I made it back to my cave under the rock wall of the cleft I was holed up in, the one I’d spent some time hoping to get back to. I laid in the darkness, shedding outer pieces of my wet rotting uniform, and wondering about the reality of the combat I was hopelessly engaged in. The moving, moist, noisy and miserable tomb of the A Shau Valley gave nothing back. There was nothing to give. I thought about the movies I’d seen growing up. The troops and Marines in the field had litters and stretchers for the wounded. Cruikshank had come back inside a poncho cover, looking like nothing more or less than a giant moth pupa. In combat, Marines carried everything, and there was no way to order them to carry more, and nobody was going to carry an extra twenty pounds in case somebody else needed to be carried. If the Marines didn’t want to carry a load or disagreed with what was in it, then they simply dumped whatever it was into the jungle around them. Punishing them didn’t change anything. When a punishment, even as extreme as immediate death, is commonly administered among a human group the members of that group get used to it. The Gunny had been very peculiar and particular in how he’d described accommodating combat weeks earlier. Actual ground combat teaches, with death as its primary tool. It doesn’t teach by killing the Marines around you. It teaches by killing you.
“You need to come,” the Gunny said, from just beyond the outer edge of my hideout.
It’s tomorrow!! Just kidding. I agree with Pat. I just check the site to see if there’s a new post and if there isn’t I ending up saying to myself, “Well, I’m already here, might as well read it again.” And I always seem to find something new. I find myself talking to people quite a bit about your work. One thing that has really struck me from your writing (including the comments) is how you describe this beautiful world that we get to live in. It makes me very thankful and spurs me to try and help others who don’t get to wake up in that world every day. You have transcended in my view.
The new chapter is going up tonight and I cannot thank you guys enough for how much your motivation in wanting it helps my motivation in writing it. |’ve never know any other
writing to be so interactive. So many of the men like you will have had a stake in this and yet most will never realize it…like in combat…
The medals never ever made it to the right guys…not the the right guys much cared once there were out in the shit…
Semper fi,
Jim
Not sure how many times I’ve read this chapter. One thing I’m sure of, “You’re a Marine Officer.” “You’re maybe the best one I’ve ever known.”
Well, Sir, you did live through it, barely!
I don’t think Gunny saw you as a pawn but I do believe he meant what he said and hope today, as you share with us, that you finally believe it.
(not sure if this is the place to ask but is there more of Thunder Marine coming in the future?)
Yes, Thunder Marine will be published in September….
I had to wait for something in the real world to go away because these thrillers are all based on
real events, like Thirty Days and I have to be careful…
Semper fi,
Jim
Just re-read this one for the third time. For some reason I don’t continue to get email notices every time you release another chapter…hence I go to the web site to check and wind up doing a re-read! This has been a great story Jim, I’ll be happy to buy the last book when you have it finished! SFMF!
tomorrow for the next chapter Pat!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
I have not commented in awhile but I still wait and watch for new chapters. Great writing as usual.
Ken
thanks Ken, means a lot to me…
Semper fi,
Jim
Once in awhile I need to get my mind right to read the next chapter, it is intense Lt. Great segment….
Thanks Al, sorry it took me a bit to respond…
Semper fi,
Jim
“Someone had alerted the commander that there was bad news awaiting him.” I’m thinking the alert came not from someone contacting BN but rather the lack of communication from the landed team. Bates had a radio. I’m guessing sitreps from the team had been preplanned – possibly upon insertion and again when they met up with your company. Since that failed, the backup would be to contact you. The dialog that follows indicates the BN CO was in denial that his plan was flawed.
I could be completely wrong on this. Only you know how the story will progress. I will learn when you post it.
I submitted a comment the night this segment was posted. I assume you will reply in due course.
Blessings & Be Well
Thanks Dan for the speculation and analysis. I will reveal more as we go…
Semper fi,
Jim
Great story James,
I notice you make mention of leeches a lot. Did you have many mosquitoes in that dank valley?
