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The way I remember it. I came back about two days later-which would be about Jan. 13. I heard all about you guys taking incoming from the tracks and Capt. Morris getting injured and I’m pretty sure he was gone already.
I have some documentation on Jan. 11, showing KIA names, etc. and I think I got if for a few days after. I will dig it out and see if it covers that and maybe clear it up.
ben–i`m tempted to say we entered the NVA complex the next day–after F-troop figured out to shoot up the NVA–not us. they did give us some incoming.
seems we checked out the complex for a bit–then moved on that same day–
ben–seems to me–we got to the pineapple on 9 jan 70–and cpt.morris left on the 13nth
I don’t remember the date either, but I picked him up at the landing when he came out. He was a hurting unit. I left for RR on the 19th so it was before that.
Not sure Mr Harper. It was the last day of the engagement when the tracks came to our rescue. I have a photo dated the 14th. Not sure if that was the day it ended or the day we entered the NVA complex.
Thanks for the correction on dates. It may have been the 15th or 17th Bob Morris was dusted off. I think Ben Buehler has a tighter grip on the time frame.
Hey Jim i couldve been his body double. He never got any skinny guy parts
Gary Gibson Carl Weathers. I am so glad someone else said that. i swear the first time i saw Carl Weathers in a movie (mid 1970s I would guess-before Rocky) I really thought it was Gary. I honestly tried to remember if he had muscles like that. No offense Gary, but I don’t thhink so. Did you get to do any look-a-like gigs?
I am pretty sure tht Capt. Morris (the real John Wayne) screwed up his shoulder a day or two after Jan. 11, 1970. I got hit and was hospitalized for only a day or so and I’m pretty sure that when I got back to the field, you guys had had the bigger encounter, following the events (Arky, Jake KIA, Lucky, Vanderbush, me, Sgt. Shephard and someone else wounded) of Jan. 11. I believe you had NVA between Charlie Company and F-troop or some other armored unit and Captain Morris, who never went in a foxhole during combat, did to avoid friendly fire (I think that’s the story I heard, but I was sleepng on sheets in the ChuLai hospital for that night).
Tooch. You were from the Bronx, right? I remember you and also saw tht I mentioned you in a letter to Mom, something about us always kidding each other about being a New Yorker or something like that.
Jim, I remember that incident well. You guys ran into a bunker complex and were hit by a machine gun. Lucky was shot in the neck. I went down to you guys and coordinated the cover fire so we could get the kia’s and wounded out. Somehow, I ended up in the rice paddy and was the last out. Morris put me in for an arcom with”v”. The next day, charlie got between us and F troop and we got into a firefight with F troop until Morris popped a red smoke. We would have won, because F troop couldn’t shoot straight. Yes, I was from the Bronx ;and live in Jersey now. Good to here from you.Tooch
Ty,
One little correction in dates! I’m not sure what day Morris was medevaced but I put boots on the ground with C/2/1 on Jan 18 and Ronnie Hintz was CO.
Bill yes i was diaganosed with type 2 in 91// been 100% since. Congrads on your raise.//i started at 10% //it took 6-7 yrs to recieve the 100% i have Parkinsons-ptsd-conanary artery diease/uncle arther/prostate cancer/and cramping in all extremeites/// Gratefull to be alive.—after gallbladder surery had COPD/EMPASEMIA put on o2
Lawrence,
Do you have diabetes for added benefits from the VA if not collecting. I just went from 30% to 80% a few months back.
gary Gibson< Glad to hear you're still around. Contact me when you can.. I tell Ben Buehler and Bill Clark you always looked like the actor Carl Weathers of the Rocky movies. Really would like to talk with you.
Tooch… Cpt. Bob "Big Balls" Morris was C.O. until January 19th when he was dusted off. Cpt. Ron Hintz (sp) took over for a few weeks then. He was a good combat leader but only had a few weeks left in-country when he was sent to us. It late February before we got Cpt. Jim "Chicken Man who lays in bottom of foxhole in flac vest" Gardner.
Ty,I remember capt.Morris; and yes it was capt. Hintz who I worked with. We had a deal; he dug our sleeping positions and I did the cooking. He was the one who got me the job in BTOC when I started to get short. Tooch
Mark,
It would have been “Chicken Man” Gardner. Per Larry Fry’s post I can’t believe he would have apologized for a damn thing. I cannot believe to this day he wasn’t fragged!
speaking of Captain [chicken man] Garderner, i happened to be in the same airport leaving when he was–scared sitting with his back to the wall seen me coming over gringed thinking i might have a bayonet , he apoliged for his behavor–just a scared 22 yr old with 2 bars on his shoulders//he knowed he couldn’t bring back all of those that lost thier lives under his command did apogige for everthing else[[i still do the same thing, my back to the wall whenever we go out,jump when i hear a loud backfire,///update Saturday had to have another stint put in and one artery balloned, this is just three months from last stint implant have to go back in three months//it is alot easier to breath again[[this is from my coranery artery diease]
Guys, I was pulled out of the field and sent to work for Si Narone at the end of Feb.1970.Prior to that, I spent my last few weeks in the field in the CP. I can’t remember who the capt. was. Was it capt. Garderner? Tooch
hey LT i might have. I know he practically lived in that hole
Gary,
I almost hate to ask this but did you carry the radio and dig holes for Chicken Man?
