Ed "Spooky" Nored

RVN Sep 69 - Sep 70

Dec. 1 1969 L.Z. Ellen / Boonies

(Nored/DOL)  We have 2 new replacements for Delta and they are Jim Schmidt who will go to our 3rd. platoon and Lt. Mike Piekarski who is assigned to 1st. platoon. (He will be transferred to 3rd. plt. later on) Delta company saddles up heavy and prepares to start another mission out in the bush. We are exchanging places with Charly company. The first lift off from Ellen is at about 1300 and by 1345 the transfer is complete. Soon after arriving 3rd platoon moves off in a different direction to work on its own. We move into a  very murky and creepy looking swamp. My letter says we spent about an hour in it. My pack is way over loaded with an extra  12 cans of apple juice my parents had sent me. The DOL entry reports that we ( 3rd. platoon 3/6) have found a grave with 2 soldiers killed by small arms. It is speculated that these are probably the 2 killed by our company about 3 weeks earlier. If that was the case. One of the dead would have been missing an ear.

Dec. 2 1969 Boonies.

(Nored/DOL)  My letter mentions I had my usual breakfast of hot chocolate, peanut butter and jelly on crackers. We saddled up heavy and 3rd platoon still on its own moved right back into that stinking swamp. I mentioned Loren Dolge took a photo of me in it with his camera. (Photo? Whereabouts unknown) It was a swamp right out of the horror movies and I was glad to be carrying a gun as we moved thru it. We moved till about 1000 and set up a parameter. I had time to start a letter  and mid way thru it was startled by our own artillery as it landed too close and shrapnel fell thru the trees. I wrote "old Doug (Gorton) put on his helmet". You could hear the faint boom of the arty firing from Ellen and just seconds later the rounds impacted. We saddled up again and moved out. Later in the afternoon we crossed a stream and set up parameter and "Tennassee" had me take most of the squads canteens and fill them. I did so but as I was climbing the banks of the stream I dropped 2  back into the water. I threw the full ones down and had to chase the others as they quickly were washed down stream. After retrieving them and returning to the squad I was greeted with smiles and faces trying to hold back laughter over the great canteen chase.It was also a bad day for leeches. Loren Dolge had 27 leeches on him. (canteen and leeches from Dec. 3 letter referring to yesterday) Entry # 32 from the DOL mentions "D", Delta company, having to destroy a bridge and finding small amounts of rice and elephant tracks on trail. In my letters I do not mention when exactly 3rd plt rejoined the rest of the company.

(DOL/Bravo) Our sister company, Bravo, operating elsewhere in our A/O (area of operations)  has walked into a bunker complex. Bravo suffers 4 KIA and 8 WIA. The enemy fires on the medavac bird and wounds one of the crew. Names of  Bravo's dead and wounded entry # 48. Circumstances entry # 49.

Dec.3 1969 Boonies.

(Nored/DOL) 3rd platoon is still on its own. We moved  out from our night lo about 0830. At 1030 we took a brake and Loren Dolge takes out a small gift from home to eat. Its a small can of chocolate pudding called Hunts Snack Pack. God it looked good. We saddle up and move till about 1200 where we form a parameter and set up  another patrol base. Our squad, by itself, went out on a short patrol. We returned with negative findings and ate lunch. I ate a can of spaghetti with meat sauce and washed it down with some Tang.(Thank you Mary Sigman). The DOL at entry # 49 states that the rest of the company has found a large bunker complex with freshly built structures. Read entry # 49 for complete list of items found. At DOL entry # 51 the map coordinates show 3/6 is still on its own. It looks like Delta spends the night in the enemies complex.

Dec. 4 1969 Boonies Log day. Designated Log bird "Potato Masher 693"

(Nored/DOL) Information for this day is real thin. DOL entry # 16s map coordinates still have us located away from the rest of the company. That was about 1000 hours. At entry # 22 3/6 is still on its own. At DOL entry # 25 at 1450 hours it states 3rd platoon (3/6) has moved into an old bunker complex. The DOL suggests this complex was where Delta company had had a previous contact. Its suppose to be a log day but there's no info from me or the DOL. I wrote no letters on the 4th or the 5th. At the DOL entry # 32 it shows 2nd platoon (2/6) is away from Delta. In any case Delta company is in the right neighborhood to find the enemy and his supplies.

