I was wrong and I knew it by the time the company had proceeded less than an hour into its rain-flushed mud-slogging move into an impossibly dark night of trying to break through abusive jungle bracken while attempting to be careful not to set off any booby-traps. The move was not going to be a night move because there wasn’t going to be enough hours left in the night to make it. I moved with the company in slow syncopated motion, surging ahead and together, one Marine after another, in each other’s footsteps, while stopping frequently because the men in front stopped. There were no reasons given for stopping because nobody talked during the move, but it was apparent that getting to the abandoned landing zone was going to take a whole lot longer than I’d predicted, and that meant we’d lose the cover of darkness at some point before we made it.
The rain drowned out everything when it came to sound, and whatever very limited visibility that had been available up on the side of the hill was completely lost inside our jungle, paralleling the river. I moved into a near trance, and then stopped patiently and frequently to await advancing a few more yards. Running to daylight wasn’t going to have any running, or even moving quickly, as part of the plan I realized, and that obvious fact meant trouble. The enemy would be figuring out what we were up to, and then moving to parallel us across the river. The smaller force we’d hit earlier, now behind us, would serve as the ‘stopper’ in our metaphorical rear end, slowly moving with us but staying far enough back to prevent us from retreating, or evacuating, or whatever we might try in that direction.
Thirty days has September April, June and November. All the rest have 31 Except February, it’s a different one It has 28 days clear, and 29 each leap year.
Well….yes, you indeed have the order and count properly down….
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, these 2 are tiny tiny nits. I read it twice. Dave.
Running to daylight wasn’t going to have any running, => capitalize Daylight as part of the plan name?
“Casey, Pilson and a squad headed west to the river,” Stevens said, => perhaps add the oxford comma after Pilson
Thanks Dave, for the help with editing.
and for the support of putting the corrections up on here, as well…
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for this writing.
It has gripped my heart, I’ve cried more than enough, and somehow the words are helping me build the house my soul has desired for so long.
I think you know something more.
Thanks again, so much,
Karl
Yes, I do know something more, as you put it.
This ‘fictional’ work is going to get me in enough trouble already Karl.
The real secrets of what goes out in the field of combat are not discussable.
It’s like talking about UFOs. You can only really do it with other people who’ve had the experience.
And so we continue.
Thank you for both the compliment and the courage to write on here about you and that damned war.
Semper fi, brother,
Jim
At the FDC (Fire Direction Center) in that Artillery Battery, there where Kid marines doing that math for the fire mission.I think the Sargent was 19 years old and the rest of us were 17 and 18. Our LT was always back at Monkey Mountain as he didn’t like the the bush. we were on our own as far as supporting the Marines in the field. No adult supervision but we got the job done and we had plenty of WP and firecracker rounds. Always Faithful
Those giant wooden slide rules were something at Fort Sill. I never saw or worked inside a real FDC or a battery, for that matter.
Thanks to all those kids the accuracy and availability of supporting fires in the Nam was so dependable it was unbelievable.
I got so used to it that I stopped considering I might not get fire. Thanks Cpl for your work. Unsung heroes one and all…
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Did you have a backup, such as Fusner, to work with Cunningham in case you were incapacitated?
No backup Pete. Field training a forward observe on the fly in combat
is not part of the game when he’s sixteen and everyone’s lives are on the line
when he’s about to call in that kind of hell. Good forward observers are a whole lot more
rare that I would ever have guessed prior to performing that function under pressure in combat.
Semper fi,
Jim
Since Stevens left without your knowledge It would seem Stevens knew something was going up up front and you had not been included in the detail. Once he had confirmed his suspensions he should have gone to the first platoon “Jurgens might not let him” and radioed back or one of the other platoon RTO’s. It would have been quicker than running the full length of the company. With the river raging and shifting east how in the hell did the squad get to the west side of the river? Also that’s where Charlie is waiting for the kill. After all the raging river is your best friend for now.
The river shifted to the west, as the bank there was eaten away in the curve. Directions can get screwed up in my
head though and going back to fix it takes more time right now than I have. I will get to it to make sure my
statement of directions is true. Also, the second book will have a map of the A Shau. The first book occurred mostly
before we went down into the valley.
Thank you!
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for clearing that up Jim. Keep stomping we all love the story.
thanks JT I am all over it putting up another segment this night…
Semper fi,
Jim
Comment re a comment: I bet that the river changed course not because of flooding banks but because of avulsion. Fast floodwater on the outside curve erodes the bank. Slow floodwater on the inside curve deposits sand, as a curve bar. Snake-shape rivers change course all the time when the water runs high. Noticed that on the rivers of Georgia, then Quang Tri.
You are absolutely correct Fred. I did not know of the word ‘avulsion’ before but you are correct. It was exactly
that way. The water ate the bank away in the outside of the curve. Thanks for the help and analysis…
Semper fi,
Jim
The comments here have become as interesting and important as your story. As I read the comments about the disgraceful reception that you and your fellow Nam vets received upon your return I was reminded of my own reception and that of my fellow Seabees upon our return from Desert Storm.We and other service members were honored at a public celebration featuring the usual politicians and entertainers. As we entered the large auditorium I noticed a Vet in a wheelchair near the door who welcomed us with a smile. There were a number of Nam vets there in that crowd and all I could think about was the grace and generosity of spirit that they displayed in honoring us. Those men and women deserved that welcome home which they did not get. As you well know, DS was a conventional war in every respect, the culmination of all of our training to counter the Soviet threat. It pales in comparison to the war in Nam and the shit that you endured. All I can say is that you and the rest of the Nam vets have my utmost respect. Can’t wait to buy your books and continue reading your story and the comments posted here.
The Viet Vets, by absorbing a huge body of negative emotion on the part of the country’s population,
paved the way for other veterans coming back having a better time of it.
Thanks for what you’ve done and thanks for liking the story and commenting here. You have made yourself a
part of all what this is…if we can just figure it out…
Semper fi,
Jim
Im Still here reading and still enjoying and healing in my slow way, I put what happened in country to sleep mostly but not always for 40 years. Then got Bladder cancer 11 years ago at 57, and that makes a man reflect back on all things done in a lifetime, mostly things we wish we could have done better and changed. but that would change the coarse of our life’s. So because of that I live with and accept what had to be done good or bad. I am mostly happy I am where I am, and try to help and do good for others. this is my way I guess of trying to ask forgiveness. Because I to wonder if someone died because of something I did or did not do. Dam I wish that war would have never been. I just can not see any good that came out of it. But I love my my wife of 45 years, children, grand kids and I made it this far and without what I done they would not be. Sorry for rambling on. Jim if you do not want to post this I understand I’m just perplexed at what you and your company had to endure. My experience was not nearly that bad. Or you can edit out or thou it away.
Now why would I not post this interesting soul-searching odyssey? I had to reread it a few times to really get it.
Reflection. Self-analysis. Contemplation. Consideration. All things you are constantly involved with and all things
that really are the province of people who’ve been around on the planet for awhile and have been involved with real shit.
Combat is one of those things, but not the only means of coming up against harsh reality and having to deal with it…before
returning back into the cultural wombs all of us seek to build inside the perimeter of our tribes. You have, obviously from your writing,
one of those tribes and I compliment you on that. Solace. Acceptance. Participation. Meaning. Again these things that come with a bit
of age and life experience. Thanks your for caring what happened to me and the members of my company. It says as much about you as it does, or did, us.
Thanks your for the great depth and your willingness to lay it all out on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
You make decisions with available information. Then you find out later information that would have lead you to make a different decision. LT’s who have been in heavy combat never make general because they have made decisions that were later deemed wrong. Only politicians make general because they never make decisions that could ever be wrong.
It’s how we elect people too. They have to have a spotless record, which means they
never did anything at all in life. So, in being spotless, they come to a leadership position
clueless. We get one FNG after another. You are most correct
and thanks for that analysis and comment here on this site.
Semper fi,
Jim
We survived the reality but its the what ifs that drive us crazy.
