The engagement with the enemy began while it was still full dark. The Ontos fired into the general area near the western wall at its base and flung flechettes across the open exposed area in front of it. With the artillery still coming in, responding to successive fire missions I was calling, in spite of some errant projectiles that might have caused casualties in our own ranks, the single mudflat just in front of the cliff face was the only viable place the enemy could cross to reach our combined companies. The mudflat was also very likely to become the deadliest field of fire I had ever been a witness to and part of since I’d arrived in country.
“There’s no point in me staying here,” I said to Fusner. “Get your stuff.”
I’m sure somebody liked that body count.
Couple of minor suggestions;
‘Understanding that that particular small stretch’ – delete one that.?Still makes sense and sounds better
‘hope to report ‘that’ to the platoons’ – could not find what ‘that’ refers to. Just delete?
I could head* distant chunks of the cliff walling falling to strike the mud below with sickening thuds.
head should be heard* ??
Glad to see you back online and writing again, James.
Thanks again for the autographed copies of the 1st two books.
SEMPER Fi
Again Thanks,
Corrected
Semper fi, Jim
Welcome back, James. Glad that you made it through one more tunnel. I’m betting that the forthcoming chapters will be increasingly difficult for you. I really appreciate your reaching deep down to do what you’re doing.
You are most welcome Bill for the welcome back…although I never really left, as the story has to play out…
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad you’re back in the saddle Jim. I was worried about you.
s/f Steve
Read The Cat. The cat is named Hasti! How’s that for coincidence. Thanks for the atta boy and encouragement and care expressed on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
James so glad you’re back in the saddle again. Two great chapters. One edit.The machine guns stopped firing at almost the same instant. I could (head) hear distant chunks falling. Cheers Milt. Forever Faithful
Thanks for the help Milt. much appreciate the help from my only real editors.
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad your back, hope all is well. Very good read. Thank you Sir! Semper Fi.
You are most welcome David and, indeed, it is good to be back…
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad to have this Chapter up to show how the company responded to the attack.
With that said, it’s not hard to figure out that the writing isn’t getting any easier for you, as the potential for loss never goes away.
Praying for your health, and that we get to see the end of Day 30.
I’ll make it and with renewed energy and strength. Thanks for the encouragement and motivation to continue..
Semper fi,
Jim
Hope continued good health
Thanks, I am percolating right along now with some really terrific help from the VA in North Chicago and Milwaukee,
nothing like what I’d heard. Just neat people and really grand equipment.
Semper fi,
Jim
I was an army crewchief on a LOH helicopter and we flew up in I Corp. I always had total appreciation of you guys on the ground. I flew to the SE edge of the A Shau a few times and was blown away at the terrain you guys had to fight and survive in.. I am in awe of each segment you have written, I just hope we as a crew were able to be of service to you guys. Looking forward to the next segment.
The chopper guys we never knew. Macho Man was the only crewman I ever knew and he didn’t make it very long on the ground.
But the performance of the crews in coming in, no matter what, and then pulling the wounded out and oversupplying the shit out of
us every chance they got. They sent smuggled sausage, cookies, cigarettes and much more that put rare smiles on our faces. We never
knew you guys. We never knew the guys flying the monster prop planes either. We talked on the radio but it was all nickname stuff.
Later on you can’t find anybody when you get home. Not back then, anyway. Thanks. This short note is my thanks and it is not enough, I know, but
riven through the book series is my admiration expressed in a different way. You did the job in spades and we felt it and lived because of it
many times over.
Semper fi,
Jim
When I read this all I can feel is respect, wonder, and awe…We often hear of the greatest generation, and I believe there are many. It’s not the generation it’s the individual man and his team and what’s inside that can only come to the top when these men face life and death that most of us never will have to face. I am amazed, and thankful…
Thank you Eric. I never expected to get even indirect compliments about my service over there and I presume that is most of the reason I never discussed any of the detail of what happened until writing these books.
