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General => Eye Candy | Videos and Pics => Topic started by: Stig / Major Tom on July 11, 2023, 03:38:27 PM
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July 9th, over half a century ago - I had breakfast with two friends (a medic and a crew chief) in the mess of the 71st Evac Hosp in the central highlands of S.E. Asia.
I was on "light duty" for 3 days while treating a suppurating wound on my arm.
They were called out on a mission soon after we talked. Their flight disappeared. Their Huey was either shot down or had flown into a mountain in the mixed ceiling. The crash site was never discovered. The Army listed the crew of 4, as MIA.....
Years later I think their families received a change of status - "to MIA, presumed KIA"
Like many small towns - my small Ohio town constructed a Vietnam memorial to the approx. 63 men from this county who died in Vietnam.
On my personal anniversary, I swung by there for a few - before heading out on my coffee ride.
Quiet there, along the river, before sunrise.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7YChLZkm/20230709-060947-3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fWCqbMKt/20230709-060947-2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hn8rFYWZ/20230709-061046-2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Dzm41Pk3/20230709-060602-3.jpg)
Stig
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Great memorial, Tom. My very soul mourns for those who are named on walls and thoughtful, respectful memorials like this, those 18, 20 year-old kids racing wheelchairs in Oakland Naval Hospital and for us, the walking wounded, angry, survivor-guilt ridden left-overs of a conflict of doubtful value and definitely not defending our country.
My heart goes to all my brothers and sisters still here from all branches. Especially the docs armed with only a medical kit and a determination to not lose a single one...
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Moving story and photos Tom thanks. Keep the faith.
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can't imagine what those kids must have gone through...looks like a beautiful, serene setting. Thanks for sharing.
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Over the years I wondered how many died from Hampshire county, Mass. ? (my draft board)
And who died from my truncated basic training class for C.O.'s? (6 vs 8 wks. No weapons training)*
and who from my combat medic and advanced med. classes?*
And a general question - of the more than 1,100 medics, (and 680 corpsmen) who died in Vietnam how many of those medics were C.O.'s?
I've learned a few things.
Two C.O. medics were awarded the MOH in Vietnam.
Only one man, an officer not surprisingly, was killed from Amherst, Mass. (my home of record, pop 23,000 in 1968) as Amherst is home to U.Mass. and Amherst college and this was during the era of student deferments.
For a 'fix' every couple of months, I listen to a Huey on youtube. Open two channels and play some CCR** over the sound of a Huey start-up.
Stig
*without access to the rosters I can only recall the names of two classmates.
** yeah, I know Fogerty avoided 'Nam by slipping himself into the Reserves - but he's still a fav of Vets.
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Vietnam. Not sorry that was one conflict that the UK passed on.
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Vietnam. Not sorry that was one conflict that the UK passed on.
I didn't realize....
I remember the Australians. They gave us the bush hats, AKA - "soft cover" - which so many post/'Nam vets wear these days, but which few wore In-Country. They were light-weight, cooler, shaded better - but wouldn't 'stop' a large flying bug!
The correct Army "cover", if not wearing the steel pot, was the fierce looking goofy O.D. (olive drab) baseball cap. Which is....goofy looking, so paunchy old V.Vets wear the nifty looking Ausy hats!
And the ROK's....man those soldiers from Korea were feared wide and hard by the enemy!
Asians save their most brutal behavior for one another!
Did you ever see Bill "I never touched that girl" hanging about over there in the late 60's?
Stig