Yes, we did survive that reality. It is also that others did not and have no clue.
They won’t believe because the reality is too harsh and too guilt-inducing for them.
And that is what is the toughest part. Thanks for this short but penetrating comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, boy you are drawing a bunch into this!! Starting to take longer to read the comments than the script!! But keep it coming you are a great writer! I feel as I am there with you. Glad to read in your replies that it is
HELPING YOU as much as it seems to HELP a lot of your readers.
Thanks Harold. I try. I mean in the replies. I don’t really try that hard int he story
other than to get the time and stuff that happened organized and then connected together as best I can.
thanks for writing and the reading in the first place..
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, this is not my first letter to you. I know it will not be my last. I don’t know how you keep it organized in your head. Working as a private contractor, mostly in recovery, I spent five years and eight months in the Sand box and it all runs together for me. The Nam is a cluster of fragmented memories. I sometimes find myself wondering what happened when? In 1964 it was a very different situation. We were alone in our world. HC 34s were our transport. If you saw a Huey it had brass in it.
I have spent some time on your comment that you, mostly worked on forgiving yourself. I have, mostly, done that but still, the tears won’t stop.
I look forward with anticipation to each new posting. There are fewer and fewer of us every day and no one but us remembers the smell of the jungle. If you will check out my face book and look at the photos Note the hole in that T 72 over my right shoulder. That one was up close and personal and I find myself remembering it in different ways.Keep it coming Brother.
I have trouble with the organization in my head thing. This particular segment I am just finishing, the arrival at the old destroyed
landing zone, is particularly hard because of that problem. I woke up this morning and realized I had something backwards in development
and changing that changed the whole damned thing. So I am rewriting just now.
Thanks for pointing out the difficulty.
Semper fi
Jim
Does one ever really sleep in those situations? You might close your eyes but the other senses never stop their vigilance. Keep them coming I’m addicted now and hanging onto every word. When available I will purchase for re-read and to share.
Blessings, AL
Tomorrow afternoon is final final edit of the first book. I will not let it go to print
without one last edit by me. And I have to work to make it appear exactly as it was coming from
a major publisher. The type and font and spacing and dialogue and entry have to all be correct or
my effort will fall on fallow ground. At least the way I see it. But man, what a job! You don’t sleep
as we know it back here. You sleep like a cat….on and off and on and off with one eye cracked open.
Back here sleep changes too…with the alert phenomenon always there and instant wakefulness right available.
Thanks for the comment and I am working away…
Semper fi,
Jim
Took me 30 years to finally sleep a full night, Still have not achieved a full week of nights with out waking up to check the perimeter security, guard mount, and vibes …… Hot humid rainy nights are the worst….
Semper fi….This We Defend! Bob
I am there with you Robert in the sleep department. I will never go back to those young days
as a kid and even in college. Fitful and sporadic. The sleep of a predator. Thanks for the revealing comment, as usual.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, your first book is already is a success in that it has reached so many of us, I hope that in print it extends to so many more, you know you’ll never be happy with the final cut though, we, who have been there are always thinking, “If only”, just remember that we did our best with what we had and that all that anyone can ask for, semper fi, Lt, carry on!
Yes, thanks Felix. I know that we’ve reached many thousands with this format and the book is finally
out next week. That should be fun too.
I hope. Hell, what an undertaking!
Semper fi,
Jim
L.T. The story is going as so many have before and in this installment the comments seem to have you beating yourself up for the shit situation all of you men were force to fight through. If we as readers are causing you to reflect harshly on your actions, I beg forgiveness. Not one of you guys in the shit have any reason to regret decisions made in such a hellish place as that valley. Your prior writing stands as proof that we will learn much about life at the end of this, even for guys 76 years old. Thank you for including us in this. Poppa Joe
Well, I have regrets Joe, that’s for sure. I think we all do and would have to from the experience.
But I don’t spend a lot of time there. I converted my PTSD into something else. Use the sleepless nights to
write. Stay out of bars and stay unarmed. A real combat experience male returned from a war does not need a gun
of his own. They are plentiful all around and the people who have them have never met “Junior” before.
So we always have a gun that someone has nicely, patiently and economically kept for our later use.
Thanks for thinking about me and worrying in your way. I am okay and much appreciate the protective concern.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
God bless you and everyone who carries neurons full of experiences stored till He comes. “Stay out of bars and stay unarmed”. The most profound advice a man could give a brother. Whatever works, because if a body keeps going to to the barber shop, he will eventually get a haircut, or something such saying describing a poor soul who is not able to control compulsions. Takes much to live by these rules, and you have much. Poppa J
Thanks Joe. Straight form the heart and the intellect. We, those of us who know, who have the capability and life experience,
we need to protect those who do not, even when they are acting like a bellicose bear in a china shop. They don’t know.
They don’t know that real predators give no warning, make no threats and need to bring only their lethal predatory ability to the fray.
Thanks for the comment.
Semper fi
Jim
Great comment my sentiments exactly
Thank you Joe, I endeavor to provide some measure of sanity and intellect in my responses.
It would be hard to assign someone else the task so I won’t. I answer about seventy comments a day now
and that is okay. If it got to be many more then I would not really know what to do.
Thanks for the response…and your continued support…
Semper fi,
Jim
So Jurgen’s RTO, i.e.Jurgens told Fusner that your WP round landed exactly where you thought it would land, knowing you would then call in a fire mission. He just neglected to to tell you the rest of the story.
Nice conjecture Ron. I could only know about actions after unless I witnessed them
and have to figure as best I can what the characters were thinking. You too. The next segment is
being written now.
Semper fi,
Jim
The captain’s feet are still sore. He’s looking for the easiest walk.
I like that Bob. It had to be true….and we’ll see in the next segment.
Thanks for writing here.
Semper fi,
Jim
And again, half way thru the comments and I find myself mad..At all of those of us who were so involved with our own private worlds here in the States that we ALLOWED the treatment of our returning guys. I have good friends today that came back thru that mess and each read brings me a bit closer to understanding what they really survived, and a bit of why they are who they are today….don’t mean nuthin’ .. You have helped me understand that phrase..
The people back home did not know. The media, which gave the appearance of being against the war
was really against the concept of war and that was understandable…but only to a few. The transference of
blame somehow, and accidentally I just know, got shifted from the country’s leadership to the men and women on the ground
or in the air over there. Nobody, especially the guys and gals coming back, had no clue that such illogic could be universally accepted.
Thanks for the the comment and the depth of your feelings about this sensitive subject.
Semper fi,
Jim
I am totally addicted to this story and can always hardly wait for the next installment. Your writing has given me a deep appreciation for the men whom were thrown into almost completely intolerable conditions, but fought on. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served on two separate ships in the Tonkin Gulf (69-70, & 71), I have great admiration for you and the other warriors who served in-country. Great job on the account of your personal experience and I’d love for the book to be made into a movie. Also, thank you for sharing all the comments from the vets. They really make this rich.
From your lips to God’s ears Bob! Not likely Hollywood is going to come calling. Life does not work that way. Remember
the war movies you have seen and you will get it. They just made a movie of a man who would not take up arms but saved all
kinds of other combatants. Okay. I don’t even know what to write about such a thing and not get in trouble. I’d give that
guy to Jurgens or Sugar Daddy and have them walk the point for awhile. See if they could save themselves. We fought. Each other
and them. But we fought and we did it all armed. A couple of nights unarmed and alone would earn you a body bag and a purple heart.
Don’t read this story thinking the regular public is going to fall in love. It’s not. Thank you for your support though… and your good wishes.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another gripping installment. Thank you. And here is a good Brooklyn story. A Viet Nam Vet, after returning home, kind of dropped out of society for a while. Grew a pony tail and a beard. Walked into a well known blue collar bar in Windsor Terrace and ordered a beer. One of the old timers said “Since when do you allow hippies in here?” Charlie, the bartender, replied “He just did 2 tours in Nam, he’s good enough to serve our country, he’s good enough to get served in here. And by the way, his beer is on you”. That hippie was my friend Mark, 1st Cav 2nd & 7th.
