I got a great picture of John before he took his first shower in days and before
his interview with the media people (below).
See below for the link to the 174th AHC 1971 History Pages for more photos and story). The 174th company commander, Major Dale Spratt, took
a bunch of hits in an attempt to rescue the downed six "Witchdoctor" crewmembers. The anti
aircraft fire drove them off of the attempt as Lt. Del Waugh was grazed by a .51 cal round
that penetrated and stuck in Major Spratt's chicken plate.
CW2 Gary Harter (Photo right) packed everything he had in a green dirty clothes bag, and with
a cup of coffee in hand told me to keep my head down. I took his picture as he walked from
the tent and he was gone. It would be ten years before we would re-establish connection.
On Sunday, March 7th, the entire crew of the Witchdoctor was rescued and the 174th held a
company party/beer bust in the maintenance tent. I took numerous pictures through a beer
haze and in looking at these pictures today, I recognize that 'far away gaze' I'd first
seen upon my arrival in Vietnam. Due to my eyes not appearing to the doctor as he thought
they should, I was still grounded and got permission for a seven day Leave to Bangkok.
We could all use a change of scenery, but I was actually getting one. All I had to do was
wait on orders.
On March 8th I got assigned to be a survey officer by the 14th Aviation Battalion (left).
I was to read over an investigation involving a stolen three-quarter ton truck, taken
from the 14th Bn in Chu Lai on January 6th. I recall nothing of this entire affair.
On Wednesday March 10th I left Quang Tri for leave, and spent the night drinking with Musket 33,
Scott Reed (photo below right), and his roommate, Mark Mercer. We listened to Jethro Tull, Led Zepplin and Cream
in their red interior quanset hut with air conditioning. Some crew guys came in and they
pulled apart a fleshette rocket, right there on the floor, for the little finned nails.
I fled outside for a smoke.
On Friday March 12th I still hadn't obtained orders from higher ups and or a flight out.
I was
forced to spend another night drinking with the Musket's, Mark Mercer and a 123rd pilot and
classmate; Rich Ortenblad. Scott had gone up to Quang Tri with a gun team. Ortenblad had a
great stereo setup and he outlined things I should order for when I returned home.
I started filling out Pacex Catalog order forms before I left. I'd really missed music while
up at Quang Tri where the creature comforts had been limited to bourbon and candle light.
I'd always preferred to mix it with 7-UP, but the only soft drink available was that toxic
imposter... Fresca.
On Saturday, March 13th, I finally got some orders and a flight for the 15th of March. That
afternoon, Mark Mercer got shot in the neck by small arms and his Musket Pilot John Sharp got
shot in the right thigh. Their crew chief Rodriquez got shot through both legs. That night
I hung out with Scott as he inventoried Mark Mercer's belongings.
On Sunday, March 14th, Dolphin AC Guy "Cowboy" Martin got shot down in Laos.
Both above L-R: Dolphin 23 Guy "Cowboy" Martin in 1970 and "Cowboy" at his Medford, OR. home in 1999.
He was later pulled to safety. Dolphin pilot Wallace Stoneburg was wounded
seriously
by shrapnel and shipped out to the sanctuary ship at Hue.
On Monday, March 15th, I flew out of Da Nang to Thailand. I was in my room for ten
minutes when the manager knocked, entered with four Thai ladies who were offered as
my escort. I had to choose one. I spent the week touring the town with the lady wearing the Boston College T-shirt.
While I was recreating, Captain Don Peterson was shot down in Laos and subsequently killed some NVA that strayed into their kill zone. (see 1971 History Page: "Shootdown of Cpt. Peterson and Crew" Southern Cross Article). The entire crew was rescued but Don had some bad cuts on his face.
On Monday, March 22nd, Minuteman 21 Reg Cleve and his entire crew, with his pilot Travis, went down in flames after being hit by 37 mm radar. They would be listed as missing in action but everybody there knew better.
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End of Part 19 of 20 Parts.
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