Thanks, Daniel
Oh yes, I don’t write of them too often because it gets a bit boring.
Semper fi,
Jim
On them dark rainy nights….did you ever get the feeling someone was watching you..
Nguyen, in the story, kind of gives you a feeling for what that ‘being watched’ thing was all about in the jungle.
He was a good watch, but still.
In the jungle, like in a small town, everything and everybody watches everyone else, while not letting on they are watching…
But you know the feeling of being prospective prey…
Semper fi,
Jim
As a member of MACVSOG recon I ran about a dozen missions in Ashau. It became a place that I feared greatly. Moving around with 6 or 8 guys knowing that any moment you could be overwhelmed by one bad move. As we learned later, we were used more for bait than anything. I look forward to each chapter, even though it puts me back in a place I feared. It is nice to know that someone else knows on a personal level what a terrible place the Ashau was. Thank you for putting it in words!
Thanks for the verification about what the A Shau was really like. I try hard to portray what it was like but only guys like
you can verify that I’m getting it spot on. Thanks for the compliment in your wording too…
Semper fi,
Jim
MacVsog rt viper. Always crossed the valley into Laos. A vacation paid for by the uncle. The natives weren’t friendly. The food sucked but the scenery didn’t make up for it. The Jungle glowed at night. Erie but part of the package.
Thanks for the realistic portrayal Carryit
Semper fi,
Jim
You hanging in there ok?
Don’t let memories eat you up.
I’m ok with a break if needed.
Scott
Nah, I’m okay.
Those things have been there for years and over those years I’ve gotten kind of accustomed to dealing with things.
Hard writing but not impossible by any means…
Semper fi,
Jim
What a nightmare in fact the war was for most of us that was there. Lt. you have a great way with your story. Keep it coming. Semper Fi!
thanks Walter, for the compliment in your words…
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks Walter!!
Semper fi,
Jim
Death………”it doesn’t teach by killing the Marines around you….it teaches by killing you…” and oh…what a lesson that is…the frailty of life on the killing fields..the randomness of the picking and choosing of the falling mortor rounds..the single bullet that stops in the throat of the guy next to you, just sitting there enjoying his can of peaches…”it” teaches the futility of living a good life, trying to be something or someone to be proud of…that heartless bitch called death takes away so much of our ability to dream, to hope..and leaves us with the single desire to live one more hour.. Time is our only friend…how long until dawn… there is so much imbedded in the phrase that describes ‘our’ war….it said everything..and nothing at all to those that never laid on those jungle floors in the mud…”Fuck it….don’t mean nothing “….
and then..
“what did you do to him? (Tommy) the deep sigh..the rolling of the eyes skyward, praying for strength..”what did “”I”” do to him?…”…and then repeat a couple of times while deciding how NOT to respond…sometimes wishing you could be “Tony Poe” for just a moment on the radio back to Six Actual….. As Always LT…Semper Fi
Thanks for the extensively great comment Larry and the help with editing!
Semper fi,
Jim
Another riveting chapter. I don’t know how you managed to maintain your sanity in that madhouse without any semblance of rhyme or reason as to why you were in that particular place. I was wondering if it would have been possible to wait for daylight and air cover to retrieve the supplies or did the weather prevent the possibility of air cover?
I didn’t maintain my sanity and that should e a bit apparent in some of the writing.
I’m not sure I’m fully recovered even now!
Semper fi,
Jim
again the highlight of my week—awaiting next segment with eager anticipation but also dreading the end of the story which is rapidly approaching—may God bless you for your service and sacrifice
thanks for the great compliment Stanley!!
Semper fi,
Jim
Everyone in today’s army has night vision, in our day, there was maybe, one starlight scope in the company, it really sucked at night not being able see.
I love this adventure. Though I barely understand some vocabulary stated, but I could imagine the struggle for survival of a marine officer. It is captivating.