Often, I still reflect and don’t find a lot to admire in what I did because
the enormity of losses overwhelms everything.
Thank you and I really really appreciate reading these words this morning….
Semper fi,
Jim
Excellent James! I am well into your first two books and I enjoy them immensely.
Thanks so much Waynor, as my life, body and soul are in those books.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back! I hope your health continues to improve.
Your latest installment seems proof positive you have not lost a step. No errors that I could see. The latest installment was riveting!
I along with everyone anxiously await the next chapter.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks Jim, for the much needed help. My editors are you guys and it’s wonderful…
Semper fi,
Jim
All I can say is Thank You for continuing to write your story. another great installment, THANK YOU!!
Thanks William, another segment today….
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you for continuing with the later chapters. I hope the 3rd installment is not far behind. Enjoyed reading the first 2 riveting segments. I haven’t been reading the 3rd segment chapters, I want to read the 3rd segment all at one time. Keep up the good work.
Yes, the next segment will go up on Tuesday so you can continue along. Thanks for the encouragement by writing on here.
Semper fi
Back at you Mike!
Jim
Welcome back, Jim. Didn’t expect you so soon, but thoughts and prayers were with you. VERY well written, words causing physical sensations, unanticipated reflex actions. The only given here, for me, is that I know that you will “survive” in the end, but none of the other players here have return home tickets (in one fashion or another). I read in anticipation of what will happen next to those others, some of whom I want so desperately to survive, and some of whom I think we all know haven’t earned the right to survive over those others. And once again, you end the session with us waiting to know the fate of yet another new Lt. and that silent and loyal friend, Nguyen. We can’t vote or implore you, like they do in TWD, to keep our heroes alive. Their fates are already written. But we wait. And hope. And pray. You went through hell, brother. None of you deserved it. And I know your worst is still to be written. Thanks again.
Now that’s a deeply written comment if I have ever read one Marshall and I thank you for the thought and heart you put in it.
It needs no comment from me as you are exactly accurate in every conclusion…
Semper fi,
Jim
Good read! Please keep it up as your health will allow! God bless!
Thanks Steve, I’m doing fine now and back at it as you will see later today.
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad you are here again Lt. I was worried that you might not be able to finish this book or the others. You keep us all going with your actions and story. Hope most of your Marines made it back home. Semper Fi Lt.
The series plays out like the experience did Walter and I have no control over putting that down
unless I might want to modify what happened, which I will not…
Thanks for the comment and the care in it…
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back Lt. Glad to hear you are doing better. Have missed your writing, looking forward to seeing more. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Thanks Greg, and another segment today and then Tuesday.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, sorry to hear you were not well and hope that is all behind you now. Sad how the stuff of over 50 years ago is still biting many of us in the ass. I’m glad the VA is taking good care of you as they do me.
This chapter had me feeling I was rain drenched and smelling the jungle rotting and death. It looks like the LT bought it. I wonder if he knew it was a suicide task or not. Hopefully N found a hole to hide in.
God bless and stay well
Thanks for the nice comment here, Jrw. The next segment is out tomorrow so you
will have your curiosity satisfied…
Semper fi,
Jim
You sure make it real LT.
Thanks Jack, and yes, it was so real as it remains in my mind to this day, and night, of course.
thanks for caring…
Semper fi,
Jim
Just another great installment! Glad you’re back!! Really looking forward to your next chapter.
Thanks John, means a lot to me to have your kind of strong support through this difficult time.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT. Welcome back Brother.
thanks loyal Glenn! Good to have you along after all these months and now years.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back, glad you are doing well. Another amazing segment!
Two more segments coming out over the next three days…and thanks my friend…
Sempe fi,
Jim
I could head the walling falling. Shouldn’t that be ” I could hear the walling falling?
Yes, it should, but stuff slips by, and thanks for catching it…and being one of the true blue on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad to have you back LT.
