This is an L.C.M.
which stands for Landing Craft Mechanized (Mike Boat). It was used in Vietnam to resupply the
guys in the field. the L.C.M. VIII; is 70' long and has four 671 Detroit diesel engines. It worked the coast and the inland waterways.
This is to those air warriors who just happened to show up and take the heat off. Thanks and may God Bless.
My name is Jerry Griffith. If you are a vet or on active duty with U.S. Armed Services "welcome",
and to those of you who served in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, a special Welcome
Home and Thanks! and let us never forget those who did not come home. I served in the U.S. Army from 1966 thru 1972. As you can
probably tell, I was in watercraft, the Army's Navy. I arrived in Cam-Rahn
Bay in 1967 and was assigned to the 165th T.C. L.A.R.C. V. Within about four-five
months we had a unit movement to the Sattahip Thailand area where we were direct
support for the Air Force Base. I was reassigned after about a year to the 499th Trans. Bn. (9th Log) for about 11 months and
then back to the States to the 558th T.C. at good ole Ft. Story, Va. In 1971 I
went back to Vietnam at Danang and was assigned to the 1098th T.C. Mike Boats.
I know many of you have experienced miracles, and I would like to share with you
one that happened to me. While serving my last tour at Danang, I was the Operations Sergeant for the 1098th M.B. Company. We had docks in the port area where we kept our boats.
There was an area there we called "cripple corner" (a place where the South Vietnamese soldiers that had lost
lower limbs due to land mines and other explosive devices lived). These soldiers caused riots in the road in front of their living quarters by blocking the road and causing as much trouble as possible.
This one afternoon, I had my guards for the night in a 2-1/2 ton truck going from our company area to the port area. As we went around "cripple corner" about 300 people had gathered
and had the road blocked. About the time I told the driver to turn around, a VC (Charlie) ran out of the crowd and
pointed a 30 cal. carbine rifle (one of ours) in my face and pulled the trigger. I was sitting next to the door and could not get to my 45 pistol, but it would not have done any good, it all happened so fast.
I had been shot at before and had rounds come so close to my ear that it sounded like a swarm of mad hornets, but this time it was right in my face and all I could do was watch. I knew that the guys in the back had not seen
what was happening, so with great calm I sat and watched him pull the bolt back and let go. He shoved it back in my face and pulled the trigger again but what he had not seen was that invisible hand
that had plucked the round out of the chamber and let it fall to the ground. He could not get the bolt open again and by that time we were going the other direction. I want to give thanks to my Heavenly Father,
for just like the single set of footprints
in the sand, He was carrying me that time for sure!
"A Soldier Died Today" - A Must Read Memorial
Click Above
If you are a Veteran, or would like to just leave me a comment, please sign my guestbook by clicking Sign Guestbook
View Guestbook
Links To Other Pages:
MILITARY LINKS
POW/MIA Page (May We Never Forget, At What Price Freedom)
U.S. Army Homepage Index
U.S. Army Transportation Center, Ft. Eustis Va.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page
WWII, United States Army Air Force
22nd Infantry Regiment Society "Deeds Not Words"
Aussies Were There too (The Royal Australian Regiment)
For Kids VA Web Page
Want to join the ring? Get info Visit other sites in the ring now!
[Prev][
SkipIt][ Next5][ Next][ List Sites]
