We lost a lot of Marines (of which I nearly became one) to hold that place because it was so VITAL...until they decided that it wasn't and tore it down.
Hi Brock, "KHE SANH!!!!!!!!!!" Whenever I see those words posted or hear it, a "Pandora's Box" of memories is unleashed upon me!!!!.. 'Just off shore from Da Nang on the USS PRINCETON LPH-5 (05-11/'68) was as close to the "dirt" that is KHE SANH but even closer was to work with the men who survived!! When we arrived "In Country" in "The War Zone!! ... (tax free and no income tax with holding!!) The first thing you notice is the sound of "Constant artillery pounding 'something!!'" It was ceaseless !!! I have lots of stories... but for this short interval I send you on a "Scavenger hunt" here's the info..... a "Signet book" more to come!! "A Signet Special Broadside * N3546 $1.00" "In behalf of the men who will never get out, for whom help came too late' "I PROTEST!" David Douglas Duncan KHE SANH, Vietnam
Golf Company ... 2/26 Marines "Nuff said" Barry was the first Marine or anybody that I heard say "The Duck Farm!!!!" "What do you mean??" I asked?? He said,"We were 'sittin' ducks'" Then I knew!! 'Lost track of Barry, Mike, "Chubby," "Zeke" and a bunch of others... 'Bitch is, the war didn't end at Khe Sanh!!!! IT WENT ON!! I had the dubious honor of being the POIC of the "Stretcher Bearer" crew,, Hanger deck and below.......(the Morgue!!) Bigelow had the flight deck... then he retired to the MORGUE after ever thing settled down... (3rd deck down below the hanger deck!!) There were lots of bodies!! I usedta' remember all their names..... then a few years after "I got out" I realized I can't remember not even one of their "NAMES!!!!" (It ain't 'OLD FARTS DISEASE troops!!) "BUT" ... I can't forget "ANY!!!!"...... of their Faces.......
Hi Brock, Oh BTW, Working with the "Med Decks" back "Then" there were certain hazards that became known... If you were a "Med Corpsman" in the bush... You were a Major Target it was said, as a Corpsman said one day, "Charlie got an extra bowl of rice for killing a corpsman!!!" ... It was one hell of a job!!! skybill PS Hope you can find the book!! Several of the troops depicted there in survived and hung out with me in the "V-6 Paraloft" hanger deck aft port side, after hours.. hot music on the old akai tape machine and "HOT Navy Coffee!!!" After a few "Blue Eyes*" we may close Miss P's BOX... but it takes a while.... (*) Blue Eyes... 3 fingers of "JACK" over 5 ice cubes... Frank Sinatra's "Signature" drink in the Studio....
After a few "Blue Eyes*" we may close Miss P's BOX... but it takes a while....(*) Blue Eyes... 3 fingers of "JACK" over 5 ice cubes... Frank Sinatra's "Signature" drink in the Studio....
My uncle was Air Force Tac ATC, operating at the base of the tower at Khe Sanh. Said it were nasty.
ReplyDeleteThanks and I hope he is well.
DeleteWe lost Marines (and I was nearly one of them) to hold this place because it was VITAL...until they decided it wasn't any more and tore it down.
ReplyDeleteYes and there are many great pictures of the war and this must be in competition for the best. Do you have more to relate? Thanks.
DeleteWe lost a lot of Marines (of which I nearly became one) to hold that place because it was so VITAL...until they decided that it wasn't and tore it down.
ReplyDeleteYes and do you have more to say on your experience? Thanks.
DeleteHi Brock,
ReplyDelete"KHE SANH!!!!!!!!!!" Whenever I see those words posted or hear it, a "Pandora's Box" of memories is unleashed upon me!!!!.. 'Just off shore from Da Nang on the USS PRINCETON LPH-5 (05-11/'68) was as close to the "dirt" that is KHE SANH but even closer was to work with the men who survived!! When we arrived "In Country" in "The War Zone!! ... (tax free and no income tax with holding!!) The first thing you notice is the sound of "Constant artillery pounding 'something!!'" It was ceaseless !!!
I have lots of stories... but for this short interval I send you on a "Scavenger hunt" here's the info..... a "Signet book" more to come!! "A Signet Special Broadside * N3546 $1.00"
"In behalf of the men who will never get out, for whom help came too late'
"I PROTEST!"
David Douglas Duncan
KHE SANH, Vietnam
Golf Company ... 2/26 Marines "Nuff said" Barry was the first Marine or anybody that I heard say "The Duck Farm!!!!" "What do you mean??" I asked?? He said,"We were 'sittin' ducks'" Then I knew!!
'Lost track of Barry, Mike, "Chubby," "Zeke" and a bunch of others...
'Bitch is, the war didn't end at Khe Sanh!!!! IT WENT ON!! I had the dubious honor of being the POIC of the "Stretcher Bearer" crew,, Hanger deck and below.......(the Morgue!!) Bigelow had the flight deck... then he retired to the MORGUE after ever thing settled down... (3rd deck down below the hanger deck!!) There were lots of bodies!! I usedta' remember all their names..... then a few years after "I got out" I realized I can't remember not even one of their "NAMES!!!!" (It ain't 'OLD FARTS DISEASE troops!!) "BUT" ... I can't forget "ANY!!!!"...... of their Faces.......
skybill
I'll check it out and thanks.
DeleteHi Brock,
ReplyDeleteOh BTW, Working with the "Med Decks" back "Then" there were certain hazards that became known... If you were a "Med Corpsman" in the bush... You were a Major Target it was said, as a Corpsman said one day, "Charlie got an extra bowl of rice for killing a corpsman!!!" ... It was one hell of a job!!!
skybill
PS Hope you can find the book!! Several of the troops depicted there in survived and hung out with me in the "V-6 Paraloft" hanger deck aft port side, after hours.. hot music on the old akai tape machine and "HOT Navy Coffee!!!"
After a few "Blue Eyes*" we may close Miss P's BOX... but it takes a while....
(*) Blue Eyes... 3 fingers of "JACK" over 5 ice cubes... Frank Sinatra's "Signature" drink in the Studio....
After a few "Blue Eyes*" we may close Miss P's BOX... but it takes a while....(*) Blue Eyes... 3 fingers of "JACK" over 5 ice cubes... Frank Sinatra's "Signature" drink in the Studio....
DeleteWhen the world was still normal.....:(