by Saxon Andrew
Captain Saunders climbed in the Huey and glanced at the two new arrivals. He said, “Why have you two merited a special flight to Gibraltar?”
Charlie said, “I think it’s because my Uncle is a DI at Benning, Sir.”
“What’s his name?”
“Sgt. Frank Weber, Sir.”
The second door gunner heard the exchange and said, “Frank Weber is your uncle?”
“Yes, he is.”
The gunner looked at Saunders and said, “I’d carry him on my back if necessary, Sir. His uncle is a fine man.”
Saunders didn’t know Weber but he knew his gunner. “That’s good enough for me. Strap in; we’ll be going low and fast.”
The Captain was joined by Lt. Wisecup in the cockpit and the gunner said, “The Huey is a funny bird. When it’s up in the air you can hear it coming for a long way out. But when it’s flying low, by the time you hear it, it’s already past.”
Charlie decided the flight to the firebase probably only cut ten years off his life expectancy; Charlie ducked so many times anticipating hitting hills or trees, his neck ached. AG said, “Close your eyes and move with the ship.”
Charlie did and it wasn’t so bad. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”
“And take away one of the great stories you’re going to tell your children; I just couldn’t do that.”
Charlie said, “Trust me on this one; in the future, tell me and let me make that choice.”
AG laughed and continued to watch the terrain flash by underneath the fast moving helicopter. AG noticed something, “Corporal, what are those white birds doing as we approach.”
“They’re skittish. Noise sends them flying out of their nests.”
“Over to the north I see them coming out of their nests and there are no aircraft around.”
“Then something on the ground has made them nervous. The Vietcong think they’re good eatin’.”
AG stared at the birds circling the jungle until the Huey moved out of the area.
• • •
The Huey came in to Firebase Gibraltar and AG thought it looked out of place. It had a river flowing behind it that was flowing through a deep ravine. The river wound its way around the camp and disappeared into the jungle near the entrance to the base. A half mile out the Jungle started and made a marked contrast to the bare earth at the site of the base. The camp was covered with sandbagged bunkers and structures. They were now in a warzone and it was apparent it was an active one. The artillery pieces were protected in their sandbagged positions and were firing into the jungle surrounding the base. Saunders came in low and landed on the flat landing pad, “Get out!”
The two door gunners threw the duffle bags out the door and Ag and Charlie quickly exited the chopper. It immediately lifted and took off around the side of Gibraltar and flew quickly over the surrounding jungle. AG heard small arms fire as it moved away. The Vietcong were present and accounted for in the jungle.
They picked up their duffle bags as a Sergeant approached who yelled, “Get your butts over to the bunker with a D. Corporal Jackson will show you your new luxury accommodations.”
They ran over to the bunker with a big D over it and saw numerous bullet holes in it. They went inside and found Corporal Jackson reclining on a cot, “Welcome to heaven. Your cots are over there at the end, closest to the entry. You will be allowed to move further in if we lose anyone.” They noticed that Jackson’s cot was at the end furthest from the entrance. “Sarge will be here to greet you when he gets back.”
AG took the cot closest to the door and motioned for Charlie to take the other. The Corporal reclined and closed his eyes. Every ten seconds an artillery blast of a shell being fired shook the surrounding bunkers, but they could hear Jackson’s snores between the blasts. “How can he sleep through this?”
AG smiled, “It’s just like living next to an airport. After a while, you don’t hear the jets.”
AG unloaded his duffle bag and stretched out on his cot. Charlie also lied down but flinched every time the big guns fired. He looked over at AG and saw he was already asleep. He shook his head and tried to relax but just couldn’t do it.
• • •
AG went into Captain Green’s Command Center and went to attention, “Private Gardner reporting as ordered, Sir.”
Green smiled and thought the private still looked like a high school student. Well, he had just turned eighteen and was still a teenager. “Take a seat, Gardner.” AG pulled up a folding chair and sat down in front of Captain Green’s table. “Welcome to Vietnam.”
