The .45 was in the box it’d come in when the commanding general of the base at Quantico had awarded it to me. My wife had put it up, and as far back on the top shelf of our bedroom closet, as she could. She and Pat had taken Julie to the shopping center for some things I hadn’t been informed about. I pulled the box down and opened it. An eight-by-eleven shiny picture of the general handing me the automatic was the first thing I saw as I opened the special box. I carefully removed the Colt from the red velvet interior of the oak wood box. The words “Clark Custom, Shreveport, La.” burned once again into my forebrain. They were carved into the metal in cursive, not like the printing underneath that described the weapon itself. The Marine Corps Association had paid a lot of money to have the weapon specially accurized. I knew that because my dad had been in charge of the Coast Guard Pistol Team for years when I was younger. A Clark .22 or .45 was prized over all other accurized pieces for use in competition.
I sat with the Colt in my lap. It was the only weapon I’d touched since leaving the A Shau Valley. My right hand slowly, almost all on its own, curled around the grip. The gun was loaded with factory ball ammo since hollow points wouldn’t explode effectively at the relatively slow speed a .45 bullet travels. Possessing the Colt once more made me feel warm and secure, but, as I sat there breathing carefully in and out, I knew there was really no truth in that. Not for the place I’d returned to. There was no security in having a gun if using the gun would almost certainly involve going to prison, not to mention adding another to the many dead who haunted my waking, as well as nighttime, hours. I thought of the slime ball in the ward, who’d insulted both my wife and me. I’d shoot him in less than a heartbeat, and I’d shoot him several times, I knew. But I could not. I wasn’t in the A Shau anymore. I was a training command Marine who would shortly not be a Marine anymore at all. I looked at the front door, closed against the middle of the living room wall across from me. My bullet placement would be perfectly executed if that man came through the door under threatening conditions.
Uncle Jim,
Wonderful! That’s all for this chapter.
V/r Dennis
Probably, unknown to you, your Dad’s support of me is as meaningful as you seem to feel my support of him is.
He’s the real deal. He is one of those non-combat guys who really understand. He does not have to believe me.
It’s deeper than that. He accepts me and that helps me keep going because I have my bad, terribly bad, days too.
You calling me ‘uncle’ makes me smile every time I see it too.
Thanks for that. My real nephews and niece have no use for me whatever as they came to believe that I was nothing
more or less than a cold-blooded killing machine.
Semper fi,
Jim
Hi James I have not commented on any thing for a while, not because of you by my health has gone down a good bit in the past months. My hand have bad RA in them along with my back. I read all of 30 Days and it was very interested in the outcome. God had to be with you all the way. I thank you for way you and a lot of others for what you endured over there. I am now reading The Cowardly Lion and enjoy the reads. You are a very talented writer and enjoy how you say things. I am glad that you made it out of the Valley even though it sounds like you were really messed up at the end. I am glad you got the help you needed even though some of the medical places were the best in the world. I enjoyed the last chapter a lot. Its is good that you are coming along. The part about you GTO is amazing. James you talked a little in the comments about “TLC” is that a book you have written? I cant find anything on you web site about it. Please give me some info about it. Cant wait for 14. Al
TCL is the three letter descriptor for The Cowardly Lion. Thanks for the wonderfully written and expressive comment.
Not to mention the inherent and obvious compliments. Much appreciated.
Semper fi,
Jim
another great read L T . mickey thompson was my boyhood hero, you were so lucky. will there be more from The Cat story? I was really into it.
Another great chapter. Thank you. What is the trophy beside the .45?
Thanks for the compliment, Tim.
The trophy is for the Grand Aggregate championship in the pistol category won at the NRA Nationals held at Camp Perry in 1972 (firing the .45 Colt, accurized).
It’s the only trophy that the NRA awarded, at the time, made of Sterling Silver.
Semper fi,
Jim
Yes that’s one of Jim Clarks baby’s ,even has one of bob bomars rear sights on it. Love the 45, brings back a lot of old memories semper fi Jimmy Bradley 68-69
I would imagine that such a weapon today would sell for thousands, not to mention the fact that they only gave those .45 awards for a few years before stopping all that.
How it was presented and the records with it might be great for some future collector.
Semper fi,
Jim
It seems like a true welcome home moment has arrived. Outstanding !!
SEMPER Fi
Wow, Smokey Yunick & Mickey Thompson! Smokey’s exploits are legendary.
