Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TEB

(13,689 posts)
Thu Apr 18, 2019, 06:03 PM Apr 2019

Reading again my fathers journals from Vietnam

Last edited Thu Apr 18, 2019, 06:42 PM - Edit history (1)

So this is his second tour 69 with the 173rd. So I’m not sure if this is battalion ops or brigade.

So after inserting with chinooks they moving along as company element and NVA starts putting out indirect fire mortars

So I’m reading this and thinking the NVA is trying to find them with indirect and if they had wounded naturally we would call in birds for our wounded. And then NVA could find true trace or how they were moving.

I am so thankful as airborne infantry my total time was peaceful 84-87. In reading my fathers journals , can you imagine and I read into what he wrote. Most would think inserted by chinooks moving along. My old man passed away in 2000 car accident, I just want what I read and what he lived to be know.

I see in my old mans journals humping under a rucksack sweating your nuts off. Then you hear the indirect rounds from NVA leaving mortar tubes. Man I’d be so afraid,Can you imagine in those few moments thinking I have to lay flat. Then the moment of relief that the indirect landed on a piece of earth away from you and no wounded. Every second wound tight man that’s so fucked up.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Reading again my fathers journals from Vietnam (Original Post) TEB Apr 2019 OP
Methinks it's the 173rd Airborne Brigade DinahMoeHum Apr 2019 #1
Yes I know the herd 173rd TEB Apr 2019 #2
I was in Phu Bai, HQs 24th corps and knew of many missions the 173rd was involved in. pbmus Apr 2019 #3
Love you friend TEB Apr 2019 #4
Was there in 68-69 and very proud to have served ... pbmus Apr 2019 #5
Incredibly brave young men, underappreciated. JohnnyLib2 Apr 2019 #6

TEB

(13,689 posts)
2. Yes I know the herd 173rd
Thu Apr 18, 2019, 06:22 PM
Apr 2019

I don’t understand your post as former airborne infantry vet herd the 173rd legend was noted friend I myself was 82nd 325 PIR years later

pbmus

(12,439 posts)
5. Was there in 68-69 and very proud to have served ...
Thu Apr 18, 2019, 06:55 PM
Apr 2019

173rd was one of the hardest working combat brigades in all of the military.

JohnnyLib2

(11,232 posts)
6. Incredibly brave young men, underappreciated.
Thu Apr 18, 2019, 07:35 PM
Apr 2019

Thank you for posting this. What those guys went through needs to be known.
Have to wonder if he was drafted or not. Didn't matter on those tours, though.
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Veterans»Reading again my fathers ...