A Minnesota PBS Initiative
My Vietnam Story
I'll never forget it when our passenger plane was just getting ready to land on the runway in Cam'ron Bay. The pilot said over the speaker we have "In Comming" I of course did not know what that meant, but I was soon going to find out. That the NVA were shooting rockets at the runway.
So we were ordered not to get off the plane until the all clear was given. That was my welcome to Vietnam. And oh by the way. It was December 24, Christmas Eve. morning 1969. The Red Cross tried to help us celebrate the Christmas holiday. Of course it wasn't the same as being at home with your family. I tried to make the best of it.
But what did I know what was going on, I was just an 18 year old drafte. The last one drafted from my County in Mn. I was actually proud to go in the service because my Father served in world War 2. So now it was my turn to fight for my country.
It was December 24, Christmas Eve morning 1969. The Red Cross tried to help us celebrate the Christmas holiday.
That night I returned to the temporary Baracks where we were to stay until we got our orders. It was one of the most saddest nights of my life. There were several married guys who were crying because there thoughts were being with there families. Not some war 10,000 miles away from home. I did not get much sleep that night.
Then in about 3 days I got my marching orders on to Chu Lai, then finally my new home LZ Hawk Hill A Battery 3/82Artillery battery, Americal division. Then on to several fire mission in the jungles of South Vietnam. I Seen a lot of things that don't need to be repeated.
I was just one of the fortunate ones to come home, while a lot of my friends and brothers who gave there life for that Dam War, who I miss to this very day. I only wish that we could of been appreciated more when we came home, if not for us, But for those who didn't make that trip back to the WORLD, (That's what we call the USA) My Buddies who gave the Altamont for there Country.
This story is part of Holidays Away From Home.
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Biographical Details
Submitted From: Bloomington, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Chu Lai, Vietnam 
Story Subject: Military Service
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Dates of Service: 1969 - 1971
Veteran Organization: DAV
Unit: Americal Division
Specialty: 13A10
Story Themes: Americal Division, Brotherhood, Christmas, Combat, Coming Home, DAV, Death and Loss, Disabled American Veterans, Draft, Hawk Hill, Holiday, Sacrifice
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