Dec. 5 1969 Boonies

(Nored/DOL) The company saddles up heavy and moves out from its night location. First platoon has point and we are working an enemy trail. At around 0800 machine gun fire erupts up front at point. A firefight ensues and Thomas Bowman is hit in both legs. Green tracers from the enemy’s weapons fill the air around First platoon. It is not known at this time if Tom was walking point. The company forms a parameter and arty is called in. The gunfire stops and a medavac is requested. The command and control bird or “Charly Charly” (CC in DOL) decides to pick Bowman up. They take him to th 15th medical detachment at Quan Loi. In a search of the area 2 bunkers are found as well as empty shell casings from AK- 47 and a 30 Cal. Machine gun.

Delta saddles up and moves out again. At about 1100 gunfire opens up again on the 1st platoon point. Rodger McRight, walking point, is hit and killed. First platoon is returning fire. Some of the men are able to take cover behind a fallen tree. Medic Jerry Hauschultz has crawled forward and is trying to get to McRight but is struck by enemy fire and is killed. A bullet strikes the helmet of Peter Drips (Joe Michaels believes Peter was the squad leader). Lonnie Hartline and (Kelly?) Leslie Durkee are both wounded as well. One of the men with the name “Lucky” (cant confirm if Lucky is Hartline or Durkee) suffers a finger shot off and the other has a broken collarbone. At about 1130 contact was broke and air strikes were called in. According to the DOL a medavac was requested at noon time and by 1245 all 3 of the wounded were on their way to the rear. Sniper fire was also reported in the DOL.

A footnote concerning Peter Dripps. On April 27th Pete would have another close call. While at L.Z.Thomas   friendly artillery is called in on suspected enemy movement around the L.Z.  One round of arty impacts inside Thomas's parameter and kills one U.S. soldier and wounds Pete in the leg. Pete was not with Delta company at this time but most likely had been able to secure a "rear job" some time after this Dec.contact. >From entry # 66 at April 27th.DOL.

The wounded were picked up and the company moved out carrying the 2 bodies. We moved for a short time and set up a parameter. I remember it was getting dark and I turned to the center of the parameter and was able to watch a very dramatic scene play out. A helicopter showed up and hovered above the canopy and lowered cables to the 2 body bags on the ground. This all took place on the edge of a large bomb crater filled with water from the recent rains. Once the lines were secured the copter was given the lift signal and it began to winch the bags up. As the pilot adjusted for the weight of the bags they swung out over the center of the bomb crater and began lowering into the water. The C.O. quickly slid down into the murky water and held up the lower bag keeping it from submerging into the water. He cradled it in his arms till the pilot corrected and the two bags rose above his head and out of reach. As the two bags were winched up they began to spin from the down draft of the rotor blade and I was left with the impression that the copter would not be able winch them into the bird. The last I saw of them they were crashing through the limbs of the trees. Two Grunts on their way home.. . ....

(Nored) Footnote to info above. In describing the above event I had always assumed it was a medavac bird with a winch. I could not see the bird directly, only the 2 cables or ropes  hanging down thru the canopy. After reading most of the DOL's I realized that the Medavac birds with their special equipment and trained medical crew were not put at risk to pick up bodies. Deltas dead were most likely picked up the same way as Bravo's dead were picked up on Dec.3rd. Entry # 19 reads "Log bird 2-100 ft. ropes + strong individual."  That would certainly explain why the pick up looked so sloppy.

(Don Ketcham)  I too, also remember the body bags (of McRight and Haushultz) being air lifted out of the spot by the bomb crater.   The day was heavy overcast and looked like impending monsoon rains about to unload.   The company, from the viewpoint of the platoon I was in (on the far side of the perimeter from the captains platoon) , watched the entire episode with the body bags and helicopter.   A sort of depression was cast over the company and left the feeling of more carnage to come.  It was difficult to actually watch the two bodies being airlifted out and yet hung down so far from the copter ( appeared to be about 40 to 50 feet)  and left many visibly shaken.  There was alot of activity with sitings and Charlie was taking potshots at us with occasional 30 cal and AK-47's, and literally seemed to surround us.  Felt like the Battalion Commander had us running in circles.
        As one watched the depressed grasses move from the downwash of the helicopter blades and the splattering of water from the bomb crater, it was felt that Charlie had one up on us. The next few nights made for very uneasy days and night and made one acutely aware of ones surroundings.  

