This recording talks about every day life like what we ate, how we got through our typical day etc.
Here I am standing in front of the ammo dump at our command base in An Hoa. Three days after this photo, incoming rockets blew it into oblivion.
Whenever we came in from the weeds we had to man a bunker on the perimeter of the command base at An Hoa.
Here I am next to the 106mm recoiless rifle at bunker 18. You can see how torn up the sandbags are at this key corner bunker as this one one that the enemy constantly tried to penetrate but without success. I have so many stories that happened right here at this bunker.
Something else to notice is the size of the 106. If you ever see pictures of this weapon used in Viet Nam they are usually mounted on mules (armored jeeps essentially. As many as 6 to a vehicle). In my case we had one right here for up close battle against an enemy that desperately wanted this bunker.
Even more ridiculous is that we actually carried this around in the bush for miles at a time. 2 men on the breach, 1 in the middle of the barrel and another on the end. Then it took 2 men just to carry the tripod. Everyone had to carry the rounds. Look at the size of this thing and imagine the size of each round.
Check out the canisters in the foreground.
This was not a fun thing to hump around in 100 degree temperatures and humidity.
The worst part is when we finally set the thing up it became the most sought after target by the enemy as it was without a doubt the weapon that could cause the most damage in close combat.
Something else to notice is the size of the 106. If you ever see pictures of this weapon used in Viet Nam they are usually mounted on mules (armored jeeps essentially. As many as 6 to a vehicle). In my case we had one right here for up close battle against an enemy that desperately wanted this bunker.
Even more ridiculous is that we actually carried this around in the bush for miles at a time. 2 men on the breach, 1 in the middle of the barrel and another on the end. Then it took 2 men just to carry the tripod. Everyone had to carry the rounds. Look at the size of this thing and imagine the size of each round.
Check out the canisters in the foreground.
This was not a fun thing to hump around in 100 degree temperatures and humidity.
The worst part is when we finally set the thing up it became the most sought after target by the enemy as it was without a doubt the weapon that could cause the most damage in close combat.
My family sent me this picture while I was away. I kept it close to me and it's one of my all time favorite photos. It says it all. This had to be my Mom's idea. Thanks Mum.