SETTING THE STAGE
Sirens wailed trough the darkness. The armored car, in front of our bus, raced through streets with its light throwing red reflections along store fronts. Two jeeps, with M-60s mounted and filled with military police, followed. It was August 1971. I was in 'Nam again, racing toward the unknown.
The past two years, teaching on a college campus, revealed an anti-war sentiment which I had not expected. There were strong protests against our presence in Viet Nam. Young men were deserting their country to avoid the draft. President Nixon was turning the conflict over to the South Vietnamese.
The feelings aboard the bus could almost be tasted. No one spoke; they were sullen; and the question screamed, "What the hell am I doing here?"
The replacement depot had changed. The roaches didn't run when I threw my duffel bag at them. They scurried around it in red dirt which covered everything.
The PA system blared, "Major Dunn report for pickup with bag and baggage." The awaiting sedan was a shock, with air conditioning no less! The driver took me to Ben Hoa (Ben Whaa) home of the 3rd Brigade (Separate), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). This was the last of the division, left behind when the remainder folded its colors and moved to Fort Hood, Texas. Nixon was serious.
The Commanding General's Aide met us and escorted me to quarters immediately adjacent to those of Brigadier General Burton. The aide explained that I was to attend the 6 PM briefing and would dine with the Commanding General (CG)in his mess. I was to be his guest for a week.
There was a shower with hot and cold running water. Additionally, a flush commode adorned the bath. The aide returned shortly before six.
"This way, Sir," he said.
Arriving to a filled briefing room, I saw a chair up front with my name on it. Beside it was the CG's seat. "Hey! This is going to be okay."
The buzz saw was down the road a few miles at Bear Cat, known also as Camp Martin Cox. Things were not going to be okay and General Burton showed me why in the next seven days.
CH-47 units were rapidly leaving country. The 362nd had to expand its Area of Operations (AO). The Last Hookers were on call to evacuate embassy staff personnel from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Saigon. As General Burton and I visited units, the 362nd's AO requirements came into focus. It was obvious that there were going to be many long days and short nights.
Before leaving Ben Hoa for Bear Cat, the 229th Battalion Commander, LTC Ira "Ike" Jones, made clear his expectations. Meeting the upcoming challenges was not going to be easy. Resources were limited and were going to become more so with time. The UH-1 flight to Bear Cat was short. Yet, I had time to reflect upon Colonel Jones' last words, "I don't want to hear your problems. I want to hear your solutions."
Soon I would learn the man had never set foot in a Chinook. But, for now, I had much more cause for concern...how to get my men home safe.