There are lots of those stories, but that is a good one, especially the other guy having to pay.
Most of the vets who actually lived out there in the shit did not come home violent either.
I have been in a few situations however, when the other person or persons did not know I was going
to let them live. They had no idea that their continuance on the planet was all up to me and they
were treating me badly. I let them live and I and they are the better from it. The Rambo response, and I met
the guy who wrote that book (non-veteran and never fought anybody!), is a road to death.
Thanks for that and for the support.
Semper fi,
Jim
I joined the Seabees in 74. It was mostly over by then but I did serve with some Bees who were there. None of their experiences were anywhere close to yours. I put in enough active and reserve time to retire as a CPO and because of our job, I associated more with the Marines than the Fleet and truly appreciate all that you guys do/have done/continue to do. The Vietnam vets have gotten a complete screwing over by our country. We can not do enough to make it up to you guys. I hope that your relating your experiences eases your suffering as much as it seems to help others by their comments. Keep up the good work and I like everyone else can’t wait for the next installment.
Most of the real guys will not comment on here. It’s not in their nature or writing is not a gift they were issued.
I did not know I was writing for so many people. I started writing for me and, well, the thing just took off and keeps on going.
Thanks for liking the story and commenting here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another gripping installment. Thank You. And here is a good Brooklyn story. A Viet Nam vet, who after coming home, grew a beard and a pony tail. He walked into a well known blue collar bar in Windsor Terrace and ordered a beer. One of the old timers said to the bartender “Since when do you allow hippies in here?” Charlie, the bartender, replied ” He just did two tours in Nam. He’s good enough to serve our country, he’s good enough to get served in here. And by the way, his beer is on you”. My friend Mark (1st Cav 2nd & 7th) was that hippie.
Neat anecdotal story Al. Always wonder about the stories of other returning guys. I will write my
story about that when TDHS is done. Thanks for giving us that here though.
Thanks for the comment and the support.
Semper fi,
Jim
Think I would Mark the area nva rockets came from and when 50 caliber opens up in would hit that asap
When you can place them. Early on I used myself as bait to spot a sniper (really to impress my Marines)
and that worked but without rain, roaring rivers and the deep abiding jungle on both sides of that river.
Trying to figure out where anything really was proved difficult…hence the area wonder of artillery.
Remember though, that the forward firebases were limited on ammo and fuses…
Semper fi,
Jim
For some reason my first comment did not go through but hey. I am ever so glad I ran those valleys before your time and after your time there so as not to have the same problems. As a FO I relive every moment of your story and my mind plays out your bearings and calls to the FDC. Also you point a vivid picture of guys in a unit that are a separate tribe than the main body. You bring so much back to me and I thank you and hope to do so in person someday. Blackcoat13 actual out
Captain. Not too many former company commander types comment on here. I mean the ‘real’ ones, and not us microwave lieutenant types.
Thanks for coming aboard. I don’t know what happened to your first comment. We don’t flush any at all unless they are foul language about
me or the story (2) or racist (3) and a few that were selling something using links embedded in their comments (twenty, or so). Thansk for inviting me to
lunch, or something like that. I would much enjoy it. You were a real FO too, not that I could dedicate myself to that alone while in combat. Actually, my handling, love and use of the .50 Caliber helped me a lot too…when it was being used against us. Thanks ever so much for the endorsement Blackcoat13…actual.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim: It just gets better. Anybody who loves to play thump tickle on MA deuce is a soul friend of mine. When MA talks, you, will, listen. You can run but you can not hide. You don’t have to answer this I know you are busy. Just couldn’t leave it alone.
Well, the Ma Deuce is something. The fifty caliber sniper rifle is a poor stepsister to the real deal. The M2 launches
an 800 grain projectile at around 3000 fps which puts it out at around seven and a half tons of energy per round on target.
The sniper rifle is about half of that. What a miserable machine to have facing you on the ground and what a wonder of defense
when it’s on your side. Thanks for the comment and the read Ed…
Semper fi,
Jim
HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER !!!!..not sure what else to say
Semper fi Lt.
Thanks Robert. Not too much you have to say there. Thank you for that
sort of “it don’t mean nuthing” kind of great review. I’ll hang in there and continue on…
Semper fi,
Jim
What I like is for you to put this into a book and I buy for several of my old Marine Buddies- Semper Fi USMC 1957-1964
Gerald, I will be publishing three Volumes.
First Ten days, Second and Third.
While I am still writing the FIRST TEN DAY has been edited and cover graphics rendered and we should be
LIVE on line with Paperback and Kindle by March 20 (hopefully a bit sooner)
Thank you for your support
Semper fi
Jim
I thought the part about the King cobras was funny.
The USMC must have been having a bad day when they put Casey in charge of your company. Why would the Capt. lead a group away from the company, in enemy controlled area, in the first place, and then not bother to tell anyone? Especially the guy with the artillery? Oops!
Great story. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Thanks Daniel. Nguyen. Read on. Jurgens. The way they were. Easy to forget that men are foundational to their cores,
and although foundations can shift they don’t generally shift very far. Thanks for the great comment and being here to say it!
Semper fi,
Jim
And apparently the gunny has gone missing-where is he when all of this is going on?
The Gunny was the Gunny and flitted about the combat areas at will, and some
stealthy abandon, at that. The Gunny is right there and will make his appearance gain in the next
segment. Thanks for caring and for the support in reading and commenting…
Semper fi,
Jim
Great read! 4th INF. 69&70. So you know I know! Thanks for telling the story sure it gave you many sleepless nights! As we all have! God bless brother
Thanks for the compliment and for commenting here. It’s sometimes hard to say anything at all about
the war or any of the stuff that followed. It’s a pleasure to see you, and so many other vets on here
take the ‘risk’ of commenting.
Semper fi,
Jim
How and when did you guys take a crap? Did you dig a hole in the rain or just crap where u was? im not being a wise guy..i been reading every chapter and i was wondering.?? i will def be buying this book. very good job. And always remember: The U.S.M.C. is part of the Dept. of Navy. The mens Dept.! A old squid.
We had E-tools and we dug a lot. I remember once positing to my scout team about the enormity of
the job our forces were doing fertilizing the countryside with all the holes we dug and what we put in there.
Thanks for brining that up although I am not doing much of a good job of illustrating bathroom behavior
for obvious reasons.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for the reply, i can only imagine being in the situations you guys was in and then having to dig a hole in the rain with snakes as if that all wasn’t enough. Thanks for sharing your memoirs and i will be getting this in book form. Thank you for your service. A old Sailor.
Appreciate the thanks, although this whole effort is as much for me as it for anyone else that might be helped or at the
very least entertained. Thanks for the thanks and the reading approval…
Semper fi,
Jim
Today is my birthday, so thank you for posting this segment today.
The one good thing you have going for you through out this book is that your scout team is very loyal, and always there for you.
As for the Gunny, he seems to be that one person I can never seem to figure out. As a former NCO myself, I hope he turned to be one of the good ones.
SEMPER FI,
Jim
Thanks Jim. The Gunny was good and bad, as were we all. Depended upon the circumstances.
Like back here. Tribalism helps because trust is everything to humans in developing and maintaining
the social order. Living long enough in combat to build that trust is extremely difficult in combat.
Much easier in the movies where the units, like in Band of Brothers, all train and do everything together
long before they go into battle.
Semper fi,
Jim
Dumb question with apologies. You are on east side of river so if river moved east dry bed is on other side from you? Do you mean river moved to the west?
Yes Dave. I am sorry I was not more clear in the telling of the story.
It’s hard to be spot on with all the details and get the thing just right.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks. Just following your story closely and your great job of pulling readers right into the intensity of the situation. Comments continue to impress also
Thanks Dave, for the reply. And the second compliment!
Semper fi,
Jim
Hooaaaah, Paybacks are hell. It’s a shame the Captain and his team get to share in the rewards, or is it? MACV, Royal Thai Army Volunteer Force 68-69
Thanks for your speculation here. I won’t go into what happened yet because a lot of the guys reading the story are also
reading these comments. Thanks for coming on here with us though and for apparently liking the story.
