Life and Death in the Central Highlands: An American Sergeant in the Vietnam War, 1968-1970

Photo page section

General Tran Van Tra. General Tran commanded the National Liberation Forces (Viet Cong) through the French and American phases of the Vietnam War. He was also the commander of the Tet Offensive of 1968. This photo was taken by the author at a seminar on Vietnamese history in January 1991. Two of the “G Men.” Robert Graves and Frederick Golladay, in the barracks at the Fort Benning NCO Academy. Photo provided courtesy of Michael Belis, Website Administrator for 1-22.org, the First Battalion, 22nd Infantry Website. Three of the “G Men.” The end of training at Fort McClellan, Alabama , for three of the “G Men,” and one other sergeant from the company. Left to right are Sergeants James Gillam, Edward Gardiner, Unknown Sergeant, and Michael Mullen. Gardiner and Mullen were killed in Vietnam. Sgt. Gillam at LZ Ruth. LZ Ruth was on the edge of the Vinh Than Valley, and Sgt. Gillam joined the First Battalion, 22nd Regiment there. This photo was taken during a break from bunker building and burying sappers (commandos) from an attack the night before he arrived. Frederick L. Golladay. Fred was one of the “G Men” from the Fort Benning NCO Academy. He left for Vietnam in April 1969. Sgt. Gillam arrived in September 1969 and they served together in B Company, 1st Bn, 22nd Regiment. Photo provided courtesy of Michael Belis, Website Administrator for 1-22.org, the First Battalion, 22nd Infantry Website. Sgt. Gillam after first combat assault. Sgt Gillam made 47 combat assaults or helicopter landings on unsecured landing zones. This is a picture of him reading his first letter in Vietnam. It was delivered once Sgt. Gillam’s company secured the hilltop. Results of the Air War. This is Sgt. Gillam standing in the bottom of a crater from an Arc Light strike’s 1,000-pound bomb. Patrolling the road near LZ Beaver. This is Larry Black, one of the men in second squad, second platoon. He is buying snacks and drinks from the black marketers who traveled the road and sometimes mined it. Photo provided courtesy of Michael Belis, Website Administrator for 1-22.org, the First Battalion, 22nd Infantry Website. Jesse Johnson. Jesse was our best machinegunner. He was promoted to sergeant on the spot by our battalion commander when he killed an entire NVA squad on Christmas Day 1969. Photo provided courtesy of Michael Belis, Website Administrator for 1-22.org, the First Battalion, 22nd Infantry Website. Combat assault in progress. This is the view from the ground as the second helicopter in a combat assault landed. Note that the gunner on the right is missing. He was shot by a sniper as this photo was taken. The war in the ground. Sgt. Gillam is removing Vietnamese food and American weapons from a tunnel in the Vinh Than Valley. Cobra gunship. These were assault helicopters that carried 122-millimeter rockets and a six barrel Gatling machinegun capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute on the right side. They also carried a 40-millimeter cannon in front capable of firing 400 explosive rounds per minute. Sometimes on search and destroy I carried the M-79, a 40-millimeter grenade launcher/ shotgun. I used it this day to destroy the bamboo hut and the men inside it who were shooting at us. This photo was taken in a small village in the highlands. It was shortly after the fight at the amphitheater and the grenade shrapnel from that fight is visible over my left eye. This photo was taken moments before we were attacked while I sat on the hammock with Bob Frost and Richie Beunzle. Bob was shot three times in the chest as we sat shoulder to shoulder. Second Platoon on the landing pad. This picture was taken on the landing pad at Pleiku while we waited to go to Cambodia. Shortly after, we got in the gunfight in Pleiku with black marketers over a truckload of ammunition. Standing second from left, Jim Hinzo, center with ammo belt Jesse Johnson, right with helmet, Jim Gillam. Photo provided courtesy of Michael Belis, Website Administrator for 1-22.org, the First Battalion, 22nd Infantry Website. Lieutenant/Captain TJ. Gilbert...