TBS 2-67 Cruisebook_Updated_7Jan23

A Tour of Duty in Vietnam
we were constantly hearing about other batteries’ friendly fire
mistakes.
Dewey Canyon was a tactical success and probably the last
significant operation of the war, but it did not stop the overall flow of
North Vietnamese men and materiel into South Vietnam. The
personnel of the 9th Marine Regiment and attached units like 1st Prov
were awarded the Army Presidential Unit Citation even though it was
virtually an all­Marine endeavor.
As I was processing to return to the States back in the battalion’s rear
at Quang Tri, I was still smarting about the fact that I had gone
through all the trouble of bringing the refrigerator north and not ever
being able to use it, while Don Odle and others had complete and free
use of it. I had a little time to kill, so I decided to do something about
it. I secured a jeep and a driver and drove up to Dong Ha. I was able to
get Don to pay me $75 to keep the refrigerator. One the way back, on
what was supposed to be a secure road, I fell asleep in the passenger
seat. I was awakened by the noise and vibration of the jeep moving at
above redline speed along the elevated road. Dirt was flying up from
the bank next to the jeep as an enemy gunner was trying to lead us
with an automatic weapon from a long way off. If he had elevated his
barrel just a smidgen, he would have nailed us. It still bothers me that I
almost lost my life, as well as my driver’s life, on my last day in Viet
Nam, because of my silly behavior over that damned refrigerator…,
but my luck still held.
Once I was on my way home, I did not want any distractions, I had
collected a few souvenirs that really were against regulations to bring
back to the States. I expected U.S. Customs would go through my
gear, so I decided to give away some of my acquisitions from the
enemy including an M­1 carbine, and a huge switch blade knife that I
called a switch sword. My emasculated grenade had somehow
disappeared from my luggage stored back at Quang Tri. When my
plane landed at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay, I, as the only
officer on board, was led through a different departure route than all
the troops, and nobody ever looked at any of my baggage. I could
have brought anything back with me.
On the other hand, I was never insulted or mistreated by anyone from
the anti war movement. Everyone in my world seemed to appreciate
my service in Viet Nam, including my father, who was most important
to me. Several months later, while a student at Vanderbilt Law School,
a Bronze Star with combat “V” caught up with me, and I have no idea
who wrote the citation. There is no doubt that I came home from Viet
Nam a much different person than before I arrived there.
EPILOGUE
After being released from active duty in late spring of 1969, I made it
straight home to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and joined the local Marine
reserve unit eliminating any dead time in career. The unit was a
military police company in transition to become a rifle company of the
24th Marines. Since the company commander was a major, I was
given the billet of executive officer. I knew my time with the unit
would be short lived as I had been selected for admittance to
Vanderbilt Law School in September, and I would have to seek
another reserve billet with the Nashville, Tennessee, reserve company.
I also immediately sought a summer job, which would preferably be
outdoors for the Michigan summer. I interviewed with the foreman of
A‐83