I was too engrossed in the story to see any edits as others have. What a great story you have. I was talking to a friend on the fourth about his scout dog days. I told him he needed to write it down, not for publication, but for the information that only he could share. Hopefully he will. I had a patient who went to Woodstock at 16yo that had never told anyone about it, and the two girls she went with were dead. She promised to write her memory but died before she did. Another patient was involved in the Bay of Pigs invasion. I encouraged his story, but doubt that he took time to write it. You are doing such a good job with making your memories into a very readable story. Thank you
Thank you, Kemp.
Continue to encourage friends to tell their story.
Semper fi
Jim
What is your email address?
antaresproductions@charter.net
Thanks for asking Robert…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hey Lt. This Chapter reminds me of the old terminology term to “live and learn”. except in this case it might be better to make it live to learn. Take care Lt. Wes Holt.
BMNT vs Nautical dawn? Compelling. Brings back many memories.
The next time when asked what the definition of insanity is, I shall simply say, “Thirty Days Has September ”
Great job as always.
I think others may feel the same way, Glenn
Semper fi
Jim
Such a strong picture painted of life or lack of life in the universe of trying to stay alive and keep others alive in the most hostile environment. Unbelievable conditions and even worse for support from command. The inner fear of death at any moment and the constant struggle to maintain some shroud of safety without the expected, much need support from command is so hard to understand. Hard to believe a full company of Marines pitched out with the dishwater yet here it is for real.
Thank you for your comment, JT.
The ear of as it becomes a reality is “uncomfortable” to say the least.
Semper fi
Jim
I have spent the last couple years looking forward to the next segment. I check in every day. As we approach the end I am finding myself filled with an almost anxiety or dread of what is coming next. My fear mostly involves the gunny and your morphine because we already know about your wounds. Knowing what is coming doesn’t make it easier to read. I can’t imagine how hard it is to write. Take your time. Get it right. We’ll be patient. Thank you, sir!
Your support is so much appreciated, Don.
have you shared this story with any friends?
Semper fi
Jim
I wonder if your Gunny made it back to the USA in one piece? I guess your future scribblings will tell all….. Excellent writing keep it up please.
I just want to know what’s your political party of choice.
It has no bearing on this site. I have a personal Facebook page, three group pages, a newspaper page and one for my
cat. I think you can form a conclusion form those so there is no point here.
Semper fi, and thanks for asking.
Jim
Lt. question, no smoke grenades or 60mm mortar smoke ???
Smoke does not work in heavy mist, and many times heavy rain, as it was the monsoons.
Semper fi,
Jim
As usual got me hanging on every word! Gunny would have been a great coach, I’m sure. Right on time with his motivational praise! Sunrise finds you in a tough spot,again! Look forward to the next chapter Jim! Semper Fi!
Thanks Jack, I am working on the next segment today, trying to get back to the weekly exercise regimen I tried to hold myself to
without much success…
Semper fi,
Jim
I do not read these episodes for litany content, syntax or grammar. What I read them for is the emotional reaction to a real world scenario. The description of how life was inside the A Shaw for a Marine rifleman is spot on. The raw emotion and fear are captured on a personal level.
Thanks for telling our story. Keep up the writing. Semper Fi
Thanks a lot John. The compliment is well written and well received.
Semper fi,
Jim
So the Major wasn’t just additional cannon fodder to be thrown into the field – he was a valued member of Battalion command. Battalion was oblivious to or in total denial of what was actually happening in the field. Wonder how many medals Battalion command received for the blood shed in that valley so many miles from their air conditioned bunker. Not sure how you maintained any semblance of sanity at this point. Thanks again for the update. You paint a painfully descriptive picture with your words.
The battalion commander was eventually court-martialed but acquitted with an
outraged minority report written by a lieutenant on the court who was a real combat vet.