Thanks a lot SA and thanks for writing that on this public forum…
Semper fi,
Jim
So glad to have you back, I never caught a single error. I was trying to see through the rain, fog, & darkness I guess ! Try some R & R and get back to us when dawn comes ? Great Job, Semper Fi Lt.
Yes, I did have a hick-up there and tough go for a bit, but I am back and going strong. This segment will be followed by another on Sunday and then another on Tuesday, as we reach the 28th night
later in the week. Thanks for sticking with me thorough the thick and thin.
Semper fi,
Jim
Good to see you up and going again. Nice work James.
Thanks Fred and really good to read those words…
Semper fi,
Jim
James, so good to see you back at it. Masterfully written as always. It was worth the wait.
Thanks Nate, you guys keep me going, once I am back ‘going’ at all, as I am now.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another one of those chapters that I have to force myself to read, word for word, savoring each sentence like one of the Gunny’s cigarettes. Happy to see you back LT, hope that you and yours had a good Thanksgiving. Semper Fi.
thanks Mike, as I work through some physical problems with a lot of help.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back to good health Jim! I have been concerned and praying this isn’t your call time. Take time to enjoy your recovery and holiday with special ones. Let someone else take care of the Wisconsin snow! Tom S.
Actually, the winter here makes it a bit easier to cozy in and do the writing work, as I am now.
Thanks for the kind words.
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad your back, Hope all is well and you had a blessed thankgiving. Looking forward to each new chapter. Blessings to you Mike
Thanks Mike, much appreciate the words of support. I am back at it as you will see over the next few days.
Semper fi
Jim
When I was a youngun, my dad told me. “Son, if you want to know how much you will be missed, just stick your finger in a glass of water. When you pull it out, if it leaves a hole, they’re gonna miss you when your gone.
Well, your absence left a hole. You were sorely missed.
Hope you and your family had a happy Thanksgiving. A most heart felt Welcome back.
Stay low, keep movin, reload, pull the god damn pin and change yer f38576n zocks.
Thanks Edward, with two more segments coming at you over the next three days I hope you come
to realize I am all the way back.
Thanks for the great encouraging words.
Semper fi,
Jim
A lot of shit coming down there. A Good read for sure TY James
Yes, things did kind of get ‘heated’ in the end, and we are rapidly coming to that part with two more segments coming in the next three days…
Stand by!
Semper fi,
Jim
Hope you are well sir! It was worth the wait!
Thanks for the nice comment and I am doing okay, writing away…
Semper fi,
Jim
“Welcome back James.” “Please, always keep your own wellbeing foremost.” Second it!!!!
So seldom that we get to share the agony, and pain of leadership. It’s clear that the greatest guilt we suffer comes from what we were required to ask our men to do, and even more from what they did on their own. So many true heros known only their brothers in combat.
Glad your back, thanks for another healing exorcism.
Semper fi, Bob
Our own wellbeing is often not respected by some members of a rather demanding public. Most guys are great on here though and the gals too.
I am getting better and writing away…and thanks to people like you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Indeed welcome back. I hope all is well. I was thinking about you just yesterday and here you are. Been sitting on the edge of my chair reading this. Thanks
Thanks Donald, you are a gentleman and a scholar, as well as a greatly appreciated fan.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back James.
Great to be back Mike, and thank you…
Semper fi,
Jim
I missed how you get the Starlight, is there something missing in here?
Marines and enemy dying together as the attack became fully joined.
For the first time ever, in making a movement under fire, I felt bad from moving away from the fire instead of toward it.
I stared into the eyepiece of the Starlight Scope, the rubber grommet feeling good, pressed all around my right eye socket. The scene in the distance was easy to home in on, as the open area from the edge of the jungle
As always a great segment LT.
thanks for the questions and edit work. We are re-reading the making it better just now…
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back LT. Hope your health has improved and will continue to do so. Another very intense episode of real war, real confusion and no idea of the future. Stumbling along doing the best you can caring the water. Thank you Sir.
