Ten Years After - 1968 - I'm Going Home [originally posted 12/25/2011]

15-20 December 1967, 0600.

Quang Tri, South Vietnam. I had earned five days in-country R+R!! Packing all I owned into my Alice Pack (if you left it behind it was gone)- my ammo and magazines in Bandoliers hung crisscross around my Flak jacket Pancho Villa-style, I shouldered my pack and M-16, put my helmet on, and with my traveling orders in hand, hit the road. 

Hitched the three miles over to the airstrip. I was told a C-130 might be going to Danang and that I could ride along if they had room. Sitting in the shade, I noticed Army Air Cav Hueys (helicopters) being refueled by truck. Once fueled, they flew off in a southerly direction toward Danang. One of the Air Cav pilots walked over near me and offering a cigarette, requested a light.

”Here you go, Sir,” I said.”Welcome to (EYE) I Corps.” I got his cigarette lit.

“No need to call me Sir. I'm a Warrant, all of us pilots are, shuttling division from Chu-Lai. You?” he asked.

”My platoon is a few miles south. I'm 'short'- less than 45 days. I got five days R+R at China Beach Danang and need a ride south if there's room. The next C130 goin' south isn't until around noon,” I told him.

”Well today is your lucky day Marine. This here Huey is gonna be your air-taxi.”

“You can do that?” I asked.

”Well, I'm the pilot of this hot-rod and she is mine for now. My little brother is a Marine- he's with the 1st Marine Regiment, southwest of Quang Tri.”

So I found myself TAD (Temporary Additional Duty) to the Regiment! He introduced me to the two door gunners and the co-pilot. “Hey, his cousin's a maintenance chief in the Cav! We're gonna detour around Hai Vanh over the water and onto China Beach. Gonna help out one short time Marine! Mount up.”

Getting airborne, I was handed a headset and a mike, told not to yell into the mouthpiece. I could hear what was being said between the crew and the other choppers in the area. It was my first time in a Huey. Compared to the old CH 34s the Marines flew, the Huey was indeed a “hot-rod”. Flying south, we stayed away from Hyway 1. NVA had dug in gun emplacements between the Pass and Phu Bai. The area was desolate. It reminded me of the American southwest- scrub brush and rocks. Vietnamese were rice farmers. They farmed the lowlands, which were slightly above sea level. 

Nearing the Pass, the pilot spoke into his radio advising his fellow pilots that they were going to land at China Beach. Flying in pairs, another chopper followed along. As we neared the LZ (landing zone), I said my thanks and goodbyes. One of the door gunners handed me a patch. As I stepped out on the LZ, keeping my eyes covered from the blowing sand, I turned and saluted them as they ascended. Across the Huey's nose were crossed swords and “7th Cav” painted in yellow. I looked at the patch I had been given. It was George Armstrong Custer's old outfit!

Walking away from the LZ, a Marine PFC drove up in a Mighty Mite. Checking in first with an E-5 (Sgt.), he said, “I'll drop you off wherever you can check in, Sir.” Seeing I was a lowly PFC, he asked “How did you rate a Helo Delivery? That's the Air Cav Sgt., nothin' chickenshit about them! They've been moving north into I Corps. Good people!”

From that day on, I have had a high regard for the 1st Air Cavalry. For the next five days I would be in PARADISE! All the poon tang and cold San Miguel beer I could handle! I saw the Bob Hope Christmas Show, took showers, ate chow in mess halls... sat on chairs... at tables! Made a visit to Freedom Hill PX where I bought a 1968 XLCH 900 CC Harley Davidson Sportster for $900. (Another $900 upon taking delivery at Dudley Perkins, the oldest Harley Davidson dealership in San Francisco- it was treated as an import when I registered it! Didn't save any money, but making two payments fit just fine.)

I flew back north on a C-130. The R+R hadn't been long enough, but with only 40 days and 'a wake-up', what could happen? When I got back to Quang Tri, I found the pilot's Marine brother, gave him directions- he would meet his brother. I would connect with my lifer cousin. We never saw each other again....31 January 1968.

I was checkin' out to go home and during what was called Vietnam's Tet Lunar New Year, the Shit Happened. The NVA hit all the big cities, province capitols, the embassy in Saigon, Danang and Hue. I had made it to Phu Bai, south of Hue. We were now in the fight of our lives. Three nights and four days later, I was relieved by my ol' bud Bobbie Dale Carden. I went home. (I finally heard from Bobbie Dale 30 years later... computers!)

Anyhow, it was my last Christmas in Vietnam. I thought it would be a good story for my last SOTD! I WROTE 115 of THESE!! I know little about music, other than I like it. I wrote what I know about: 'Nam, cars, trucks, 4x4s and Harleys. I wrote a little about drinkin' beer! About funerals, friends dyin'. Anyhoo, I've enjoyed it- hope that you have! 

Have a Merry Whatever ya wanna call it! Wishing you the best in all your years. 

-Chris's dad Ray, or, my Ojibwe name “Naygwonabe”...