(Comments from Ed Griffith)

On page 9 (Dec 5) Ed Nored mentioned "Lucky" losing the finger.  That stands out with me because Lucky came back near the CP to have his hand bandaged and when the CO asked him what happened he said that SOB shot my finger off.  With the field dressing in place he grabbed his weapon and went back into the fight.

Roger McRight (KIA 12-5-69) (click on image to enlarge) (photo courtesy of Tim Klebar)

Dec. 6 1969 Boonies

Jet bombers are strafing and bombing the area we had contact in the day before.

Dec.7 1969 Boonies / Log day. No contact.

Our C.O. Capt Folsom had a relapse of malaria. Info source is from a letter Loren Dolge sent home.

Dec.8 1969 Boonies

The company moves out again from its night location with 1 st. platoon at point. The point man leading the company, Randy Miller, walks around a bomb crater and moves about 15 feet into the bush when automatic weapons fire his heard. Randy is hit in the leg but manages to run back to the bomb crater. The platoon returns fire and the company sets up a parameter. The med-a-vac is called along with artillery and air strikes. Jerry Spurlock remembers that at some time while Randy was being winched into the med-a-vac bird Randy Miller died. Jerry remembers one of the crew in the chopper, after pulling Randy inside, leaned out, looked down and shook his head at the people below. Lt. Piekarski remembers that Randy had gone into shock and they couldn't get him out of it.

Randall Miller (KIA 12/8/69) This was Jerry Spurlocks nephew. (Nored) This photo was taken on one of the L.Z./F.S.B.'s  . Randy looks like he washing out some clothing. Using what looks like a empty 50 cal. ammo can as a tub. (Click on image for a larger view.)

Arlyn Perky was in my platoon (third), and in "Pineapples" squad. This is his account of how he remembers it ,after Randy was picked up and the company began to move again. "We went across the creek and into a large enemy base camp. It had some of the most elaborate facilities I had seen to date. I tried to take some pictures of the cooking facilities in one bunker, but unfortunately it was too dark and the pictures did not turn out. As evening approached we established our night location in that bunker complex and my squad had a section near where the creek was. We were told that in the morning our squad would have point for the company when we moved out in the morning. Just before dark one of the squads near us got a probe by some gooks. There may have been a shot or two fired I'm not real sure. Several of us had a bad feeling about what might happen in the morning. The gooks had gone to the trouble to find out exactly where our night location was. That was a good sign that they were probably going to try and ambush us. I was concerned but I can remember thinking that there wasn't any need to worry about it because it wouldn't help anyway. I also remember that I wrote a letter to the folks that never got mailed."

Dec. 9 1969 Boonies

Arlyn continues" I slept well that night and the next morning was pretty routine although I couldn't help but be a little nervous about what might happen."

I want to leave Arlyns account to explain what the company did after we saddled up and moved out from the bunker complex. We moved down a trail for a short distance and then the Company commander had 1st. platoon move off the trail and set up an ambush. They did so and then with 3rd platoon at point and 2nd platoon behind we continued up the trail a short distance and then made a left turn off of the trail. We moved a short distance when the point squad, leading the company, wade a right turn. Lets return to Arlyns account. "Pat Toon was walking point that morning because Bryan Tyack had finally had enough of it and it was time for somebody else to take some of the risk. As we moved out, the lineup was Pat Toon, Don Ketcham, Dan Smith, Marcell Gorree aka "Pineapple", myself (Arlyn) who was carrying the M­60 Gary Borkowski assistant gunner. Bryan Tyack, and Jerry Reeves. Followed by "Tennessee's" squad. Pat, Ketcham and Dan had just all made the right hand turn when the shooting started. At the first sound of gunfire I dropped to my knees and down on my side. I rolled the gun (M-60) off of my back. Someone ahead relayed that one man was shot. I remember hollering back that one man was shot. I pulled a string of ammo off my pack while looking to see where I wanted to go to start shooting. I saw a mound of dirt that "Pineapple" had just taken cover behind on the right side. I set the gun up on the left side of that little rise and Gary got down next to me on my left; beyond him was Tyack and Jerry. I got the first belt of ammo hooked up and I opened fire on the area in front of me, just firing in a wide arc. I had not seen anything yet and didn't know exactly where they were at. Everyone was firing and then there was a kind of a lull and I heard "Pineapple" say to look for a target. I was straining my eyes to see anything when all of a sudden I heard myself let out a groan that now reminds me of a cow bawling for her calf. I was now lying on my side instead of being in the prone position I was in only an instant before. My left arm had a dull ache in it. I looked at it and saw blood coming out a hole and I knew that I had been shot. I remember Dan Smith groaning and saying how bad it hurt, for he too had been hit in the left shoulder from the same burst of fire. I got my bandage out and held it on the wound, but I found I could not tie it. "Pineapple" quickly reached over and tied it for me. My wrist seemed to be limp and useless. I just lay there for a few seconds. There was firing going on but it seemed kinda dull and unimportant to me. "Pineapple" asked me if I could move out of the way and I said I could. He said for me to get up and move back. I found my feet and moved back several feet. "Pineapple" started hollering for me to get up and move back more. I didn't move right away and he repeated his order to move back. I got to my feet and moved another 6 to 8 steps before I again went down on my side. I just laid there listening to the shooting and pretty soon could hear the sound of "Tennessee" yelling at his squad to move up. He had to really urge them on by yelling at them to get up and move. I heard the M-79 (grenade launcher) being fired. The enemy bunkers were only about 25 yards away and shrapnel from the M-79 came back and wounded some of our own people. I know Pineapple got a slight wound from it in the arm and I think Dan Smith did too."... .. ... That's the end of Arlyns account.

