Daily Log
Military Events
Mar 27, 1968
Took Induction Physical.
Apr 11, 1968
Sworn in at Reserve Center, Called to active Duty.
May 13, 1968
Reported to active duty at Reserve Center.
May 20, 1968
Flew to Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. With 311th Field Hospital.
Jun 10, 1968
Monday - Noon - Reported to Reception Station.
Jun 17, 1968
Started Basic Training E-3-3 - always tired, would sleep in classes and on free weekends at theatre[if you stayed in Barricks they would make you do details]. Had 8 weeks of training. Graduated Aug 8,68. Flew to Ft. Ord Ca. immediately after Basic, no leave.
Aug 12, 1968
Started AIT Training C-2-2 - Fell asleep in foxhole. Had 9 weeks of training then 2 weeks leave before going to Nam.
Oct 12, 1968
Flew from Monterey 7AM to San Fran 7:34AM on United-San Fran 8:30 to Chicago[20Min] to Cinti 4:57 PM American.
Oct 28, 1968
At Midnight, leave from Oakland for Nam VIA Alaska on Commercial Airline [Stewardesses, air conditioning, drinks and snacks] - When getting off of plane, heat was overwhelming. Long Bien - EM Club. Bien Hoa - Lots of Women & Kids.
Nov 1, 1968
An Khe - Couple hundred miles North of Saigon-area is filthy, people use anything for homes and stores. An Khe - Assigned to 1st Air Cav - Slept in hammocks with mosquito netting. - During KP would hide out in coolers.
Nov 5, 1968
Assigned to Americal Division.
Nov 6, 1968
Chu Lai.
Nov 9, 1968
Assigned to the 196th Light Infantry Brigade.
Nov 10, 1968
Chu Lai - Doing Details - Started Classes - Told to forget everything we learned in Training.
Nov 19, 1968
Will soon go 45 Miles North to Unit. 1st Sargent says "boy, your going to be an RTO" [Command Post RTO] Radio was 25 extra lbs, 80 lbs total. Received equipment:Ruck Sack,3 canteens,M16, 15 loaded M16 Mags,entrenching tool,bayonet,poncho,camoflaged poncho cover,air mattress,1 towel,1 T shirt,shaver,shaving cream,toothbrush & paste,gas mask,pistol belt,1st aid pack,ammo pouch,steel pot and liner,flares,more ammo,frag grenades,smoke grenades,C-4,comp H,C-rations.
Nov 20, 1968
4PM flew out to field via chopper [6 guys] - assigned to 1st Platoon - RTO - got hollered at for not keeping head down when getting out of chopper - walked 200 meters across a rice patty - fired on before dark AK47[crack crack]-had 1st watch with another guy 8-9:40 PM, I couldn't see a thing that first night, but fine every night afterward, then to bed and back up at 6:30AM. Being RTO: Little guard duty, In charge of mail, packages and SP [Sundry Packs] for each squad. RTO Only had guard duty if we were short of men, and then usually got 1st or last watch. Mail and packages were given to Platoon Sgt. For each platoon, then he or RTO breaks it down between Command post[us] and 3 squads. - Then squad leaders break down and gives to team leaders and they give to men. Sundry Packs were distributed 1 pack per 100 men and included:10 cartons cigarettes,10 cigars,2 pouches pipe tobacco,1 plug chewing tobacco,12 bars soap,1 razor, 10 blades,2 cans shaving cream,2 toothbrushes,2 tubes paste,2 tabs paper,24 envelopes,2 pens,6 lbs candy.
Nov 21, 1968
On or about this date, while carrying radio and full back pack for the 1st time, lost balance and fell into stream while crossing it, trying to balance on a log. While in the boonies, in the evening, we would set up a perimeter as big as neccesary to allow every one to set up his tent [usually 2 men would put their ponchos together to form a 2 man tent] inside the perimeter, then dig foxholes and set up claymore mines.
Nov 26, 1968
Rainy, ran out of food for 3 meals, no choppers for days.
Nov 27, 1968
Went on long patrol - 3000 meters - Viet Interpreter follows me.
Nov 28, 1968
Thanksgiving - Talking and listening to radio - Chopper brought Turkey etc. - Then 1 bag mail, 7 bags of packages, SP packs.