The colonel eventually received the Legion of Merit prior to his retirement. He is still alive in
Arizona. Yes, I do think about that but never go to Arizona.l
Semper fi,
Jim
I
I wonder if he would read the book if you sent it to him
Whom are we talking about?
Semper fi,
Jim
Great read. Thank you Sir. Semper Fi
Thanks a lot David and your compliment means a lot to me…
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt outstanding! Makes me grip the edge of my seat! Keep up the good work!
Left holding my breath again, war is hell no matter which way you look at it. Salute Junior
You still have us by the heart. Your men, your situation, your enemy, and the total lack of support by Command. It is the prayer of all of you that your war is never repeate. It seems to be rushing headlong to a very nasty ending, and is being told in the same way. Sorry to have to ask: Sgt Bates, I’ve missed him somehow. Appreciate your hinting to the other follower that we will see him again. Thank you LT. Poppa J
Sargent Bates show up in Twenty Third Day.
Thanks for all of your support, , Poppa
semper fi, Jim
It was good to read that Tank was back with the Gunny. I know he got wounded towards the end of book 2 and was wondering if he got evacuated.
Thank for following. Sorry late in response, Chuck
Semper fi
Jim
Well ~~ this one too brought back well buried memories.
Another that did the same shocked me 2 days ago. I’ve been 40% since ’68. Filed for an increase and went to 100%. That really brought me to my knees.
Glad to hear you are finally recognized, JWR.
Thank you for your support and service. Semper fi
Jim
Peters thought exactly, makes us feel like we are there with you, and always on the edge of the seat.
Another nail biting segment.
““I’m Sergeant Bates, serving as aide to the major,””
Where did Sergeant Bates go? Let him talk to the “Six-actual,”!!
Sgt Bates is found in the Twenty Third Day
Thank you for being such a loyal reader.
Semper fi,
Jim
The good thing about being late to read this is I don’t need to worry about edits.. Your followers do a remarkable job of spotting details.. I only saw one.. “junk” and several others beat me to it..
Another riveting read L.T.
Thank you.
Thanks for the usual great comment Glenn. I think Chuck took care of that one. Lots of editing on this segment and I edited four times myself!!! Better writer than an editor.
No kidding! Thanks for the nice comment and the help.
Semper fi,
Jim
truly a great writer LUT. KEEP GOING !!!
Thanks Harold! Every time I think I’m right in the groove then life comes at me in substantial forms.
But here I am, writing away, thanks to vets and others like you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great read…I fear retaliation if Sugar Daddy loses a lot of men…even though the single line out in the open was his idea…once again right there in the stinking mess with you..,
Yes, it was hard to stay on top of anything. It’s not like there are less people to make decisions
out there in the thick of it. There are more opinions than you can shake a stick at, and most of them
are dismally wrong. But there it was…and you can’t stay on top of everything either.
Semper fi,
Jim
One of the 6 made it Right? I though that is what I read last chapter . any Intel from him? I would have though you would have gotten some more of a idea of what command was doing or wanting to do?
Sgt Bates is discussed in this episode.
Twenty Third Day
Thnak you for your support,
Semper fi,
Jim
Opinion are like assholess, everyone has one😇
Thank you for your interest, Safiu
Semper fi
Jim
“I was maybe one of the best Marine Officer’s the Gunny had ever known,” . . .
Officer’s?
You have me on my seat each time. WOW!
Thanks, Tom,
Noted and corrected.
Semper fi
Jim
Is Gunny finally becoming a fan! Great installment !
Thanks for the opinion and the writing of it here. Thanks for the great compliment, as well…
Semper fi,
Jim
Perhaps “had been” should read “should be”. “No sir, nobody’s told battalion yet. The Gunny thought you had been the one to do that, being company commander and all, sir.”
thanks for the editorial help Floyd!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
Cruikshank had come back inside a poncho cover, looking like nothing more or less than a giant butterfly “pupa”…
Butterflies form a ‘chrysalis’ before emerging as a butterfly…moths form a pupa inside a cocoon…suggest changing ‘pupa’ to ‘chrysalis’…or ‘butterfly’ to ‘moth’ if ‘pupa’ is the word that you prefer to use.
