I examined the great stone wall, the wall that rose up from the bottom of the valley for a full thousand feet, vertically rising without big enough cracks, hand-holds or other features to allow it to be climbed without serious mountaineering equipment. The 175’s had done their job by blowing the hell out of the jungle portion of the valley nearby but what worried me was the amount of debris that had impacted against the lower part of the canyon wall, along its lower edge, where the company would be strung out and moving. I’d examined the wall before we’d pulled out with my flashlight (muffled using a pair of socks over the lens). Calling in another fire mission on the jungle, what with the inaccuracy of the rounds fired beyond the gun’s effective range, had resulted in plenty of blown bamboo, fern and tree trunks being driven into the side of the lower cliff with such force that much of it had struck at speeds that left bits seemingly glued into the stone itself. Much of the debris, if I fired another zone while the company was pressed against the wall and trying to move downriver, might cause serious injuries, if not death, to many of our own Marines.
The Gunny was there, and he was close to me, but not saying anything.
Another unbelievable read. I cant imagine going thru what you endured over 30 days. My time as a chinook mechanic with the Cav On the golf course (66-67) was 12 to 14 hour work days keeping the chinooks flying with moments of terror maybe once or twice a month when we were hit by motars. I’m not sure why but I just received the last chapter 2 days ago. I updated myself on your mailing list & will be waiting with apprehension for the next final chapters.
Thank you. It cant be easy to put this down.
I am not sure how I missed this chapter when it was published on the first. However as usual it was riveting and yet there was no sense of impending doom
Thanks a to Chuck, as usual. I’m not sure how you missed that one either but another will be up today and I hope you get word of that on here.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
The same thing that happened to Chuck Bolam JR. happened to me. Don’t be messing with the Chuck’s, James. Another great chapter in the books. Does Jurgens still have Mach Man’s Thompson?
I am glad to see you are able to continue. It is such an intense read that I can’t imagine how it ends, and what finishing it will mean to you. I know that I will miss the anticipation of another chapter.
The Cowardly Lion will begin, the next book, right at the end of the last segment of 30 days. It will take us from the battlefield, through the hospitals and on to San Clemente California where I go to work for President Nixon’s crew at the ‘Home of the Western Whitehouse’ of the time…Hope you will stay along for that ride too.
Semper fi,
Jim
P.S. if you can please join this crew too and get ready for a visit…https://www.gofundme.com/f/thirty-days-has-september
The next book is a fantastic Idea. I have been hoping through your entire ordeal that you would write exactly what the next is. Fantastic I’m ready for the 30 days to finish. Great work.
Thank you, Paul
Wow, sorry I missed this.
Semper fi,
Jim
From what I have read there were 2 different engines used so yours might have been different than someone else.
I went online to discover that they put a V8 in it later on, which it badly needed, of course.
The first motor was GM and a six cylinder, like the one we had in our Ontos. I know it was that because
I could look at it under the armored hood, and the exhaust pipe seemed like it was too small.
Thanks for the analytical work.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim!
Having lived out there in the A Shau and Que Son I move with you on every step you describe. Thank you, my Brother for the courage and fortitude to undertake this mission for us. Semper Fi Devil Dog
Those of us who went down into that valley came out different and the difference is hard to describe…which is part of why
this 30 day and night odyssey is about the longest rendition of such a short time in literary history! You read it and you
should get the idea of why men came out of the valley, if they lived, and came home so different than when they’d left.
Thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Hello James I have followed 30 days from the beginning. Bless you and y’all for what you have been through. On your go fund me program ,for myself I try not to put my credit/ debit business out there often but what I do and did was to write you about PayPal and Chuck Bartok responded. So I pay-paled you and maybe others would like to do that also. Keep going and stay strong this year will be thirty years with 4 bypasses and not smoking .
Thanks so much Emil, and I much appreciate you following the story. The money has been a much larger motivator to get me back going than
I would ever have thought. The trip around the U.S. has become real and something to live toward and the help of all the veterans who
are helping is beyond description. Warmth. Smiling. More warmth.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Semper fi,
Jim
I was a child around 8 years old when many young men went off to serve our country.
My cousin, Thaddeus ‘Tex’ Yonika, Jr. was 21 when he enlisted and became a warrant officer. He was with the 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Troop A.
I only know this from what I’ve been told or read. Tex’s mom, Dorothy was my dad’s 1st cousin. His grandfather Michael Franek was my grandmother’s brother, my great uncle. On Christmas Eve in 1969, a chaplain and an officer showed up at Aunt Dorothy’s to notify the family of Tex’s death. I remember going with my grandfather sometime later to drop off funeral memorial cards to Aunt Dorothy. My grandfather owned and ran the family Funeral home.