Dec 3, 1968
On top of hill [old Marine fire support base that got overrun by NVA, we are to rebuild - For the past week and a half 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM walking up and down mountains - Grubby, no shave for a week, have leaches[squirt with "bug juice"] - Got 1st VC - 2 got away, called in artillery.
Dec 4, 1968
Priest came to top of hill and said Mass - 1st one since being in field
Dec 5, 1968
Got Christmas package from home[Paul] - Christmas Tree, Decorations, and can of spray snow. Displayed over Hooches and took lots of pictures[with others camera's] - Then Chinook [box car] came in and blew it down.
Dec 6, 1968
Arguing with Lt. Holroyd, called him a Gung Ho Idiot - I told him how to build a bunker.
Dec 8, 1968
Sent home some Vietnamese Christmas cards I had gotten from Viet Interpreter - Went on patrol with Platoon Sgt. [Chad] instead of with crazy Lt. - I kept calling in false grid coordinates of where we were so that we didn't have to walk so much - Chad told the other RTO that I was a good RTO - Went to Mass, got a medal and chain from Chaplain.
Dec 10, 1968
Short of men, so been having guard duty at night, prayed 3 rosary's each night - Lot of B52 strikes, mortars and artillery. Begin plotting to kill Lt. Holroyd because he always volunteers us for extra patrols and night ambushes.
Dec 11, 1968
Out on Patrol, searched 1st Hooch, had 6-3/4[interpreter] call the people out[3 mamason's & 7 babyson's] - David Knight took a picture of me with the Gook's - 3rd platoon has a new guy from Price Hill.
Dec 13, 1968
Friday - On Bunker Line, got choppered in, Platoon Sgt. Wrote poem - Got Camera [Kodak 126 Instamatic] and Radio from home[Paul], carried camera and radio in spare ammo pouches - will take 1st shower since Nov 18th - Got shave and haircut [held M-16 in lap while gook used straight razor to shave me] They also liked to shave your forehead. While on Bunker Line: we would guard the perimeter of a fire support base, go on patrol, do detail's including KP,and go to classes [Like how to conduct search and destroy missions, find and explore tunnels, study maps of the area] - Being RTO, didn't have to do details nor KP but I shared a bunker with Lt. And Medic and they felt they shouldn't have to guard the bunker, so I had to watch it 24 hrs a day. Everyone rather be in field, Got more sleep and didn't have detail's, and didn't have to be clean shaven all the time, also had to have your weapon unloaded unless actually on guard duty on or in a bunker.
Dec 14, 1968
On the Road, bunch of Tank's and APC's went by, Sent home a Gook Ring, will be sending 1st roll of film home soon. While on the road: We would Guard Hwy 1- keeping out the gooks and watching for mines and booby traps, and go on some patrols, we would only move about 500 feet a day and the Kids would carry your equipment in exchange for food. It was the best job, got plenty of rest and the kids would come by selling their wares, including Black Market pop for 50 cents. They sold cans with pop tops, when the army would send some to us, we had to use a church key to open.
Dec 15, 1968
Got package from home[Paul], had musical Nativity Scene.
Dec 16, 1968
On the Road, went on short patrol, Chopper brought in ice cream[cold and hard], Gave musical Nativity to 12 year old Sally from Que Son, she said "I keep forever and ever".
Dec 17, 1968
Got Radio Codes, they change every 12 hours - Sally came to see me.
Dec 20, 1968
Been in field 1 month - Sent home picture of me with undecorated Christmas Tree - up in Mountains.
Dec 23, 1968
Uncoding Grid Coordinates for tonight and tommorrow [where we will be going].
Dec 24, 1968
Test fired M-16, worked fine - Most guys received cloth bag with paper, Envelopes, soap,dishes,candy,cards.
Dec 25, 1968
Set off Flares, Star Clusters, and smoke grenades - 5 klicks from Cobra Base - we normally use noise and light discipline.
Dec 26, 1968
Got Sniper Fire - Got 2 new guys - Blew up 5 M72 LAU's, 10 Grenade's, and a pound of C-4.
