173d Image of the Month - Corregidor

Chaplain's Corner
Camp Alpha -- Ham & Lima
Beans and ETS
J
ust reading those
words above brings
back many
memories of the
2/503. Camp Alpha
was the start - the
C-ration cans of "Ham
& Lima Beans" were
a fond memory of
that adventure, and
ETS - going back to
Camp Alpha and then
the "freedom bird" Cap
back to home.
It's been my privilege to share some of those memories
and others with you for this past year in this Chaplain's
Corner. Permit me to use this last column of mine and
close out my stay with you with a few memories.
Not sure it's true, but I thought everyone who went to
Vietnam started their adventure in Camp Alpha.
Thankfully for me it was brief and short, and I was
off to join Alpha 2/503.
Remember your first days with the "Herd"? Mine
started with the realization that the previous
company commander had restricted all the officers
to their hooch and they were not allowed out
except for operations, including Lt's Vendetti and
Vose, and (the late) Capt Southard. My first
‘command decision’ was to release them from
confinement -- and I still hear some folks at
reunions say that it might have been a poor
decision.
When I turned the company over to my replace-
ment, Ed Carns 6 months later, I knew there were
several groups that never received the recognition
they deserved - the medics being one. Doc’s
Beaton and Berry (KIA) were uppermost in my
mind. Today I'm a member of the Military Order
of the Purple Heart and have the opportunity to speak
at the graduation of the Special Forces Medic Course
(MOS 18D's), and in my talk I mention our medics and
their bravery and sacrifice.
Without communications nothing happens -- well
nothing good anyway. My lesson learned was when my
RTO, William Johnson, kept grabbing my arm during a
firefight we were engaged in. I kept telling him I didn't
have time to talk to Col Sigholtz, but would call him as
soon as we had the fight under control. The next thing I
knew Johnson took off his radio and gave it to me
saying…"Col Sigholtz said that I am relieved and that
you are to carry the radio and you are to speak to him
every time he wants to speak to you. I'm to tell him that
you understand." Lesson Learned? Yes, and Johnson
became the RTO again that night – Praise the Lord! And
then there was Jim Gettel, an A+ guy - great commo.
Each of you probably have a specific memory of a day, a
fight, an incident that still is clear in your memory even
after these many years. For me it was June 29th, 1966
when we met up with the 308th Viet Cong Main Force
Battalion. Tuff day - we lost 12 KIA's and 21 WIA's by
the time the battle was over. Did you see our Chaplain,
Connie Walker, and his actions under fire? He was
awarded the Silver Star; and how about Doc Berry (KIA),
also awarded the Silver Star; and (the late) Charlie
Morris, recipient of the Medal of Honor. It was my
honor to see Morris many times in the years to follow
and note the manner in which he conducted himself
and wore that medal. He was an exceptional American
hero. He wore it not just for his actions, but in honor
and memory of the rest of the 3rd Platoon - those who
lived and those who were killed in action that day.
SSG Charlie Morris, A/2/503d, presented with the Medal of
Honor from President Johnson at White House ceremony.
(continued….)
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / May 2013 – Issue 53
Page 2 of 74