Semper fi,
Jim
Looking for the next writing,and every writing, it’s great.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Dean, guys like you make it all worth while. I am onto the the 13th Day Second part
and I feel part of something instead of just writing alone.
Semper fi
Jim
Dang I wish you could write this faster. You always leave us with a cliff hanger. SF.
Don’t mean the cliff hanger thing. I try to keep the segments to eight pages and I tend
to quit and start the next segment at that distance. Later I get yelled at if there was no resolution until
the next segment.
Thanks for saying that, though…nice
Semper fi,
Jim
So many mistakes in battle. Your description of shit is better then book Last Men Out, story of last days in country
thanks for the compliment. I guess I kept pretty good notes and then the letters
home. Also, I’d be lost without the manuscript I wrote as soon as I got out of the hospital.
Semper fi,
Jim
The shit is getting deeper, Jim. I can almost see what is coming but…
One correction: …”battery of six to impact close to the eastern bank of the river, and” Finish the paragraph?
Excellent writing! Thank you!
Gottcha on the correction. Thank you, of course. My real editors are all from comments here.
Thanks for the comment and the interested read…
Semper fi,
Jim
I needed to bring up next sentence. All Fixed and thanks for your sharp eye, Chief
Jim as I stated before the capt. is a poor leader he wants to get to the LZ so he can get the hell out. to move without saying anything shows that. I don’t think he will make it to go off track like that would be death for sure. very good chapter
Thanks Dave. I was a lousy leader too although pretty good at surviving.
I cared a lot but always of myself first. I do regret that from time to time, like a lot of the
vets who were really in the shit and are telling the truth about it. Read on…
Semper fi,
Jim
O shit! That’s all I can say.
Thanks for the laconic reply. Commenting on here is special and I am glad that you made the effort.
And for reading the story too…
Semper fi,
Jim
Holy shit Jim. I am riveted by every chapter. I served in 2nd ANGLICO long after you served, but as an Artilley officer, I am totally on your wavelength. Can’t wait for the next installment!
SF
Chris
Thanks Chris. I know of like it when artillery officers or enlisted who called it come
on here. The details stay ever with me all these years later. I could still work in one of those
old FDCs although they don’t have living ones anymore. Never leaves you.
Thanks for coming on here and commenting…
Semper fi,
Jim
Sorry Jim. I read these and I just have to comment. Talking with Brothers is good for the soul. I never called any arty. But I called a lot of B-52s. We made fish ponds all up and down the trail. Attached to 5th Grp out of Lampong. I was a tabbed Pathfinder and we read maps. They are raising fish in those holes now.
I never called in 52s although they came by close once and you could not stay in the ground. Bounce bounce bounce, even in shallow holes
Then scramble to get under cover again.
Thanks for the comment and the reading.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
Walking down trails, command group not in position to command the company in combat. That Capt. and the Sr. Enlisted need to get their shit together or everyone’s going to be on the wall.
What are the chances the B40’s were just a feint, you mentioned no follow on small arms fire, no attack, not even a grenade from the following NVA. Got to think why did they stop the movement? Time to change movement to the east and find a suitable LZ that way. Sounds like you are walking into something nasty
Can’t believe I’m working strategy for a 50 battle, still refight some of my own saving guys here and there. Stupid
Great read thanks!
Butch
Well hell Butch. Of course you are fighting the battles and doing a better job than
i did back then. Of course, you got older and added a whole lot more experience.
I was moving fast and furious thinking the same thoughts but didn’t always have
great plans or diversions. I tried to think like the enemy and succeeded so many times
but sometimes i was simply wrong and dead wrong is a phrase that comes to mind.
This last segment was hard to write…
Thanks for being right lock step with me…
Semper fi,
Jim
An unseen twist, the suspense is building. Another great chapter.
Maybe for the book a foot note or an upfront few pages on calling in artillery and an explanation of the types of rounds available and their preferred use. Would be helpful to know at a very basic level. I supposed most rounds to be air bursts , but your explanation about the quick fuses hit home. Of course it’s how you attack the enemy while trying to lessen the impact when your danger close, or how you direct fire in mountainous terrain. I spent most of my time in 2nd Anglico, and I was discharged from HQ 5/10 and don’t know squat about calling in fire support.
Well, you sound like you know how to call in fire support, even if you didn’t do it.
And Anglico was a tough tour, or so I’ve heard. Thanks for coming on here and offering a
bit of yourself. And liking the read, of course.
Semper fi,
Jim
I normally do not subscribe to websites or comment on publications that I have reviewed. However, I want to thank you for the deft manner in which you have presented the subject matter, framed the characters and provided the reader with an engaging story with all of its twists and turns. I hesitate to even refer to this as a “story” since that would imply that it is fiction. This seems more real than a story. It definitely seems as if it recounts your personal experiences in whole or in part. I was never in the military. After high school, I wanted to join the Marine Corps, but my father discouraged me from doing so (he was in the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis). Instead, I went to college, followed by law school. Reading first person accounts of war time experiences (mainly concerning the Vietnam War) has helped me to see other people’s leadership styles – what works and what doesn’t – and how best to deal with stress and failure. In my short but meaningful 47 years on this mortal coil, I haven’t learned everything I need to learn on these subjects because I continue to learn through living (discere vivendo in the Latin), but I’m glad that people like you are willing to share. In short, your writing speaks to me and I thank you, sir. Keep it coming. I’m on the edge of my seat.
You sure as hell did go to college and law school Raja!
Brilliant paragraph, denoting the work with considerable self-analyzing discernment.
Thank you for laying that out the way you did and liking the work. Yes, it is first person
because I could not write it any other way, and of course, as you guessed, you are following me
way back then right through the jungle and with those men.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks Jim! Another cliffhanger! I hope my gut is wrong. Your writing has gotten me hooked. As well as many friends in my va group! Semper Fi!
Thanks jack. Man, I’d like to be in disguise and sit through that
group session! I bet I’d learn a few things about myself that I don’t really
want to know! Appreciate the support and the comments here…
Semper fi,
Jim
You would get a very warm welcome Jim! I wanted to say how much I admire Fusner! I think he was 17? Amazing! I had an rto for a month but he rotated and was never replaced. I await the next chapter with real trepidation Jim. Semper Fi!
Man, you must have been a specimen if you carried your own radio and the other shit too!
Fusner was the best, and I mean the very best. Like a son. I wish I’d been a better ‘dad’ to him.
I was so consumed by own fears and inadequacies at the time. He thought I was the returned Jesus Christ and
that just killed me over the years.
Thanks for that…
As usual,
Semper fi,
Jim
Your writing is beyond great. The story is fascinating. Joined the Air Force in January 1968. Didn’t end up in Nam. Where is Gunny?
The Gunny always would reappear at the most unusual to times from the most different of places.
The Gunny was brilliant and had a ton of war and life experience. He’s back in the next sequence, of course.
Semper fi,
Jim
This is the only post I look forward to on fb. It is exhausting and Riviting reading. Thank you.
The only post. Sounds lonely and terrific both at the same time.
Thank you doesn’t quite measure up to what you wrote here. It is coming from a
warm smiling place though. Thanks pretty damned deeply…
Semper fi,
Jim
the handset to his ear. “They didn’t take any casualties from the rockets, but their (they’re?)not moving anymore.”
My eyes went round and my ears back (ears back?)
When you experience some shocks your ears go back. Mostly we are not aware of that
physical response, anymore than the hair going up on the back of your neck is commonly recalled.
Thanks for the comment and the follow of the story…
Semper fi,
Jim
JFC!
Nguyen was TCB. King Cobra indeed.
No answer necessary.
Hell Mike, I always answer. Thanks for the comment.
