My 1st Day in the Field

I arrived at L.Z. Sharon sometime late in June of 1968. I met Pepe there and we hit it off immediately. Mike (Mouse) McGhie , Don Mangels and I had went to Camp Evans for In Country training after being assigned to The Cav. After being issued our weapons and all other gear necessary to go to the Field we waited until being told to go to log pad to be taken to where the Company was currently working in the mountains of the National Forest. Carl (Pepe) Pipher and I were the last 2 to go out as there was only room for a certain amount of supplies and men aboard the Log Bird. There were several new guys going to the field. My first helicopter ride was memorable as I remember that I was holding on for dear life and being scared shitless as we flew out to the Company that was out around L.Z. Barbara in the jungle. Upon arriving we were greeted by the Platoon Sgt. Clifton who was with the 3rd Platoon (Wildcat). He asked where I was from and I told him “St. Louisâ€. He was from Dexter, Mo. so he liked the fact I was from Missouri. Pepe and I were taken to the Squad leader of 1st Squad (Robert Ross), a black fellow from North Carolina and I remember he was very nice to me. Here I am in brand new fatigues with everything I own on my back and all these guys are filthy dirty. I should have felt bad for them but I know Ross felt for me as I was one of the Cherries (New Guy). He told me I wouldn’t have to pull guard that night just to get ready to sack out for the night. Next morning, very early we got up ate something very small from our c-rations and got ready to go for the day. I remember we were the side of a mountain so we came down the hill to a trotter where I saw a green snake curled up. Bamboo viper I was told, very poisonous. I was somewhere pretty far back in the rifle squad as we humped through the jungle following this gook trotter. Several hours passed as we went along the trotter split going right up to a ridge and to the left down a draw. We went left down the slight draw and I hear shots ring out. Everyone hit the ground and there was allot of screaming going on. We were called towards were the firing had went on. Pepe and I ran forward and we did, we came to where the crap had occurred. Laying to the right was Ross bleeding and being worked on by the Medic. Richard Walls was standing over the gook in the bunker that had shot Ross and as we ran by, he emptied his magazine in the gook. There was allot going on including a medivac being called in as Pepe and I just watched out in the jungle from the perimeter we had half assed set up. There was a large hooch type structure in this opening that I assume was used by the gooks for storing supplies. This had to be why there was one gook in a small bunker watching this spot. Finally the Medivac arrived and they sent down a jungle penetrator through the triple canopy. Ross was strapped in and the started hoisting him up. As they did I turned to watch and about half way up, Ross’s head fell. It was his 21st birthday. I knew what had just happened and I thought to myself, will I make it out of this hell hole. Not the best question to ask oneself but after being in the field less than a day, I could go nowhere else. I knew Ross only by the way he treated me and I always will remember what a nice fellow he was. I often said I would visit Ross’s grave someday, and back in 20I4 I was able to do so when visiting our Son Joshua who was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. He drove me to Charlotte and having been in touch with the newspaper there that helped me find the Cemetery where Ross was laid to rest, I was able to pay my respects. Was there closure in that visit? No, because I have always been haunted by that day but I was able to do something that I swore I would do many moons ago

That was to say a prayer over this good man’s grave. Sleep in Peace my Brother.

God Bless you.
Larry Hempfling