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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
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You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: May 2003
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,293 Likes: 10 |
Well, I'm gobsmacked. I somehow missed this thread the entire time. I deeply regret that I wasn't on that hunt with you guys, just to toast a little, cry a little, and love a lot.
I came to 'Nam a year after Hill 474, but my first FAC assignment was out of LZ English with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Binh Dinh Province. I had my own duels with the NVA there. And have a story about a Black man on point on a similar ridge that I cannot tell without choking up.
As they used to say at the end of each "Dragnet" show, there are many stories in the big city; this has been one of them.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
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Well, I'm gobsmacked. I somehow missed this thread the entire time. I deeply regret that I wasn't on that hunt with you guys, just to toast a little, cry a little, and love a lot.
I came to 'Nam a year after Hill 474, but my first FAC assignment was out of LZ English with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Binh Dinh Province. I had my own duels with the NVA there. And have a story about a Black man on point on a similar ridge that I cannot tell without choking up.
As they used to say at the end of each "Dragnet" show, there are many stories in the big city; this has been one of them. Thanks Rocky we would have enjoyed your company as well... a sit down with you is still on my bucket list before Mr.G. Reaper comes calling.. Jim's info here.. Bad guys 22nd NVA regiment...Good guys... 101st Airborne Div..,Co B and C..3rd Battalion 503rd Infantry 173 rd Airborne Brigade. We weren't supposed to be there that night but as fate would have it we managed to duke it out for while until bingo ammo and fuel.. We had a full 7.62 load out that night and went through all 30,000 rds which lightened us up considerably on the return trip. 474 with the An Lao valley in the distance you most likely know the area well. screen shot download
Last edited by FlyboyFlem; 01/27/19.
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Posts: 31,293 Likes: 10
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,293 Likes: 10 |
That valley was an NVA stronghold in '71. Or was still one, I should say. At the time, there was a ROK brigade stationed nearby 173rd. The Koreans were known to be the toughest, meanest, cruelest mofos on two legs. Comanches were nuns in comparison. We started the rumor that the ROKs were to be allowed a "Koreans-only, no ROE" search and destroy up the length of that valley. Overnight, the NVA absolutely disappeared. Rumors are sometimes the best weapons.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896 |
Yes Sir the ROK troops weren't to be messed with..Phu Cat had a detachment for perimeter defense that always managed to nail most of the 122 rocket crews before they got away.
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,293 Likes: 10
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,293 Likes: 10 |
AT LZ English, the NVA would send a sapper in at night. He'd creep in through the wire until he found a Claymore, which he would turn around and set it up facing our lines. Then he'd creep off a ways and rattle the wires. When our sentries fired the Claymore, they'd get blasted with it. NVA must have thought it was cute. The 173rd asked the ROKs if they could help, thinking that maybe they'd send a guy or two down there to catch the bad guy.
Nope. A ROK lieutenant showed up with a starlight scope. He watched, smiling, as an NVA sapper tediously wormed his way in. Until he reached for the Claymore. At which point, the ROK Lt reached for the clapper, and...
Next morning, they found two hands. Nothing else. The ROK Lt hung those hands on the outermost razor wire, and that kind of intrusion stopped.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
I'll be raising my glass as usual at 17:30 our time..We survived ! Jim & Woody.... another year and another toast and salute of respect to two great gentlemen I wish you both many more happy, healthy years ahead to do your annual remembrance toasts.. to those that made it home and to those left behind. its an honor to know both of you fine gentlemen. cheers and best regards! Could not have said it better myself! Two fine and deserving gentlemen, both of whom I've had the pleasure to meet. Many more toasts to come! Rocky said it best.." cry a little, love a lot..."
Last edited by ingwe; 01/27/19.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,984 Likes: 6 |
I'll be raising my glass as usual at 17:30 our time..We survived ! Jim & Woody.... another year and another toast and salute of respect to two great gentlemen I wish you both many more happy, healthy years ahead to do your annual remembrance toasts.. to those that made it home and to those left behind. its an honor to know both of you fine gentlemen. cheers and best regards! Could not have said it better myself! Two fine and deserving gentlemen, both of whom I've had the pleasure to meet. Many more toasts to come! Rocky said it best.." cry a little, love a lot..." Hold those glasses high and salute these great men
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,660 Likes: 1 |
A glass held high (tonight) to both of you................to your health !!
MM
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42,642 Likes: 4 |
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,417 Likes: 3 |
Catching the bump on this post for the first time.
Thanks for recanting the tale and my deepest gratitude for your service to America.
Fear the crabcat.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 44,664 Likes: 22 |
Cheers and good health, fellas.
Slaves get what they need. Free men get what they want. Rehabilitation is way overrated. Orwell wasn't wrong. GOA member disappointed NRA member 24HCF SEARCH
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
Still the single best post ever on the fire....
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Thank you and all who served. I appreciate the sacrifice you gave to attempt to keep the lamp of freedom lit.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,968 |
I sure miss Jim posting here. Hope he's doing well.
Fall seven times, stand up eight.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896 |
I sure miss Jim posting here. Hope he's doing well. As do I, he's had some health issues the last few years but is doing better now...Jim's too onery to let anything bother him much !
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 19,263 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 19,263 Likes: 5 |
Toast !
To survivors and those who were left behind. This is a great story. Heros all.
kwg
For liberals and anarchists, power and control is opium, selling envy is the fastest and easiest way to get it. TRR. American conservative. Never trust a white liberal. Malcom X Current NRA member.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,652 |
Thanks, Godspeed and high toasts!
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
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Much, much thanks to the both of you.
-Ken
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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This thread has been a major reason for me to wander back on this site.
Remember why, specifically, the Bill of Rights was written...remember its purpose. It was written to limit the power of government over the individual
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