Yes, the King Cobra will be back…
in more than words…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hope Nguyen covered his tracks and didn’t burn any bridges behind him
That speaks to the future narrative of the story so I can’t go there in comments, but read on
and, as usual, things might surprise you a bit here and there…
Semper fi,
Jim
If my calculations were right, then the round would explode just across the river, and a few hundred meters beyond were (where?) First Platoon had to be down and waiting.
Too true. the first round did explode across the river and the battery six too,
it’s just that the river moved which should not have mattered if the men had stayed
the hell down for the mission but they could not hear me calling it in because I was
safely in the rear. Some real fault of mine on that one.. tough chapter to write…next one too…
Semper fi,
Jim
I just fell into this wonderful novel..is there a hardback book out..?????
A great talent Sir..
Hopefull, the trade paperback and kindle will hit later this week if I can get the final final edit down.
The cover and everything is all ready. Thanks so much for asking and liking the read…
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, did not see that coming…I won’t speculate as to where that radio came from or who’s on the other end…I’ll wait impatiently for this tale to unfold…
Semper Fi from the old Navy guy!
Yes, the next segment will reveal a lot…either fortunately or unfortunately…
Thanks for following so closely and writing on here about it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, you got me with the first paragraph in this chapter. The darkness of the night and trying to move through the jungle you/we never forget. CO Casey is not going to last with his change of direction and will end up taking more men with him. Trying to take the easy way is not the best way. Keep them coming, and thanks Jim.
Thanks Mike. It’s easier to recall the write the expository details
than it is the action sequences and the constructs of mental activity motivating or responding to them.
Thanks for caring and wanting more.
Semper fi,
Jim
Can’t wait for the next part…you keep us hanging !
Well, I don’t do it on purpose. I thought everyone might know where that damned handset was from
and what the followup sort of has to be…
although, as usual, not in the way that real life would give because
real life is stranger than what can be imagined sometimes.
Like here. Or back then.
Thanks for the comment and the liking of the story…
Semper fi,
Jim
Holy cow!!! More! Give me more!!!
Thanks Larry, I am hard at it into this night…trying of figure out how to take
as little responsibility for what happened as I can!!! Thanks for the comment and liking the story.
Semper fi,
Jim
“Damn the torpedos”
Don’t hold back. Let responsibility fall where it will. We all know responsibility is irrelevant.
Keep telling it as it was because I think you are helping an untold number of vets deal with some things they have kept beaten down for nearly 50 years. At least for me it is good to know there were others who had to deal with the madness. Although I am piqued that heroin has not been mentioned. And it seems that you will be telling of getting out as WIA. Escaping that was it’s on kind of hell. Walking a perimeter locked and loaded and less than 48 hours later you are outside Oakland with a huge anti-war demo going on where they are burning soldiers in effigy. The Vietnam vet is uniquely unappreciated in American history.
Yes, it was Oakland I was sent to. It wasn’t all bad. Yes, the medical corps there treated me badly…
in fact, beyond belief.
But I did get to spend half a day with Raquel Welch and she was wonderful to me.
I met Ann Margaret too and she was great. It wasn’t me or my decorations or any of that allowing for the meetings.
It was just that Only two returning guys in the whole hospital could walk.
The story will play out here with what happened right up to the last seconds…and then beyond.
Thanks so much for the in depth and meaningful comment.
I think about such things all the time..
Semper fi,
Jim
surprise and suspense in spades! well done.
Thank you RB. It’s not a labor of love, believe it or not. It’s more a labor of just
trying to get it as close as possible to what it was like. Thanks for liking it and being here to write about it…
Semper fi,
Jim
Your writing is the best thriller I have read. The twist and turns of the Company in combat are more dramatic than a Hollywood script, except it is the real deal. Perhaps “Platoon” had a Combat bite to it with a moralizing agenda, this cast a shadow on the movie in my opinion.
Now that’s a helluva compliment! I really appreciate that and it has meaning to me as I write more into the night.
Getting the thing as carefully correct as possible I realize is mostly important to me but maybe by being so
exacting that comes through to the reader. I wish I had not been so scared shitless all the time back then.
I don’t get too scared in real life anymore because I can smile backwards and think “ah shit, it don’t mean nuthin,” and
blow it off as so little in comparison.
Semper fi,
Jim
Talk about a cliffhanger.OMG what’s next.Can’t wait!
Thanks Alton and for coming back with another comment. I know what’s coming and you
have to have a few suspicions. I am just laying it down and none of it, although frightening as hell, was boring
ever. Other guys have talked about boring tours but that was not mine…
Semper fi,
Jim
You work with what you know. Casey should not ever move without getting confirmation of his change of direction. But that does not make it feel better…I have been ambushed twice by Marines who were in the wrong place. Xin Loi.
The Marines in the wrong place…but were they? They said so, probably.
Wonder. Anyway, thanks for the comment and the study from afar of Casey.
Real life is a lot harder to predict than fiction…and you will see.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow! Just wow! Even dealing with the turmoil/pain of dredging up the unbearable memories that are inside you, God has blessed you with an amazing gift to be able as a writer to put your memories into words. God surely has purpose for your story.
Well Nance, I wonder. God has only ever moved for me and not communicated in any other way.
And in moving He’s so easy to write off as coincidence, even when coincidence isn’t possible
for the event. Thanks for the support and writing on here, what with all the other real vets.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you from a real Vets wife. God Bless you.
Nancy
Hey Nancy, you are too cool as a combat veterans wife. Not too many stuck it out and the trail of tears in
doing so served one of us really really well. Thank you, for him and the rest of us, and thank you for coming on
here to say what you said before…and now.
Semper fi,
From all of us!
Jim
Your words deeply touched my heart and soul. Thank you from all of the women who stayed faithful to their soldiers.
Ob a lighther note, not sure my Grandchildren would consider me “cool” but then again not sure they know what “cool” means. Lol!
Now, I will stop waisting your time.
That you are “cool,” and old fashioned word now meaning impressive, is self-evident in your writing.
Your sincerity and open honor is like a fresh summer breeze. So many of the vets did not have you back
there in reserve and came back to the rocks, shoals and waterfalls of emotional lives they were unprepared for.
Thank you for the special nature of you communication here…and I know a whole lot of veterans on here reading your words
are smiling right along with me.
Semper fi,
Jim
Well, I lost the struggle to not comment again. So here goes..
God has already forgiven you all because of your heart felt remorse. The hardest thing is forgiving ourselves. God knew you all were in the devil’s “hell hole” of a jungle being tempted by the devil every second. You all are gonna get those wings and bells are gonna ring. No doubts here. God Bless you all.
Nancy
Thank you Nancy. The emotions of the aftermath smolder like buried coals. Thank you
for the kind words and hopefully the predictions about the judgment at the Pearly Gates!
Semper fi,
Jim
oh man ….. who all was in his squad ??
Rittenhouse, Pilsen, Casey,
Jurgens too ??
WOW !!
Jurgens hung back, as you had to know, as was his bent. You have to admire survival
instincts even when you hate to see them expressed around you…and really hate them when
you yourself make chicken shit decisions out of overwhelming fear. Tough things to deal with even
now. Semper fi,
Jim
Again, as much as the very beginning of this accounting, you draw me in. In such a way as to hear, see, smell, and somehow feal the reality of the hell you and your men are experiencing. Enough information, but not to much, as to keep my head spinning with questions about what next while I wait anxiously for the next segment. Never, in my 68 years has a book captured my attention as your writing is. I cannot begin to imagine what it is to try and write of the experience in country. Thanks Jim, for sharing the “Real Deal”, rather than another whitewashed version of what it was like. Many thanks to all of the men who served and comment also. I don’t know how the publishing works but it seems it would be great to see the comments after each segment in the books. I find myself constantly revisiting each segment as I wait for the next installment, checking for new comments. Seems to add a larger than life element to the story. God Speed. Semper Fi
Well yes, Jack! I too am entranced by the comments here. I was not going to use any in the first book but decided to get permission
from some of the guys and gals so comments will be in the epilogue. I love the comments, not because they add credibility (some of them really do) but
because of the brotherly and sisterly warmth they make me feel. I’m not sure why, but the people coming on here are not Facebook friends at all. They are
real, living, breathing and they breath with the same cadence I do, and blink at the same time…and more. Thanks for that and for noting what you noted in your own
hugely intelligent and feeling comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
James I appreciate your writing more than you will ever know. I know exactly what you mean to say without any editing. I can see,feel and smell every word. The good you are doing is far better than any bad you might have done to survive day to day. Thank you
Thank you most sincerely Ben. I had to sit with your comment for a bit.