“I’m surprised to see you here, Sir.”
“It’s your fault I am.”
“Why is that?”
“The judge wasn’t real happy about my refusing to let you out of your contract. The uproar was loud and the Army decided sending me here would balance the scales, so to speak, so the roar would diminish.”
“I’m sorry, Sir.”
“It’s really not your fault. However, I decided that if I was going to take the punishment; I should get the benefits. I’ve pulled strings to get you assigned to my company. From all I’ve heard, it appears you are worth the price.” AG remained silent and Green said, “Why didn’t you fight coming here?”
“I feel like it was necessary for me to grow.”
“Now that isn’t an answer I expected. What growth are you looking to happen?”
“I intend to learn the skills needed to be a warrior, Sir.”
Green signed and said, “I hope you live long enough to acquire them. Our casualty rate is high and getting higher.” Green paused and said, “Is there anything I can do to help you in your journey?”
“Just allow me to find my way.”
“Omaha tells me you brought knives with you?”
“I have and I do hope you’ll allow me to use them.”
“I’ve assigned you to Sgt. Gomez’s squad. He’s our most experienced squad sergeant but his platoon’s lieutenant is a West Point graduate that is all spit and polish. If it’s not regulation, he’s against it. I’ll notify him I’ve approved your knives as an experiment.”
“Is Charlie in my squad, Sir?”
“He is; I made a deal with Weber.”
“Would it be possible for you to inform our Lieutenant that I be allowed time after hours to train?”
“Only if you handle your normal responsibilities.”
“I understand and I will.”
Green stood and said, “Go and find yourself, Gardner. I’m glad to have you on board.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Take this note to Sgt. Gomez.”
“Yes Sir.”
Green watched AG leave and shook his head. Lt. Bingham was going to be a problem. He had worked his way up through the ranks and he knew that Bingham had a superiority complex. He couldn’t really hammer him because he could be reporting to him one day. He learned early on to never ignore a new officer’s family and influence. Well, he’d do what he could. It was either put Gardner under a less experienced Staff Sergeant with a better officer or put him with Gomez and Jackson. Fortunately, most of his time would be with his squad and not the Lieutenant. He decided to sit back and watch what happened.
• • •
Sgt. Gomez had AG and Charlie at attention. “So you’re the new babies?”
“Sir, yes Sir.”
AG said, “Captain Green asked me to give you this.”
Sgt. Gomez took the note and read it. His expression showed his displeasure. He looked around the two newbies and said, “Jackson, the Old Man wants you to train this baby how to be a scout.”
“Awww man. Do I have to, Sarge?”
“I have no flexibility in this, Jacks. He’ll be with you from now on when we go out.”
“Well, it shouldn’t be a problem too long.”
AG looked at Gomez with raised eyebrows and Gomez said, “The last four that went with Jackson were sent home in a box. Be careful what you ask for; you may get it.
”
“I didn’t ask for this, Sergeant.”
“You didn’t?”
“No Sir, I did not.”
“Then you need to listen to what I’m about to say. Stay out of his way; watch and listen; you may live a little longer.”
“I will certainly follow your advice, Sergeant.”
“I also see you want to train after hours.”
“I do.”
“Make sure it’s done on your time not mine. Now go to the armory and pick up your weapons.”
AG and Charlie left and Jackson said, “Sarge, I hate losing men in the jungle.”
“That’s why you’re the best, Jacks. Do what you can but do not compromise the safety of the squad.”
Jackson nodded and said, “When do we go out again?”
“Tomorrow.”
“We just went out three days ago.”
“It seems the Cadet doesn’t like us very much. We don’t kiss his behind enough.”
Jackson sighed, “Maybe you should learn how to pucker up.”
“Some things you just can’t do. That’s one of them. Would you like to take my place?”
“No way; I’m happy hiding right here.”
“Then stop your complaining and get ready. Charlie is showing up in larger numbers and we’ll need to be really careful on this next patrol.”
Jacks nodded and promptly went back to sleep.
