Reunions

Tennessee welcomed me to one of her finest rare treasures. On July 29th, 2015 I made my way, after many decades, to a ‘rendezvous with destiny.’ Members of the 101st Airborne Division Association  were making the same journey from all parts of our great land. I was filled with uncertainty. But now I pray, it was the first of many trips.

A major draw was Nashville’s proximity to Ft. Campbell, the home of the 101st. We were all making our way toward our old familiar airborne places.

Names are the first things to go. But we all remember a name or two. Doc Lovy and members of the medical team were  naturally on my ‘go to’ list. Upon arrival I met up with Doc Mark Jones. Jones reintroduced me to Gary Flint Purcell. I don’t know what this says about me, but Jones and Flint looked a lot older than what I remembered in the day! What I immediately  realized was an emotional return to my unit. I belonged. Lori Del Greco took what is now my theme picture, that very night.

Battalion Surgeon Dr Andrew Lovy met with me the next morning. He publicly claimed me as one of his medics…that settled my place with the entire unit. Medics were attached to the line units from Headquarters company. It was common for us to placed in three or four platoons, during the course of our tour in Vietnam. Rotation often made us less memorable to line units that also experienced the influx of several medics.

Stories were shared among a wider circle of 3/506th vets. We shared common experiences…that only the original Boat People would remember. It was during one of those meandering conversations that confirmation came that I served with A Company at some time after Tet.

What amazed me was the fact that Currahees still have each other’s back, just like those days in the fields of Vietnam. They are far more hard headed now…but the fierce loyalty remains.

I saw this from a Currahee who had never met me. Mike Krawczyk made sure that my first reunion would be a complete experience first time out. He made several extra effort attempts to include a returning Currahee.

Currahees…it’s no wonder that I am excited to return at every opportunity. But I hope to expand that connection to others who served with us. We truly Stand Alone…together.

 

Flashback…On Being Useful

This post is dedicated to Frank Vinales, machine gun squad leader of the 3rd platoon, C Company, 3/506th.

The M-60 machine gun was always the immediate ‘support’ in any direct contact with the enemy. The M-60 provided a steady stream of fire, allowing us to engage the enemy on our terms.  That steady stream required a lot of ammo! Therefore all troopers were required to carry one  100 round belt of M-60 rounds for the cause, in their pack or on their shoulders (per Frank Vinales).

We typically covered a lot of ground on search and destroy missions. Some ground provided great natural cover…for us. Some ground gave the enemy advantage. We crested a ridge and began a descent into a questionable area. My personal radar went off. I didn’t like the looks of it. I walked with the middle squad, my typical home of choice. The lead squad was well committed to an open area framed with thick brush.

All hell broke loose just as the rear squad began descent. Two thirds of our platoon was completely committed on open ground.  Our command did the smart thing. They called for an advance to the rear. Our rear squad secured the rim and fired over our heads. Their fire kept the enemy from raising up, for a clear shot at us. Our middle squad quickly reached the rim to add additional fire power.

I was caught in a quandary. The lieutenant was heavily engaged in leading the first squad to safety ; the platoon sergeant manned the situation from the rear. No one was hit. That wouldn’t last long in this firefight. I wanted to stay fairly close to the troops at greatest risk, without getting pinned down or killed.

About this time, a machine gun crew edged partially down the slope to improve their fire. My gut instinct told me to stop and stick close to them. A medic doesn’t have much to do until someone gets hit. I didn’t dare shoot because I didn’t know the position of all our friendlies.  The gunner stopped momentarily. I asked, “Is there anything I can do?” He threw a belt of ammo at me and asked me to straighten any loose rounds on the belt. (They could jam the machine gun if not detected.) I straightened the first belt.  Next thing I heard was, “Here’s another one Doc!” I had a part time job with the crew!

I couldn’t believe we were getting out of this mess without a scratch. The ambush may have been far more effective, if we were completely off that rim. Our retreat was well disciplined. Elements of the lead squad finally made their way past our position. I kept my ears open for a cry for MEDIC; my fingers were busy helping the M-60 crew. Finally the gunner said, “Get up the rim Doc. We’re right behind you.” Good news!

Currahees…I got a little hell for not immediately retreating to safety. However, the position made sense to me in the chaos. We shortly pushed forward without further contact. I never got that close to a machine gun again. Thanks to all those M-60 teams that gave us  a fighting edge. Thank you for your service and technical expertise Frank Vinales!

 

 

 

 

Flashback…on a Hero’s Advice

Sgt. Phillip Chassion giving a briefing. Photo credit to Robert C. Lafoon

Infantry instruction would normally be a hardsell to medics. Like any typical paratrooper, we thought our personal mission was the ‘be all end all’ of the army. We were airborne medics. Is there anything better than that?

However, the instructor was none other than Sargeant Chassion. He was a combat veteran and mastermind of our newly formed long range recon platoon. Sgt. Chassion was in effect a living legend. He also hailed from New England, my own home of record. Need I say anything more?

We were well enroute to Vietnam aboard the vintage troopship USS General Wm. Weigel. Sgt. Phillip Chassion would speak from personal experience on how to thrive and survive the hostility. I pushed as far forward as I could, to hear every word.

His talk was convincing. He tried to encourage us by stating the army had put up some additional money and resources to insure our readiness. He said we were one of the best prepared units to set foot on Vietnamese soil. We would do well.

What struck me most was the conclusion of his talk…those final reluctantly stated thoughts. During a long pause, he chose these words carefully…

“I may not be the best qualified to say this, but I feel strongly that this is important. If you have a faith, keep it. You will need it in these coming days.”

Sgt. Chassion wasn’t selling religion nor taking the chaplain’s place. He knew that we looked up to him and wanted us to give credence to our personal sources of inner strength.

Those ending comments encouraged me to hold on to my own faith. We would soon see things that defied any loosely held notions. Everything we thought we knew would be totally challenged.

Within weeks…we lost friends. We lived in constant danger of both life and limb. We killed and destroyed. We were there to win a war. We learned firsthand that war is truly hell.

I saw a lot of men speak a quick prayer on the fly. If nothing else…’God help me’ works pretty well. Sometimes an expletive was thrown into the prayer. In hindsight, those prayers were just as genuine and valid as any others. I truly believe in the Divine care of soldiers, on both sides of the battlefield.

Sgt. Chassion was killed Feb. 2, 1968. We lost a great one…of many great ones. Although not in his proximity at death, I mourned his loss upon hearing the news that eventunally spread throughout the unit. A remarkable 34 year old leader made his way into eternity. Military families also serve, Sgt. Chassion was married with three children.

Currahees…as a returning veteran, I am sure that Sgt. Chassion knew firsthand the loss of friends. If we were fortunate enough to live…he knew full well we would be living with the burden of our own losses. We did and we are to this very day. The words still ring true now, “If you have a faith, keep it. You will need it.”

Slow salute…First Sargeant Phillip R. Chassion.