When we do bad, we fucking well know it, even when we don’t mean it…
Like calling in that artillery and having it hit our own people.
But doing good, that’s a matter of another order.
Is this treatise on the odyssey in September so many years ago part of my unknowing redemption?
I don’t know.
I am so happy when I hear that it causes, or may cause some good. Maybe some veteran,
sitting like I did that one night so long ago naked in my living room with .45 and a bottle of Bacardi,
might be turned by my simple written words…
of identification, brotherhood and understanding…that he is indeed not alone among those he sought so hard to be a part of.
Thank you for saying what you said and I will
continue to be motivated to continue no matter what with such stirring motivation.
Semper fi, brother,
Jim
I think the captain has given away your unit position so you can forget about stealth and just use HE artillery rounds to pave the other side of the river all the way to the landing area. Then move as quickly as possible to take advantage of the down time for the nva due to the high explosives. Seems like you are in a position that your only chance is to wipe out most of the NVA across the river and if possible drop a few shells on your side far enough ahead to not hit 1st squad. In case they have troops on both side of the river.
Thanks jlb. Complex rendering of the prospective situation. In the wet, the mud, the river, the hill to one side and the river to the other
with the enemy on two sides. Tough stuff. Dropping in artillery on both sides of the gun target line and wondering about the CEP of HE rounds in a semi-jungle environment. At 23, fresh out of Sill and fresh into the shit…
wow.
Thanks for the words and the support here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Been reading faithfuly. Never made that far north, but, when you mentioned Bamboo vipers,also called two steppers I think. along with the King Cobra. We got one that measured 13 feet with a dozer blade and a 7.62 round. Keep up the good writing. Did you mention the wait-a-minute vines? 46th Eng.Bn. the early years 66-67.
Oh, those are up ahead in the hotter more laid out part of the valley where
the canopy lessened to a degree but the density of the jungle increased, and the fucking bugs
and snakes ans crap. Thanks for the comment and the follow….
Semper fi,
Jim
The two step Charlie’s were krates but had to chew on you, no fangs, hated the bird spiders which stretch a web across a trail and it didn’t matter how bad a point man was, getting entangled in that web at night, the thought of a 4inch spider coming down on you would illicit a verbal response from you which would echo across the valley, Phu cat 68-69
The fauna (animal life) down in that valley was staggering. Nothing like it in the USA
but then Vietnam is so much closer to the equator (about 700 miles). The thought of some of that
still gives me the shivers. Yuck.
Semper fi,
Jim
Nit-picking here, but… About a dozen paragraphs from the end, did the river move East towards the foot of the hill or West, away from you? If it moved East wouldn’t Capt. Crunch and bunch have had to ford the river to get to the old riverbed?? Wonderful read as always, Jim. I always read at least the last chapter (If not two) to make sure my mind is caught up and ready for the latest chapter. Semper Fi!
The river runs north and south with mild jobs east and west. The flow was
from north to south and it flowed in wider places at bout five knots or a little less
I would calculate. In heavy rains it ran crazy. Thanks for the comment and I am sorry I occasionally
screw up the directions.
Semper fi,
Jim
Excellent writing again Jim. Can’t wait until the book is out so that I may buy a copy…I want my son’s to read this so maybe they will understand more of what it was like over there…my youngest just got out after 4 years…he was an 11B, combat infantry…but his experience was much different…unless you served in that time frame, it is hard to understand what it was like and the public sentiment at the time…I got spat on in New Jersey and called a “baby killer” by a young woman not much older that I was while walking down the street in uniform…Thanks again for telling your story…
Post Vietnam was a bit tough, but it came in small virulent doses.
Mostly I got rid of the uniform, grew my hair and then always wore
shirts at the beach or in the pool so nobody would see the bad torso
scars. Do that to this day. People don’t know and many do not have
good manners which can cause somebody with PTSD to react and make a
mistake that will change lives. Thanks for the comment and the read…
Semper fi,
Jim
Get’s better each time!
Reminds me of the old radio & TV serial programs. Great writing…I am left hanging and worried what is going to drop next. Few things scared me more that Willy Peter – it burned until it disappeared or the oxygen was cut off. I had way too much imagination of getting a big chunk on me & it burning a hole straight through me with no way to seal it or get it out. Scary stuff…few people understand what a 105 or 155 mm HE round with a SQ fuse will do. Thank you for the refresher lesson on the SQ PD fuse. Been a few years…as it has for you. Great writing in every episode. I commend your truth telling about the reality juxtaposed again the sanitized every man a hero accounts & pulling for each other. The lies the command passed up the food chain to keep the promotions coming.
Thanks for your comment and support.
This project has grown beyond originally outlined.
If anything I hope more will grasp the reality juxtaposed again the sanitized every man a hero accounts & pulling for each other. The lies the command passed up the food chain to keep the promotions coming.
I don’t give a damn about spelling errors this story is so great you could write it on a paper bag with crayons and I would still buy it. Great story and a great read James.
Fucking A. “You could write it on a paper bag with crayons and I’d still buy it.” Holy shit. I just love that.
I want to say “my writing? Did I do that?” I guess so, but I don’t really know how. Just plugging along every morning and late at night.
When not answering comments, which I love to do, of course…like right now.
Thanks from the heart Dan…Semper fi,
Jim
Wow so many questions…
Great story
Thank you for your service to our country,and to our vets.
You got it. Here’s the place for those questions, as long as they don’t involve telling anything that’s coming.
Thanks for the support.
Semper fi
Jim
WOW! Im speechless! Way to leave us on the edge of our seat!
Nice writing style. Some sentences are a little lengthy making them a necessity for someone like myself needing to reread. (Thanks ADHD)
Sorry abou your ADHD. I’m not really in control of my writing style. It just comes out and I’m
too old to learn much now…Thanks for supporting and reading though.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow wow and double damn now I got to sit here knowing some thing about to happen Damn good shit Lt. How long will it be over Semper Fi
Thanks a million for the compliment. I am hard at it until we are done!
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks ob. Working away on getting the next segment up and getting the first book out too…
not to mention 300 comments in the last three days! Working away. Thank you for being one of those comments
and caring as much as you obviously do…
Semper fi,
Jim
That ever present Fog of War….Why did Casey make that move without telling you? or did he decide at the last moment that “maybe’ he should let you know what his plan was…but Pilson no longer had the ability to tell you….oh well….”Xin Loi”. (Vietnamese term for “”excuse me””..{{pronounced Sin Loy}} it was interpreted by us as “Sorry About That” and became the most used phrase of the war for mistakes, or paybacks, usually in the most sarcastic manner possible…and as Americans, we always had to customize it ….””Xin Fukkin Loi” and for emphasis. as you stared down at the body of an enemy you had fought very hard to kill…..Xin fukkin loi mother fuker!! and then you moved on……..Love the hand set..S/F
I still say it. Probably always mispronounced it. “Sing loy,” is how I have always said it. Sort of meant ‘fuck it’ to me.
Diddy mau was another and dinky dow. I don’t use much local jargon or expletives in the story because I decided that many times they take away dramatic
emphasis instead of adding to it. Still use them and swear like a, well, Marine!
Semper fi,
Jim
As an FO I wait for each of your installments.
This story has me spellbound and grateful I was there earlier and later. Another huge thanks from us who were sometimes
plugged into units which were not ours really.
Again Jim thanks
Plugged in. I like that. How true with transition the way they did it back then…or even now for all I know.
For some reason they precluded Federal Expresses idea of sending all to one point and then fanning it out from there.
