I arrived in country in September 1968 and was assigned to KCo 3/7 on hill 37. The Bn was out on a operation so I was with the short timers and walking wounded that remained in the rear.Each night some of us had to stand watch in the fox holes and bunkers that was on hill 37. One night we started taking in coming so all of us started running with our M16 rifles to our assigned positions when I jumped in to my fox hole I landed on a M16 fifle flash surpresser right up my ASS! All I saw was stars and almost passed out.Mean while we are taking 82 motors and small arms fire from the village below hill 37 (Di Loc) I went to sick bay the next morning and was put on light duty for 5 days. I could not take a crap crap for a week . Welcome to Vietnam Nam my friend! Sgt R.P. McLeod on the right ready to go on night patrol !
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or Submit your own Story !
Did you get that PH for combat wound?
I INCOMING WAS WELCOMED TO NAM, NAM WITH MORTAR INCOMING MY FIRST NIGHT IN COUNTRY. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE.
MY COMPUTER MADE THE WRITING MISTAKES. I PRINT THE LETTERS & THE CRAZY COMPUTER PUTS THEM WHEREVER IT WANTS TOO.
I WAS WELCOMED TO NAM, NAM WITH INCOMING MORTAR MY FIRST NIGHT IN-COUNTRY. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE. & I WAS GIVEN A FAREWELL PARTY BY THE MARINE CORPS ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE I WAS HIT, ON 19 JULY 1968. WE WERE JUST WEST OF MARBLE MOUTAIN. I HAD A FEAST. CORN, GREAT BEEF, SMASHED POTATOES< THAT'S WHAT I CALLED MASHED POTATOES & KOOL-AID. BUT NO TORTILLAS. NAM, NAM WAS MY "SUMMER OF '68" VACATION. & I'LL NEVER FORGET MY FRIEND, LEONARDO LOPEZ VAZQUEZ FROM VEGA BAJA, PUERTO RICO, KIA, 19 JUNE 1968. NAM, NAM WAS THE BEST VACATION I'VE EVER HAD. I LEARNED THE TRUE MEANING OF SURVIVAL.
Many holes were booby-trapped at Khe Sahn….if you jumped, they got you ! Lost two damn good Marines that way—–you were blessed ! FNG !! SF————————> !
Many holes were booby-trapped at Khe Sahn….if you jumped, they got you ! Lost two damn good Marines that way—–you were blessed ! FNG !! SF————————> !
So glad your safe. Thank you for your life and protection for the USA.
Thanks kristian for your comment’s.i retired after 27 years back in 1989 and life has been good. There were many young men that never got the opportunity to come home and have children and grand children . By the way I said fox hole but I stand corrected it’s Fighting Hole.R.P.McLeod. 1961-1989 P.I. Plt 194
Marines…..quick comment…while in boot camp in 1965…our DI’s informed us….foxes hide in fox holes….Marines fight out of Fighting Holes…..Semper Fidelis…..Ray Kelley…..D/1/3….1966-1967
Sounds like “small arms” inspection vs. “short arm.”
When I got to Vietnam in November ’69, I was stationed on Hill 37 for three months. Was with Lima 3/1, 1st Marines. Was quite a place.