I remember getting a hug from my cousin (who I called Aunt out of respect) and feeling the sadness of the whole family.
Tex was in the A Shau at the time James ‘Jim’ Strauss was there. I feel it is an honor that he mentions Tex in his book and that he is sharing details of what happened in Vietnam that many never heard about. Thank you Jim Strauss, it is a brave thing not to just write about it but to relive it!
It is a wonderful pleasure to make your acquaintance Linda.
You are the first connection I have had with anyone who knew Tex. So many of the men I served with just went on into the far distance of death or back home in some tattered battered way after being wounded. Piecing any of what happened to the men I served with who did live has been nearly impossible. I only have heard from six since I began the book series.
Tex was a hero and the kind of man any man would have wanted to have as a friend for life.
He gave his life to save others and faced right into danger that I don’t think I could have.
I shipped off two books inscribed and signed, along with a letter about my time with Tex.
I hope you enjoy the bittersweet memories and I am so happy that you are happy with my treatment of Tex and the story itself.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for another great chapter.
You are most welcome Mike, and I much appreciate the compliment and you writing it on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT I’m sitting on the edge of my chair reading this and find myself holding my breath. At the same time I am inadvertently jerking and covering my ears. I was a team leader on a contact team in III Corps. Every other day/night a different fire-base. Ammo, fuel, rations. Then repair the guns. Mostly 8 inch and 175s. The barrels could be shot out in a single nights missions. We all prayed our hearts out on these types of missions. Too often come the dawn we were on the move to another base and would not hear the results of the nights actions. Whenever we showed up we mechanic-ed then became parts of the gun crews. We had skin in the game. God Bless All Y’all, and thank You for doing this. Memories come flooding back, but not the same ones U had.!
Thank you George, for that rendition of how it was for you back at the guns. I cannot tell you how much your work meant to
us in the field and how we would never even get to meet any of you…
Semper fi,
Jim
Where can I find the link to the GoFundMe for you. Welcome home Brother
The link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/thirty-days-has-september and I will much appreciate any contribution.
I also appreciate the compliment not written but there between the lines…
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for doing a anther chapter, good read
Thanks Don, much appreciate the comment and your evident care.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/thirty-days-has-september Oh, that was the link to the go fund me not the other…
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you once again. In addition to having my hand on your back, I’m sending positive energy. Take care sir.
Thanks Tim for the energy and it is having an effect. Here I am, up late at night, answering comments seemingly without end…
Semper fi,
Jim
I relate to your Vietnam writings as I “visited it in the off season.” I don’t mean to hurt any feelings but I like the on the ground Vietnam reflections much more than any of your other books.
My feelings are not hurt. Different audiences prefer different material. It’s all a part of the human condition.
I write those things that please me and I have knowledge of and life experience in. I am glad you are here, writing, and liking
any of the work at all. Thank you!
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great episode James now I won’t fall asleep for an hour after I hit the rack going over it in my mind and wondering how it would have been for me,keep up the great work.
Working on the next segment as I comment here.
Thanks for your support, Ronald.
Semper fi,
Jim
It is good that you captured that moment of transition from
FIST to Commander.
Yes, it was a special moment. I have never felt anything but sympathy for real commanders in combat or captains of ships at sea.
It is such a lonely thing…
Semper fi,
Jim
James, you really DO bring us into the action. Hearing, smelling, feeling – you make US part of the action.
Thank you – and Semper Fi.
Thanks Craig, although I am unaware when I am writing of any of that. It’s just there and coming at me…
Appreciate the compliment…
Semper fi,
Jim
where’s the link to the GFM? I’m not seeing it.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/thirty-days-has-september There’s the link, sorry, I’m still not much of a pro at all this….
Semper fi, and thanks terrifically for anything you might do.
Jim
Glad you are back and healthy but I’ll be sad when September 1969 comes to a end. Thanks for a great read, the best I’ve ever read.
The next book is called The Cowardly Lion and I hope you will take to it. A different sort of combat, if you will.
Semper fi,
Jim
I know what you mean. I was in III Corps, severely wounded in 1970. The war just changed. The weeks went to months which went to years of rehab, surgeries that are to many to count and waiting all of that time to heal so that I could start the rehab again. You and I made it though. No brag, just fact. Many others did to. The whole war had its wounded in all ways shapes and forms. Good luck to you, and I will be waiting for the next chapter and book. Take care
Thanks Mike, and yes the wounded number in the many thousands, although only the combat wounded were really much counted.
We all came home ‘combat wounded’ in different ways, almost all with some form of what has become known as PTSD.
