As the month of July ended, 1st Bn, 3d Marines continued its aggressive patrolling in its assigned area of responsibility
ChickenMan Arrives in Vietnam
July 19, 1968
Chickenman had to hitch hike all the way to his regiment. In DangNang there was a hanger where the boots, which was what all the Marine grunts in his platoon were called, changed their money to MPC. Chickenman got his orders were for the third Marine Division.
There was a big green board and on it were written all the destinations and times of planes carrying supplies and people. The loudspeaker announced departures on a speaker system. Nobody could hardly understand what was being said. Chickenman learned he was supposed to go Quan Tri, but the closest air strip was in DongHa.
Somebody pointed out to Chickenman where the road was to Quan Tri. It was dirt road and it wasn't long before Chickenman and Harry, both still wearing their stateside utilities, were heading down it in the back of a jeep. The men up front were wearing helmets and flak jackets, plus they were carrying M16 rifles and ammo. Chickenman felt butt naked.
They drove through Quan Tri to get to the Quan Tri base. ChickenMan was glad to get to the base alive. His discomfort of being without any firearms had grown larger by the mile. He was taken to the 3rd Marine headquarters. Harry got a different order and he split with ChickenMan s bag of pot before he could get it from him. Chickenman went into a big green tent that was an office with wood floors. The office pogues were in here. ChickenMan reported to the 1st Sargent where he was assigned to Charlie Company.
One of the office pogues showed ChickenMan the tent he'd sleep in and told him to pick out an empty bunk. He stowed his little bit of gear and went to get chow. The office pogue asked if he smoked weed. When ChickenMan gave him an affirmative answer, the pogue gave ChickenMan a joint no bigger round than a matchstick and showed him the pisser and told him to smoke it there. ChickenMan went over to the pisser which stuck up in the middle of everything and had about an eight inch pipe to piss in. ChickenMan smoked the little bitty joint and got real high. He said to himself, "this place ain't so bad after all."
At 180800H 1/3 command participation in a multi-Regimental operation in northern Lancaster II AO. The general task was to secure and construct LZ suitable for a small assault force and general resupply along Mutters Ridge in and east west direction between horizontal grids 61 and 62.
At 180900H 13 completed construction of Landing Zone Charlie in vicinity of (YD 012617).
at 211600 1/3 completed construction of LZ Ed in vicinity of (YD 993612)
at 211600 1/3 completed construction of LZ Marilyin in vicinity of (XD 997615)
at 211900 1/3 completed construction of LZ Audrey in vicinity of (XD 989612)
h 1/3 found the carriage of a 12.7 ZZ Gun in vicinity of (YD 012617 ) it was forwarded toS-2 3d Marines.
at 221745H 1/3 ass med OPCON of K/3/3.
at 221800 1/3 completed construction of LZ Bob in vicinity of (XD 984613)
at 250800 1/3 completed construction of LZ Amy in vicinity of (XD 974?15)
at 231150H Co C found one Chinese mine with surprise firing device in vicinity of (XD 977616).
at 231200 1/3 completed construction of LZ Helen in vicinity of (XD 960616)
at 221700 1/3 completed construction of LZ Nao in vicinity of (XD 984613)
at 231700H 1/3 helilifted to LZ Becky in vicinity of (XD 858615).
At 281600H Co C located bunker and enemy fighting holes in vicinity of (XD 846615), (XD 847617) and (XD 851620). All positions were old and unoccupied. An unusual 1 foot wide trail was located in vicinity (XD 84861). The trail was overgrown with jungle and had a wooden staircase leading to the top of a hill in vicinity of (XD 849617).
