top of page
Leave

Leave

Bob and I were given a thirty day leave before we had to report to Fort Lewis, Washington for departure to Vietnam. Here it was, August 29th, 1969. Bob and I had talked about each of us spending a few weeks at each other’s houses before we had to leave.


As we were flying from Georgia to California, Bob said that he was going home and in three days he would drive up to Jackson to my house. The plans were made. We would party as much as we could, because we might not come back from Vietnam alive, both of us being infantry and all!


We flew into San Francisco where Bob and I parted ways. He had arranged for his brother to pick him up. I changed planes and flew into Sacramento where I had my older sister Donna come and pick me up. Once at home I started making telephone calls to my friends. I was trying to get some of the guys together when Bob came to Jackson so we could show him a good time. Most of my friends were still out of college for their summer break, so plans were starting to be made. Once Bob came to my house, we made the rounds to parties that were being thrown in our honor. Bob stayed with me for a week and a half and then he had to leave to go back home. He had to visit with some of his family members and I needed to get my stuff together before we had to leave. Our plans changed a little from when we originally made them. The plan was that Bob would come back to Jackson on September 22nd, a week before we had to leave to Fort Lewis, Washington, to fly to Vietnam and pick me up. I would stay with Bob and his family for the week at which time his family would drive us to the San Francisco Airport so we could leave.


I said good bye to my family and friends the day of the 22nd. There were many tears shed, but I tried to keep them inside. I didn’t have any problems with my mother. I knew she wanted the best for me, and there would be no easy way out for me. As Bob and I pulled away from my house, I could see my two little sisters, Barbara and Elaine, standing in the drive way, waving good bye, and tears came to my eyes. I knew I wouldn’t see them for a year, if I was lucky. They were too young to know what I was heading into.


 

We arrived in Vallejo in late afternoon. We spent a quiet evening with Bob’s parents. Bob told me that he wanted to take me to San Francisco tomorrow and we come go to Haight and Ashbury and go into the clubs. The next day, Bob and I got up and just had a lazy morning. Bob received a phone call as I was getting dressed for the day. Bob came and asked me if I remembered a guy by the name of Dan who we both went through Basic Training with. I told Bob that I couldn’t remember him. Bob said that he was home on leave too and that he was going to Germany and he wanted to go out with us tonight and take in the clubs. It sounded good to me. Our plans were to pick Dan up around 6:00 p.m. at his house and then head to Haight and Ashbury.


Bob and I left his house around 5:40 p.m. to pick up Dan. Dan’s family had bought a new house in a brand new sub-division somewhere in the bay area. As we drove in the new sub-division, I could see that only 5 to 6 houses were occupied and many, many more were being built. We finally arrive at Dan’s house. It was a big two story house with what appeared to be a three car garage attached. The garage appeared to be bigger than my house in Jackson. As Bob got out of the car he said, I’ll be right back, I’ll get Dan. I got out of Bob’s corvette and stood along side of it to have a cigarette. I could hear music coming from Dan’s garage. The music was great. It was a band practicing their music. I was starting to get into the music. I tried to look into the garage without being noticed. Shortly, Bob and Dan came out to the car. I did recognize Dan as he said Hi! Bob said you ready to go. I said, "We don’t need to go anywhere, we can stay here and listen to the band that was in the garage". I asked Dan what the name of the band was because they were really, really good. Dan said it was a band named “Santana”. He went on to say that they had just got back from back East where they played at Woodstock, and now they were touring the Bay Area and needed a place to practice. Since Dan’s sister was the girlfriend of the drummer, they were allowed to practice in their garage. Dan said, remember the name “Santana”, they will be big some day. All three of us got into the corvette and we left to go clubbing.


We arrive in the Haight Ashbury area and Bob found a place to park his car. We hung out on the street and watched the people walking on the street. I had never seen “hippies” before and this was all new for a Jackson boy to witness. After Bob, Dan and I got a hamburger to eat, it was time to go see if we could get into some of the clubs. We entered the first club we came to and we were lucky enough to get served beer from the bar. Music was playing and cigarette smoke filled the club. I was amazed at the amount of people that were in this club. All three of us found a table and sat down and drink our beer. Dan was talking to Bob and he told him that “Janis Joplin” was playing in one of the clubs tonight. I had no idea who they were talking about. I grew up listening to Motown music. We ventured out of that bar and walked the street and were taking in the sights. There was a lot to see, buildings, people and cable cars. We had gone into several clubs and it was now around 11:00 p.m.. As we left one of the clubs we were walking in the direction of Bob’s car when Dan saw a sign outside of a club that said “Janis Joplin, formally of Big Brother and The Holding Company playing tonight”. As were got closer to the front door of the club, I could hear a female voice that sounded like she was singing blues. She had a screechy voice, very unique. Dan told Bob that it was Janice Joplin. I had never heard of Janice Joplin and I didn’t think the music was that good. She was singing, “Take another piece of my heart”, as we could only listen from outside since the club was packed. We stood outside the club until the band took a break around 12:00 midnight. We then left and drove Dan back home and dropped him off outside of his house as we all said good bye. Bob and I left and drove to Bob’s house and went to bed. What a great night in the Bay Area.