L-R: Jerry Reeves, Arlyn Perky (who was wounded the 9th of Dec) and Gary Borkowski. (Jeff Cronstons photo) (Click on image for a larger view.)

Jim Schmidt on his first mission also caught a piece of shrapnel. Donald Ketcham is shot in the leg and is lucky it does not hit the large main vein. "Ketch" also remembers "Pineapple" applying a bandage to his leg and also remembers that Staff Sgt. David Stanley had a bullet hit his helmet and crease the top of his head. He is bleeding from the head but "Ketch" remembers it isn't a serious wound.

Shortly after the shooting dies down we hear an explosion and gunfire erupt behind us where 1 st platoon had set up there ambush. 3 enemy soldiers obviously heard shooting and were heading up from the rear to help their friends in the bunker complex. Lt. Piekarski at the ambush site with 1 st. platoon gives his account on what happened. " We did an excellent job of covering a 100-150 meters of this trail with claymore mines and everything else. It wasn't long before that the rest of the company made contact. About 10 minutes into their contact I looked over to my left and saw 3 NVA soldiers slowly moving down that trail. From my left to the right. They were had! With my counting three of them through this small clearing, moving down the trail. All of a sudden this guy who was behind one of those huge trees and directly in my line of sight, stands up and starts yelling "Gook! Gook!". Well shit, we blew the claymores for what they were worth, the NVA turned and fired a B-40 (RPG) right up the same clearing I was watching them through and that was the end of the ambush. We hooked up with the rest of the company who, by this time, had broken contact. There were several wounded in 1 st. platoon . as well as quite a few in the 3rd platoon and we were pulled out of the boonies." End of Piekarski's account.

Don Ketcham provides more info after being med-a-vaced. First to L.Z. Ellen and then later was taken to the 93rd Evac in Saigon."We found out later the NVA who shot me was in a bunker only about  12 paces away. I couldn't see him but I sure could hear  his AK-47.Dan Smith was shot through the left humorous and blown apart. I don't think he returned to the company because I never saw him again. Arlyn Perkey had an AK-47 round in his left shoulder. I remember seeing an ex-ray of Arlyn showing  a complete bullet in his deltoid muscle. My x-rays indicated the round in my leg broke into several fragments and I was lucky the bullet went through the  root of a tree I was climbing over  before hitting my leg just as we were fired on. Those fragments have ,over the years, moved up to the area of my chest and I have seen x-rays of them. The VA doctor I have has mentioned several times." Ketch also mentions being there with the platoon sgt Stanley who had been hit in the helmet. Ketch stayed in Saigon for several weeks before returning to the company.

(Don Ketcham) "Amazing how a small piece of information triggers the memory.   9 Dec 1969 sticks out for me and all of the activity that went.    I can even remember the helicopter ride in to the landing zone, on a LOH of all things, then I was shipped out to 93rd evac in Saigon for treatment of the leg wound and healing, the surgeons refused to remove the pieces of bullet, since mine split into several pieces when it went into my leg.    Wasn't like Perkeys where one could actually see the round in his shoulder.   Then I really felt bad for Danny Smith, never saw him again and always wondered if he had lost his arm.   Such a piercing scream when he was hit." 

