By this time I had been promoted to spec-5, was receiving Pro-pay, and got orders to Vietnam. When I got to Ft. Lewis at Seattle I was told I could not be sent into a war zone due to the risk of capture. I asked what bit of information I had that would keep me out. The LT. said that I did not have the 'need to know'. OK, I understood that in a screwed up military sort of way. I asked for a duty assignment at FT. Lewis since I wasn't going to Vietnam. they put me in charge of the Motor pool of a tank battalion. I also worked as the armorer since they did not have one. Receiving a Commendation from the command for the work I did, Since no good deed goes unpunished I got my notice to Vietnam...

But my curiosity got the better of me I went back to the LT. in charge and asked him why am I getting orders now? Your information has been declassified, he said. Well just for grins what bit of info was it, I asked? I can't tell you that says the LT., You don't have the need to know! But it has been declassified,I said! Sorry, says the LT. OK! let me get this strait, you can't tell me about declassified information that I supposedly already know because I don't have the need to know!!!!??? Thats right, says the LT.
Ain't the military mind a wonderful thing?

It was hot and dark when I landed in Camron Bay. We moved through the base on board-slotted walks over the sand. The check in process took all night. The next sunrise found me taking off in a Caribou for Quan Loa. I had been attached to the 11th Cav. Landing on a dirt strip the plane didn't stop,it taxied down the runway, took off again, rolling us and cargo off on to the runway.

Incoming mortars (2 or 3) came before the plane had made it out of sight, everybody jumped in the revetments next to the runway, so did I. Seems like the enemy waited till a plane was coming in and fired a few rounds moving quickly to prevent counter fire. Pulling myself out of the dirt I asked Where is the CQ for H company was? A dark tanned guy just looked at me funny and said go down here and look for a track labeled 66.

I found the Tank marked 66,there was a tarp strected between it and a 113 Cam-track. On a cheap picnic seat in his skivvies and T a man seat with a beer in one hand an a smoke in the other. he had a bur cut head and a handlebar mustache that reached out to both ears. Where is the Company commander I asked? Your lookin at him, as he reached over and put on his boonie hat with captain bars on it. Coming to attention I reported and held out my records.

Sit down and have a beer sgt. he said. after looking at my records he said,I'm going to make you a track commander. my clerk will take you to the Motor pool and introduce you to your crew! Sir if you noticed I'm a spec-5 and shipped over as an armorer. Sorry, I need Track commanders, you sgt. are elected. We will be pulling out to a firebase off hwy 13, Familurize yourself with the Map area my clerk will give you. Get your radio freqs. from Sargent Smith the acting platoon leader, be ready to move in six hours.

The Company clerk talked as we walked to a concertina surrounded area with tanks and ACavs.

Five hours later we left the gate of Quan loa. Down and through the Town of An Loc. This where Hwy 13 runs north to south,Thunder road was the GI's name for it, Ambush alley would have fit as well. during the day we put out road guards at night, Charlie pretty much had it. we set up in a firebase 'Aspen' to support a battalion of arty (3Guns). During the day we ran search and destroy mission, at night we had guard duty or night patrol (LP or OP). When did we sleep you might ask? Well, I don't think I got a nights sleep for the next year. The exception being the hospital. we didn't lose many guys but almost everyone got hit by shrapnel at least once. (A lot of medal in those machines)