I came home from Nam on a stretcher in a Starlifter c141 through the Army Hospital system Via Japan after nearly 11 months as a line Medic in a mech infantry Btln in the Fall of 70. Mortar shrapnel. I ended up at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco. Reading your last chapters brought all those dim memories back to me. After a few weeks on a surgical recovery ward I was granted a home leave for Thanksgiving. Everything moved so fast when I left the hospital- the cars on the Freeway, People moving everywhere. Everything just seemed too big and too fast. The Car lights as it got dark really got too me. On the way home( my Mom had picked me up from the hospital in the car I had left behind- a 1966 Ford Mustang- she drove) During the ride home I started getting the shakes. Nerves. I was getting really shaky. I asked her to stop. We were in a highway diner getting “a cup of coffee and a slice of pie”. I couldn’t hold the cup of coffee steady in my hands, both hands. They were shaking involuntarily. Coffee dripping onto the pie plate below. I thought it was the colder weather. But it wasn’t. The Waitress came up to the table and looked at me hard. She looked over at my mom- who was starring at my shaking hands. She looked like she was going to cry. I was in Civilian clothes- But the waitress looked at me and then said to her- “He looks like he just got back from Vietnam. They all look like shit. Poor boys.”
A day or so later I had met up with some high school/college friends. It was broad daylight and we were all walking across a parking lot towards an apartment building. Somewhere a loud !!bang!! happened- like the sound of something heavy dropping sharply to the ground. I immediately dove for cover and was low crawling to get near a wall. Then looked up at my friends- all standing a few yards away mouths agape. Starring at me in dumb surprise. None of them had been in the military. They all said they were shocked at how I looked- the wild look of fear one guy said.
I realized I was different and had an inner Nam self that had to be pushed back into my head- That people around me- unless it was another vet-they just didn’t understand what the world looked like from my point of view. It took a long time to come back. You never really fully do. I had a lot of love and help along the way. But we know that other me is back in there somewhere. Hopefully stays just a shadow memory. I am glad you were lucky enough to have help too. You are a fine writer- Keep it up. Glad you survived.
I cannot thank you enough for laying out your history about when you came home. It was the same but entirely different too for all of us,
but a lot of it depended upon what you were into when back in country. I never have reacted to loud noises. In the Valley of the Shadow a loud
noise usually meant you were already hit, or your own guys were firing or whatever…since visibility always sucked. I never once saw my whole company
together! I get the part about everything moving so fast. We went into an ‘all ahead slow together” mode after we were hit. The intensity of our
necessity to go inside ourselves to rebuild the power of survival within our own bodies…and on.
Semper fi,
Jim
So, first Mickey and then Smokey, too. Wow! I go back to almost the beginning of both of their careers. I live not far from where Smokey had his shop in Daytona. I’m beginning to think it shouldn’t be The Cowardly Lion but The Charmed Life. But I sense that you have much more to tell us. As for Gunny not wanting to have anything to do with you, I am baffled. If I recall, you wrote that he fought in three wars. Maybe some really bad crap happened after you were wounded and he finally had enough. Just speculation, of course. Thanks for another great chapter.
I never knew which three wars the Gunny was talking about, because we didn’t have chummy discussions over our coffee.
Vietnam, Korea and then where? He was about ten to twelve years older than me which would put him in his late eighties if
he were still alive, which I doubt but don’t know. Yes, Mickey the down in the pit ruffian working mechanic and then Smokey,
the elegant cowboy philosopher, if you will. What a mix of men…including the unknown part of the equation…me.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, the chapters keep getting better and better. Semper Fi!
Mickey and Smokey and you. You really came up smelling of roses, LT.
Quite an interesting chapter this time, and glad that some things are going your way for a change.
Helluva writer, for sure – always enjoy reading you, even though sometimes, like now, it touches me so hard.
Thanks so much Craig, I much appreciate the depth of your compliment. Yes, like can turn, and it did, although plenty of
land mines of life were still waiting up ahead…strewn about in places impossible to detect or avoid.
Semper fi,
Jim
Are we going to meet your family before this story is over?
You are meeting my family, although you are not fully aware of that yet…
Semper fi,
Jim
Blessings on you James. Keep on healing and writing, I’ll be looking for the next chapter.
Thanks Raymond, I am on chapter 14 as I write this…
Semper fi,
Jim
The kindness is some people’s hearts is amazing. God truly blessed you when you needed it the most back in Vietnam and the States.
Somehow, God was that all the time, mostly invisible to me though…
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
I’m enjoying your running description of the personality of Mickey Thompson, hard spoken, big hearted. Also sorry to hear about the Gunny being unable to come terms with your shared terror in the Ashau. But glad to hear your wife stuck with you through it all. I came back whole, but lost my wife, as did several guys in my tent. She has to be a special lady.
