No where to run

I arrived in Vietnam on Aug 28th, 1967.

Over a loudspeaker a sweet, sexy voice came on the radio. It was Hainoy Hannah. She was from n. vietnam.

"This song is dedicated to Bravo co.1st btn, 9th Marines - the "running dogs". The song was No where to run-no where to hide." Martha and the Vandellas. Here.

We were not supposed to listen to this stuff. It was"propaganda". We thought what are they going to do-send us to Vietnam?

As it turned out we were replacing our unit before us. They were nearly wiped out! On July 2nd, 1967 Bravo co.made a sweep of the DMZ at Conthien. They were ambushed at the marketplace.

Out of about 177 Marines only 30 came back. They were wounded and killed. When I heard that song, I thought this is a crazy war.

We gradually learned what had happened to our outfit. We never heard any more songs. We were sent out to the field. No more radios. The war was at it's worse.

I made it home. Many did not. I will carry this sorrow for the rest of my life.