U.S. Army. Here’s a website of the unit I was with http://www.1-5th-m-25th-inf-1966.com .I wasn’t in Nam until 1968,things sure hadn’t changed much from what those before me said it was like in 66 and from what I experienced in 68. Keep up the good work, I can’t wait for the next story. Welcome home and thank you for your service, Sir.m
Glenn ia class act all the way around and it was wonderful to spend all the time with him I could.
Talk about intelligent and erudite, not to mention just plain cool as hell.
thanks for reading and liking the book. I am hard at work in getting out the second…
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim take your time and catch up. Writing can’t be forced and we will wait. This purposeful journey you are on definitely has to be like a roller coaster ride with ups, downs, twists, and turns of true emotion. God Bless you and protect you on this journey.
You are a joy and your concern makes me smile. I am doing okay. I stay really really busy, what with my weekly newspaper and all.
Thanks for the advice and the blessings…
Semper fi,
Jim
Not talking about your book, I think, was an unspoken desire not to get tipped off about what might be next. Some of us may have heard bits and pieces we didn’t want to. The gathering was an experience I’d repeat in a heartbeat. I am so impressed with all of you that went, so welcoming, friendly and fun to be around. I heard a lot of stories about a dark place that you all excused me from sharing. And for anyone that didn’t go, you’ve got to meet Jim in person! We know the author, newspaper editor, warrior, but the standup comedian that drives all that will make your sides hurt! It would seem Keystone Kops follow everywhere he goes, driving skills foremost. What a great time, Jim, everyone!
Thank you Walt. It was a wonderful meeting and absolutely everyone who came was
a stand up guy, accompanied by wonderful women and even some kids.
What a delight, and it was much appreciated by me. That we could all laugh as much
as we did, my antics aside, is a credit to the healing we have experienced, those of us
who could get that far, in a culture not set up to comprehend, understand or respond to returning
combat veterans needs.
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad you had a good time with the brothers on the 4th. It would be interesting to hear how that meet affected you once you got back home and had time to think about it.
You mentioned that one of the vets at the meet had been in your unit, how did he know about the meeting, had you been communicating with him previously?
I noticed on Facebook that your post were getting over 1K hits, so apparently the word is getting out on your book. The more the better!
Nobody from my unit was at the rendezvous in Kansas. I have communicated through email with three.
The rendezvous was wonderful, although catching up back home has been rather demanding because I let so much
go to go. Thanks for your concern and your interest, of course…
Semper fi,
Jim
Really enjoyed meeting everyone at our gathering! The locals were truly amazing! I must say watching and listening to your stories of your time in the CIA was very entertaining! You’re a gifted storyteller my friend! I didn’t want to discuss the book because I for some reason it didn’t seem appropriate. If the gunny is playing chess with you “check “! Hanging in for the next chapter! Semper Fi Jim!
Thanks Jack, it was great to meet you too. Thanks for the comments about my storytelling. Life has been
pretty varied and wild for me and recounting the tales can be fun with the right people. You are certainly
the right people.
Semper fi,
Jim
Lost a friend in Bong Song. SPC4 Butch Follett.
Good story telling.
So sorry dale, that river consumed a lot of men at the time.
Thanks for he compliment and writing it on this site…
Semper fi,
Jim
Another rip roaring segment LT. thank you. Have you been back to the Nam..Just curious….
Went back with the CIA but they would not let me off the airplane. I sat on the tarmac
for nine hours of so before the plane left for Seoul. So I never made it back in any real sense of the word.
Thanks for asking and the compliment written on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Great read, thanks so much for writing, lost a couple great friends in 70. UDT. Very proud to know there are guys like you in the world.
Thanks a million Paul. Neat compliment and I don’t know what to say. My wife thinks I’m pretty neat
but there are some I’m living out my life in redemption about too!
Thanks for the neat compliment and for writing it on here where everyone can see it.
Semper fi,
Jim
I am 53, have never been in the service. I just wanted to say reading these passages brings a little more understanding of the great duty and sacrifice fir those who have served. For a guy like me I can only hope to live a life up to the standards for what the military has sacrificed for. Humbly appreciative to all who serve.
Thanks Steve, really appreciate your comment and your thanks to all.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you James for the get together at Winfield, it was excellent to get to shake your hand. I enjoyed meeting other vets as well, and laugh as we walk together down a memory lane that most of the time we avoid like a dark abyss. Sorry I had to leave early, I don’t have an excuse. Just that sometimes the unspeakable past is too close to today, and walk down memory lane becomes a slow crawl down a slimy dark unthinkable. Don’t mean nuthin. Semper Fi.
And we did have some good and a few great leaders in 1/4. 1st Lt. Noel of Charlie company sticks in my memory. He earned his purple heart in March before I got there, and a Navy Cross to go with it.
I remember you distinctly Randy and would have loved to have spent more time with you but
fully understand how hard these things really are. Hell, I was surprised anybody at all showed up!
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
I really enjoy Your writting. Thank You for inspiring me to continue writting my own poetry and short stories.
Regards and Semper Fi
John
Thanks John, your words and compliment mean a whole lot to me, and thank for writing them for all to see on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hi James,
I am sorry to miss the gathering, but the big C, courtesy of Agent Orange, prevented it…..my best to all.
A small thought: the NVA 50 cal that is your nemesis, might more likely be a .51 cal, or 12.7mm…..just spitballing!
Fraternally,
Bill..
Cobra driver
We had a terrific time Bill and I am so sorry I missed you. Next year.
This time we’ll plan it a little better and hold it where the scenery is a little more stunning
and hope to get the same wonderful people, not to mention the locals who were superb!
Semper fi,
Jim
I wish I could have made it, but life gets in the way. Don’t worry about writing and getting it out. You know the old saying, hurry up and wait. The wait in this case is well worth it.
You might want to drop in a segment about the get together. It would be fun to read.
Take care, be safe and we will, like always, be here.
Yes, there will indeed ba a segment and a photo of the event, not to mention video!
Thanks for bringing that up…
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
My dad was a combat medic at the Battle of the Bulge. He is 94 and healthy as a horse, but since he expects me to write and deliver his eulogy, I have been working on it and sharing it with him. To describe his service, What an impossible burden to put on a young man’s shoulders will be included. Your story moves me deeply, and the combined weight of the enemy threat and the violence from your own fellow soldiers is hard to fathom. Glad that there are men like you, and my dad. Live long and keep writing.
Thanks Jim, and thanks for what you wrote about your Dad and me.
Means a lot to me…and likely to him…
Semper fi,
Jim
Another good read James!!! But I got to thinking. It really don’t matter how much one of those artillery rounds weighs as long as it kills the enemy!!!! That being said my Gramps hated those 88’s the Germans had. He said they killed more of his guys than German soldiers did. He told me they had those damn things everywhere. But he knew we’d win the war when his outfit ambushed a column of 88’s being pulled by horses and wiped them out. He did most of his fighting in a place he called The Gap. He died years ago but his stories made me love and admire the U.S. soldiers because of there bravery and devotion to each other no matter what branch they served with.
Thanks Russell for you comments written on here and for the compliment inside them…
Semper fi,
Jim
Well Jim, another great segment…and Nguyen, always there, he was the stuff…you left us hanging again…I hope all went well for your festivities today…I salute you all and wish I could have been there…keep up the good work and have safe travels back home…