Dan Smith is pictured here at the company rear at Quan Loi. He was wounded Dec. 9. (Click on image for a larger view.)

Photo taken at Quan Loi, left to right: Don Ketchum "Ketch", Pat Toon, Lt. Piekarski and Ed Nored. (Click on image for a larger view.)

"I do remember action ahead of the Dec 9, 1969, for it was a busy area for the NVA."  

(Nored) The following is what I remember the most that day and it is a personal thing that I don't think lasted more then a couple of minutes. It is a fear so deep you can't move. It's something that the Army cannot duplicate in training. I was never as scared again as I was this day and will always be very happy I got up and followed Doug. But God it was hard. I will never forget it. Never.

When Arlyn Perky mentions that "Tennessee" had to really yell at his squad to get up and move forward he's quite correct. When the enemy soldiers opened fire on the lead squad we naturally hit the ground. I instantly went thru 3 magazines firing into the bush. I had taped 2 magazines together on my "16'. I stopped firing after sticking the 4th magazine in. Straining to see anything in that damn jungle to shoot at. The noise level was incredible. You went from near dead silence to an explosion of gunfire and people yelling. Soon, standing above me was "Tennessee" (Dave Justice) my squad leader yelling to "Get up and move forward". "Dirty Doug" (Doug Gorton) was on the ground ahead of me. I'm looking at "Tennessee's" face and can hear him quite well. But I cannot move. A fear has taken over me and paralyzed my body. I know if I move one inch the enemy will be able to see me and kill me. I'm thinking everyone in the point squad is dead and now it's my turn. But every thing changes when I see Doug Gorton get up and I think "Doug don't get up. If you stay down I can stay down." A childish thought to say the least. Seeing Doug get up meant only one thing. I had to get up. To this day it was the hardest thing I ever did. My body seemed like it weighed a 1000 lbs. Crouched over we moved forward past people lying on the ground and then I spotted Tom Cocker, his back to the enemy location, directing where we should spread out in front of the point squad. There was no cover to speak of and we took to the ground weapons ready and strained to see a target or movement ahead of us. But none was seen.

I'm going to speculate that turning left and leaving the main trail allowed us to come into the side of the bunker complex. Had we stayed on the trail I'm sure it would have curved to the left and gone right into the bunkers. The N.V.A., I'm sure, were expecting us to stay on the main trail and most likely would have had more guns and explosive mines waiting for that point squad to walk into. I think we were lucky. The 3 N.V.A. that 1st. platoon saw coming up the trail obviously heard the shooting at the complex and were moving up the trail to support them. As Lt. Piekarski pointed out what allowed those soldiers to live was an over excited soldier who in yelling a warning to the rest of 1st. platoon also alerted the enemy.

(Nored) This photograph ,I feel, best represents what I write about below. The dark, depressing and deadly world of the "boonies". Where the frontline was 360 degrees from where ever you were standing. (Click on image for a larger view.)

To say the least our nerves were on edge. "Smokey" in my squad went into shock during the shooting. Arlyn mentions writing one of those letters to loved ones back home when you fear there's no tomorrow. It wasn't just this one day fight that took its toll on everyone but it was a culmination of previous incidents that had started on the 5th of December. Working those trails and finding their bunkers and evidence everywhere that we were in an area heavily infested with N.V.A. I remember that since of dread every time we found a trail or seeing a piece of the bamboo stalk obviously cut down by a machete. Only a matter of time I thought. Only a matter of time. Even our own artillery and air support was stressful. You were out there in the damn thick jungle. You can't see the enemy. The artillery is coming in over your head. You can't see that. The helicopter gun ships and the jet fighters are dropping bombs, firing rockets, machine guns and cannon fire. The pilots can't see us. You can't see them. Pieces of jungle and shrapnel are landing near you. All you can do is lie there. Not lying like you were at a picnic but lying face down pressing every inch of yourself against the ground. You feel the ground shake when the bombs hit. The jungle jerks as the concussion and shock wave travels from the explosion. When the jets come in with cannon fire the first thing you hear is rounds from the cannon exploding on the ground then a second later you hear the sound of the gun being fired then a second later you hear the jet scream over head. I will never forget that sound. You pray that all these people know what the hell their doing. For most of us out in the jungle it was a war of sounds. If you have ever seen a wild animal in the forest look startled at the sound of your foot steps that was us. It didn't take long for me to feel that it was not a human being dressed in an enemies uniform that would kill us but it was the "bush” itself that was our enemy. A sense of helplessness against such an enemy existed with in me. The fact that there were no "front lines" on the battleground led you to believe that you were constantly surrounded. A military nightmare. Our nightmare. The only safe and secure ground was with in a parameter that we had formed. With this feeling that the enemy was all around you and the canopy of the jungle above you. You began to feel trapped, enclosed and at times suffocating. When the helicopter came out and hovered above and lowered a cable through the roof of the jungle to take out the dead and wounded or when on log days we would get a "kick out". It would only reinforce the subliminal thought that we were trapped beneath this surface of green. A sub world where even our support aircraft could not get to us except for a thin life line.

