I was out on an L.P. for a week a little south of Chu Lai, when Tet came knocking on our door. Was pulled after five days out there, as they needed warm bodies everywhere. Really ugly, but for the grace of God I made it without a scratch (got real ugly on the L.P.). When Tet slowed down, we started doing strikes to the south. Integrating with other units. That became more of an OJT training exercise than anything else. Actually rolled into Quin Non about four in the afternoon once. Low on ammo and everything else (was in a constantly moving engagement the kept moving south). By eight in the morning I was outta there, and headed back to Chu Lai to lick our wounds, and refit for my first trip out west. That OP involved a series of hard strikes with the 196th Infantry out thru the Que Son Valley. Set up a base camp on Lurch, and made strikes out of it. That's when I found out I wasn't nearly tough enough yet. We got there quickly. Ended that OP really beat up on a mountain top right on the Lao border. The mountain top would later be taken over by the 196th, and named Melon. When I was there an SF C Team held it. Ran out of warm bodies there as well. That's where I saw my first tiger! After another refit and being put back together again, we set up a new base camp out at Thien Phouc (A102), and did strikes out of there. That's where I met the CAV units. That last place was the toughest AO I was ever dumped in. They've awarded 7 CMH's in there, and two are pending. Handed out Silver Stars as a matter of fact. Bronze Stars were like candy. Now you've read a glossed over 15 months.

gary

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I was out on an L.P. for a week a little south of Chu Lai, when Tet came knocking on our door. Was pulled after five days out there, as they needed warm bodies everywhere. Really ugly, but for the grace of God I made it without a scratch (got real ugly on the L.P.). When Tet slowed down, we started doing strikes to the south. Integrating with other units. That became more of an OJT training exercise than anything else. Actually rolled into Quin Non about four in the afternoon once. Low on ammo and everything else (was in a constantly moving engagement the kept moving south). By eight in the morning I was outta there, and headed back to Chu Lai to lick our wounds, and refit for my first trip out west. That OP involved a series of hard strikes with the 196th Infantry out thru the Que Son Valley. Set up a base camp on Lurch, and made strikes out of it. That's when I found out I wasn't nearly tough enough yet. We got there quickly. Ended that OP really beat up on a mountain top right on the Lao border. The mountain top would later be taken over by the 196th, and named Melon. When I was there an SF C Team held it. Ran out of warm bodies there as well. That's where I saw my first tiger! After another refit and being put back together again, we set up a new base camp out at Thien Phouc (A102), and did strikes out of there. That's where I met the CAV units. That last place was the toughest AO I was ever dumped in. They've awarded 7 CMH's in there, and two are pending. Handed out Silver Stars as a matter of fact. Bronze Stars were like candy. Now you've read a glossed over 15 months.

gary

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You've been through alot, Gary. I am glad you made it through it all. You definitely have my respect.

When you mentioned the smoke grenades, it caused to me to paint the ones I had originally intended to place on the model and get them installed this afternoon in preparation for a show in San Antonio. Another thing that was missing was ammo for the M148 grenade launcher attached to the M16 resting on the barrel of the recoilless rifle. I added a 6 round 40mm bandoleer from Bravo 6's new M79 kit so it would have some ammo with it. Thanks for jarring my memory to get it added before bringing it to another show.

Cheers,
James

Got to see this dio in person today at Model Fiesta and I tell you, the pictures do not do it justice, it must be seen in person to get the full effect. Congratulations James for placing and your other stuff was awesome to look at too.

I confess to not being that up to speed on anything post-1945 but this to me looks exceptional, all the more so because of the personalisation. The little bits and pieces dotted around are really well done and natural looking IMHO.

Great stuff.

Sean