-
The first mine/tank encounter, M-24 - that was the
last land mine M-24 engaged. Not counting the 500
pounder in the "Iron Triangle", which almost
wrecked my military career and my life. The ride across
the "Iron Triangle" was fast, and a great
deal of data was gathered in a short time. The squadron
commander, regimental commander and the 1st. Inf.
IV commander all gave a great big "Good Run"
-- however, for "M" Company there were no
awards, no medals, no accolades!
-
The men of our company found a large number of huts
in the jungle. I personally found four huts. Three
of the huts had radios in them and two radios were
left behind as the VC ran away. The troop commanders
took credit for everything, even though they were
lost in the jungle for a majority of the trip. The
troopers of "M" Company received no accolades!
-
Around Al Kia, I found a VC map under a bush which
could not be seen from the air or by the troops in
ACAVs. Only I could see it from my tank commander's
position. I directed the foot patrol to the proper
location after trying to convince the commander that
it was a real map. When the map was retrieved, it
revealed the current locations, strengths and plans
of the VC. All of the credit for finding the map went
to the commander who didn't believe me -- no
accolades!
-
March 10, 1967, one of the times I worked with "M"
Company, in country, we came under attack by mortar
and machine guns. I instructed my platoon to perform
a right flank and fire "HE" delay short
of the wood line. This allowed the rounds to ricochet
into the air over the mortar positions which caused
the VC to run. They left weapons, and a pig which
O'Farrell wrote about just before the Blackhorse convention
in New Orleans. The commanding officer joined the
platoon in this attack and it aided him in his career.
He received awards and accolades, but for my platoon
there were no accolades!
