Vietnam Diary Main Page

INTRODUCTION

At first thought, moving through the thickest patches of jungle didn't seem to make much sense, because that also meant making noise that could alert the enemy to our presence, but there was less chance of running into booby traps. Often there wasn't any choice as the the jungle was extremely dense and thick everywhere in this very remote area. Due to such limited visibility, contacts with the enemy could be very close, sometimes within a few meters. It was very hard on the point man who had to cut through thick tangles of vines and bamboo or climb over or under fallen trees. It wasn't unusual to have to go around bomb craters or other obstacles. Most important of all, he had to be constantly alert and watching for signs of the enemy. The man behind him was also trying to make his eyes and ears reach out as far as possible through the jungle, searching to our immediate front and to the sides, checking his compass to stay on course and counting paces for distance.

Our progress was something like a giant centipede with the head stretching forward and then the rest of the body following in small sections until the head would stretch out again starting the process all over. The hard rain that fell during the night soaked us thoroughly and turned sleeping positions on the ground into giant puddles. The temperature had dropped to a damp chill making it impossible to sleep unless we were too exhausted. Now the late morning sun was beating down and even though we were shaded by the trees and a canopy of jungle the temperature was near 100 degrees if not higher. The humidity was high enough to be very uncomfortable and was getting worse as the rain that had fallen was now rising into the thick steamy air.

The straps of my heavy pack were cutting into my shoulders and pulling them backwards making my back hurt. A signal was passing back down the column that something was wrong. Everyone knelt down, each man alternately looking out to our right or left flank searching for the enemy. My nerves were on edge waiting for explosions or shooting to start at any moment. Then the word came back, the pointman had run into a nest of fire ants. As he cut through some brush the fire ants fell from upper branches landing on him and crawled under his shirt inflicting their painful bites. The point man retreated a short distance and the men closest to him helped get rid of the ants. This time the danger was only a short diversion from a natural enemy. After changing our course to move around the area with the fire ants, our mission continued.

"The soldier, above all others, is required to perform the
highest act of religious teaching--sacrifice."
General Douglas MacArthur

The daily events presented in this Vietnam Diary actually happened. I would like to thank those who allowed me to use their diaries and the letters they had sent home to make a true life record of what life was like for the airmobile infantryman in Vietnam.