Veterans page!!
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I was in 1st.plt C.co 1/27th--67-68---I went over on a ship--that took 27 days--never-never again. It was an old troop ship left over from WW2. I started out in D.co --that was just starting up---we had to build most of what we needed--clear the area--run the water off. After a short time with them---a few of us were sent to C co--which to this day I think saved my life. Co was a bunch of hard ass boys--every few made the full 365 days and I didn't know anyone that didn't have a few purple harts. I was lucky that I was taken under wing by some of the old timers--showed me what to do and not . I was gung ho from the start and they liked that. The first thing they told you was to forget what you had been told in the states and learn what they were going to teach you--that is if you wanted to last your tour. In this group if you messed up a lot ---and just would not try to learn---they would shoot you to get you off the line. I was from Holland Michigan so I was given the neck name -(DUTCH). A lot of times you never knew a guys real name just his nick name. I used a lot of different weapons there--16--79--60--which we called --THE PIG. I was company sniper for a few months--I was the only one to be able to hang the gun back up after I took it down--the two before were not as lucky. I will send you a lot of photos shortly and other info I have. (1jan. 2002)
Dec.12 about 2:15 in the morning as we were being over run in
an area called TRANG BANG--I was shot in the left hand side of my pot--the
round went over the top of my head--passing through my hair--cutting a letter
in half I had up inside and stopped coming half way out just above my right
ear.
I thought a Mac truck had hit me--my ears still ring from that.
It hit with such force that I had been on my knees and it picked me up off my
feet. Thank God it was an AK round--it never bent so it didn't blow up when it
came in. (2jan. 2002)
(thanks for the information Craig!!) |
Yesterday
a new friend of me (also a Wolfhound) told me a sad story about his best
friend he lost in Vietnam!! So I wanted to take a minute and honor him and
his friend. Doug was in C co 2/27, He was in Vietnam in 67/68 and he
was an m60 gunner. As it was often the case in Vietnam, Doug only knew his
best friend by his nickname which was Shortround. Shortround was also in C
co 2/27, and he was also a machine gunner. He was KIA in November 67 while
Doug was on R&R, and Doug has up to this day never known his real name
or where he was from. So I would like to dedicate this poem to Shortround.
A TEAR FOR THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR ALL
it reflects the sorrow and pain of the heart.
glare of black stone whose face has a chisel look.
old friends who are no more.
heart saying we are here for you.
you stayed behind.
only a man can cry for lost friends. --------------------
And as a favor to Doug I would like to ask that if anyone has any Information on the Wolfhound nicknamed Shortround, please let me know. Thanks!! Erik.
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(Thanks for the picture Hank!!) |
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