Yes, the confusion and disorganization in a combat zone is hard to describe.
Thanks for understanding and writing about it…
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt. Good to have you back. I hope that you are doing well and continue to do so. That was a gut wrenching 28th day., for you and your Marines. It was for me just reading this. Take all the time you need, keep yourself healthy above all else. We can wait..
I am motoring along now and will continue to do so, I hope.
Thanks for the care and for writing about it on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
James a hard night even harder on your soul.more vists in the night ,sorry my friend
Thank you
Yes, those were tough times indeed, with only the memories to ponder over upon coming home…
and those remaining indelibly imprinted over time…to my own amazement, as well..
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim (LT) Cannot tell you how heartwarming it is to see you back in action. Truly a Blessed Thanksgiving. Every Holiday, Birthday, successful VA appointment that passes into history elicits thoughts of wonder as to why me. The anxiety that wells up when reading your diary of combat finds me holding my breath. The concussive responses really opens the memory vaults. As I have said before I was not a combat MOS, but ! The more I read your story, it comes to mind the miracle of Y’alls survival. Now I will stress over the fate of Nguyen. When you made the comment of what kind of cold-hearted beast was He ( The Gunny) Expressing hatred, awe, and gratitude for His very existence. Personally, Officers give the orders, then expect the NCO’s to get them carried out. It is actually a cymbionic relationship. Once the order is given it is out of your hands. The bribery that is sometimes needed to get the response desired always leaves a bitter after taste. I am again so thankful for the positive turn-around with your health. May I be first to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed 2020. You are a blessing in my life. Drive On !!!!!!!
Thanks most sincerely George. I read and then re-read your words. How perceptive and clear about how it was. So many more understand than I thought would when I started all this.
It has been so helpful to me to have guys like you in my corner. Yes, that was the first Merry Christmas and thank you for that too…
Semper fi,
Jim
When you come back, you come back with a wallop!
Thanks Hayward, and I am back, as you will see over the next three days.
Semper fi,
Jim
I could hear instead of head chunks of the “walling?” Wall falling
Yes, caught that and thanks for the help. It means a lot to have editorial help from people as erudite and accurate as you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Good to see you’re writing again James! Hoping you have a clean bill of health! Another tense chapter, with the outcome still in question. The Gunny is an enigma for sure, and your anger is justified. He certainly is an interesting character. Hoping that Mcinnerny survived. Sugar Daddy May have lost his Silver Star to an FNG! Seems fitting! Semper Fi my friend!
How did medals end up meaning anything at all in that mess? But they did near the end when the guys came to believe that they might make it.
My own medals do not mean that much to me because not one of them recounts what really happened and most of the rest of it never got written up
because there was nobody to write it…thanks for the observation and encouragement.
Semper fi,
Jim
James,
I have to agree with you on the meaning of medals. They are arbitrary for the most part, depending on who saw what and how they interpreted the act. A lot of bravery is unrecognized except by the men who were there.
Yes, you know what you did and why and how. The fear that drives almost everything and seems
to obliterate lines when it comes to decision-making in every area.
Thanks for your understanding.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back. Hope they got you all sorted out and patched up. Got us all on the edge of our seats like normal.
Thanks Pete, I am all over it and back in action.
Semper fi,
Jim
Good to have you back Jim. Great segment!
Thanks Tim, great to be back and ‘in the groove’ so to speak. Thanks for your patience and support.
Semper fi,
jim
Welcome back LT. Hope the plumbing is working correctly now.
Got things flowing properly through the proper plumbing Mark. Thanks for caring and being here for me.
Semper fi,
Jim
As always your chapters are personal , exciting , heartbreaking ,feelings all mixed together to bring memories that somehow tend to excite and heal all at the same time . Words cannot explain how I feel , except to say, Thank you
A very nicely and intelligently written critique Don, and I thank you most sincerely for the effort and for putting it up for all to see…
Semper fi,
Jim
Will add my Welcome Back James and Glad your doing better and getting back to your normal routines.. Take Care of yourself and listen to family and Dr orders..
