Quotes from Chickenman
About riding in a convoy
I didn’t particularly like riding in those trucks, but it was a lot better than walking. We were sitting targets in those big ass trucks. We were sitting on benches lining the truck bed with our backs to the world. We were sitting looking across the truck looking at each other. It just didn’t make sense to me. We were supposed to get there by helicopter but got there in the dark because we had to ride on those damn trucks.
On being in the flatlands
We had tanks, so we were near the flatlands. You could walk forever there. We ran into some sand flats east of there. At least in the hills, you would always be stopping for something. In the flatlands you just keep walking. There was lots of elephant grass and it would cut the shit out of you.
On finding bunkers
The closer to the DMZ you got the more fortified a bunker was. They would be heavily fortified, and carefully constructed. Further from the DMZ sometimes the bunkers were just holes in the ground with blobs of dirt on top of them.
On friendly fire from a convoy on the road.
No wonder we had to face each other. I’d been opening up with machine guns if I’d seen anything off the road.
On washing in the river
You’d have to wash your hair three times to get all the mud off of you. Everytime you on those helicopters they threw dirt all over you and it stuck to you because you were so damned sweaty.
The river was about 150, 200 feet wide and shallow. There were no trees hanging around. We’d bathe where we had a clear field of fire.
Rock PileCenter
1-3 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines provided security for Thon Son Lam, Khe Gio Bridge, Route #9 and conducted company size combat patrols in AO.
The Battalion also maintained night defensive positions, Conducted night activities and participated in daily road sweep operations in conjunction with its attached direct support engineer detachment. The following events during this period are offered in chronological order:
At 01142OH 1/3 (-) commenced a helilift to Thon Son Lam. The landing was aborted due to incoming rocket and mortar fire and was diverted to Camp J.J. Carroll. The Battalion (-) then moved in convoy to Thon Son Lam. The move was completed and units were in position at 01223OH Aug68.
At 021655H Co C reported a vehicle overturned in the vicinity of (AD 986554). A squad was sent to investigate and discovered that the vehicle, a 6x6 truck with trailer, could not be retrieved. 3rd Marines instructed 1/3 to leave the vehicle overnight without security.
At 040335H 1/3 received 16 rounds of unknown caliber rocket fire in 4 round volleys from the vicinity of (XD 915560). Rocket watches prorated direction and grid of flashes. 90mm tank fire was directed at enemy positions with unknown results.
At 05133OH Co C located a trail extending east and west and fresh barefoot prints in the vicinity of (YD 023564). The trail was about 1 foot wide. The are was checked with negative results.
At 08133OH a platoon size patrol from Co C in the vicinity of (XD 003564) located 15 natural individual caves on the hillsides. The cave entrances were approximately 2 feet wide and the inside dimensions varied from 2-6 feet allowing standing room in some of the caves. The area in and around the caves was chocked with negative results or evidence of enemy activation.
At 08140OH a platoon size patrol from Co C was fired on by 3-5 Marines traveling in a convoy moving west on route # 9 in the vicinity of (YD 003564. Incident was reported to higher headquarters.
At 091400H LtCol Twohly relieved LtCol Jarman as the CO of 1/3. An informal Change of Command was conducted.
at 101230H MajGen Davis visited 1/3 in position at Thon Son Lam.
At 101230H Co C found in the vicinity of (YD 028548) a large enemy base camp estimated to company size. Area contained 70-80 fighting holes and bunkers with connecting trench lines. Position had not been occupied recently. There were numerous trails in the area.
At 111230H LtGen Stillwell, USA and MajGen Truong, Arvin visted 1/3 in position at Thon Son Iam. Both were briefed on the tactical situation and planned operations.
At 111500H Co C found 8 enemy bunkers in a draw in the vicinity of (YD 022544). Bunkers had not been used in approximately 6 months. A well defined trail was located in the area. The area was checked with negative results.
At 131400H 1/3 (-) commenced helilift assault to LZ Mac and AMY. The lift was completed at 1615 with negative enemy contact.
At 161035 Co C Air Assaulted to vicinity (YD 070635). Enemy fired approximately 50 rounds of 60mm mortar fire on landing zone during the assault from vicinity of (YD 06835). Results 18 USMC WIA (MedEvac) and 10 USMC WIA (Minor). Called in arty mission with unknown results.
At 161100H 1/3 (-) air assaulted to vicinity (UD 047636). Enemy fired approximately 100 rounds of 60mm mortar fire on landing zone from vicinity of (YD 0526310. Fire was returned by arty and 60mm mortar missions with unknown results. Results 4 USMC KIA, 62 USMC WIA (MedEvac) and 10 USMC WIA (minor).
0161700H Co D found one freshly dug bunker in vicinity of YD 046635. Bunker contained comm wire, one pitch helmet, one rice bowl and AK-47 magazines
