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I think it was the late part of 1969
when we were in Lai Kai guarding the airstrip. The ACAV's had played
airmobile and were airlifted to Bo Dup. For some reason I went up there
and my Sheridan crew had stayed with the tank. I told them to ensure
that we were refueled. I then had a lovely trip to Bo Dup and when I
returned all the tracks were being refueled and I asked my crew if we
had been topped off which I was told we were. Now as a good TC, I should
have checked. The next day I was part of a convoy to Quan Loi and about
half-way there, my engine started stalling. I really thought it was a
problem with the engine and contacted one of the mech's. We tried
everything but nothing worked. So then someone asked me if there was
fuel in the tank and gullible me, stated of course there is!! Our fuel
guage did not work. Well when
we checked, it was empty. Well the convoy left after they radioed to
have someone come out and fuel my tank up. Well here we were parked in
an area that was not really friendly to Blackhorse Troopers and me
trying to figure out what to say to the CO when we got back. Always
remember, check everything yourself. By the way--I had to go see the
medics after I saw the CO, he ripped me a new one!!
John Williams
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We were parked around the airstrip the
night of Ho Chi Min's birthday and since we were not invited to the
party, his friends decided to help them celebrate by pouring a lot of mortars
on our position. But there was only
one problem--it had been raining so much that all of the rounds got
buried in the mud before they exploded. I honestly cannot remember if
anyone was hurt during that attack, I do not think anyone was, but they
sure threw a lot of rounds into the area. It was an interesting night.
John Williams
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I remember the fire ants and their effect upon certain parts of my
anatomy, especially as I never wore underwear. I know we all carried
cases of that industrial strength insecticide on board for our daily
encounters with the little boogers. About five minutes after a particularly
intense encounter, I felt a sharp pain in my pants and unbuttoned to
find a single ant with his pincers imbedded in the end of my penis, very
unwilling to let go. Options for removal were kind of
limited, all things considered, and I think I finally sprayed him to get
rid
of him, or her? Anyway, I always kept a can in the cupola after that.
More
later...
Steve Vince
Hmmmm--fire ants--we had just got a new Plt Leader and I was
busting
one day when a nest of ants fell on my lap--Well as you know--it does
not
matter if we are in a firefight--the ants take precedence--I tore off my
clothes and helmet while the loader was spraying the area with bug
stuff--so
after we got rid of them--I put my helmet back on and the Lt was yelling
at
me as to why I took my helmet off--and I advised him of the ants--well
he
stated that I should always be in contact with him no matter what. Well
a
couple of days later, one of his gunners accidentally--he! he!--hit a
nest, in
the trees, with one of the antennas and it landed in his lap--well the
first
thing he took off was his helmet--hmmmm
John Williams |
