We flew into the LZ and the action started almost instantly. Contact was not non-stop but regular. I remember thinking what would happen if help could not get to us before dark. I can’t remember when the choppers were shot down in the LZ, what day I mean.

I do remember the ARVN planes accidentally dropping Napalm on the command post. The medic there was a good friend of mine, but for the life of me I can’t remember his name. I remember seeing those guys strip off their clothes which were not burnt, and seeing the flesh red but not even blistered like you would have thought.

Whenever there was a pause in the fight we were sent out on a sweep to check out what was out there and almost each time someone was wounded or worse by snipers tied up in the top of trees.

I was not on the perimeter with the platoon, instead I was with the mortar squad set a little back from the east end of the line. When the choppers stopped landing and just flew over real low to drop off food and Ammo a couple of us would run out to gather what we could and distribute this to the line. I remember being scared but felt kind of a safety in numbers attitude.

I remember working with a medic on a wounded guy, I don’t remember knowing him before this but I still remember exactly what he looked like, when I saw his KIA listing I couldn’t believe he was only 18 yrs. old. The action was so intent at that time we were pinned down by the fire power coming in and Medivac couldn’t come in for the wounded, he just bled to death and there was nothing we could do. I think this went on for at least two nights and three days, but seemed like forever. When on the third day the brought in Artillery and what seemed like hundreds of men I remember thinking, boy if this would be how we would always be with all this support it would be great.

Several months later we got to see the LZ again while on patrol and found weapons and gear that belonged to the Cong. I guess neither they or us were that interested in find every thing that was out there. I have always felt very lucky to have come home like I had been on a reg. tour of duty somewhere. I have a piece of shrapnel on my left hand that I didn’t realize was there until a few days later. I often think it could have been in one of my eyes or somewhere else and feel grateful for that.

Hope this is what you were expecting Jim, best I could do. Philippe Saunier