A view of Vietnam from the truck driver's seat

I have memories that may be different perhaps than many. I went over October 5th, 1970, initially to the 4th Infantry, then to a Rear Detachment at Cam Rahn Bay and then to Bao Loc. AIT was Combat Engineer at Ft. Leonardwood so I went over as a 12B; when I got to my company at the 4th Infantry I volunteered to drive truck as I grew up working on farms. I was accepted and got the scenic tour of the Central Highlands from the Coast to Ple Khu (don't remember the spelling anymore). We hauled supplies, fuel and whatever was put on our trucks I guess.

I remember the scenery, much of it beautiful, I remember instructions if we were ambushed that we were not to stop, we would call for air support; if your truck was disabled take cover immediately. I remember orders to maintain speed through the passes and villages and towns. 

One particular day the Convoy leader miscalculated time and we entered a village at Market Hour. The streets were packed with pedestrians, bikes and San Pans; we weren't slowing down. If you think LA Traffic is nerve wracking, well...... One of the San Pans loaded with passengers ran out of room in the street; the driver of the San Pan pulled in under my truck in between the fuel tank and the rear duels. I could hear the passengers screaming and could see their fear in the mirror. I couldn't slow down or speed up, finally the driver found an opening and pulled out from under the truck; what a relief.

I remember the kids coming out to the convoys when we were stopped; it lightened our day, we watched their hands always to make sure they ween't behind them; gratefully I never saw any children that weren't smiling or just curious. I was and am still a bit dumbfounded as to how they managed to smile after so many years of constant threat.  

A Convoy in front of us was hit in a pass on the way to Sha Rang Valley (SP); it was the one time I got to see Puff work. A plum of black arose from the mountain they were circling. At first I thought a fire had started but later realized it was the dirt that was being churned–there was no fire. After about four months at Ahn Khe the 4th began Standing Down. At four months I didn't have enough time to rotate with them so I was transferred to an Engineering Battalion at Bao Loc; their Rear Detachment was at Cam Rahn Bay. 

When I arrived there we were rained in for a few days. Around the third day the E8, Sgt. Handley noticed I wasn't using drugs or hanging with those that were and he asked me to stay at Cam Rahn and take care of a 3/4 ton and a deuce and 1/2 and drive people to and from the airport. 

He rather quickly got me promoted to E4 which was an NCO at the Air Force Base. Occasionally I would drive him and myself to the Air Force NCO Club where we would have a steak. After the meal he would relax and play slots and I would go to a movie.

Shortly before the Rear Detachment at Cam Rahn was moved to Ben Hoa Charlie put an SR22 into the theater closing it for I don't know how long. Luckily the rocket came about 2 in the morning when the theater was closed. 

Mai Lhe had been at Berkely during many of the riots so I was a little confused at her support knowing she saw dissent at Berkely. Turns out that is the reason she valued our freedom so highly–people were free to think for themselves and express their views; they could dissent, violate some rule obstructing access or something along those lines; be arrested but be back in school the next day to protest again.