A small correction.. paragraph with 106 firing till I thought they must have run out of ammo.. the “walling” falling to the mud below.. know you meant “wall” .. and your fingers just over ruled your brain late at night..
Will leave it at that..
Yes, thank you for the help which I much appreciate, as you are my only ‘professional’ editors!
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back, was concerned when you weren’t writing for so long. Take care of yourself.
Thanks for the concern and the expression of that here. Good to be back among such men as you…
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad you are better James. Take care and don’t push too hard. The wait for daylight much have seemed forever.
Pushing too hard is what I do best but I am dialed back a bit right now. Thanks for the concern
and the for the expression of it on here…
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad you are feeling better. Good chapter.
Thanks for the compliment and the great good will…and Merry Christmas…
Semper fi,
Jim
Good to have you back Sir.
Thanks most sincerely, and I mean that. Thanks for the kind words…
Semper fi,
Jim
Yes Sir I noted your time hack at the beginning. A hint you were excited about beginning again and that you felt well enough to attempt. I get short of breath just reading your description of a run towards the Gunny and the fight. Your medics at the VA Center certainly did bring back not only vigorous writing of this tough story but a spirit of , let’s get on with this. Well done again and now anticipation of a new segment of good news on your Scout and the LT. Thank you Sir. We are all very happy you are back with us. Poppa J
Thanks Poppa, missed you! Thanks for the glowing remarks welcoming me back to the writing and to life itself.
I am here and you can expect more segments now in short order as I work to finish book III and begin the fourth…
Semper fi,
Jim
Intense! Wow!
Your on-line ghost army will now hunker down and await the next episode and hopefully the dawn and some much needed air support and resupply.
Happy to see yiu up and running again after a long hiatus..
Thanks Walt. Yes, resupply. Without helicopters how could we ever have fought a jungle war like that and even held our own.
Thanks for the great returning comment Walt.
Semper fi,
Jim
James I hope you recovered from your hospital stay. As always I look forward to seeing the next segment of your book. Excellent job. Glad you are back on your feet.
Thanks for the expression of care and the compliment Dempsey.
Glad to be back.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back and I hope you are doing much better now….and had a good Thanksgiving… and what an intense segment…once again, you put us right there with you in the rain, wind, and muck…it is truly a miracle that anyone survived at all…you constantly adapt and respond and hope…that’s all you could do is hope that your adaptations were good…and from what you describe, they were…I think your men truly believed in you by this point and knew you were on top of things…although many times in those situations you really just fly by the seat of your pants with a gut reaction…and they seem to mostly work out…and the Gunny is just, the Gunny…he’s gonna say what he’s gonna say as always…I think he has just become numb to the situation as long as there is no direct effect on him…and, as always, I both anxiously and regretfully await the next segment…
Thanks Mark, your in depth comment is spot on and reaches depths within me too.
Thanks for the great comment and the welcome back.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back LT, certainly glad you are feeling better! Thanks for another intense and gripping episode!
You are most welcome Joe, and there are now two more segments coming at you in three days…
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back LT
Thanks Ron. It was a spell but I am back on top of my game and coming at you growing strong.
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad you are back- spectacular return!
Thanks for that great compliment and for putting it out in public here Bill…
Semper fi,
Jim
First and foremost we are all glad that you are doing better and feeling better too. This latest segment,like all the previous ones, had kept me on the edge of my seat until I consumed the last word.
Thanks Dan for the great support and for waiting. So many guys and gals have been supportive it kind of astounds me.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks LT great chapter! Hope you continue to heal! As always I wait in anticipation of more!
Tomorrow for the next segment Richard and then Tuesday for another…
Yes, I am back and I am thankful to be back and right here with you.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim welcome back, been there done that!! Not much fun, but your on right side of the grass so great!!!!!
Very good segment, but they all are.