Appreciate your attention to detail. Corrected.
Semper fi
Jim
Technically, I believe “pupa” and “chrysalis” are synonymous. I think it is fine as written.
Keep the stories coming, sir!
What happened to Sgt. Bates? Or, will we find out later?
What are you? Prescient? Thanks for the comment, though…and stay tuned..
Semper fi,
Jim
Well done
thanks for the compliment Thomas!
Semper fi,
Jim
As I read it, I can see it, appearing as if from a long forgotten dream. The trees and the open ground before it. I think this episode will awaken some dreams that were put away for a while. Your descriptions of the night are awesome, bringing out the suspected or real terror of the night. Keep up the good work and waiting for the next day.Jerry
That’s quite an in depth analysis and compliment, both together and I thank you for the attention liking the work…
Semper fi,
Jim
As usual, you do an outstanding job of making us feel lke we are “right there.”
Two things in the 4th paragraph from the end:
“leaving one Marine every four or five yards, to belay stores back from the zone man-to-man….”
Need to change “belay” to “relay.”
“one long line of Marines subject to enfilade fire (shooting straight through one man after another in a line with the same bullet)….”
I know what you mean, but you need either to change the word “enfilade” or change the definition you provide. It’s close, but not quite accurate.
Wikipedia gives good definitions and diagrams on these words.
Thanks for your input, Peter.
Semper fi,
Chuck
The general simply has no idea of combat. He will be responsible for many lives but will go home with his patches. Maybe Sgt Bates can clue him in if he makes it back.
Interesting comment before the next segment…and thank you…
Semper fi,
Jim
“You and that ragtag company out there in God knows where. God damn it! What did you do to him?”
Blame shifting and denial it seems were the way to keep your rank !! Seen it myself a time or two.
Once again on the edge of my seat James, keep it coming !!
SEMPER Fi
Thanks Sgt….much appreciate your comment, as usual…
Semper fi,
Jim
Night fighting was always the very worst! I hated it, night rescues were so dangerous! You have conveyed this well and it bring back m,emories. You are doing a great job Sir.
Thank you, Parker and I am glad we are both here to comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow just when you think it can’t get any more intense all hell breaks loose. Hope is some air cover coming in pronto.
Jim… And the saga continues. Some of your readers get pissed when others offer suggested edits. I know you appreciate the edits since you are writing a story for publication. Here are three suggested edits.
The NVA held the huge [junk] of jungle that ran between the cliff face and the river, running at least a kilometer or more down south toward where we’d originally come down into the valley. Edit: change “junk” to “hunk”
I heard his breathing and I knew, as the corpsman had, there was no [medivac] that was going to save the major. Edit: although “medivac” is commonly used, the correct term is “medevac” — short for MEDical EVACuation.
“You know, Gunny, they can’t make it at all without one of us.[] Edit: add closing quotation mark
Sugar Daddy had chosen to string out his entire platoon, leaving one Marine [for] every four or five yards, to belay stores back from the zone man-to-man instead of simply load up and carrying as much back possible. Edit: delete “for”
Appreciate your sharp eyes, Steve
Corrected
Semper fi,
Jim
I know this song was written years after you left the A Shau (1989?), but it was what popped into my head as I read this.
