In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

149 The next morning I awoke late. I was scheduled for a night-training sortie that night, so the day was free. I reviewed my paperwork for R&R. I wanted everything to be ready when the time came. I had only two more weeks until I had to report to Bién Hoa. I also spent some time bringing my logbook up-to-date. I had been grounded off and on for the past two weeks and now I could see why. My total time was now 1,066 hours and I had flown 151 hours in the past four weeks. Those four weeks included all the days I had been grounded too. It was no wonder I was so tired. R&R would certainly be a welcome break. As a result of the twelve-and-a-half-hour day I had flown, I was grounded again. I still had to fly the night training mission. McDerby flew front seat as the IP and we went out and did some night flying and a few radar approaches. The following morning I slept in until eleven o’clock. Sleep was something I never seemed to get enough of. After lunch I went to the mail room and picked up a letter from my parents. My cousin, Norman Carabet, our family doctor, had put both Mom and Dad on tranquilizers for their nerves. They were at their wit’s end. The morning of September 12 was hot and humid. The monsoon rains began around ten o’clock. I ran out to pull down the plastic sheets to prevent the water from blowing in through the screen. By the time I got back in I was soaked. My next door neighbor, 1st Lt. Van Joyce, was in his room, so I went over to chat. I had recently got some new cassette tapes and we listened to them as we talked. We talked about surfing and Hawaii. We talked about girls and flying. We talked about anything that came to mind. It was a nice relaxing day. The Blues were called out to secure a CH-47 Chinook that had crashed a few miles east of Phuoc Vinh. As dusk approached it became apparent that division wasn’t going to be able to get the aircraft out that day. I took off to cover them after having an early dinner. “Hey Bluish, this is Jewish. Over.” “Hey roomy, we have to stop meeting like this,” he answered. “Can you find out when we’re going to be extracted?” “Sure. Stand by,” I told him. “Three, this is Two-four,” I called on family fox. Chapter 16 “You’re Just a Kid!” “Go ahead Two-four. This is Three.” “Any idea when the lift ships are launching to pick up the Blues?” I inquired. “Um, yeah, Two-four . . . Six says we’re leaving them in tonight. They’re to secure the downed bird until they lift it out tomorrow.” “What the hell do you mean we’re leaving them in?” I asked. “Hey Two-four. Don’t shoot me. I’m just the messenger,” he said. “Blue, Two-four.” “Go ahead, buddy,” he answered. “Word is that the old man says you’re supposed to stay there and secure the hook until tomorrow,” I relayed. “What kind of bullshit is this?” Blue asked. “Hey bubba, I don’t like it anymore than you do but I’ll be up here as long as you’re on the ground,” I reassured him. A short while later the family fox beckoned. “Two-four, this is Three.” “Go ahead,” I answered. “You’re supposed to RTB. We can react quickly if the Blues get into trouble. They’re only a few clicks out of base,” he ordered. “That is bullshit!” I protested. “Since when do we leave the Blues on the ground unprotected? Negative RTB. I am staying on station.” “Hey Two-four. Can it and get your ass back here. I’m not asking, I’m telling. If you have any questions you can see the old man when you shut down.” “Bullshit. I have nothing to say to him,” I muttered. “Blue, Two-four. I’ve been ORDERED to RTB.” “What?” he asked. “Yeah. The CO told me to get my ass back on the ground,” I said rather dejectedly. “Okay,” Blue responded apprehensively. “Listen,” I told him, “If anything happens, if you hear anything or get lonely, you call ops and tell the RTO to call me...

Share