War Stories -cont'd

Sounds of explosions in the distance. Dave's little explosions over our heads. The sounds of full auto aeg fire everywhere. I get the chills just thinking about it.

I remember after being KIA several times in the first scenario. Finally getting to the choke point relatively easy. The Rangers had finally cleared the first field. And I was on the road to the village. 2nd squad Corporal Dias was with me clearing the road. When we finally realized the objective was open & we could move the Truck to the ammo dump.

I remember feeling like I was trying to tell my superiors what to do. Thought to myself this isn't your place you're just a simple rifleman. But I pressed on yelling get that F'n truck rolling. And walking right down the middle of the road with several other rangers sweeping the bush for any VC that might be lying in wait for us. We were running out of time so we had to go. That seemed to be the situation all weekend.

When we had to assault we always had to push in the last minutes of the battle. The VC was a formidable advisory when they were in the defensive mode. I remember thinking this is soooooo cool when we got the truck to the ammo dump.

The second game that damned sniper in the tree behind the ammo dump.

I remember seeing them move into the trees. And trying to get the attention of my teammates @ the Ammo dump. They didn't seem to understand what I was yelling so I began to step towards the trees hoping they would fire on me. They did & I went down for another KIA. Such is the price of teamwork. A little sacrifice never killed anyone. WAIT or did it. LOL

But finally we got the mortars turned around & turned that grove of trees to toothpicks. With A little VC flavoring. Hmmmmmm taste like spearmint. I also remember the orange box going down river. Not in the back of the truck where the VC thought it was. Great Diversion guys!

Game 3 well that was just a mess.

I remember being with LT. Cutter trying to get into the tree line. When some VC opened up on us. I don't really know whether I was hit or not. But Dave was there & suggested I take one anyway. By that point I was getting pretty tired I could use the 5 to get a little rest. I aint no spring chicken any more. So I did. But I do think we got slaughtered in that battle.

Game 4 was pretty boring for me. We were assigned to protect the flag & that is what we did. With the great work of the both Delta Squads & all the other Rangers . The VC really couldn't even get close enough for us to engage. But I will consider that battle an absolute victory.

Game 5 Well that was a really tough nut to crack. Near the end we had a great plan. But timing seemed to get in our way again. That damned sniper in the truck, boy was he pesky. But once we routed him out it was getting going again.

I do so remember Erich's story. When we were laying down the cover fire & my mag ran out for the first time that day. That was so realistic. All this suppression fire. Guys crouched running for cover @ the truck. An me screaming out "Changing Magazines" How awesome. Getting to the truck only to be locked down by VC rifleman in the tree to our 1 o'clock. I remember calling for the morters to blast the trees. That was my first time on artillery. And we cleaned that tree line well. But to no avail. I think the VC cleaned our clock on that battle @ the final push for the flag.

So my assessment of Sats game was the best out of 5 games 3 US & 2 VC

Now Sunday was a totally different thing. We monopolized on Sun. I do remember the start of the game the whole VC team came down to our end of the field. & I remember that there were at least 15 of them or so. And that's about what we had. I thought it was a pretty even match up. But US forces just kept pushing forward. And getting to that damned tower. Shank was determined to have that tower no matter what. And even after getting pulled back twice. He still just kept taking it. Bravo Shank and I think Erich was with him also

I remember being very frustrated with the pull backs. And kind of voicing it. And I remember Capt. Kirk telling me well it's very realistic that way. We all know how some of the real battles are, being pulled back only to have to fight for the same dirt again. Thanks Capt. for putting that in perspective.

But the last 5 min of the battle. I remember we held back the whole team till we all regened. And just went on the rampage.

Rangers & Delta to the left Rangers & Delta to my right. And me walking right down the middle of the road. M4 in one hand 1911 in the other. Smokes just poring down the trail. I remember seeing the argo shooting at me & jumping behind on of the wire coil barricades. Then stepping out to head down the trail again. And there was A VC just on the other side of the bridge.

Someone got him and I ran right up on the bridge & got the flag. Just then I hear. 'NO VC! NO VC!' and I draw down on Dave Dollarhide . And he's screaming "STORM YOU ROCK". I will never forget that moment. And just about then I got hit. Down I go. I am screaming for a medic. And after my teammates cleared the bridge.

The smoke was still everywhere & this guy steps up with a big Red Cross on his bag. And I thought I am saved. I will never forget that guy either. MAN, I LOVE THAT GUY. I got back into the battle and my battery finally ran out. Just as I got it changed.

VICTOY WAS DECLARED. And the day was over. So SAD.

Again I will never forget those two days. All of you treated me, someone you didn't know with such respect. I can only say It was an HONOR to serve with you all. VC included. See you all at CRIMSON DUNES.

Great Job Dave, Absolutely Great Job.