So many wives could not stick it out. I was assuredly extremely lucky…and good at guessing. I just knew from that first contact so long ago that she was the one.
Still is…
Semper fi,
Jim
What happened with the gunny?
You’re a good man Jim. That’s why you draw good people to you that want to help you. Most of us that came back weren’t blessed to have someone to lean on or a caring ear to share our memories with. My leg injury was a splinter compared to your injuries and was basically hidden and unknown to most. God bless Mickey Thompson!🇺🇸🚁
Thanks for that great comment and compliment Cary. Means a lot to me this day…
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, thank you for continuing to write your story. I’ve been here since the early chapters and anxiously await each new drop.
Please forgive my attempt at correcting your work of art but a light year is a measure of distance, not a length of time. Many people make that mistake and your intended meaning comes through clearly as it is written.
Blessings to you and your family
Ed
thanks for the help Ed!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great chapter. I was wondering about the GTO engine. I had a 64 and that 389 was almost indestructible. Was was yours so bad so quick?
Beautiful
james…..want to send a personal note advise how to…..
antaresproductions@charter.net James. My address for snail is 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Semepr fi,
Jim
James, thank you for sharing your experience in the Nam with us. I have been following since the first 10 days, but have not commented. Your story draws me in, reminding me of those days so long ago. I was in Danang in ‘65. Things had not got too hot, at least until Starlight Operation. I deeply appreciate your words and your willingness to speak them. Keep writing and we will keep reading. I am going to purchase 30 days as well as TCL. God bless and have a great day!
Thanks Jim, much appreciate the encouragement and support here, as well as in reading and then buying my books.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT,
This has been harrowing and beautiful. Glad you are back, then and now. Welcome Home.
One nit pick. Most photos are 8 by 10s rather than 11 inches.
Yeah, didn’t measure it, just guessed. Thanks for the correction…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT, from your remarks about the Gunny, it sounds like after meeting up with you, his mind took him back to the Nam and it began to stress on his marriage. I get the impression that his wife and he had worked hard to bring him back to the world again and it was no disrespect to you.
I took it badly at first, but came to understand over time that we are not alll the same.
He had saved me and for a variety of purposes but, even in country, and given your ‘band of brothers’ kind
of thing, we were most definitely not brothers.
I understand much better now.
Semper fi, and thanks for the kind words.
Jim
Another great chapter, James. I was Regular Army from ’71-’74 although I was never sent to southeast Asia. Certainly had several friends who were, and not all came back. One of my best friends was a Marine there around ’68-’69 or so. He still refuses to talk about any details. I was getting worried after you hadn’t posted a chapter for a while, but the wait was worth it. Still as riveting as ever, even though SF isn’t quite the A Shau Valley.
One tiny nit-pick…in the paragraph where you take the Colt down from the closet, you mentioned receiving it seemed like “light-years ago.” A light-year is actually a measure of distance, not time. Perhaps centuries ago or eons ago.
Looking forward to the next chapter. Sorry to hear that Gunny didn’t want to meet you. I’m sure his memories weren’t any better than yours.
You are most accurate about the speed of light comment Clay, but I was using it as an understandable figure of speech. I realize that sometimes
I am just rambling on in whatever jargon crosses my mind. I, thankfully, have editors like you who keep me on my toes.
SEmper fi,
Jim
Such a great read. If I ever get up to Wisconsin I’d love to meet you and your wife.
Great chapter. Good to see you on the mend and to see you finding the reason for and the will to carry on!
Another entertaining chapter to say the least. You have meet to interesting characters to say the least. Smoky Yunick was also a military man who flew bombers at one time. His understanding of aerodynamics gave him an advantage in the stock car world of racing back in the day. How you are managing to get around in your condition is unbelievable. Your wife has to be a very special person. Lucky man.
Wow, Mickey Thompson and Smokey Yunick, two of the best damn mechanics in town. You’ve hit the proverbial jackpot!!
Brilliant self-taught guys and very interesting to be around at all, even if I was only on the
sidelines.
Semper fi,
Jim
My heart swells with the goodness coming your way. Respect comes in many forms and you have earned every bit of it. So many of us here shAre your experience and marvel at your courage and perseverance. I’m looking forward to having that cup of coffee in Lake Geneva as soon as we get over the lockdown.
I had the privilege of meeting Smokey Yunick in Daytona where he had a shop in the late sixties. Quite an interesting gentleman
Too much pain and truth. God bless you and all you have gone thru.