Thanks for the comment and compliments…
Semper fi,
Jim
Where the Bambo Vipers as deadly as grunts in the bush reported?
No. They were feared more than the NVA though. Getting hit was actually a way to get to the rear but nobody wanted
to go that way. Everyone thought you died if one of them bit you but in truth very few died although many were struck.
Thanks for the comment and the support…
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt. I had to scratch my head at the meaning of the following statement. Could not decipher it.
“Gonoi Island when we had had a few hours so peace during daylight hours, and couldn’t.”
Just when I think I know where things are going, another wrinkle appears. I have to remember that Life, unlike fiction has no “plot”. It just is, and this is what I am reading. Life unadulterated non scripted life.
Thank you
Glenn.
.
I will go back later and see what I need to edit Glenn. I just have to finish this latest segment though so
I am returning to work writing that stuff you just can’t make up…or if you can then my hat is off to you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Your writing makes me feel like I’m right there with you, I read sitting on the edge of my chair! Can’t wait for next episode, and for the book. Thank you for your service, God bless.
Thanks John. I don’t intend to writer cliffhanging segments. They just happen that way
because of limitations on length needed for book formatting. Thanks for sticking with me
and the compliment, of course…
Semper fi,
Jim
The radio handset is a new angle on the playing field. I wonder if Pilson words he didn’t want to be next was prophetic. The scout would know the who was who in the mix and not make another mistake like Jurgens radio operator. We shall see.
River changing course sounds like a trap of it’s own by mother nature. With all the mud would think the vacated river bed should be no bottom loon poop mud I would think.
Shit Peter, very accurate comment. I forget to mention that the bottom of the river was not mud.
it was a yellow white sand mixed with mud in different places. Where the river went down you could walk like on hard sand at the beach. Walking
right next to the river was a substantial temptation because the enemy knew it was too cool and too easy. The water itself sucked though and
without Halezone it was undrinkable and that shit was also undrinkable…
Semper fi,
Jim
I wonder if Nguyen got Casey to check out the river. Somehow figuring you would be calling in arty. That would take care of the cabal. Hopefully Gunny wasn’t with them……Oh Shit
Well Brad, you are simply going to have to wait until tomorrow!
The complexity of these characters would have have been invented by me
and I would not have thought to give them each so many sides…but that was
the way it was and I hope you can understand how no prep work could really have been
given to me to allow me to live much longer. Knowing the deck is stacked does
you no good unless you can indicate that it is and walk away. Thanks for the comment
deep and true…like you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Don t even know what to say…just holy u know what! Keep er coming.
Writing right now Joe so stand by.
Semper fi,
Jim
Damn!
Thanks Jim for the laconic compliment. Means a lot to me.
Writing away just now…
Semper fi,
Jim
Lieutenant, I would like to know what rank did you leave the Corps as.
Semper Fi
As the story goes everything will be resolved but I prefer Dean to not get ahead for all those reading along…
Thanks sincerely for the reading and the interest though.
Semper fi,
Jim
Well, pins and needles again! You’ve got me lost. Pilson’s handset? Rittenhouse is assumed to be stuck to Capt. Crunch. Are Casey and his entourage gonna be Nguyen’s collateral damage. This is starting to have more twists than Ohio’s current weather. I’ve gotta go split some firewood. You know what I want, thanks in advance.
Yes, Walt, I know…and it’s coming. One resolution leads to another mystery and more complications,
just like in real combat…gee wiz!
Thanks for the usual adroit and well fashioned comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Regardless of what the next chapter brings…..
1. Casey going on a scouting mission with just a squad into Indian country….not your fault.
2. Him not advising you where he was going and was deviating from the intended line of march….not your fault. He watched you lay out the supporting fires, and should not have ventured there. Being in a free fire zone is VERY dangerous.
3. NVA know you are moving, and would also know the riverbed was dry, and movement in the riverbed could have prompted the rocket attack, and/or an ambush later.
4. If the handset was to Pilson’s radio, it could have been from the rockets as well as your artillery, which from the time laspe, I would consider the rockets highly probable.
5. Casey was in the lead, he has to know the pace of march was too slow.
6. You were in charge, but then again, you weren’t.
7. As Robert Burns wrote: “The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agee, and leave us naught but grief and pain for promised joy”. Being in control in combat is an illusion.
Semper fi
Joe
Thanks for that very apt and accurate analysis Joe.
I was trying but I had so much to learn and then discover that some things
aren’t about learning at all…
Semper fi,
Jim
Strange twist with the river movement. Usually when there is flooding, a river overflows it’s banks rather then changing direction, until something gives way. However, with a heavy mud embankment, anything is possible. Then again, why would anyone want to draw nearer to a raging river, for quicker access to one’s destination? A major error in judgement!
Was the rocket attack a result of the platoon’s movement toward the river? Since the LZ had already been marked for engagement, was the attack designed to redirect the troops toward the LZ? Even so, why would the Captain continue on his present course toward the river after the rockets red glare? Since the Captain also knew that you controlled the Arty, why did he not first advise you of his change in plans and course of direction? In doing so, he put his troops in double jeopardy from enemy and friendly fire. Wonder what tactical school of war he attended?
Fusner’s questions about trust, was another interesting twist. Did he believe the rumors that were floating around about your erratic behavior, or was he harboring information that he was afraid to share with you? What was it that he was afraid to share with you? Since Stevens was the interpreter for Nguyen, why would he question your trust for Stevens? Yet he admits that they all knew you trusted Nguyen. Here we find a common communications problem between officer and enlisted, even in life and death situations. One would note that the same problem was present with your dialogue with Sugardaddy, concerning where you stood regarding the problems between the first and fourth platoon. There is an evident lesson to be learned about communications here, between the ranks.
Since you now hold Pilson’s handset, it becomes evident that he and the Captain bought it one way or the other. One wonders how many others did as well, that were with the Captain. Where was Gunny while all of this was going down and why would he not have steered the Captain away from his ill thought out plans?
Had you not called in artillery, what would have happened? The enemy had effectively pinned down the company by strategically positioning their forces and your company was a sitting duck, without some kind of forceful assistance. It would appear that daylight was your only hope with assistance from the air. Yet with artillery incoming, choppers would also be in danger by entering an active contact. The question then, would be where was puff and how long would it take for puff to reach the area and do it’s magic thing?
Now how in hell do I answer a comment like your own? Thank you most sincerely for giving me absolution on
so much. I haven’t been that kindly to me over the years. This exercise is cathartic for me in that I am forced to look
back at each and every relationship, decision and situation in extreme detail and then think about it for a bit.
Hard, but instructive. Contemplative. I wasn’t such a bad guy for being a crazy man.
Semper fi,
Jim
LOL, no harm met. And yes, it is evident that you need to give yourself some absolution, with or without the rosary. I know you hate to forgive yourself, but if you wish forgiveness from others, you must first forgive yourself.
One has observed your willingness for taking the blame for all errors that occurred within your company and in a time of war, that is a ridiculous assumption on the part of any soldier. Even you have stated that fact, time and again in your own way when under duress. You rightly point the finger at fear and selfishness to survive, when that is the very reaction for all troops who wish to survive the evil damnations of a battlefield. We all experienced it and anyone who denies that fact, is either a damn liar or crazy as hell.
While one asks questions that cause a lot of contemplation, they are not met as condemnation, rather for understanding. If mistakes are made, we must first understand what caused those mistakes and then correct them. One has referred your story to active field grade officers in the military, for the purpose of learning about how troops think and react under warlike conditions. Officers need to be fully aware of mental responses as well as physical ones, when dealing with their personnel. You story has many excellent examples of what I am referring to in this response.
While your story refers to a war that happened well over forty some years ago, humanity has changed very little since then, when forced with the rigors of war. For warriors, it is a constant learning experience.
