And we weren't gaining any ground. We would fight for a hill all day, spend two days or two nights there, then abandon the hill. Then maybe two, three months later, we would have to come back and retake the same piece of territory ... Two or three months later, we went back to the same area to retake it. We lost 20 men the first time saving it, 30 or 40 the next time retaking it. -Harold "Light Bulb" Bryant, US Army
Uncle Jake,
We hit some bad shit yesterday. Real bad. We're waiting for choppers to come take us out. They're supposed to bring replacements. Hope the gooks don't shoot down any of the choppers. They got one yesterday evening coming in with supplies. It was supposed to evac some casualties on the way out. We lost our machine gunner, Bruce. I just... he was a great guy, funny as hell, good soldier to fight next to. Whatever man replaces him will have big shoes to fill. Another guy in my unit was hit and a few others in the company. Bruce is the only KIA so far.
God, I'm still shaking. Just... horrible. We were walking and the shells just started coming. in. We called arty on them, but they just kept coming. They're entrenched in the surrounding hills. I don't think anything will get them out. They've got tunnels dug everywhere. We rain arty on them, and they just go into their fucking holes. Meanwhile, they've got mortars coming down on us and the only thing we've got is ponchos. Worst of it is, we don't have anyone to fire back at. We're sitting ducks. Last night, though, a probe walked right by me. Scared the crap out of me. I shot him full of holes. I just opened up before I knew what I was doing. I killed a man. But I don't feel anything. I don't feel any remorse. All I though, all I am thinking is that the bastard gook deserved it. He killed my buddy. He wounded guys I know.
There was a small group of NVA that came by early this morning. About three AM, our time. PProbably another probe. No idea why else they would come out of their tunnels. What else would they forsake safety if not to see exactly where we are so they could blow some more of us up? Most of our WIAs have been hit with shrapnel from the mortars. At this point I want the dinks to come and try and kill us. Then they'll get what they deserve. All the men feel like this. We just want to give them some hell, like they've been giving us.
I can hear the choppers coming in.
Love,
John
PS Tell Mom I'm fine. Don't tell her about all this. Same with Bernie. I don't want them to worry.
KIA- killed in action
WIA- wounded in action