Stories from the War, but this one is funny

[DallasDon]

Well I have lived to the ripe old age of 64 now and have ridden motorcycles all my life but there was a time in my life that I didn't believe I'd live to ever ride another one. Those days in Vietnam took a toll on me but I do remember some humorous times and this is one of them.

I am writing a book about my life and those times to pass on to my children so they will have some perspective about what they have been told and what really happened. This was one of the stories that was published with my permission on www.ridearoundamerica.com. I though some of you might find it interesting.

I'd really like to hear some stories from some others if they care to share.

http://www.ridearoundamerica.com/stories/vn/stout_tet_68.html

[DaveC]

Thanks.

[Tracker]

Words can't said enough for the appreciation I have for your service to our country. Thank you and thanks for sharing the story. I look forward to the book.

[SirWilhelm]

Tnx Don. My time was spent caring for wounded up at Naval Hospital #1 in Portsmouth, NH. We had lots of stories and some real sad injured we got due to their being from up there. Tnx for being in Harm's Way.
Bill
HMC-USNR/MAJ-USAR NC

[DallasDon]

Tnx Don. My time was spent caring for wounded up at Naval Hospital #1 in Portsmouth, NH. We had lots of stories and some real sad injured we got due to their being from up there. Tnx for being in Harm's Way.
Bill
HMC-USNR/MAJ-USAR NC

Thank you for your care of my comrades and I have a great deal of respect for folks like you. Seeing the devasting injuries day in and day out takes it's own toll and I'm sure you paid more than your share. Thank you for your service.

[Navy CWO]

Don:

Tnx for your service! I had the opportunity to deal with the REMF types a few times also!

[DallasDon]

I haven't heard the term REMF used in a while. Not a lot of people know what that means. Good on you!

[RedPill]

Hey, I know what that means! I'm just not allowed to say it . . . :lol2: And, no, I don't just mean here on this forum.

[wanabeguru]

Thanks for your service! I, too, was "in" [64-71]serving overseas with the USN. There were some funny incidents that due to the nature of my "job" I can't relate. the Navy gave me an excellent education in electronics, nuclear power and some "other" stuff.

[gixxerjasen]

Thanks for relaying that story, good stuff.

You asked for other stories, and while I have absolutely none of my own, I did read a great book called "Taking Fire" by Charles W. Sasser and Ron Anderson. Ron was a Huey pilot during Vietnam and he really had a humorous way of telling his stories. It's worth a read.

Other helicopter related Vietnam books I've read that were good as well include
Low Level **** - Hugh L Mills
Chickenhawk - Robert Lee Mason

Low Level **** being one of the most exciting and enjoyable books I've read in a while.

I liked your relaying of being a supply guy in the fighting. Funny how things work out so differently from what you figure or are told when you first go in. I was a truck driver in the Marine Corps. Always figured that'd be a pretty safe job. Fortunately I got out before having to go overseas and deal with IED's.

[RedPill]

I have a friend (had - he died a couple of years ago) who had this great plan to avoid going to Vietnam. He joined the Airborne and became a company clerk, because he thought they'd never get sent to Vietnam . . .

He spent a tour as a Graves Registration liaison. It seriously messed with his head.

Thanks for your service, Don. I know that's not why you posted this, but thanks anyway.

[bigjnsa]

I have a few stories from Desert Storm that I need to write down.

[DallasDon]

I have a few stories from Desert Storm that I need to write down.

I'd love to hear them so get to writing!

[bigjnsa]

To summarize a few...

1. Broke down on some road with my co-driver, we started a fire to keep warm during the night. MPs found us and thought we were the enemy.

2. Took some leave and the 1st Sgt took us to Bahrain and we hit every bar we could find, all the hotel bars, etc... Don't remember much, but it must have been fun ;)

3. Drag racing a 200 ton semi with a M1A1 on the trailer down Kuwaiti roads. We wanted to see who had the truck with the fastest governor on it.

4. Spending the night after another break down in a fully loaded M1A1 listening to the Super Bowl with the crew. They even let me drive it!

[Iceman Jack]

He spent a tour as a Graves Registration liaison. It seriously messed with his head.



Bravo Company
2nd Battalion,7th Calvary
1st Air Calvary
1968-1969

Linky http://www.bravo2-7.org/about/

Graves Registration..........now there's a word I haven't heard in awhile. I was wounded in March of 69,Spent one more week in a hospital in Vietnam,at Ton Son Nhut Air base,then two more weeks in Japan somewhere,then on to Brooke hospital in San Antonio for about two months.

I begged ever day for the doctors to let me go home,then out of the blue one day the doc finally looks at my chart,and says "what are you still doing here"? I was on my way back to Big D in a flash. As I'm clearing post,some clerk say "we'll let you know when to come back..........like I was worried about coming back?
Finally,a few weeks,and many beers later,I get a letter telling me to report back to the hospital in San Antonio. I hop in my trusty old Ford and head back to the hospital. I get in around 11:00 PM in the evening. The clerk there says" Uh,we aint got no room for you here,so you need to go back home and wait on us to get in touch with you"

I told him there was no way I was going to drive all the way back to Dallas in the middle of the night and that I needed a place to catch some shut eye.

He sends me to a psych ward to spend the night!:eek2: Some poor guy about my age that had been in Graves Registration was in a bunk just across from me. It was a very long night. The poor dude went from crying uncontrollably to laughing at the top of his lungs all night long. Then sometimes during the night he decides to douse himself with Jade East!! Stunk up the whole place.
I've had more fun pinned down in a rice paddy all night long. As soon as the sun hit the horizon,I hauled it back to Dallas.
It was weeks before they figured out where I was! I loved every minute I was gone.

[Eric2Tex]

That was good, and reminds me of more than a few times when a good senior NCO wielded some real power, even to the point of ordering officers around. I have few humorous tales, but none from a war, unless the cold war counts.

[DallasDon]

Outlaw6guy, good story and it rings so true. Love to buy you a beer (or 4 or 5 or.....) if out paths cross. Welcome home brother and I'm awfully proud of you.