"Being There." Topic

"For some, living conditions were not dramatically different than at any military base in the United States. These included suitable barracks, shower facilities, hot meals, entertainment, and many comforts of home. An Army lawyer who served in Saigon recalls the conflicted feelings he experienced one evening as he enjoyed a fresh cooked meal and a glass of wine on the roof of the Rex Hotel knowing that men were fighting and dying just a few miles away.

For others, the only comforts of home might be the letters they received when helicopters were able to resupply their units in the jungle. Instead of a cot in the barracks, they dug foxholes and suspended their poncho liners between trees in unsuccessful efforts to stay dry. Instead of hot meals, they ignited a pinch of C-4 explosive to heat C-rations. One Army platoon leader recalls monkeys throwing rocks and fruit at his unit as they paused to rest in the jungle. Another Army platoon leader recalls the day most of his men contracted dysentery from a contaminated Army water bladder…"

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Armand

Very good. Thanks.

A votre service mon cher ami…

Armand

They left out the ticks, leeches, foot/jungle rot, freezing monsoons, poison snakes, tigers, burning the shi--ers, warm beer, rats in the bunkers, razor grass, heat stroke, manning an LP outside the perimeter all night, etc.

There were quite a few "hot sauce gourmets" that put it on everything. It made the chopped ham & eggs (was mixed into a jelly like paste) edible.

The Marines didn't have enough choppers in I Corps so mostly humped it. Trading or stealing stuff from the Army helped too.

The Army tour was 12 months, the Marines 13 months.

Once in a while you'd get a few days liberty at the beach with BBQ, beer, etc. Then there was R&R in Thailand.

Wolfhag

I took my R&R in taiwan :) Was gonna hit Australia for my second (after extending) but was bumped by the company CO ! Grrrr !

Thanks

Armand