“Rock And A Hard Place”
The fields of Eden
Are full of trash
And if we beg and we borrow and steal
We’ll never get it back
People are hungry
They crowd around
And the city gets bigger as the country comes begging to town
We’re stuck between a rock
And a hard place
Between a rock and a hard place
This talk of freedom
And human rights
Means bullying and private wars and chucking all the dust into our eyes
And peasant people
Poorer than dirt
Who are caught in the crossfire with nothing to lose but their shirts
Stuck between a rock
And a hard place
Between a rock and a hard place
You’d better stop put on a kind face
Between a rock and a hard place
We’re in the same boat
On the same sea
And we’re sailing south
On the same breeze
Guiding dream churches
With silver spires
And our rogue children
Are playing loaded dice
Give me truth now
Don’t want no sham
I’d be hung drawn and quartered for a sheep just as well as a lamb
Stuck between a rock
And a hard place
Between a rock and a hard place
You’d better stop
Put on a kind face
Can’t you see what you’ve done to me
Thanks for sharing Rob and your continued support.
The rendezvous is organized for September.
Santa Fe Rendezvous
Semper fi, Jim
Once again describing hell for us, wondering who will be next to buy it. Can’t believe they came in like that without contacting you.Y you have to be getting close to extraction I would hope.
Thanks for your continued support, Pete.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT:
Paragraph 7 sentence 2 I suggest you change “junk” to “chunk”.
Hooah.
Keep up the GREAT work.
Hanging on every word… Thank You Sir. Semper Fidelis.
My job was convoy security and a few patrols.
I don’t know or understand how you and others
held up in this kind of hell.
God bless
Another great chapter. Thanks Jim you sure know where to stop leaving us wanting for more. Look forward to the next chapter.
Thanks, Bud.
Semper fi,
Jim
Cafe’ to cave
aeronautical to nautical
Hadn’t thought of BMNT in a long time
Another great story
Seller Fi
Thank you for the sharp eyes and your support, Ron.
Semper fi,
jim
>>> Those had to be rid of as quickly as possible.
…gotten rid of…. ??
>>>The NVA held the huge junk of jungle that ran between the cliff face and the river
huge chunk??
Corrected, Tom.
really appreciate your support.
Books are on the way
Semper fi,
Jim
“to belay stores back” – should maybe be “relay the stores back”
LT, this is some of the best writing you have done. Relating the death of the Major, dealing with the Colonel, getting to the supplies – you set the tension high, then maintain it.
I have never “helped” a person the way that you did, but did “help” a number of animals. Hurts, recalling them. Hearing the scream of a horse hit by a car, or the low murmuring of a cat or dog eaten up with the cancer. Hard to imagine doing that to a person, but it was necessary at the time and place. Thank you for the ability to write out your emotions the way you have.
James, do you think my original comment of 7/7 @ 0814, will ever be “moderated”??? Kinda feel left out, left over.
Sometimes I get behind but I will be up tonight. Sorry.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks Craig, for the sincerity and depth of that compliment. I much appreciate the motivation it gives me to continue…
Semper fi,
Jim
Riveting.
How?
Wow, hard story to tell. Really felt this one.
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this one … “Actual ground combat teaches, with death as its primary tool. It doesn’t teach by killing the Marines around you. It teaches by killing you.” I was not infantry but had folks killed and wounded nearby. Some taught lessons on what not to do that changed my behavior.
I’m surprised Bates was not present for the Major’s demise. Maybe just not able to deal with it.
Again, thank you. At your own pace. Be Well.
I wish I could write something to accurately express the feelings in my soul as I read your chapters, Junior, Sir. To compare it to physical pain that takes one to the edge of consciousness but no further, and then lingers, is the best I can do. How is it possible that we were there in that terrible experience almost a half century ago and it still holds such sway on my heart. This however is very cathartic, and makes my eyes water. What was I thinking when I joined the Corps and then chose WestPac over El Toro from radio school, I can’t remember. I turned 20 near Ca Lu, and every day feel guilty that I came home.
Thanks for the depth of that compliment and also the sharing of some of your heartbreak over the war.
Yes, the detail in the story kind of gives away the fact that so many of us had that stuff burned into the core of our very being,
not just into our memories. No medicine is going to anything for that, unless give some respite for a bit.
Semper fi
Jim
I like this blog and the kind of stories it chunks out. They’re all good for the reads