Wednesday, 1 Feb ’67

Last night, I was a guard on Post 3.  I was out there at 1900 and slept till 0100 when a colored guy and I went on watch ' till 0700, when we came in for chow.  He is the only other guy in the Battery from SC. 

Yesterday, we put a wood floor in the Comm. supply tent.  There is not a carpenter in the bunch.  A L/Cpl. extended for 6 months. He went home on leave for 30 days.  Today was his 2nd day back in Viet Nam.  A mine hit his jeep and he lost one foot.  I just don’t find this very funny. 

Saturday, 4 Feb ’67 

Very little has happened since 1 Feb.  

I had the guard again last night.  

I cleaned my rifle today.

Monday, 6 Feb ’67 

I am beginning to get used to this place. The sun came out yesterday, the first time in six days. It’s Real nice today. Tonight, I have the guard. I got a New Testament from church yesterday, and I am going to make it my policy to read a little each day from it.

Tuesday, 7 Feb ’67 

Today, I went on my first patrol. It turned out to be a 3-mile hike with me humping a PRC/25. I found a few propaganda sheets, which I will attach. 

Propaganda leaflets 

Front(s)   Back(s)

 
In the months that followed, I discovered that American Forces drop these leaflets. They are a part of the war called “psychological warfare.” These try to persuade VC (Viet Cong; or, in Military vernacular, using the Phoenetic Alphabet, Victor Charlie.) and NVA (North Vietnamese Army)  to cease fighting and return to their families.

We saw one boy when we sat down to rest. He didn’t speak much English, but he laughed a lot.   Just as we started out, two kids sat by the road and as we passed, the only words they spoke were “Hello Sergeant.” 

  We also passed through a huge graveyard. Here in Viet Nam, two types of graves are prevalent. That of the poor peasant; his grave is merely a mound of dirt about 18 inches high and formed in a circular manner, ranging from about 2 feet to 10 or 12 feet, depending on the wealth. 

  
Then there are the tombs of the wealthy. Some of them are the size of a good size house, with pillars in front to compare with any Southern mansion.

It’s made out of cement and decorated with lions, butterflies, peacocks, etc. These animals and other color trimmings are created from broken blue-plate china. Would you believe? 

Saturday, 11 Feb ’67 

I had guard last night. All day today, I filled and toted sandbags. It’s raining again. I bought a 35mm “Canon” camera from Sgt. Davies today. I am going to take some slides. I also plan on buying a tape recorder. A few days ago, some battery was firing mortar rounds. One of our observers noticed that they were falling short. One round fell among a group of children – bad stuff. 

TET-Vietnamese New Year is going on from Feb 8 to Feb 13. The ARVNs (Army of the Republic of Viet Nam) celebrated on the 8th with live ammunition and flares. Real fireworks.

Sunday, 12 Feb ’67 

I was told this morning that I would be going to Forward Observer (F.O.) School tomorrow. I served Mass this morning in the 2/9 Chapel. In the abyss of ugliness, there is one lovely spot; the 2/0 Chapel. 

Monday, 13 Feb ’67 

Did not go to F.O. School today. Going tomorrow. Lieutenant Jerris said two men would go. He went on R&R and Lieut. Rhoden changed it to three. 

Cpl. Swiger told me today that I was on the promotion for Lance Corporal. One l more step up the ladder. I may make Sergeant over here yet. 

Wednesday, 15 Feb ’67 

Still raining. No mail came today. 

No guard, tonight; I’m on radio watch.

Thursday, 16 Feb ’67 

Last night around 2100, the mail came in. I got a package form home consisting of a box of cookies (which were shared and gone by morning) and a beautiful Catholic Bible for my birthday. The sun is finally out again. I got to take a few pictures.

Saturday, 18 Feb ’67 

I have been on a working party since Wednesday. Yesterday, the “Gooks ” came out and dug up a few graves so we could (undistinguishable word-looked like (hire”) the ground. 

Today, it began raining again.

Barnette left for F.O. school yesterday. Someday…

On the way to trouble shoot a telephone line, we came across some “Gook” (Slang [derogatory] term for native Vietnamese) women who had closed their Laundry shop and were trying to pull their cart barefooted through all that mud so we pulled it for them. It was on our way.

Sunday, 19 Feb ’67 

No rain today, but cloudy. John C. Burr left tonight for F.O. School. Got a real long, interesting letter from Daddy today – Unusual. 

Last night I saw Jerry Lewis and Janet Leigh in “3 on a Couch.” Our club has been opening from 1630 to 1800 and selling beer during chow. Last night, they had “San Miguel” a beer made in the Philippines. Tonight, “Crown” from Korea. I guess when I get back to the states beer will taste sweet.

Monday, 20 Feb ’67 

Today marks my first month overseas. Twelve more long months to go. Right here in Viet Nam, a new battery order was issued that we would have polished boots and we would have shined brass and we would wear clean belts. We even had a rifle inspection, today. No mail came into the battery at all today. Being here in Viet Nam is like I was in a state of suspended animation, just waiting to be revived on my way home. What if I never make it?

Wednesday, 22 Feb ’67 

The weather has been quite nice lately. For the past few days, mail has been slow. I read the last chapter of “Matthew” tonight. 

Thursday, 23 Feb ’67

A few days ago, the first Sargent read us an order making it mandatory for us to have polished boots, shined brass, clean belts, squared away, matched utilities. Today, headquarters fell out for P. T. Only a matter of time… 

 

Saturday, 25 Feb ’67

Thursday afternoon, Cpl. Newman and I boarded a PC jeep and headed for CAC Headquarters in the Phu Loc area. We were to act as radio relay for a patrol from Phu Bai to Da Nang and back. 

  It was an interesting 2 ½ days. I took lots of pictures and made a few Vietnamese friends, although one, Sgt. Tuan was the only English speaking one! I traded rosaries with one of them. Many are Catholic.

Sunday, 26 Feb ’67 

I got transferred to 2/9 today for F.O.s. I think I’ll like it. 

I bought a harmonica today. Ha!

Monday, 27 Feb ’67 

I went to Chanook (Base Camp) today on a Rough-Rider (A trip in a motorized carrier.). There must have been a kid every 10 feet of the entire 30 miles asking for cigarettes and “chop-chop.” Many of them were merely waving and cheering, though. 

Tuesday, 28 Feb ’67 

Same trip – Same kids.

Click here to go back to January '67, or click here to go direct to March '67