Before we knew it, September 28th, 1969 was here. Bob and I were packing our suitcases for our flight to Fort Lewis, Washington. Bob was telling his Mother and Father good bye as his younger brother was going to take us to the San Francisco Airport. Before we left, I called my mother in Jackson as I had promised. I told her that we were about to leave and that I would write as soon as we got to Vietnam. Before we knew it, Bob and I were sitting next to each other as the airplane took off from SFO. Before we knew it, we were landing in Seattle. Next we got a ride to Fort Lewis and checked in as instructed. Next thing I could remember, we were on a commercial airplane lifting off for Anchorage, Alaska. Once we reached Anchorage, we had to change planes. It was an airplane headed for Vietnam with nothing but GI’s on it. Next stop was in Japan. We were allowed to get off the airplane for a few minutes before we had to re-board and off again, next stop, Vietnam.

Split up

Split up

Finally, we were getting ready to land on Vietnam soil. The pilot came on the intercom and said we were in Vietnam and we would shortly be landing at Da Nang Air Base. It was late night, very dark outside when we departed the plane. All of the airline stewardess we saying, “Good luck and we will see you in a year on your way back home”. As I stepped out of the plane, the first thing I noticed was the foul smell in the air. Next I noticed the humidity and how warm it was for the time of night.

 

All of us that were on the airplane were escorted to an Air Force bus, which drove us to a barracks where we would spend the night. Bob and I shared the same bunk just like we had been doing since Basic Training in February, 1969. It was late and we all tried to get some sleep before we were awaked at 6:00 a.m. Vietnam time. Bunks were being made and showers were taken. We were told to report to the mess hall between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. for breakfast. After breakfast Bob and I returned to our barracks. People were talking and wondering what was going to go on. We were lucky because one of the guys, that we could over hear, was coming back for his second tour of duty. He was explaining that we were in a transition barracks. We would probably be filling out paperwork this morning and in the afternoon those who would be staying up north would be moved and assigned to their new units.


Just as the man said earlier, we were taken to a building where we signed paperwork, insurance forms and a small note to our families to let them know we made it safe and sound. After lunch, we had to report back to a building we were in earlier. There were many paper list stapled to bulletin boards.  Names were typed on the list that told where they were going. Bob and I were on a list to be flown down to Bien Hoa Air Force base the next day. A Sergeant soon appeared and said, “For those who are not leaving until tomorrow, follow me outside.” Outside Bob and I went along with about a dozen other men. He said that we were going to be filling sand bags. He went on to say that they had been taking incoming rounds the last few nights and they needed more sand bags for protection. We filled sand bags for the next 3 hours before the Sergeant let us go. We had dinner and we hung around the barracks until it was time for bed.


The next morning, after breakfast, we were ordered to report to an Air Force bus which drove us to a waiting twin engine plane. It looked like a World War II airplane. This was going to be our transportation to Bien Hoa. There were no seats in the plane. We were handed a parachute that we could use in case of emergency and it could also be used as a cushion to sit on during our flight. The flight made me nervous from the second it took off until we landed at Bien Hoa.


Once we landed at Bien Hoa Air Force Base, we were placed on a blue bus and driven to the south side of the run way. We could see 5 tent canopies set up with a table and an Officer standing behind each table. As we exited the bus we were told to report to the tent that had the letter of our last name on it. As I looked in front, and to my left, the first table had A thru D. Bob said that his table was to his right. He said he could see the P on the sign and said he would meet me back here after he checked in. I walk over to my table and was ask, last name and service number. After I gave the Sergeant my name and number, he handed me a stack of Orders and said you are assigned to D-Troop, 3rd of the 17th Air Cav. He said your Sergeant will be calling your name soon, so go over there and wait for him. He pointed to the right of the tent. As I started walking to my right, I could here Bob yell, "Bill!" I stopped as Bob came to me and said, I am assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and the Sergeant is waiting for me. He handed me a copy of his orders and said "write me, and let me know where you end up."  He said, I’ll keep in touch, you keep your head down". I said, "You do the same, I will write you as soon as I get set up". We shook hands, and then we hugged.  Bob then turned around and walked over to where his Sergeant was waiting.