(Jerry Reeves) I was in the 4 th platoon and I think December 5 (could have been December 9) was the date we were the lead platoon and stumbled into a gook bunker complex.  I believe our platoon leader then was named Stanley, who was a lifer.  He took a round through the front of his helmet and out the back, knocked him cold but didn't kill him.  Arlyn Perkey was wounded too as was Danny Smith on the same day; I think Pineapple was also wounded.  Gary, you should remember that day pretty well, since you were working the MG with Perkey.  What was left of us in the 4 th platoon was blended into third platoon the next day I think.

(Comments from Ed Griffith Artillery Forward Observer for our company)

Also on page 9 (Dec 9) Ed Nored talks about the stress of the close in Arty, Gunships and Tac Air and hoping we knew what we were doing.  If he thinks that was stressful he should have been on my side trying to bring it in close enough to do some good and not hit friendlies and doing it by sound alone .  In one firefight I had a Cobra pilot (kind of excited) telling me he needed to change his line of approach.  When I asked why (as this was a very unusual request) he said "Because I just about got a F-104 up my Ass ! "  Request granted.

Dec. 10, 1969 L.Z. Ellen

	(Nored) This next group of photos is shown in the order they were taken. All 20 shots from this roll of film are accounted for. All were taken on or just off of L.Z. Ellen. The first photo is L-R Ed Savobada,Ed Nored, Doug Gorton, Loren Dolge and Dave Justice. Nored has is hand resting or guarding  an unopened package from home. In the background you can see what looks like a bucket hanging between 2 posts. That's a shower bucket. On the left you can see how the vegetation is starting  to grow out of the defensive dirt burm that formed a circle around the L.Z. (Click on image for a larger view.) Negative # 1
	(Nored) On Nov. 8th at L.Z. Ellen my trusty Kodak instamatic stopped working. On Dec. 10th I received a replacement from my parents. You can see the yellow box sitting to my right. I include this info to stress that I try my best to place the photos as close as I can to the date they were taken. Most of the time the companys who developed  our film placed a processing date on the back or the front border of your prints. That date suggest your pics were most likely taken in the previous 5 to 30 days. While in Nam we either sent the film home, to Hawaii or Thailand for processing. I never lost any film no matter what source I used. It was all very reliable. I still marvel at the memories captured by that very inexpensive camera. and even more so to be able to share them after all these years with the rest of you thanks to Gordon's website. (Click on image for a larger view.) Negative # 2
	Services are held for Randy Miller, Jerry Hauschulz and Roger McRight. This is a very rare photo. Its the only photo that I took or have seen that captures all of Delta company. First, second and third platoon. Minus the casualties from Dec. 5-9, people who were sick and on R&R. (Click on image for a larger view.) Negative # 3
	5 Hueys lift off and snake their way off to another mission. Copter crews always had someplace to go. Another troop insertion, extraction, log day and on and on. This war never "closed" it was open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. (Click on image for a larger view.) Negative # 4
	High above Ellen 8 Hueys are caught silhouetted against a metallic sky. (Click on image for a larger view.) Negative # 5
	(Nored) Upon joining Delta company one of the first people I grew to admire was my squad leader. That was Dave,"Tennessee", Justice. I hated screwing up in front of him. On two different occasions on my first missions in the bush I had accidentally set off a trip flare. He gave me the nic name "trip flare Eddie" and I hated it. I never tripped one again after hearing that. Soon after this photo was taken Dave Justice got a rear job and did not have to return to the field. It was always good to see "Tennessee" smile. One of the observations I had made during these first months that alarmed me was the expressions on "Tennesee's", Tom Cocker's, Doug Gorton's, and Marcell Gorree's  face much of the time. There was such a dead serious expression on their face the likes I had  never seen  in civilian life. Seeing their faces suggested this experience , this war, would change me and that scared me. I had a good sense of humor and no hate in my heart for no one and  I wanted to keep that. All these gentleman had good reason for that serious look based on incidents that had happened before I joined Delta company. In any case it was always nice to see them smile. Especially "Tennessee". (click on image to enlarge) Negative # 6 (negative # 7 photo not worth posting. Negative # 8 is photo of barbecue on Ellen posted on page 3).
