Totally Challenged

Currahee training was unique, as one of those units forming specifically for actual combat. We held unit orders. Our tactical assignments were already being configured into the mix of the upcoming ‘in country’ division strategy. Every man in every position was constantly being evaluated. At my level…the goal was to focus on being my best.

I wandered into the cross-hairs of a field captain by complete surprise. We returned to Ft. Campbell, to a continuous series of field exercises. All was pretty typical.

A soldier came up to me to take a look at his buddy. His squad member had been stung in the face, by a flying insect. You rarely have the luxury of complete information. God only knows exactly what bit him. However, there are no fatal creature threats at Ft. Campbell, KY.

What I observed was the severest reaction, of any bite I had seen to date. The trooper’s face was grotesquely swollen; I thought his upper lip might split. They were soaking his face in water, partly to relieve the pain.

I immediately gave him Benadryl and told him to stay in place. I hunted for the platoon leader to request a routine evacuation, on their first jeep out. I did not have a field ambulance. Based on the fact of severity, complications to the facial area, and the abruptness of allergic reaction, I wanted this man evacuated to a medical team setting. Although his breathing seemed regular, the remote chance of anaphylactic shock made me want to err on the side of caution. Obviously, bed rest would help him recover. The combination of his medical condition and the Benadryl rendered him useless in the field. A sick soldier can easily tie up another two or three soldiers.

When the platoon leader informed the company commander, all hell broke loose! I was summoned to an officer’s meeting to address my poor judgment. I heard, “Soldier, don’t you know that one additional rifleman can make the difference in a firefight?” This was the beginning of the diatribe. One does not discuss nor directly question a line officer. For the most part they are right. Line officers ruled our universe. Our officer’s judgment would prove to bring most  of us home. 

I had experienced more than one good butt chewing, but never for a medical decision. I sucked it up until the summation. Then I quietly repeated my original request, “Requesting a routine evacuation for this soldier, Sir.”[What I wasn’t going to do was discuss anything about my medical decision. It would put me on the defense. Bottom line, neither was he medical.] Life moves on, and I dismissed the experience as ‘the life of a Private First Class.’ Everything rolls downhill.

Eventually, I called for two routine evacuations in Vietnam. Basically, if a man doesn’t have a bullet hole…it’s routine. The first may have saved a man’s arm (according to Doc Lovy, Battalion Surgeon). This evacuation will be treated as another story in due time. However, I was bracing myself for another real butt chewing…fully remembering the above conversation.

The second was due to a severe case of hemorrhoids, protruding at length from the anus. The latter example provides a case for a temporary evacuation, to preserve the fighting strength for the duration.

The field is a dirty place at best. The jungle proved to be a medical horror show. Our medics proved to be very much Currahee!

As a post thought, I am truly grateful to most of those hard headed line officers. Most were solid leaders and effectively balanced the tension between successful mission and their men.

Salute…to the Anonymous Captain, for the best butt chewing I ever received in this man’s army.

Currahee, Sir!