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It Good to be Home

On 1 May 1970, President Richard Nixon initiated the Cambodian Incursion and ordered American and ARVN troops across the border, and into the Cambodian sanctuaries.  

His main goal was to destroy "the headquarters of the entire communist military operation in South Vietnam." His secondary goal was to capture and eliminate the huge military caches of supplies and material used by the NVA in its attempt to over-through the government of South Viet Nam. If successful, this operation would facilitate the further withdrawal of American Troops and buy time for the ARVN forces to master the defense of their own country. 

Two shirtless soldiers sit inside a makeshift building.

FDC LZ- Ketter in Cambodia.

On that day, the 1st Air Cavalry Division, along with the 25th Infantry Division, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and forces of the ARVN stormed into the previously safe Cambodian sanctuaries of the NVA. 

As usual, B battery 2nd of the 19th Artillery closely followed the 2nd of the 7th infantry into battle, and by nightfall had established FSB Ketter. The FDC bunker had been quickly dug, beamed with cut timbers, planked with PSP (portable steel plank), and covered with the required three layers of sandbags. 

All of us were blackened with the Cambodian soil, fouled with days of unwashed sweat, and consumed with exhaustion, but we were operational. 

The days were hot and exhausting; the nights weren’t much better, but the battery continued its mission of support. We all knew we had a job to do.

The next day we noticed that ground water was seeping into the FDC, so we laid wooden pallets on the dirt floor. The field solution worked for a while, but soon the water was 3 inches deep, so we hastily laid down another pallet floor. Again the problem was temporarily solved, but now we were bumping our heads against the wood timbers used to support the bunker roof, as we had raised the floor at least 8 inches. By the third day, we were walking in water while trying to function as the FDC. 

As the situation was untenable, we were forced to abandon the bunker and move the FDC to a steel CONAX container. Within hours of our move, the FDC bunker collapsed into a pool of water. From Ketter the battery moved to FSB Gonder, where we continued to support 1st Cavalry Infantry with the rapid firepower of the 105mm Scorpion howitzer. 

The days were hot and exhausting; the nights weren’t much better, but the battery continued its mission of support.

We all knew we had a job to do and that the lives of our fellow troopers depended on our ability to rain artillery terror down upon the NVA. The hot Cambodian sun seemed to drain us, as its heavy rays fell from above. 

On one very hot afternoon, I held a small scrap of cardboard above my head just for the illusion of shade. The warm relief was only temporarily, however, and I returned to the task at hand. 

How long the battery would be on “vacation” in Cambodia only the top brass knew. As for us, we just kept firing rounds and prayed we'd get back alive. 

And then as quick as it started, the mission was over. 

The Chinooks landed; we boarded; they hovered; the guns were slung; we made a fast run for the border. I'm not sure how many of us were on board, but every seat was taken. 

The troops were simply spent, as their bowed heads rested on the butt end of their M-16s. Tired as I was, I couldn't help but watch the passing jungle canopy through the opened hatch door in the belly of our Chinook. As the endless greenery flashed by, the pilot came on the horn and announced we had just crossed the border and were back in Viet Nam. 

The exhausted soldier next to me moaned in a quiet voice: “Oh my god, it's good to be home.” I almost lost it.

Biographical Details

Primary Location During Vietnam: Bu Dop, Vietnam Vietnam location marker

Story Subject: Military Service

Military Branch: U.S. Army

Dates of Service: 1969 - 1970

Story Themes: 1969, 1970, 1st Air Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division, Army, ARVN, Bu Dop, Cambodia, Cambodian Campaign, Cambodian Incursion, Dennis Owens, Homesickness, Mankato, Missions, Read, Richard Nixon, Terrain

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