Thanks Cary, much appreciate the care and expressing it on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
James, Some great writing here. it’s good to see your life coming together. Also witnessing
the thought process of the new person you are becoming. Your life is blessed with two very special ladies, Mary and Julie.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
adding another of the many dead who haunted my waking,
Maybe substitute “to” for “of”
adding another to the many dead who haunted my waking,
at least from Marines of lessor rank throughout the corps
“lesser” rather than “lessor”
Maybe capitalize corps
at least from Marines of lesser rank throughout the Corps
I took the eight bucks the guy paid for his gas with back into the garage.
Maybe “with” seems extra
I took the eight bucks the guy paid for his gas back into the garage.
Smokey said, taking the pipe from his mouth.
Maybe “cigar” instead of “pipe”
Smokey said, taking the cigar from his mouth.
I’ll pull the goat in the morning and haul it over here.
Maybe “there” instead of “here” – with “there” meaning Sears
I’ll pull the goat in the morning and haul it over there.
Welcome home. Blessings & Be Well
As always you are number one, Dan.
Noted and corrected.
Thank you so much.
Semper fi, Jim
I know exactly how you felt about that bag. I felt the same way about the one I had.Happy for you.
Thank God, they usually close those things up. What a mess of a way, and embarrassing, to go through even a short period of this
life.
Semper fi,
Jim
That “Smokey” wouldn’t be Don Garlits?
I can feel your body and life heal while your soul is still on hold. Still being digested by leaches in the mud a long way away physically.
Smokey Yunick, as it turned out…brilliant down home spun man….
Semepr fi,
Jim
Great story. I have the first two books of 30 days and need to order the third. It is all great reading. One thing and I hope I’m not being disrespectful but they’re are a few people that I don’t know what their fate was and it has left a gap in the story for me, I feel like I know the answer but Im still curious, you don’t have to answer. Great read, keep up the the good work and I pray all is well.
More revelations will occur as the story proceeds so stay tuned…
And thanks for wanting to know more.
Semper fi,
Jim
After you agree to being in you have Smokey taking the pipe out of his mouth.. switch from cigar??
Mickey talked to me “Smokey said as he took the pipe out of his mouth” What choice do you have.
A hell of a read these chapters.. can’t imagine having lived it.. Glad you made it through and able to write it to show others the horrors you and too many others went through..
I remembered him smoking a pipe but then read he smoked cigars so changed it, but did not do
a good job editing. thanks for helping out here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Nice chapter, Smokey started with a cigar, finished with a pipe?
Look forward as you move along with your life.
Semper Fidelis Marine.
You caught it.
Thanks
Noted and corrected.
Semper fi,
Jim
Fantastic! Good people helping you find a new beginning. I so look forward to find out what happens in the next chapters! Thank you LT for sharing all of this. One question. Did your wife know about any of your Nam experience before you starting writing 30 days or did she find out what really happened as you wrote it.
My wife knew very little. We almost never discussed any of it. She has only read a bit of 30 Days, but she’s reading TCL and is stunned by much of that
too. I just did not think to tell her certain things. like being send to the wrong hospital in Japan or any of that. Some stuff bothers here because I never
mentioned it.
She reads and critiques TCL though and can be quite demonstrative about her own role in it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Quick on this one JAMES And very good as well. Thank you for letting us join you on the journey!!!
That was beautiful man, got my eyes a bit moist on the end of the chapter. So there still is good in the world, even back in those troubled times. It’s beginning to sound like your home!!
Ye, the adaptation took some time, and is still taking some time!
Thanks for the compliment and the concerting comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
I love you James. I love your .45. I love your GTO. I love your wife. What an incredible turn of life events.
Can’t wait for the next chapter. Better and Better.
Wow, now that’s a wonderful comment to make and I much appreciate the outpouring of care and real emotion.
You help keep me going…
Semper fi,
Jim
I couldn’t help but smile at your recovery and good luck
👍
Smokey Yunick…. more of legend in my mind than Mickey
LT I was just wondering if you ever heard from or know what became of Gunny?
Yes, the Gunny lived and went home to a small town in New Mexico. He worked there as an assistant bank manager.
I ran across him, or him me, by accident. We were going to get together and have lunch in the following week.
He didn’t show. Went to his home but his wife said he couldn’t see me or have anything to do with me.
That was in 1985. Never saw or heard from him again.
Semper fi,
Jim
truly you are a blessed man, Mr Strauss! i was in the nam, army, down south as a “field illumination specialist” (searchlights) so my war was quite a bit different than yours. thank you for your service and god bless!
Thanks so much guy, and I’m glad your service was a lot different than my own…as I am glad for so many who made it through.
Semper fi,
Jim