Dec 31, 1968
Out in the Boonies - been up and down mountains, through rice patties, and in the valleys - Sent home propaganda [ours and theirs] - Every Night the Platoon Leader [Lt.], Platoon Sgt., and squad leaders have a meeting, sometimes me and other RTO too - Moved into a loger sight, shot at some dink's 3 times, on the opposite side of our perimeter a booby trapped Grenade went off killing David Knight [hit in right lung, throat, and heart] and injuring one other guy bad but OK, and scraches on 2 others - Doc Martinez lost my switch blade somewhere in the excitement [probably while in the clinic or hospital]. Guard duty was in pairs for this night. [I was glad of that].
Jan 2, 1969
On Standdown - Paid $10.00 each and then everything was free after that - Live floor shows every night[Austrailia, Thailand, California] - Movies every night - Mars Calls[3 minutes each] - Played Cards, football, had beach party's, get up when you wanted, sightsee, PX, clear up finance records, barbershop, Bar. Had flush toilets, showers and sinks. Mess Hall with Milk.
Jan 4, 1969
On Standdown - Staying at the "Chu Lai Hilton" [Charger Hotel] - Sent home 2 Polaroids of Curt Ernst & me.
Jan 5, 1969
On Bunker Line.
Jan 6, 1969
Choppered out to small hill.
Jan 7, 1969
In The Mountains again - all wet - Rained the last 3 days.
Jan 9, 1969
Finally stopped raining.
Jan 10, 1969
Company killed 5 more gooks - Rainy - Got hot meal by chopper - Grid Coordinates 995-385 [10 klicks WNW of Que Son].
Jan 11, 1969
Sunny - Found a lot of enemy weapons and equipment - 1 dink got away - Got hot meal by chopper.
Jan 12, 1969
Went on short patrol[700 Meters], found where Battalian of NVA were staying, Big Bunkers made of rocks, 80 rounds of 51 Cal. Ammo, Rice, NVA poncho, houches [looked like a village] - Went 500 more Meters, found Giant hooches, NVA Packs, Radio Equipment, Documents, Medical Equipment and clothing [including bras and panties] - Saw 2 dinks and 2 female nurses,then myself, platoon leader and 3 other guys chased them through the woods but they disappeared, they did lose their sandals, we brought in engineers to blow it all up. I had no film to take pictures.
Jan 13, 1969
Monday - Listened to Superbowl, Live, Started at 4AM, NY Jets beat the Baltimore Colts.
Jan 14, 1969
Tuesday - Moving around a lot - Finding all kinds of stuff - Had to keep cutting in LZ's to allow choppers to pick up stuff - Captured 1young NVA soldier, he showed us where ammo was hidden, I got a NVA Gas Mask, sent it to rear with a guy going on R&R, also found M16's, M79's and some Chinese weapons and ammo.
Jan 15, 1969
Our Platoon Killed 2 NVA, got 2 AK 47's - 3rd platoon got 10 AK47's, one 51 Cal Machine Gun, Mortars, Rockets, and NVA Clothing.
Jan 17, 1969
Now on top of "Hill 800" - Rough, slippery and steep - seen 1 dink, point man missed him - Going to LZ Ryder soon - Sent home "Glowing Leaves". Not sure of date but sometimes while on hillsides, when it rained a lot, had to wrap yourself around a tree at night to sleep so you wouldn't slide down hill.
Jan 18, 1969
Saturday - Still on top of Hill 800 - Finally got C-Rations and some LURP's[1st time], Hot Chow and a Priest for Mass [Priest was at St Mary's near Xavier Univ. for 6 yrs.] Old Chaplain went home - Fog moved in and Priest had to stay with us.
Jan 19, 1969
Sunday - The CO, Platoon Leader, 5 men plus myself moved down the muddy hill ahead of the rest, then at bottom, the CO and 2 men went ahead 2 miles [without a radio], they saw some dinks and fired at them. I radioed to the rest of the company and they hurried down the hill to meet us, then the platoon leader, 3 guys and myself ran the 2 miles to find them. The CO went another mile by himself- then me and LT[platoon Leader] went on to meet him. Then they sent me by myself back that 1 mile to send the other guys back to direct the company to where we were at. Then I had to go back that mile by myself again. We were in Hills, Tree's and thick Bushes, 2' wide trail, I had my M16 on full auto. - When I got back to the CO and LT., we found 5 booby traps [ I had found 1]. - When the rest of the company caught up with us, we ate and then sent out a small patrol with the other RTO, they got fired at but no one got hit.
