Category: Main

VietNam 1970, we had been having connect with the VC off and on for a couple of days; so when it became time for our resupply choppers to come in—they didn’t. Grunts understand, all too well, that choppers can be shot down with a lucky hit from an AK-47 or PRG round. Also, Cpt. Darling was finding a supply of water from local wells and such but it was the lack of C-Rations that was the bigger concern. Again, any grunt will tell you that you only carry what you actually plan to eat anything else was too heavy. If a chopper didn’t come in on schedule, it didn’t take long to run out of food. Which is what happen to us on this particular occasion. read more

How often had you hear someone make that statement? Of course, most grunts
will tell you it’s true because you can never tell where you might stop and set
up in to a position or what you will find to sleep on. Am I right? Allow me to
share couple of examples of situation I found myself in. My friends these are
all true—my hand to God. So you know I’m being straight with you—right? read more

Our second day of boot camp at MCRD the drill instructor called for all sick bay commandos to step forward one boot did the Di asked what his problem was an he said he had a ear ache the DI said what ear he told the DI which one he walks around takes hold of it pulls on it looks into it goes back around an say he couldn’t see anything wrong an was the boot sure it hurt yes he said the DI goes back looks again comes back around say he didn’t see any thing wrong. So he asked again how bad does it hurt boot says real bad sir the Di said well tell me which side hurts worse a slaps the boot upside the head his cover goes flying he goes down like a sack of dirt. DI drags him to his feet replaces his cover sideways an ask did he still need to go to sickbay now. Course the answer was a loud NO SIR.The rest of us did at least a 150 to 200 squat thrusts for laughing BUT NOBODY ever fell out for sick call again. read more

In addition to the Story of the Chaser and the NYC Escapee, that may have been the same guy that I was charged with as a Chaser at MCB Twentynine Palms in the early 1970’s. The Judge at this individual’s Court Martial ordered me in the Courtroom to ensure that my weapon was loaded in front of the prisoner, with an order to shoot the SOB if he attempted to escape! I delivered him to the Base Brig. By the time I returned to the Judge Advocate Office on the hill, the guy had escaped out the back door of the brig and out across the desert, while the jail was being swabbed down! read more

As Christmas fast approaches children laugh and adults smile, the gifts wrapped in paper look pretty for awhile. The seasons sounds surround me, I remember when cadence was our song and wrapped in shades of green we sang it all day long. The gift we give is freedom, no greater gift can we impart, for the most precious gift of all is a gift from the heart. Lt. Jansen USMC ret. read more

Talking about drown proofing, remember our training about crossing a river? I know how it should be done even after all these years however; it seem like in Viet Nam we got across as fast as possible. Which always made sense with all those “things” in the water. I recall one time when we were getting ready to go in to the river. We lined up with me behind the Marine carrying the M-79 (the blooper—the sound it made when fired) and that heavy bag of rounds. We called this Marine Barney (Rubble) after the character on The Flintstones because that’s who he look like to us. He was one of the smallest men (about 5’6″) in the platoon and was built like a square block of wood with a great easy laugh. Anyways, Barney jumps in to the river with his weapon and ammo bag over his head. All anyone could see of him was his helmet going a cross the water like a turtle. He made to the other side just in time to breath again. He explain that he couldn’t actually touch the river bottom so he had to tiptoe his way across. We all had a laugh over the sight of watching that helmet going through the water. Barney was laughing the loudest of us all after we explain what he looked like. Thankness he didn’t head in the wrong direct once he got in to river otherwise we might not have seen him again due to how muddy the water was. I can’t wait until Marines learn how to walk on water. That should make the process of river crossings easier for those Marines who stand closer to mother earth. read more

For those of you who are not sure, no I’m not asking about what you call
the second drink you take after a shot. Let me relate a couple of examples of
what a chaser is or does:

1) It was during staging for Vietnam in 1969, we were on the firing range
with these new weapons, the M-16. For those of us, that humped the M-14, this seems like a joke and a few protest about having to fool with these things. Anyways, one of the guys must have gotten into some real trouble with the Range NCOIC because I was called out of line and ordered to stand watch over this Marine. The Range NCOIC used the term Chaser and because of the question on my face, he explained what I was supposed to do. I’m grunt—I mean, after all, my MOS was 0341 that had to mean something special. Sorry—let me get back on track. It was told to me that I was to stay with this Marine and not let him leave the area and to chase after him if he attempted to run. I ask what happens if he can run faster than me. The Range NCO stated that I would take his place—that was not going to happen! I followed my orders and turn this guy over to the MPs when they showed up. I was glad to be done with that duty.
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> 2) I’m in VN with Golf 2/5 minding my own business and trying not to
volunteer (which is how I got to Vietnam in the first place). The company gunny told me to report to Bn.HQ back in AnHoa. It was once again explained to me that I was to be a Chaser for a Marine who had been charged with using drugs. I was ordered to take him to DaNang for a Court Martial Division. By the way, I was not provided with transportation. We manage to catch a couple of choppers and a truck Division. The man was in full compliance with my efforts to get him to DaNang but then again I was carrying an M-16 and a .45—no way was I going to run after him. On the way back, I found us a place to spend the night and some chow and a ride all the way back to AnHoa. The (now) PVT. went back to his company and I went back to the brush. I thought this job would never get done.
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> 3) I got hit in Vietnam and sent to the Naval Hospital in Flushing, an area
in New York City. Once I was able to get around, I was assigned to the Marine Liaison Office at the hospital I would go on to the wards in order to deal with anything the Marines needed or wanted to be done (usually personal gear and calls home). The S/Sgt called me in one day and explain that a Marine who walked away from his unit in Vietnam had managed to get back to the states because he needed medical treatment. He also needed to be taken to Brooklyn Naval Yard for processing. At this point, I started wondering if there was something in my personnel file about my various experiences as a Chaser. I was issued a .45 (I really like that weapon) and instructed not to let anyone question this Marine or get near him. I think it goes without saying that I had no problem with these orders—we all lost friends and/or did our jobs in Vietnam. This coward was not going to have it easy. We sat in the last seats with me on the outside of him and no one got near us. Once we got to the Marine Barracks at the Naval Yard, a 2nd.Lt. was going through this guy’s file and stated that he had 30 days leave coming to him and would he like to take it today. WHAT!! I’m serious. This Lt. gave him leave even thou I explain what my orders were and why. My friends, I’m not BSing you at all. It has since dawn on me that maybe this Marine was a “spook” instead of what I was told. I met one when my unit was at Liberty Bridge; so I know they were there. Anyways, time passes and I’m on leave back home watching the news—we often got news from NYC. It was reported that a Marine deserter was being taken back to the Naval Yard from the hospital when he manages to get away from his guard (chaser) while crossing one of the bridges in the city. read more

Talking about drowning proofing, remember our training about crossing a river? I know how it should be done even after all these years, however; it seems like in Viet Nam we got across as fast as possible. Which always made sense with all those “things” in the water. I recall one time when we were getting ready to go into the river. We lined up with me behind the Marine carrying the M-79 (the blooper—the sound it made when fired) and that heavy bag of rounds. We called this Marine Barney (Rubble) after the character on The Flintstones because that’s who he looks like to us. He was one of the smallest men (about 5’6″) in the platoon and was built like a square block of wood with a great easy laugh. Anyways, Barney jumps into the river with his weapon and ammo bag over his head. All anyone could see of him was his helmet going across the water like a turtle. He made to the other side just in time to breath again. He explains that he couldn’t actually touch the river bottom so he had to tiptoe his way across. We all had a laugh at the sight of watching that helmet going through the water. Barney was laughing the loudest of us all after we explain what he looked like. Thanks he didn’t head in the wrong direction once he got into river otherwise we might not have seen him again due to how muddy the water was. I can’t wait until Marines learn how to walk on water. That should make the process of river crossings easier for those Marines who stand closer to mother earth. read more