• • •
That evening AG had Charlie behind one of the bunkers putting on his knife vest. Charlie squirmed but said, “This is really light.”
“Yes it is, be still for a moment.” AG adjusted the vest and stepped back and said, “Put your hands at your side.” Charlie followed his instructions. “Now raise your right hand up to your heart.” Charlie complied and AG adjusted the location of the top left knife. “Good, now your left hand.” AG had Charlie move his hands until he could put his hand on the knives handles without looking at them. “Now, I want you to reach up and pull the top left knife out and move your arm directly away from your side like this.”
AG did it slowly and Charlie made the move slowly. “Good, now put it back in the scabbard.” Charlie looked at the vest and AG quickly said, “Don’t look! Do it slowly and feel your way.” Charlie stared into AG’s eyes as he slowly brought the knife back and tapped around until he found the scabbard. “Now do it again.” Charlie cut a piece of his shirt and backed out until he felt the holder. “Again.”
By the end of the night, Charlie’s right arm ached from the hundreds of times he drew and returned the knife. However, he was putting the knife directly into the scabbard quickly. He developed a feel for it. AG smiled, “Ok, now pull the upper knife on your right side with your left hand.” Charlie almost groaned thinking training was over but he reached up and pulled the knife. Two hours later he could barely move his arms but he could put the knives in their holders without looking. “That’s enough for today. Practice this when you can and I want your speed increased before we do this again tomorrow. Let’s go get some sleep.”
As they walked back to the bunker, AG saw Charlie pull and return the knives until they were in bed. Charlie continued to practice in bed until he finally took the vest off and went to sleep. That night he didn’t hear the fifty caliber machine guns firing into the jungle.
Chapter Eleven
Four weeks had passed and the Vietcong had mysteriously disappeared. There was scattered small arms fire but nothing dangerous. Gomez wondered if the Vietcong had left the area for other targets.
Charlie had made tremendous strides with the knives and was able to hit his target more than ninety percent of the time. AG had also taught him how to move silently through the jungle after each patrol. Charlie was a quick student and their nightly practice had finally lost the detractors that would come out and make disparaging remarks. They tired of it and after two weeks they were left alone. The fourth squad was going out again and AG used a pair of binoculars to look out at the jungle where they were going on patrol. He saw large numbers of white birds circling the jungle. He remained silent and joined the squad in the truck for the ride to the edge of the firebase. He looked at Charlie and he saw the change in AG’s expression. He raised his eyebrows and AG nodded. Charlie tightened his knife vest and checked his AR16. There was going to be trouble.
• • •
Jackson led the way into the thick jungle and AG was right behind him. Jacks had become accustomed to Gardner and didn’t notice him anymore. He saw on the first patrol that the newbie was able to stay with him and move through the jungle without making noise. He had kept his mouth shut and after the third patrol Jacks ignored him. They moved through the jungle finding the easiest path and Jacks started seeing signs that the path had been used recently. He focused and began looking for trip wires and other snares designed by the Vietcong to kill Americans. Four miles in Jacks stopped and looked around. Something didn’t feel right. He started to move forward but felt a pull on his back. He angrily looked back at Gardner and saw him pointing at something to his left. He looked where Gardner was pointing and saw the trip wire. He looked down and saw it was right over the top of his right boot. If he had taken one more step he would have been dead. His mind froze and Gardner pulled his sleeve and pointed back the way they came. Jackson turned and followed Gardner. The newbie would move quickly forward and freeze, holding up his hand. Then he would move quickly again. They made it back to the squad that was following them and Gomez immediately saw Jackson’s expression. If a black man could be white with fear, Jackson would have been it. Gomez looked at Gardner and heard him whisper, “Ambush ahead, Sarge. There are two machine gun nests on each side of our path. Wait here.”