I felt alone.  This was the first time that Bob and I had been separated since February 13, 1969. It was like saying good bye to a relative, a brother. Before I had a chance to get sentimental, a Sergeant yelled out, "who here is going to the 3rd of the 17th, get behind my vehicle". As I started to walk behind the ¾ ton truck, I noticed that there were 5 others who joined me. As I got in line, I looked back to see if I could see Bob, he was gone in the crowd. “Tear off one copy of your orders and give it to me and load up in the back of my truck,” the sergeant barked. Into the back of the truck the six of us went. One of my new Company buddies said, “What is the 3rd of the 17th? Are we going to be door gunners on a helicopter?” Only time would tell.


We drove from one side of the air base to the other. We were on the south end of the runway of Bien Hoa Air Force Base. The truck stopped on the road and the sergeant told us to dismount the truck. He pointed down the hill and said for us to go down and check in with the 1st sergeant, he will assign you to your platoons. It was about 5:00 p.m.. Up the hill from the road was a sign that said, “101st Incoming Training School”. Down the hill was a sign that said “3/17th Air Cav, home of the Blue Tigers”.


We all started down the road with our duffel  bags around our shoulders. The walk was about 40 yards. I could look all the way down the road and at the end of it was a bunker. We approached the walkway on our right and started to walk towards Headquarters. Just as we reached the entrance and were about to go inside, we heard a gun shot that seem to be coming from down the road in the direction of the bunker. Next thing we heard was someone yelling “Medic, I need a Medic!”. Before we could enter the door, two people came running out of the building. It appeared to be the 1st Sergeant and an orderly. We entered the building and walked up to the desk. We were met by another orderly and he said for us to get a copy of our traveling orders out for him to collect. As he was collecting the traveling orders from us, one of my new company members asked, “What is going on?” The orderly said “I just heard on the radio that some one has just committed suicide in the bunker over a Dear John letter.” I thought, what a way to start our first day in our new company. Just to think, I have 363 days left to go!

Robert Rouch

Robert Rouch

 

The orderly started assigning the six of us to the three different platoons. Robert Rouch and I were assigned to third platoon. The orderly told Rouch and me that our platoon was out on a mission and we were to walk to the third platoon hooch and take the first empty bed we come to, and to place our things in the empty locker that corresponded to the number on the bunk. He also said that our platoon would not be back for about 4 more days and that we would be scheduled to attend "In Coming Training" in two days. He said that we had two days of kicking back and doing nothing until Monday when we start our "In Coming Training."

 

Robert R. Rouch

 

The first two days went quickly for Rouch and me. It seemed that all we did was eat and sleep during the day. We enjoyed the outside movies that were shown on a bed sheet that was hung up between two poles for 2nd platoon, who was in the Company Area for stand down. Rouch and I had to walk across the street to the 101st Airborne "Incoming Training" on Monday. The training lasted for 5 days. We were given class room instructions as well as hands on training. A lot of the training dealt with booby traps and ambushes. It was quite an eye opener for most of us. I felt that the training was adequate, but too short because if this means life and death for me, I want as much training as I can have.


After our 3rd day of Incoming Training, our 3rd Platoon returned from whatever mission they were on, and they were now on stand down in the Company Area. When Rouch and I returned from the 101st, we walked into our tent to see 11 men who were dusty, dirty, and smelly. Their equipment was scattered everywhere, on their bunks, on the floor next to their bunks and some were stuffed into their lockers. It seemed that their priorities were to eat, shower and put on clean clothes. Rouch and I were the FNG’s (f**king new guys). To make it worse, we were still in "Incoming Training". Our platoon members were all running around doing their own thing, and Rouch and I just watched as they did their business. I didn’t feel too welcome at first, but as time went on and the guys were finally getting settled in, guys were coming up to Rouch and I and they started talking to us. First, “where are you from back in the States?" Second, “do you like to drink or smoke weed, and do you know how to play cards?". I would tell them that I was from California and right after that I said, "I love to drink beer and I loved to play cards!".  They then said that I would fit right in to 3rd Platoon.


