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Message: <blockquote data-quote="scourger" data-source="post: 3893151" data-attributes="member: 12328">[Mission 7 – a presence patrol]Another "routine" recon mission into territory believed to hold an entire battalion of enemy troops.  The nine of us hump it out into the jungle expecting a fight, but find nothing.  As we finally take a break for lunch we are set upon by about 20 VC.  Their ability to have ambushes set up at every picnic spot in the jungle amazes me.  Luckily, Sgt. Apone noticed the ambush early, giving everyone a chance to react.  Besides being outnumbered, we were also heavily outgunned: the enemy had several RPG and machinegun crews.  Their first shot told us just what kind of trouble we were in. our machine gunner and his crew were killed instantly by an RPG round.   We took whatever cover we cold find and returned fire.  Through pure marine heroism we were able to kill all 20 VC and were about to pull back with our wounded, when I noticed another 20 troops or so moving into position.  I left my cover and ran to where the Lt. and radioman were laying to tell them about the new attack and see if we could get some air support.  The Lt. was able to call in support, but the 3 of us were unable to seek cover before the fighting started anew.  As we tried to scramble for cover the lt. was wounded again and Hawkeye was shot fatally to the head.  I got behind a tree only to see Hawkeye and his radio destroyed by an RPG round.  Sanchez was killing VC left and right with his grenade launcher and doc was holding his own as well.   The Lt. was unable to get to cover, but still fought on like a true marine.  As I sighted the next g*** to die by my rifle, I noticed several RPG and machinegun positions lining up on the lt.  Without thinking I ran out and grabbed the Lt. by the back of his pants, dragged him several yards and threw him and myself behind a tree just as several rpgs and dozens of machinegun rounds exfoliated the jungle around us.  We were able to kill another 15 or so VC, when the hueys arrived and blasted the rest of the enemy troops and anymore trying to get into the fight.  Sarge was hurt pretty bad.  Doc and the Lt. weren't much better.  Sanchez and I did most of the killing but were somehow able to avoid being wounded.  We tried to get the chopper's attention to airlift us out, but they couldn't set down anywhere nearby.  They tossed us a helmet radio, so we could try to fix our radio, but it was too shot up.  Looks like we are gonna have to hump it out. Still the same ol' corps  -  one good deal after another.Cpl. Jack JohnsonRocky Gump's Vietnam Survival Guide---------------------------------------1.  If it moves, shoot it.  If it returns fire...start throwing grenades.  If it keeps returning fire...call for air support.2.  Never stand next to the radio operator - he's a bullet magnet.  If this rule contradicts Rule 1, then politely suggest to the nearest officer that HE call for air support.3.  Never do ANYTHING in a clearing.4.  Entrenchment tools are about as useful as an elevator in an outhouse.5.  Everybody has a "plan" until they get shot.6.   Receiving a medal only proves that you were bold enough to devise a plan, stupid enough to try it, lucky enough to survive, and smart enough to do it all in front of an officer.7.  "Combat experience" is only attained AFTER you need it.8.  "Rate of fire" don't mean squat when you're down to your last round -- and even less when you've still got hand grenades.9.  Saigon whores are BAD news... trust me on this one.and finally...10.  Do NOT tell Charlie to "Get Some!"  This statement is vague and open to loose interpretation by overly creative campaign directors.-Da GumpYea ROUTINE being the key word.LT Dan is feeling pretty downright s***** right now…and not because of my wounds. I feel I let you men down... those damn VC crept right up on us and we weren't even 5 clicks out. Frost, Wierzbowski... I never really got to know them; Hawkeye - YOU will be sorely missed since you stood next to the GREEN LT in the jungle and actually followed orders and helped out.  SQUAD - all of you performed a d*** miracle against the odds thrown our way. I would have to say that was a platoon feeler from the battalion; hopefully we have deterred them for a little while until we get back to the firebase. I know I still have a lot to learn about commanding you men; but I have to say Johnson - I owe you my life and that means a lot. Sanchez... your thumper pretty much changed the course of the battle... and Gump, that was fine shooting you did over there on the flank. Apone...you can come with our squad ANY time ANY where - we are gonna get you back to the medics as fast as we can. Men lets get a litter made to carry him and let’s get the h*** outta here because I got a bad feeling more Charlie are coming.Johnson can you and Gump carry him to start with while Sanchez covers our a**** with the Thumper? Let’s round up the dogtags of the men if we can find them too. I will try to carry Hawkeye’s body if I can, he deserves a proper burial with respect.Next ROUTINE mission is gonna involve armour.Lt. Dan Wyatt</blockquote>

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