Gomez started to say something but Gardner pointed to Charlie and made a strange motion with his arm. Weston dropped his M-16 and moved out to the right as Gardner disappeared in the jungle to the left. Gomez tried but couldn’t hear them moving. After ten minutes Gardner reappeared and Weston came out three minutes later. Charlie nodded and AG said, “There is a Vietcong company sized unit ahead of us waiting for the trip wire to go off. Send two men to each of the machine guns and have them fire a long burst as soon as the mine is detonated. Then have them wait until we’re rushed.”
Gomez stared at Gardner and nodded at the four soldiers in front of the squad. Gomez looked at the knives on Charlie’s vest and saw they were covered in blood. AG said “I’ll go trip the wire while you set up for the company that will be coming down the path.”
Gomez nodded and spread the other six men out behind cover and had the BAR set up to cover the center of the path to their front. He waited and heard the tremendous explosion of a daisy cutter as the fragments ripped into the jungle. The machine guns started firing and more than a hundred Vietcong charged down the path screaming. The two machine guns opened fire into their flanks and the squad opened fire with everything they had. In less than thirty seconds the fight was over. Gomez stood and saw Gardner walking down the path with a North Vietnam Captain in tow. His arms were bound and there was a big bruise on his forehead.
“I think intelligence can use this one Sergeant.”
Gomez nodded and walked forward with the squad. He moved off the path to the left and found the machine gun nest. He saw two Vietcong with their heads removed. He crossed to the other side and saw one with a missing head and the other with a huge gaping hole in his chest. He went back to the path and said, “Contact HQ and tell them we need follow up.”
An hour and a half later the rest of the platoon arrived with two more platoons following. Lt. Bingham walked forward and surveyed the scene and was shocked at the numbers killed. He looked at Gomez and said, “How did you do this, Sergeant?”
Gomez didn’t know how to answer. Gardner shouted, “We have the best scout in the division, Sir.”
Bingham looked at Jackson who was sitting next to the path and stared at him. Finally he said, “Congratulations, Corporal.” He turned to Gomez and said, “Report to Intel and
get debriefed.”
“Yes Sir.”
Suddenly the sound of heavy machine gun fire erupted off to the East and the Lieutenant said, “Carry on.” He quickly departed and took a platoon to escort him back to base.”
Gardner walked toward Charlie to congratulate him but Jackson reached out and grabbed his arm. Gardner looked at him and saw he was shaking from his close brush with death. “Thank you, AG.”
It was the first time anyone had addressed him by his name instead of newbie. Gardner smiled and nodded. He was talking with Charlie when Gomez came over and said, “Jackson didn’t see those machine guns.”
“They were very well hidden, Sir.”
“How am I going to explain this?”
“Just tell them Jackson discovered their plan and we were able to turn it on them.”
“You know you deserve a medal for this.”
“I’ll trade it for your keeping silent about my part in this. Jackson is the one that deserves the medal. Not just for what happened here, but for all of us he’s saved in the past. Besides, if you tell them the truth, I suspect I won’t be allowed to stay with the squad and I do not want to go anywhere.”
Gomez looked at Jackson, “He’s number one, Sarge. I’m no longer the best.”
Gomez thought a moment and said, “Alright, you weren’t in this. However, you will go out first from this time forward.”
“Fair enough, Sergeant. May I ask one favor?”
“What?”
“Send Private Weston out with me.”
Gomez smiled and nodded.
• • •
Cynthia left the library and wondered why Em had not shown up. She started back to her dorm and found six sorority girls surrounding her and pushing her between them taunting her. “You deformed troll; you should just go back where you came from.” Every time she was pushed, the girls roared with laughter. Cynthia’s anger was immediate. She dropped her books and stepped into the middle of the group. One tried to push her and Cynthia grabbed her arm, twisted it, and threw her over her shoulder into the grass. She moved quickly forward and flat handed the other five in the chest sending them to their backs. Cynthia stood over them and snarled, “Get up and let’s try this again. Get up you bunch of low life cowards.” The girls crabbed backwards and got to their feet and ran. Cynthia gave her hand to Emily and helped her up. “Where did you learn to do that?”