Friday, Rouch and I graduated from "In Coming Training". We were now trained infantrymen ready for battle. Saturday morning came and SGT Willie Harris came into our tent and told me to get ready to go out on a mission for the night. He said that he and I had Barge Guard and that we would be leaving the next morning at 0900 hours. He instructed me to go to the armory and get issued a M-16 and ammo for it. After the sergeant left, Mike Michaels showed me where the armory was and he explained what Barge Guard was. There was a Barge that was tied up on the Mekong Delta that the Blue Tigers were responsible for guarding when we were on stand down. It took two men to guard it for a period of 24 hours beginning at 0900 hours every day. It was SGT Harris and my turn.

SGT Willie Harris

 

0845 hours came and the sound of a jeep's horn was heard in front of 3rd platoon's tent. It was SGT Harris and he was sounding the horn for me. I grabbed my newly issued M-16 and two bandoleers of ammo and went outside to the waiting jeep. SGT Harris said for me to get in and away we went. I was not sure, but I believe we drove about 6 miles to a bunch of ships that were docked on the Mekong Delta. SGT Harris pulled in front of a barge and turned off the engine and said that we were there. I got out of the jeep and Harris told me to pick up the case of C-rations that had been on the back seat. I followed SGT Harris up the ramp to the barge. On the barge was an engine room, and that was where the two men were that we were getting ready to relieve. SGT Harris asked SGT Jones if there was anything to report and he said that everything was quiet. Quickly SGT Jones and another 3rd Platoon soldier jumped into their jeep and they drove away.


SGT Harris had me set the C-rations down and started to tell me about our mission and how we had to check in with Blue Tiger Headquarters every hour until sunset when we had to check in every half hour. He showed me the PRC-25 radio and he held the microphone and pushed in the talk button. “Bluetiger HQ, this is Bluetiger 32, radio check, over”. Headquarters replied with “32, read you 10-4”. He said it is that easy. He asked if I had any questions. I said "what happens if someone comes on this barge that we don’t know?" He said, tell them to halt and if they don’t, shoot them. Ask them the pass word which is “short time”. If they can’t answer with that, shoot them. I said “okay”. My next question was where do I go to use the restroom? Harris pointed to what appeared to be an outhouse sitting on the edge of the barge. I told Harris that I had to use it now and he said go ahead. As I opened the door to the outhouse I discovered a toilet seat with a lid. I opened the lid to sit down to take care of business, and when I opened it, I was looking straight down into the water. You mean to tell me that you shit right into the Mekong Delta? The answer was, yes. Not only did number 2 go into the Mekong Delta, but so did the toilet paper. How nasty?


SGT Harris and I sat around all day doing nothing but talking and watching the barge. At 5:30 p.m., Harris got into the C-rations and began to eat. I did the same. He said to have as much as I wanted because the case we brought was just for him and I. Everything was fine until 7:00 p.m. when Harris told me that he was going to leave me and take the jeep and go into the village. He said that he would be back in a few hours or so, and that I was in charge of the radio. He said that there was nothing to be worried about and to challenge anyone who tried to come aboard the barge. At approximately 7:30 p.m. Harris left. I was fine until it started to get dark and the sun went down. I had to start to call Headquarters every half hour. I soon realized it was 11:30p.m., and no sign of Harris. Midnight came and gone and I was starting to get tired. I started to think, what happens if something bad has happened to Harris while he was in the village doing what ever. 2:00 a.m. came and as I made my call to Headquarters the radio man asked me who I was with? I responded with "SGT Harris". The radio man asked if he could speak with Harris and I lied and said he was asleep. I had a feeling that this was not the first time Harris went to the village when he should have been on the barge. At approximately 2:30 a.m., I heard a jeep pull in front of the barge. I prayed that this was SGT Harris and not someone coming to check up on him. I could soon see the shadow of someone who appeared to be Harris. “Halt, who goes there?"  I said.  "It is me, SGT Harris coming home from a night on the town.”  I told him that every thing was quiet but Headquarters had asked to talk to him. Harris asked me what I told them and I said that he was asleep. He told me that I did well. He went on the tell me to get some sleep and that he would take the watch and make the rest of the radio calls. 0800 hours came before I knew it when SGT Harris woke me out of a dead sleep. “Get up”, Harris said. If you want to eat, the C-Rations are over there. We will be relieved in less than an hour.


Soon, SGT Harris and I were on our way back to our Company area. Once we got back, our platoon was getting ready to drive to our next mission at Long Binh. At Long Binh, we stayed in our hooch’s, which were 25 men tents, waiting for a fire siren to go off. Once we heard the siren go off, it meant that we would have to grab our gear, head up to the helipads and get on our helicopters to go out and relieve Company D, 75th Infantry (Ranger) LRRPs. The helicopter would insert us into the jungle where the LRRPs were and extract them back to the rear.

bottom of page