Jim,
I just finished mine to my wife from basic, AIT, & Nam. Had to be close to three hundred. I agree I kept it light hearted, Never talked about the bad stuff. As I was putting them in date order I could see myself change. However, it was interesting to see my style before and leading up to an engagement and then after the engagement. Also it was interesting to see my letters answering questions when my folks and my wife saw articles in the newspaper about our big fight with the NVA in August, 1969. They also asked about other Americal fights which we were not in. One was a 198th LIB engagement
Hey Gary Gibson. I remember you well. I’m Jim Intravia AKA “infantry” one of the 90mm guys. I remember you lived in Queens- Jamaica I think. I tried looking you up some years ago but there are an awful lot fo Gary Gibsons in phone books. Anyway, glad to hear from you. I’m on Long Island (Medford). And of course, if yo are in Queens, so are you but people from Queens and Brooklyn don’t think they are on L.I.! Only us New Yawkas understand guys!
REgarding guys comments on lettes home. My mother kept all of mine and I reread them a few years ago, in sequence. I used the technique of protecting her. I complained about mosquitoes and heat and how boring it was. I lied pretty good. I had a cousin who was in Tet andhis mother was awreck that whole time, though I guess that would have been true even iwthout his graphic letters.
I also saw the change in myself during that time. To put it very shortly, I “Hardened.” It seemed like a different peson writing by the end of my time there.
LT u were the MR i was an NCO
Ty i was your rto skinny black guy trimmed the go t u were trying to grow
sorry iwas rto for ty harper
Mr. Gibson,
What LT were you RTO for??
LT Ruesch
Question. Was anyone who looks at this site in 2nd platoon 3rd squad? If so would you tell me your time frame. As an example my time frame was 11/68-11/69. Thank you.
Larry,
If you get a chance please give my best to Doc Szydlo!m I would love to have contact with him!
LT
I got to stay several days with Doc and Janet Capone. Today I am at Doc Szydlo’s. Judy and I are having a blast!
seems every 1 is tongue tied–or finger tied, from larry`s question
Gary, thank God you are alive. I have a picture of our original squad from the Fall of 69 and have seen or spoken to all except for you. Even tried going through the VA in NY – I think that is where you are. Give me a call at 712-657-2143 and I will update you on the rest of the squad.
Hey lt this is gary gibson. i was your radio op when u came in country. later u got me a job with the comp CP always appreciated it. i was in the squad with Dueane, Carl Lacey, Dan(my name is sue)Riley. i came in country sept 69. kam duc was my last operation. cant make this next reunion , i just recently retired but will stay in touch. All the best to you dignified brave men. Welcome home guys
Brittany, I have not forgotten. Plan to post here about the funeral and send some things to Judi. Right now I am up to my elbows in harvest (payday in my world). Please be patient with me. I gave my contact info to Judi and Brian, but I will get back to you. Love you all – you treated me as family.
Ben, I wanted to tell u that it was a pleasure to see you again. I miss all of the Charlie grunts men… After my dad (Gary King) passed we found tapes that he must have been saving for years that he sent home from his time in the war. I have not listened to them yet, I believe that is going to take some time to do. I wanted to contact u so we can exchange information that my dad had. How is a good way to contact u? I want give Brian your information, too. Be patient with us.
Everyone, thank your for your thoughts and prayers. They are appreciated!
A day late and dollar short…. Sounds like the Killeen reunion was a rousing success. Sorry I missed it.
I did spend a few miserable months in early ’71 at Ft. Hood after I got out of the hospital at Ft. Sam Houston. I remember a desolate, one screen, movie theater right out of “The Last Picture Show” in downtown Killeen. However, my most vivid memory happened at the on-post Fort Hood movie theater. The documentary movie “Woodstock” was playing and the place was packed with G.I.’s. All the music was pretty glorious, but when Country Joe MacDonald came on stage and started singing: “And it’s 1,2,3 – what are we fighting for? Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn. Next stop is Vietnam…” – the whole theater full of soldiers started singing along and then stood up and cheered at the end of the song. I was blown away. I felt that I had missed the whole anti-war movement – and now I was in the middle of a bunch of anti-war VIETNAM VETERANS. It was only then that I finally realized that the war had become – and maybe always was – a big, colossal mistake.
Anyway, just wanted to let Jim Grose, LT and Larry Harper know that I’m probably going to also miss the Iowa reunion. (I guess, I’m batting a thousand this year.) Allow me to make a modest contribution to the thirsty souls who do make to eastern Iowa. Cheers!
Lawrence:
No, our names don’t go on The Wall when we die.