Great comment and thanks for sharing your own experience on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
“They’re going to be hit on their left flank from the jungle, no matter how much firepower we put into trying to suppress that
And then you write: although I had to admit I hadn’t considered the NVA across the river who would be able to set up and fire across the water and right into Kilo’s right flank.
Wishing you strength, sir, in this difficult time.
Thanks so much Keith, I am gutting it on through, with the help fo a lot of guys contributing to the go fund me site.
Semper fi,
Jim
Although not there .. I’m feeling like I have been ..
Thank you James
thanks James for the great compliment and for putting it up in public here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Was Kilo hit on their left flank or right flank? there seems to be two different statements: one from the Gunny, ““They’re going to be hit on their left flank from the jungle, no matter how much firepower we put into trying to suppress that,” the Gunny said, waving the burning tip of the cigarette close to me.” And later a thought from Junior: “Splitting our forces made all the sense in the world to me, although I had to admit I hadn’t considered the NVA across the river who would be able to set up and fire across the water and right into Kilo’s right flank.” Your writing is still riveting as always.
Kilo was on our right flank to the west. We were headed downriver, which was south. No, I had forgotten the NVA across the
river too. It was like the Gunny blew the bridge and I didn’t have to worry about over there anymore. As you read, that wasn’t the case
at all..
Semper fi,
Jim
Great writing! While reading I can feel,smell, & hear everything. Especially the 175’s……
Thank you, Jim.
Share with your friends.
Semper fi
Jim
I love your writing, and this whole series, I’m not wanting to critique your writing but ya need to dump the paragraph on the ontos engine specs, its useless to your story and way wrong every spec ya stated was off by a mile
I was only there and not going online to check stuff out. What I know is what I remember from Hultzer and the guys talking and from a few others.
I presume you are right but I’m not going to check it right now. Maybe when the manuscript goes to be printed.
Thanks for the data and send me the right stuff if you have and know it. I’ll use it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh man. Always in a dicey situation…always agonizingly ending with yet another tantalizing cliff hanger.
Everybody must have been real puckered up during this operation.
Thank God for the artillery and fly boys who have helped so often when your butts were in the ringer.
Nice job on this chapter, Jim.
I know it must be difficult to re-live what happened and is soon to happen in your telling of the story.
During your 30 days there (which seems like an eternity to us readers), you indeed became a gifted and top notch commander.
Keep plugging on the next and remaining episodes, LT.
Blessing to you…
I am here and there and back here again! Yes, I will continue now and I’m really helped by the support I’ve received in the go fund me thing.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, Prayers of strength & comfort continue as you carry us & you fight this battle & its memories again.
thanks Doug, and yes, I am fighting it and with considerable help. The go fund me campaign has come out of nowhere to buoy me up and relaunch me to finish the
books and more….thank you…
Semper fi,
Jim
Please e-mail me your mailing address so I can send you a check for your GoFundMe drive and place an order.
(I’l try to Include a note with some thoughts I’ve been trying to articulate since I began reading your story – I’ve written before but never quite got around to sending.
Thanking you in advance
PapaMike
Mike I am at 507 Broad Street in Lake Geneva, WI 53147. Much appreciate whatever you decide to do.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow brother I can see why this one was so hard for you Remeber you’re not alone we all carry our share of guilt from that Damn war !!!!
Semper go
Steve
Yes, it was tough, but I have a ‘contract,’ now…well, sort of.
The people who have responded in go fund me have given me the great impetus to finish and then to move into The Cowardly Lion,
the book that follows the third of Thirty Days.
Thanks for the nice comment and the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Whew!!!
Lt-
Deadly, Riveting, & AWESOME 🇺🇸
James: I can hardly find the words,but here goes. You won’t agree but I say you are a hero. First to have lived it. Secondly to have the courage to share it with us in sorrow and humility!
There is no bragadacio but your angst at the memories shows through. You are indeed an honorable and good man. We who were in Nam, no matter when or where relive it with you,keep rolling brother, we’ve got you six👍🇺🇸❣️
Thank you Joe, and most sincerely at that. No, I don’t think I was a hero. I think I was like Sullenberger in that plane landing in the river.
I was saving one life really important to me and the rest were along for the ride….not that I didn’t care or love many of them.
Thanks for the great compliment and the care in writing it here.
Semper fi,
Jim
You’ve got me on the edge of my seat now James, I can’t believe you made it out of that mess.
One correction, “They’re going to be hit on their left flank from the jungle, no matter who (how) much firepower we put into trying to suppress.”
Hope that you are staying healthy on your recovery.
Thank you, Don.
These last few segments are tough.
I corrected the error.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, you’ve nailed it AGAIN! I find myself hanging on every word as I read and re-read each paragraph. Semper Fi my friend.