	L-R Scott Lemanski, aka "Parttime".Kneeling, Stanley Krysminski aka "Ski". Dick "the Bitch" Fowler.Ron McLaughlin, Pat Toon ?, Earl Falkinburg, aka "the Duke" with right arm bent and leaning to his left. Can't I D next man. Doug Gorton ,aka "Dirty Doug". Loren Dolge, can't I D this man and far right is Marcell Gorree aka "Pineapple".  Pic take at LZ Ellen. (click on image to enlarge) Negative # 9
	(Nored) Medals are being awarded to men of Delta Co. on L.Z. Ellen. There are 3 officers with their backs to camera. I am fairly certain from their physical stature they are left to right, McKlosky ,no I.D. on man in middle but I am  sure that's Capt. Perkins on the right. Of the men receiving the medals I can only I.D. the 3rd man from the right wearing helmet. Larry who would become the company armorer. See photo in misc. section. (click here) (click on image to enlarge) Negative # 10
	(click on image to enlarge) Negative # 11
	Ed "Spooky" Nored on L.Z. Ellen late 1969 (click on image to enlarge) Negative # 12 (Negative # 13 photo is not worth posting)
	(Nored) Earl Falkinburg crossing a stream with M-60 ammo draped over him and smoke grenades hanging from the waist. (Click on image for a larger view.) (Photo taken Dec. 69 just off  of L.Z. Ellen.Negative # 14)
	(Nored) Dick Fowler walking point on a patrol from one of the L.Z.'s In nearly all cases this job to say the least was on of the most dangerous. If you were on a trail like Dick is on your safety is off and you move slowly and quietly. Nothing is more maddening to the squad up front as when someone in the line of march behind you gets clumsy and makes a noise. I was walking backup for Dick this day and we got word that we should return to the L.Z. (probably Ellen) I took the instamatic camera out of my pocket and snapped it off. Most of the pictures you see with us that I took while on patrol were when we were further back in the line of march. It was just too tense up front to be snapping off pictures. Photo taken Dec. 69 off L.Z.Ellen. (Click on image for a larger view.) negative # 15 from Dec 10th 1969. (negative # 16 is underexposed)
	Ron McLoughlin and Dave Arronson (his assistant gunner). (click on image for a larger view) Negative # 17 (negatives # 18 and 19 not worth posting.)
	(Nored) Back row L-R is Ed Savoboda, South Dakota. Forrest Sanders, Miss. Loren Dolge, Wash. Earl Falkinburg, PA.  Front row standing. Tom Cocker, Georgia. David Justice, Tenn. Stanley Krzyminski, New York. Ron McLaughlin, Va. Kneeling, Ed Nored ,Ca. on the left and Doug Gorton, New York. L.Z. Ellen. All from 3rd. platoon. Dick Fowler or Chris Parrish may have taken the photo for me. (click on image for a larger view.) negative # 20 last shot on roll.
	(Click on image for a larger view.)

Dec 11, 1969 L.Z. Ellen

(Nored) In a December 11th letter I mention Tom  of 3rd platoon is out with malaria. I have photos of Tom but no last name. It is not Tom Coker. Last name might be Langley or Allison. Will update information asap. Letter also mentions  that we, 3rd platoon, are just lying around listening to tapes on a cassette player. Steppenwolf, Creedence Clearwater, Tommy James and the Shondells and the Classics Four.

Dec 12, 1969 L.Z. Ellen

Dec 13, 1969 L.Z. Ellen

DOL entry # 16 says 2nd. platoon (2/6) ran a patrol to the south of Ellen and found an old bunker sight with 8 bunkers and one "u" shaped  recoilless rifle position. The complex showed no signs of recent use. 2nd platoon left at 0928 and returned to Ellen at 1201.

Dec 14, 1969 L.Z. Ellen

DOL entry # 18 says 3rd. platoon (3/6) ran a patrol from Ellen to the south east. They departed at 0900 and returned to Ellen at 1600 reporting negative findings.

