July1966

my memories of Dong Ha/Mutter's Ridge, and Quang Tri Provence Square this week and next week are, for me, a test of will.

July really was my 'baptismal' to the real war. Earlier it was picking up wounded and dead Marines by small arms or mortar, mines; and yes, it was horriblel but, not like this....

This day in 1966 began as every other day that year...with a mission to follow the CH-46's into battle and pick up the KIA/WIA's/ resupply, etc.

HMM-265 bore the brunt of this day that the NVA marked for us to be mauled; and we were.

So many names I've forgotten whose faces I see in my mind's eye; but, there is gunner I know whose name I'll never forget.

Allow me to tell you of Sgt. Gary Lucus, gunner for HMM=265. I knew Gary as an older but gregarious Marine. He was fun to be with when the friendly lies of action flew around the tents of post flight laughter.

HMM-361 was charged with picking up KIA'S/WIA's and resupply missions while HMM-265 flew in those magnificant 3rdBn/4thMarines who fought their hearts out against overwhelming odds that day.

While shooting and flaring into a LZ for medevac pickup, I saw Sgt Lucus huddled in the jungle, just 50 feet away from his burning chopper in what looked like total shock. Bodies lay everywhere, but he was alive. His fire resistent flightsuit saved him, but there was no saving his face, hands, arms. Granted permission, I unplugged my flighhelmet and ran to Gary's 20.

I tried picking him up but his skin had burned off of his hands, and the remnants of his flesh dangled down spaghetti-like from his fingers and slid off in my hands. His entire face was charred and blackened (RE: what Sickened me at Parris Island with props of blackened Marines); yet, he was alive but he couldn't speak to me.

Recall that I fireman carried him to the chopper and thought he'd never make it....and didn't till yesterday, I found out he did live through his injuries, and is still alive, though severely disabled today. OOORAH, GARY LUCUS!!!!!!!!Background:

This whole month plus the next was the kick off of Operation Hastings, which began a week earlier; then, because of such resistance, Hastings was turned into Operation Prarie; and the carnage continued throughout the 110 degree heat/humidity, and the ever present green tracer rounds.

However, we medevaced Marines more for heat stroke than wounds in July.

God help us, I don't know how we all did it that July of '66; but, I'm here to tell you of it...No; telling is the wrong word: I'm here to remind you and me and the rest of the world of It: Vietnam did happen, and to some it meant their lives.

Marines such as pictured with me helps me with the HONOR of what we all did over there.

McAllister, and all the rest of you brave pilots who flew into fields of fire so thick mosquitos would rather evacuate the area than suck all that blood up.

though sad I lived and guys like Bob Telfer (crewchief) died horrible deaths...burned alive inside a CH-46 along with 28 Grunt Marines. Jesshus!

I WILL NEVER FORGET THESE MONTHS LIKE MAY'S AND JULY'S, AND JANUARY'S AND FEBRUARY'S...for the rest of my life.





	All the July's in the world won't stop my memories of Dong Ha/Mutter's Ridge, and Quang Tri Provence Square this week and next week are, for me, a test of will. July really was my 'baptismal' to the real war. Earlier it was picking up wounded and dead Marines by small arms or mortar, mines; and yes, it was horriblel but, not like this.... This day in 1966 began as every other day that year...with a mission to follow the CH-46's into battle and pick up the KIA/WIA's/ resupply, etc. HMM-265 bore the brunt of this day that the NVA marked for us to be mauled; and we were. So many names I've forgotten whose faces I see in my mind's eye; but, there is gunner I know whose name I'll never forget. Allow me to tell you of Sgt. Gary Lucus, gunner for HMM=265. I knew Gary as an older but gregarious Marine. He was fun to be with when the friendly lies of action flew around the tents of post flight laughter. There was no laughter the night of July 15th, 1966. HMM-361 was charged with picking up KIA'S/WIA's and resupply missions while HMM-265 flew in those magnificant 3rdBn/4thMarines who fought their hearts out against overwhelming odds that day. While shooting and flaring into a LZ for medevac pickup, I saw Sgt Lucus huddled in the jungle, just 50 feet away from his burning chopper in what looked like total shock. Bodies lay everywhere, but he was alive. His fire resistent flightsuit saved him, but there was no saving his face, hands, arms. Granted permission, I unplugged my flighhelmet and ran to Gary's 20. I tried picking him up but his skin had burned off of his hands, and the remnants of his flesh dangled down spaghetti-like from his fingers and slid off in my hands. His entire face was charred and blackened (RE: what Sickened me at Parris Island with props of blackened Marines); yet, he was alive but he couldn't speak to me. Recall that I fireman carried him to the chopper and thought he'd never make it....and didn't till yesterday, I found out he did live through his injuries, and is still alive, though severely disabled today. OOORAH, GARY LUCUS!!!!!!!!Background: This whole month plus the next was the kick off of Operation Hastings, which began a week earlier; then, because of such resistance, Hastings was turned into Operation Prarie; and the carnage continued throughout the 110 degree heat/humidity, and the ever present green tracer rounds. However, we medevaced Marines more for heat stroke than wounds in July. God help us, I don't know how we all did it that July of '66; but, I'm here to tell you of it...No; telling is the wrong word: I'm here to remind you and me and the rest of the world of It: Vietnam did happen, and to some it meant their lives. Kids like Nikki Mendicino makes my heat burst with pride. Marines such as pictured with me helps me with the HONOR of what we all did over there. Semper Fi Gary Lucus, Lt. Sturkey, Lt. Tee Holmes, McAllister, and all the rest of you brave pilots who flew into fields of fire so thick mosquitos would rather evacuate the area than suck all that blood up. I'm proud to have been with you all then, though sad I lived and guys like Bob Telfer (crewchief) died horrible deaths...burned alive inside a CH-46 along with 28 Grunt Marines. Jesshus! FORGET? ME? HELL NO...the smell will never go away I WILL NEVER FORGET THESE MONTHS LIKE MAY'S AND JULY'S, AND JANUARY'S AND FEBRUARY'S...for the rest of my life. You combat Vets know what I mean ... You who care for us, understand. We who lived are indeed lucky dogs Thank you. Choppergunner DeathBeforeDishonor

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