Forty-four years ago about this time (funny, but I dont remember the exact dates) I completed a two-day trek through the jungles of Vietnam half carrying, half dragging the body of a lieutenant with whom Id been on a forward observation assignment. We got into a firefight and in the process were separated from the infantry unit with which we went into the jungle. (I never did find out exactly what happened to them.) My lieutenant took a round to the head and died instantly. I was able to finish off the VC who had ambushed us and found myself alone, with a dead lieutenant on my hands, in the middle of the jungle (presumably filled with the enemy) about 2 km from the clearing where a chopper could land to pick me up. After dismantling all the equipment I had to leave behind, I slung the body over my shoulders, picked up what else I could carry and set off. Took me two days and nights of carrying, pulling, and dragging the body, my rifle, the radio, ammo, water, and a few rations to reach the clearing, all the time hoping I was reading my map correctly and headed in the right direction. The marines arent the only ones who leave no one behind. Someone said something about a medal - I told them not to bother; Id refuse to accept it. The LTs name is on The Wall, along with over 58,000 others. This is in remembrance of all of them.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:06:05 +0000
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