1. INTRODUCTION (For Tracy, Kelly, Ava, Tyler, Evan, and Jack)

As I age, my thoughts often drift back to my youth, particularly the year I spent in Vietnam.  The country’s beauty contrasted with the harsh reality of death and destruction around me.  It has been fifty-five years since I faced the threat of death, and it has given me ample time to reflect on my adventures and close brushes with mortality.  Unless you have experienced combat, it is difficult to comprehend the endurance required of a soldier.  We seldom spoke of death, but deep down, we all knew that at any moment, an enemy bullet or shrapnel from a mortar round could send us home in a body bag.  We could not change that reality, so we deluded ourselves into thinking it would be someone else who would have a bad day.  You may find my war stories hard to fathom, but to me, they were the ultimate adrenaline rush.  Even now, as I revisit them, I contemplate how fortunate I was to return home and intact.  Going to Vietnam was never a concern for me.  I viewed my time there as a thrilling youthful adventure and an opportunity to serve my country in a time of need.  I did what was necessary to fulfill my mission and protect my comrades. 

This blog describes the incidents I faced during my year in Vietnam.  Most of the events were dangerous, and a few were downright stupid, but they were all high-octane adrenaline rushes that I have never experienced again.  I took some unnecessary risks that could have cost me my life, but luck and collaborating with some outstanding soldiers brought me  safely home.  The soldiers I commanded and worked with were from every state in the union, but we shared one common bond: our love of our country.

The incidents in this blog are in chronological order and happened during my one-year tour.  In one incident during the 6/16/1969 Sapper attack on Nui Ba Den, my Reaction Team embarked on a hunt for enemy Sappers who had breached our perimeter, aiming to eliminate them before they could destroy our signal site.  No words can truly convey the thoughts racing through my mind as I pursued fellow human beings who were determined to kill me.  At that moment, my sole focus was on my mission and my men by my side, while considering my adversary as nothing more than a disposable obstacle.  In war, you do what is needed to survive.  These stories follow my timeline, but you need to realize that the stories are separated by weeks and sometimes months of total boredom.

During my time in Vietnam I had three uniquely different job assignments, with the first two being the most dangerous.  before you begin, I recommend you get a better understanding of my mission and surroundings by reading the reference articles for the Phoenix Program and Nui Ba Den first.  You will find all the reference articles in the 4a section.

NOW LET US GET STARTED:  the blog is finally taking shape with over sixty events that occurred during my year in Vietnam.  To follow my timeline, start with #1 until you finish the one group, then go to 2a, then 3a, etc….  1a-1q recount my experiences from January to March 1969, covering the time spent in the French Fort and the Phoenix Program.  Stories from 2a-2z span April to September1969, detailing my time spent on nui ba den mountain.  The rest of my Vietnam journey begins with 3a, chronicling my time in Tay Ninh Base Camp.  Miscellaneous information on Vietnam will commence at 4a.

To begin, click on a story and scroll down until the text appears.  If the screen is blank, look for three small lines on the right side of the screen and click them to reveal the list of stories.