The NVA Russian-made fifty caliber opened up, and the heavy green ‘flying lantern’ tracers tore through the thick air over our heads. I popped my head up for a micro-second to confirm that they’d moved the weapon lower down on the mountain’s front slope. I adjusted my plan for an in depth response, this time for thirty-six rounds on each of the four points of the zone “X” I’d recorded earlier. It was a simple “drop two hundred, repeat in depth” mission, but I had bigger problems closer in than that. Instead of reaching for Fusner’s handset I crawled up next to Zippo.
“Get the Starlight out,” I ordered.
“How you think I see ‘em,” he whispered back.
I’d forgotten about Chickenman, but as soon as I read it I thought “He’s Everywhere, He’s Everwhere !”. I was in Frankfurt from 72-74 and listened to AFN… my father was a civilian working for Army Corps of Engineers.
Yes, there was Chickenman.
How stupid and ridiculous but later on hilarious,
and now ours alone…
For those of us who listened to Armed Forces Radio in the bush when we sure as hell should not have….
Semper fi,
Jim
Good read, I could not stop. Served with HMM 364 Marine helos, Asha in May of 68. I know well the hell you were in. Simper Fi
Thank your for that comment. I am working on the Eighth Day now and people like you keep me going because I really don’t have any other
motivation. I don’t have the time left to get famous and I have a feeling it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, anyway!
Taks care and,
Semper fi,
Jim
Loving the story. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Thanks Steve, wonderful to read those words…
Semper fi,
Jim
I found myself hoping those dark moving objects were what all the Vietnam vets at MOS school had warned us of in their stories.
Rock apes.
Steve, we were all reduced to some kind of apelike existence once were out in the field
and on our own. Lord of the Flies was the rule when they were no rules….
Semper fi,
Jim
Not to many people said thank you back then . I wanted to say that and that some of us respected you guys so much we followed right in your footsteps . 0311- 82-86
Thank you right back David! It’s nice to hear, even after all these years.
Semper fi,
Jim
Was there in 69-70 in Chulai. Was in motor t war was not fun,Vietnam was turned into hell on earth but there was that attraction still don’t know. Semper Fi or die. Thanks for the read
Yeah, Tucker…it’s that I don’t know anything about the experience the Corps and all of it.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Semper fi,
Jim
You make the reader feel like he is right there in the dark , mud , sweat , and fear with you . Admire your skill , memory , and willingness to share your experience ! Keep the chapters coming .
Thank you Fred. The memories became easier once I started getting them down.
Originally wrote about it in 1972 but in re-reading that stuff I wasn’t even close.
I wonder how is it that the memory for that stuff just got sharper and not duller over time.
Thanks for reading and liking what you read…
Semper fi,
Jim
So glad I was not there…still freaking out about those leeches on your neck…EWE !!!
THANK YOU KAY! Still have the leech scars to this day!
The little things they don’t compensate you for. Let’s see, leech scars, yes sir we’ve got those
right here and we pay forty bucks a month…. I don’t think so….
Thanks for the comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Hi Jim,
You’re damn near an old man now, just like me. But hear this, if the shit ever hits the fan again, I’m coming to pick you up and you’re going to be on my side.
SF,
PFJ
Well hell, John. From what I’ve read you would make an outstanding sidekick, as well.
Course we’re probably too old and wise to be fooled into being dropped into that kind of
shit again. You are most welcome in my world under any conditions.
And thank you!
Semper fi,
Jim
I’m much more of an unrepentant optimist than any kind of pessimist, but I’m pretty convinced that the next time the feces is in the fan, it will be coming to us and not vice versa. That’s why I’m putting you on indefinite “stand by”.
SF,
PFJ
Got you John And thank you. I shall remain in the reserves, awaiting developments and call up…
Semper fi,
Jim