The freight trains in the story in Feb 1967 were rockets fired from an island in the river where 1 st Marines, 5th Marines, and 3rd tanks shared a TAOR. I was out on an ambush from 1st Marine Regiment when they were fired. I remember the first time we heard them and thought “What the hell was that?”. Told the 6 over the radio about rockets being fired and he said “They don’t have rockets.” and I replied “Tell that to the guys at Danang,” Coincidentally Dog Patch was vacant that night!
Would that island be the Goi-Noi Island to the southwest of Da-Nang?
We (7th Engrs) worked in support of Operation Allenbrook at the Goi-Noi Island,in 68′, a booby trap nightmare. We had a ferry operating there with the ROC Marines providing our security. All civilians were evacuated and moved out and the island was pretty much bulldozed over. I had heard that Marines had to go back again in late 69′ and do it all over ! Crazy war ! Harry 1371
Have a buddy that was with 3/7 and tells a story of crossing the river to Goi noi on a ferry with some ROC Marines. said he was more afraid crossing on the ferry, could not wait to get to land. said they were packed in like sardines. Bill 0331
We were in that area in 69′, but never went to the island. Dodge City was our area. Bill 0331