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.