A marvelous conclusion to a man’s combat experience in Vietnam along with his learned insights. If someone in your family or a friend went to Vietnam, I recommend you read this excellent bit of writing.
By Lieutenant Colonel William C. Curtis, USMC (Retired)
LtCol William C. Curtis, USMC
I always tried to think about what we were doing in terms of how the enemy would view it: our defensive positions, our offensive tactics, and in our relationship with the civilians who surrounded us. Politeness and courtesy toward village officials, women, and the elderly was very important. The medical treatment of villagers by our Navy Corpsman paid dividends.
The quality of my Marines was mostly good, although I did have a few knuckleheads —but dealing with these Marines as an older brother always brought them around. As a Sergeant I didn’t have official disciplinary powers, but I could rail at them and also send them away if they failed to abide my rules. I was also older than the average sergeant. I had already seen a good bit of the world, and I was (and continue to…
View original post 913 more words
Masako and Spam Musubi 
The story was riveting, Koji. Great reblog!
truly appreciate these poignant stories of the frontlines, koji.
I’ve never read anything by a Vietnam veteran before, so thank you for sharing this with us.
Here’s the Camp MacKall picture…
Thanks. This looks significantly better than what was built for my dad and siblings.
No doubt. Hoffman, NC was loaded with pine trees at the time; but still, despite the mills running 24/7, many of the men slept in tents.