Thanks so much Dwayne! Your compliment is taken deeply, as I know your level of intellect and that you don’t compliment lightly.
Semper fi,
Jim
Saddled up and ready for the final push LT
thanks for being right there and here with me Sgt.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you for another tense, gritty, real chapter, Lt.
Civilians have no idea of the cost those of us who wore the uniform have paid, some more than others.
Thanks Mark for the great supportive comment and the compliment, of course…
Semepr fi,
Jim
Each new chapter keeps me on the edge of my seat anticipating what will happen next. I especially like the way you have developed and modified the characters as the story progresses.
Thanks Dan, means a lot to me to read that comment and know the sincerity of the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Whoa, that was intense LT, give me a few to get my heart rate back down,keep up the awesome writing!
Thanks Bob, for the great compliment…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT ,
That last barrage reminds me of the Recon team , one zero dark thirty morning and way out in the valley , telling us to “shoot, shoot, shoot, the mother fkrs are all around us.,,,
We had pre-registered Recons position and fired our four duece for effect. We saw med evac and gunships at daylight but never heard another word. What hell it was??
The disorganization and lack of true communications in combat is legend, although I think forces of today have a better handle on it.
So many times, even in command, I knew so little about what was really going on almost anywhere….at night, deaf from high velocity weapons fired nearby and artillery going off, blind from the flash of muzzle blast and explosions, and terrified down to my toenails…and in command…of what, where, who and so on..
Very apropos my. friend, and thank you…
Semper fi,
Jim
Dam if you do dam if you don’t JAMES
So many times, yes, just as it was, and trying to explain that now. Many times not a great, brilliant or good plan…but simply
the only plan available…
Semper fi,
Jim
We do the best we can… and sometimes it doesn’t work out. Every reader of this segment has their hand on your back offering understanding and support.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
“They’re going to be hit on their left flank from the jungle, no matter who much firepower we put into trying to suppress that,”
Change “who” to “how”
“They’re going to be hit on their left flank from the jungle, no matter how much firepower we put into trying to suppress that,”
who was as close to as the Gunny was on my other side,
I keep rereading this. Not sure exactly how to phrase it.
Maybe either
who was as close to me as the Gunny was on my other side,
OR
who was as close as the Gunny was on my other side,
I hadn’t planned to sacrifice the Kilo company
Do we need the “the” before Kilo?
I hadn’t planned to sacrifice Kilo company
stiffly brittle material of poncho liners,
Maybe ponchos. Liners were the blanket material
stiffly brittle material of ponchos,
six-cylinder puffing and pouting its way along half on the path
Minor point: good to have some slight pause after “along”. Dash works
six-cylinder puffing and pouting its way along – half on the path
pulled back from the Ontos, and then got the poncho situation where it needed to be
Maybe “situated” instead of “situation”
pulled back from the Ontos, and then got the poncho situated where it needed to be
I cringed as bit as the concussion from the impacting explosions began.
Maybe “a” instead of “as”
I cringed a bit as the concussion from the impacting explosions began.
The company was in a mess but Kilo was in living hell
Stands as is. Could be “Our company”
Our company was in a mess but Kilo was in living hell
Hang in there. Blessings & Be Well
As always, Dan, you are a lifesaver.
Along with other fans who catch the glitches.
I believe the corrections and suggestions have been ‘fixed’
Thank you again,
Semper fi,
Jim
It’s been some time since I’ve commented as I’ve been at a loss for words. Be sure LT that myself along with many others are beside you and have your back. Not hard to understand how hard it must be to bring this accounting back to life.
God Bless you LT
Thanks Jack, the go fund me site (https://www.gofundme.com/f/thirty-days-has-september) is helping demotivate me to finish a great deal.
Now, I look forward to getting the first chapter of The Cowardly Lion out there following the end of the Third Ten Days (the follow on of 30 Days), and the trip around the U.S. we are planning for the fall…thank you.
Semper fi,
Jim
No matter how much fire not who at the beginning sir
I cringed as bit I cringed a bit as the
Thank you, Mike.
Corrected.
Semper fi,
Jim
Was not expecting this read tonight. Thanks. The smells and intensity of the night are staggering with communication problems and 175’s coming overhead adds to the tensions. Difficult times ahead, Gunny is playing his cards for the future if there is ever a need.
The Gunny was a master at figuring his way through, although he was also extremely giving and forgiving toward me, and I shall
never forget him. Like my real dad instead of what I was issued.
Semper fi,
Jim
Still as gripping and intense as the first chapter.
Thanks for the great compliment Arnie…and putting it up on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks James you a wizard with words and painting the picture of the fight and what it was like to experience it.