One emotional center, that big chance of grapefruit-sized matter in the very middle of our skulls,
is about twenty times larger and more powerful than our analytical neocortex. I didn’t make it that way.
the neocortex can process, discard and change with a rapidity that is stunning. That huge emotional center changes
at the speed of slow moving molasses. And therein is the problem. Analytically we can hold ourselves to be absolved and
logically correct in respond to fear and doing things that didn’t turn out well for others…or even ourselves. But forgiveness
of self comes out of the center of that grapefruit, and that mother is one bitter tough mass.
Thanks for the deep comment and the support.
Semper fi,
Jim
One has always thought that forgiveness came from the heart. The gray matter processes the data, but it is the heart that gives and takes away life.
The analysis goes on in the memory and neocortex…sending updated stuff to that ‘heart.’
What was right and what is right are both subjects of perspective…although we are all subject
to group perspectives. We have to be in order to survive. You are right, of course and thank you.
Semper fi,
Jim
What an insane situation you tell us of, and it you tell it rivetingly. May the burden you carry be lightened in its telling. Thank you for your service Strauss
Thanks a lot for that conclusion on your part my friend. That ‘burden’ is easier with age and in the telling.
thanks for being here for its telling…
Semper fi,
Jim
Nva probably did not know where you were but after captain went to river you can now expect the 50 caliber.
Exactly! Thanks for coming in and applying your own experience and brain power.
Semper fi,
Jim
Bet the nva rocket got the capt and pilsner but Jurgen was to smart to head to the river. To bad for innocent pilsner but the captain made a crucial error and the men he took with him paid for it. The nva fired the rockets when they saw the capt squad near the river.
Innocence? What is it? I always thought with interest, following the Challenger explosion, about
the innocence of the civilians the shuttle carried that day. A teacher and female, no less. True innocence, right?
What kind of involvement did the regular line crew have that lost them their innocence? That they were professional flyers
who should have been ready to die in that way? Well, who is really to die that way ever? Innocence.
Thanks for the great comment and the support.
Semper fi,
Jim
“…Unlike you guy engaged in nearly continual contact with the enemy back then.”
I should have added, ‘I need my sleep.’
Son of a…. lots of crap going wrong. Communication breakdown, slower slog (‘run’) than expected, NVA figuring out your movements.
You all really have your butts in a sling now (not that the earlier episodes spoke of any cake walk…).
AND…where you end this segment makes it impossible to not have everyone reading hanging on a ledge for the next 3 days (when you get the next writing up) by their fingertips as the deadly panther approaches. Thick stuff is going to meet the fan…
Great writing…the anticipation is palpable. My pulse rate is up and eyes are wider. Fight or flight. Rooting for as good an ending as can be possible. Bring in air support? An unexpected arrival of another U.S. unit?
Glad you did not put this episode up last night and that I had not read it before I went to bed at 12 midnight to get up a 5:45 this morning to go to work. Unlike you guy engaged in nearly continual contact with the enemy back then. Nothing but immense respect anbd gratitude for you and the rest of the men there…
Thanks Walt…and what more to be said to you about another of your cogent and warmly received comment?
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
I got lost !! Thought y’all were on the east side of the river !! River was “on our left flank” earlier !! Down the hill & turned right headed north !! The latest narrative puts y’all on the west side !! Whose radio & what was the tail ?? Keep on keeping on !!
Spotting round seems like should have been west of their position !! River course should have moved west to expose a beach on the east side for them to go looking for easier walking !! Strange !!
We were on east side of the river with the round out west. We were heading northerly
and coming out of the southern narrower part of the lower valley.
Sometimes it’s hard to put it down as I see it in my mind and I don’t always
consult the maps I have which I should more.
Thanks for the comment and the care…
Semper fi,
Jim
Stop being go god damned right all the time Tex. And using that innocent southern device to shield
that high intellect too! And thank you for the edit!
Semper fi,
Jim
Also basically stupid not basal…why Pilson’s handset (so he has no comm). Did Nguyen know more than you about the grenade? I thought Pilson claimed it wasn’t him? Ah James, you just aren’t writing fast enough…but I’m soothing my anxiety with 1993 and Down in the Valley. I listened to the little piece yesterday but couldn’t come up with a comment; Maybe “Will the circle be unbroken” as in will we never learn from our mistakes? Are we condemned to repeat them endlessly. I think you’re going to need a new CO; even if he didn’t walk into the fire; you never take a token force when you’re confronting the NVA…and you don’t count on them doing what or being where you think they are. Jurgens sacrificed him and a squad sure as day follows night.
You are thinking now Roy, which is or isn’t a good thing! Thanks for the comment and you must
simply read on. Your instructions for acting with and against the NVA bear discussing at any time.
Semper fi,
Jim
Outstanding story teller Sir
Holy crap! What you must have been thinking. Simply riveting
“Now why in hell would they do something that basally stupid?”
s/b “basically”
“We’d been hit hard on the left flank from across the river, I sensed even before the rockets struck. ”
Unless I’m turned around – and could easily be – You are heading North on the east bank of the river, so
“Casey, Pilson and a squad headed east to the river,” is wrong. S/b “west”, I think.
Thanks for your sharp eye…
I see no problem with basally in that context. They certainly were deep down stupid.
Thank you for a well crafted narrative. I know there are many blue pencils poised for each slip of the auto correct, (they aren’t all typos) but I could not resist jumping into this one.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks a million Tim. I don’t know what I would do without the help!
Semper fi,
Jim
Why did he not tell you he’s moving? He’s not going to make it. You have to know we’re your men are at all times. Keep up the good work brother
Hanging on and waiting for the next “round”!!
My gosh, did Casey, Pilson, and the squad get hit by the arty ? Suspense is putting it mildly.
I look forward to the next chapter, doesn’t get any better
Your skills as a green LT are incredible
War, Two bull Heard Bull Elephants in a fight for all the females, anything around them, gets run over……….. Yes, They maneuver for position regardless of who or what is in the way or on the battleground, Capt’n Crunch just screwed the pooch, He moved into the battle zone without communications, with out a need to until He had communications, Good chance He initiated the RPG attack by walking in to a scout element, Well, You did your job, He failed at His…. Especially if He went with the recon he sent out, This isn’t star trek, He isn’t Captain Kirk, His job is to sit in the center of the web, be fed and collect information, and then make command decisions and ordered them carried out…. The hardest thing for a true leader to learn, When to command, and when to actually lead…… Yes, Shitty Commander, Excellent Combat Leader ……. Semper fi/This We Defend Bob.
Hmmm Robert, another of those ‘scratch my head’ kind of comments. Deep, logical and elemental at the same time.
Thank you for this comment Robert and for your consistent (and similar) presence here in other presentations.
And your support, hard to describe my appreciation for that…
Semper fi,
Jim
I found this site a couple of weeks ago, and quickly caught up to date on this story line. It’s frustrating waiting on each new chapter, but the payoff is there when I see the update! Thank you for sharing this part of your life, both the good and bad moments. The sacrifices made by those of you who served, are appreciated by those of us who didn’t…I was too young for the jungle, too old for the sandbox. Thank you sir!
You are never too old for the sandbox. The jungle is another thing, entirely.
The worst thing about that damned jungle is that it ruined Tarzan films forever.
I looked all over for those hanging vines to swing from tree to tree on but they
were all too slight and filmy. And they broke, even when laughingly some of us
strung them together. Thanks for the thanks and the thoughtful comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Love your writing. 1st paragraph last sentence “lose” instead of “lost”. Constructive not destructive.Hope this helps. “Praise in public criticize in private can’t be done on this forum. Thanks for your service. May your dreams get better every night.
Wow, appreciate your instant comment, Kirk.
So noted and corrected.
Seper fi
Jim
I spent two tours in Vietnam, 66 and 68 and I never saw this much termoil in either company I was in. The shit was about the same but not the termoil. Don’t think the Crotch went to shit like what you are depicting, but I like your wrighting and look forward to your next installment.
As I write time after time Sgt. There were many little wars over there and
men saw so many different things. I am glad you like the writing and I am sure
that there’s some fiction in here for the parts I cannot recall. Forgive me that.
Thanks for reading and commenting here.
Semper fi,
Jim