FIRST OPERATION

It was around January of 1969. Vietcong activity had been reported in an area about 18 miles south of us. We had known for days that we were going to be sent to the bush. All of our gear was ready and waiting in our tents. Finally the signal came and we got our gear and proceeded to the landing zone. After waiting for about a half an hour the sound of helicopters was heard overhead. Three landed at a time. The wind that the chopper blades produced stirred up dust and flattened all the grass around the area. The first squad started to run toward the open back ramp of the bird. Each man grabbed the pack of the man in front of him and leaned forward holding his helmet with his free hand and made his way to the chopper. After the last man was aboard, the ramp closed and the helicopter lifted off, banked to the left, then headed in a southwestern direction.