Across the Big Pond we go!

After a 20+ hour flight I knew I was in trouble when they turned off the engines and opened the door and I started sweating. The big surprise was hitting the door and having that heat and humidity hit me smack in the face.

After one day of orientation and acclamation I was assigned to the 54th Artillery Group located in Xuan Loc a short distance from Long Bihn. After one day at the Hq for the 54th Group I was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 35th Artillery, also headquartered in Xuan Loc. The battalion was made up of three batteries of 155mm Self Propelled (M109) Howitzers. When I reported in to the Battalion Commander I was struck by the presence of the man... LTC Max Thurman. Later, I would rank him as the best commander that I had the privilege of serving with.

So, as my first assignment during the first week of May '68... we go flying. Now I find this amazing because the Army said that I wasn't fit to fly because I was color blind. On the night of 12 May I was the Duty Officer in the TOC. About 2:00am  Husky Alpha reported that they were under attack by mortar, rocket, and ground. They were at FSB Coral along with elements of the 1st Australian Task Force. As I understand it, Elements of the NVA had breeched the perimeter. Later Lt Dave Merriweather and the Medic Specialist Page were awarded the Silver Star for their actions during the ground attack.