Harold Hearon
Thanks Harold and your critique means a lot to me, especially written here where everyone can see it.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, hope you are back to full speed in no time!
Next segment tomorrow and then another on
Tuesday another. Yes, I am back and glad to be here…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT, I knew the radio silence was not good news. Glad to see you back in action and hope you remain in good health!
Great chapter, as always.
Red Marker
Thanks Gary, your praise does not fall on deaf ears. Thanks for that and the welcome back too.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another riveting chapter. Terrible job you were assigned to, but thank you to you, and all the others for doing it.
Writing a chapter like this had to be incredibly difficult. I hope your holding up.
Next segment is up tomorrow Mike and then another on Tuesday.
Yes, they are tough but I am powering on through.
Semper fi,
Jim
Glad you’re feeling better, James. Started to worry about you a bit. But, thankfully, you haven’t lost your touch. Great, building chapter!!!
thanks for the meaningful compliment and your care Buck.
Yes, I am back and writing strong…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT I’m glad you are better. I was starting to wonder if I had missed some segments. You take care of yourself. You are more important than the story. Doc’s orders!!
Again another intense segment.
Thanks Doc, for caring and for the advice. I am here and back and the writing will demonstrate that,
but I’m making a few changes as well in other areas.
Semper fi,
Jim
“The fog of war” kept repeating in my mind as I read this tension-filled chapter. Got MY adrenalin rushing, for sure.
James, you have done well. Sure, there are a few minor edits to be made, but I will leave that to others. I commend you not only for being able to get the battle down on paper, but also for living through it so many years ago.
Can’t wait – more, more more!
As one Viet Vet said, who was asked when he was in the Nam…”last night,” was his brilliant and telling answer.
All still in me and I’m getting it out to everyone because I have seen none of much of the real shit written.
Thanks for being a fan and caring as you do…
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back James. Hopefully you have a clean bill of health from the doctors. Please, always keep your own wellbeing foremost.
What an intense episode! …and still the wait for dawn, aircover, and resupply. What will happen in the interim?
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
in spite of some errant projectiles that have caused casualties in our own ranks
Maybe change “have” to “had”
in spite of some errant projectiles that had caused casualties in our own ranks
… However, the end of this installment has “We took no casualties, except for maybe the FNG officer and Nguyen,” the Gunny replied.
So… maybe change “have” to “might have” ??
in spite of some errant projectiles that might have caused casualties in our own ranks
the deadliest field of fire I had ever been a witness to and part of since I’d arrived in country I realized.
“I realized” seems redundant. However, it’s your story.
I heard screams behind me, the screams I knew of Marines and enemy dying together as the attack became fully joined.
Again seems as if friendly casualties occurred; but negated by the Gunny at the end of segment.
when the artillery rounds had fallen short that night no long in the past.
Maybe change “no” to “not so”
when the artillery rounds had fallen short that night not so long in the past.
“Where’s McInerney?” I asked once Hultzer was going
Maybe change “going” to “gone”
“Where’s McInerney?” I asked once Hultzer was gone
“Too late,” I heard before the enemy fifty opened up, and then a single round from the Ontos whooshed by, in response, without any order coming from me.
Hultzer was acting independently, but was he right?
Actually Hultzer was following your order given previously :
“I ordered Fusner to have Hultzer fire at the first flash he might see of the enemy fifty caliber”
bullets splattered into tiny fiery parts, not more than twenty feet above were McInerney’s position had to be.
Maybe change “were” to “where”
bullets splattered into tiny fiery parts, not more than twenty feet above where McInerney’s position had to be
The angle was such, toward the base of Hill 974, that they went right over our heads
Hill 975 IIRC
The angle was such, toward the base of Hill 975, that they went right over our heads
Blessings & Be Well
As always, thank you Dan.
This was a late-night return to the writing desk.
Your suggestions are always spot on.
Semper fi, Jim
Welcome back!
Yes, I am here and thanks for wanting me back!
Semper fi,
Jim