Jan 20, 1969
Wrote the hardest letter of my life : to Mrs. Knight, answering her letter.
Jan 21, 1969
Walking down a trail, I was 4th man, I saw a booby trapped hand grenade, 1st 3 guys didn't trip it - we blew it up with some demo.
Jan 24, 1969
Walked from mountains to Valley - Flew to LZ Ryder for Bunker Line.
Jan 26, 1969
Wrote home asking for a cassette recorder - Sent home to Paul a 1 cent piece from North Vietnam - Felt Sick - John Knights mom should have pictures of me with Villager's.
Jan 27, 1969
On LZ Ryder - Feel better.
Jan 29, 1969
Still on Bunker Line [LZ Ryder] - 2 hot meals a day - Go on 1 patrol every 3 days - Have to go to classes.
Jan 30, 1969
Pretty Sick - 104 Temp.
Feb 1, 1969
Going on Night Ambush to Dayly Pass.
Feb 2, 1969
On Ambush, 2 dink's missed, M60 machine gun Jammed, Lt. Holroyd shooting wildly over our heads [we get more serious about our plot to kill him]. Then 5 more dinks come by but chopper fly's through pass and scares them off. - Flew to LZ Ross and went to movie.
Feb 3, 1969
Got clean clothes and a HOT shower then some beer and soda. - Got 1 new guy.
Feb 5, 1969
Still on LZ Ross - Fixing phones in bunkers, Got 2 more new guys - we have been real short [a lot of guys have put in their year and are going home] - weather is cold - Got a shot for Cholera.
Feb 7, 1969
On or about this date - On road sweep with engineers, walked 10 clicks, Liver Hurt - Seen Sally riding her bike in Que Son.
Feb 8, 1969
Fired 3 M72 LAU's.
Feb 9, 1969
Sick again - think it's nervous stomach - everybody got 5cc shot in each butt cheek for Hepititus except me [too high of temp].
Feb 10, 1969
Sick again - but I think they gave me the hepititus shot today anyway but not sure.
Feb 11, 1969
On LZ Ross - Went on sick call - all yellow especially eye's - have hepititus- they called Dust Off, had to leave M16, pack and everything else, flew to larger clinic, took blood and urine sample's, then choppered to Hospital in Danang. I was totally thrilled to have a bed, pop, PX etc.
Feb 12, 1969
Went by Bus to Air Force Hospital.
Feb 13, 1969
Flew to Japan on Stretcher - Japan was cold but beautiful.
Feb 19, 1969
Ash Wednesday - In Ward 7 with 39 other men - Doctor made me Class 3 [can roam hospital, go to PX and snack bar]. Went to Mass, got a facial and a haircut. Weigh 147 lbs, have worms - have to take Giant Red Pill twice a day.
Mar 6, 1969
Liver back to normal.
Mar 10, 1969
Passed out [had motor seizure] while on police call picking up paper outside. When I woke up, I was in bed and had amnesia.
Mar 13, 1969
Finally got my equipment from Nam, someone had switched camera's with me[gave me a cheaper model] and kept film that was in camera.
Mar 14, 1969
Camp Oji Japan, I gave american stamps to Japanese nurse and she gave me Japanese one's - I sent home to my brother Ed.
Mar 17, 1969
Had EEG at Camp Drake - it was negative.
Mar 19, 1969
Went to Camp Zama for a brain scan - 2-1/2 hour ride by truck - 10 miles.
Mar 24, 1969
On or about this date - Called home from Japan.
Early April 1969
Got 5 Carton's of Cigarette's, food and candy from Elder High School.
Apr 23, 1969
3rd Spinal Tap - Have a permenent profile against going back to Nam.
May 3, 1969
Saturday - Went to Downtown Tokyo.
May 6, 1969
Left Camp Oji 10AM and arrived Camp Zama 3:45 PM - Looked at my records on the way: allergic to Chlorequin and cloriplast?[something in the worm pills] , can't go to any malaria area's.
May 11, 1969
Mothers day - arrived home.
Aug 10, 1969
Released from active Duty.