Dec 15, 1969 L.Z. Ellen

Dec 16, 1969 L.Z. Ellen

DOL info. entry # 15. At 0835 1st. and 2nd. platoons head North on a patrol off of Ellen. The only thing they find is large pile of fresh dirt. The C.O. ,"6", speculates the gooks are digging a tunnel and dropping off the dirt in different areas as to not lead anyone to the opening. The patrol returns to Ellen about 1315 without incident. At 1430 3rd. platoon saddles up light and recon to the south east and then return at 1600 and report negative findings.

Dec 17, 1969 C. A. 'd off Ellen to boonies

The C.O. wants 3 men from each squad to go the Bob Hope show. Some of the squads drew cards and in others they simply went by which man had the most time in country.My letter doesn't say who won. Tennessee and Smocky get rear jobs and will not be returning to boonies with us. There is so few in our platoon that we brake it down into 2 squads. We were also informed we would not receive packages on log while out in the bush. Every other log will be a "kick out" with no mail of any sort.We got some replacements in yesterday.

	A B-52 strike is hitting the area we were in. (Click on image for a larger view.) Negative # 6
	(Nored) This photo was taken shortly before lifting off Ellen for another mission in the bush, Dec. 17th. Looks like my clothes are clean and I may even have a new towel hanging around my neck. From this side of the pack we can identify the  Claymore mine in its bag, above the canteen is the gas mask, the ammo can for personal items and the orange stake attached to one of my trip flares is visible. My sideburns are too long and I remember Capt. Perkins bringing that to my attention. (click on image to enlarge.) Negative # 7
	(Nored/DOL)  On Dec. 17th. Delta company saddled up heavy and prepared to return to the bush. We are going to take Alpha companys place. The phrase "Daisy Chain" is used in the DOL. Alpha company, out in the bush, is securing a landing/pick up zone. As Delta leaves Ellen and lands where Alpha company is we unload and Alpha grunts reload and go fly back to Ellen. According to the DOL the "Daisy Chain" started about 1400 and by 1500 the 2 companys had exchanged positions. All 3 of these photos were taken on DEC. 17th as the rest of Delta company arrived from Ellen  to start another mission in the bush. Photos are shown in the order they were taken. (click on image to enlarge.) Negative # 12
	(click on image to enlarge.) Negative # 13
	(click on image to enlarge.) Negative # 14

Dec 18, 1969 Boonies

Jim Wadrodowski joins the company and is placed in 3rd platoon.

Note: Jim also kept a diary of each days events. Anytime you see the (JW). Any info posted after it is from Jims diary.

Dec 19, 1969 Boonies

They have put us into a new area that is quite open compared to the thick shit we had been in. Lots of rubber trees.

Dec 20, 1969 Boonies

Dec 21, 1969 Boonies

Dec 22, 1969 Boonies

Scott Lemanski ("Part time") is sick and goes to the rear on the Log bird. He leaves his 45 pistol with Ed Nored (from letter written  Dec. 23).

Dec 23, 1969 Boonies

Were working a large bunker complex that has been hit by B-52's. We found 18 mortar rounds and 1 U.S. carbine rifle.

Dec 24, 1969 Boonies

Christmas eve in the boonies. We humped 6 "klicks" then back tracked 2 "klicks". The company got lost. Everybody was tired and pissed. Were supposed to secure area for a new firebase.

Dec 25, 1969 Boonies

Christmas day in the boonies. "log day" Got lost again. The captain heaved a smoke grenade out and nearly hit Dickie. I got pissed and popped my own and threw it back at him. The squad cracked up. We finally got situated and secured an area for the copters to bring in the bulldozers.

Dec 26, 1969 Constructing L.Z. Kathleen

(Nored) The location of L.Z. Kathleen. This base was placed on the road connecting Song Be and An Loc. It was approximately 32 km ENE of An Loc, 12 km SW of Song Be and 7 km ENE of Bu R Drang.

(Click here for map)

Click here to go to Ed Griffith's photos of L.Z. Kathleen during construction.

Dec 27, 1969 Constructing L.Z. Kathleen

Dec 28, 1969 Constructing L.Z. Kathleen

Dec 29, 1969 Company moved to Quan Loi

Dec 30, 1969 Quan Loi

Dec 31, 1969 Quan Loi

You are on page 7

Grunts & the gear we carried (start here)

Maps

LZ's

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