Ron's Year In Thailand

To hear "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder" click on the equalizer below.

I participated in the Southeast Asian War Games.*

It wasn't exactly the BEST year of my life, but was certainly one of the most memorable. It was different to say the least.

Getting off a C-130 at a place called Nakhon Phanom, but more aptly named by the GI's as Naked Fanny.

Being greeted by your sponsor (a Major), with these words: "Welcome to this F***ing Place".

Seeing the following slogan written on walls everywhere: "It's so bad here the wind doesn't blow; it sucks!"

Living in quarters called "Chicken Coops" with the latrine 50 yards away. And those were the OFFICERS quarters!

Having the base attacked by Viet Cong sappers on the night of the squadron party.

Waking up on Christmas morning to the sounds of bombs exploding across the Mekong River in "neutral" Laos.

Looking forward to "Care Packages" from home.

Thinking you were going to do a 365 day tour of duty, and then doing 369.

But finally the sweet joy of getting orders for Germany.

All this and more was part of my year in Thailand.

Links to other sites on the Web

The Vietnam Memorial Wall
Thailand
Vietnam
Japan
Hong Kong
The History Net's Vietnam Channel

To see some pictures of Ron and his year in Thailand, click here.

To see my "medals rack", click on the bar below.

If you know anything about medals, you may have noticed an Army Good Conduct Medal on my rack. This isn't a mistake. Before having served as an officer in the Air Force, I served one term as an enlisted man in the Army. I got out, got a Bachelor's Degree, and voila courtesy of the AFROTC program, a brand new (kind of brand new) Second Lieutenant!
I loved the military, but hated being an enlisted man! Actually, my enlisted career was pretty promising - I made E-5 in 22 months (a rarity in those days). I was also promised E-6 if I'd re-enlist. Actually, they could have promised me E-10 and I wouldn't have re-enlisted.
I spent most of my three years at Fort Bragg NC in the 28th Field Hospital, and at Letterman General Hospital right at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge (a dream assignment).
Letterman no longer exists, but Fort Bragg certainly does. For more information on Fort Bragg, click on the XVIII Airborne Corps insignia below.

Our family gives an award to those visiting our site. All we ask is that your site be "child safe". For more information, click on the bar below.

*Our side took second place.

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Here's one of the best tributes I've seen to veterans, and our obligation to educate children as to the meaning of the term.

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