PArebel
Jr. Member
I do not usually start a post but this time of the year brings back some memories that do not go away.
Was lucky as I was posted to MACV HQ's, I guess making me a REMF. We went to bed listening to the South Vietnamese shooting off fireworks in a nearby compound. Were woke early the next morning by a "Red Alert".
Being remf someone in the higher command had decided we did not need weapons, as the communists would never attack Saigon. We were issued weapons from the arms room at the hdqs and spent the day sheltering behind the bunkers.
That evening a company of infantry, I think the First, was brought in and we were surely happy to see them. It was a stand down for them.
Somehow, the next day I volunteered to drive a jeep, thinking some higher up needed a ride over to Ton Son Nhut. Wrong. I had volunteered to drive an escort jeep for the big shots travelling into Saigon.
The infantry companies were rotated about every 4 days or so. 3 of the infantry were assigned as our shotgunners. There were 4 jeeps when we started. As I remember we had units from the First, 9th, 25th,101st, and a couple of the Light Infantry Bdgs. Hope I did not forgot any unit. Anyway, we escorted big shots [civilians and military] all over Saigon.
I was impressed with the professionalism of my shotgunners. They did a great job of protecting me and the other vehicle we were escorting.
Not sure if anyone reading this is one of my "shotgunners", but if you are, thanks from the bottom of my heart. You guys were terrific.
After my discharge I married in 1970, we had 3 kids, and now have 5 grandkids. No great grandkids yet, that would make me feel really, really old.
The best to all Veterans, and thank you for your Service to all Vietnam Vets.
Was lucky as I was posted to MACV HQ's, I guess making me a REMF. We went to bed listening to the South Vietnamese shooting off fireworks in a nearby compound. Were woke early the next morning by a "Red Alert".
Being remf someone in the higher command had decided we did not need weapons, as the communists would never attack Saigon. We were issued weapons from the arms room at the hdqs and spent the day sheltering behind the bunkers.
That evening a company of infantry, I think the First, was brought in and we were surely happy to see them. It was a stand down for them.
Somehow, the next day I volunteered to drive a jeep, thinking some higher up needed a ride over to Ton Son Nhut. Wrong. I had volunteered to drive an escort jeep for the big shots travelling into Saigon.
The infantry companies were rotated about every 4 days or so. 3 of the infantry were assigned as our shotgunners. There were 4 jeeps when we started. As I remember we had units from the First, 9th, 25th,101st, and a couple of the Light Infantry Bdgs. Hope I did not forgot any unit. Anyway, we escorted big shots [civilians and military] all over Saigon.
I was impressed with the professionalism of my shotgunners. They did a great job of protecting me and the other vehicle we were escorting.
Not sure if anyone reading this is one of my "shotgunners", but if you are, thanks from the bottom of my heart. You guys were terrific.
After my discharge I married in 1970, we had 3 kids, and now have 5 grandkids. No great grandkids yet, that would make me feel really, really old.
The best to all Veterans, and thank you for your Service to all Vietnam Vets.
