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I met Charlie Johnson at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS while attending
Ground Radio Operator training, after spending 6 cold weeks at Amarillo AFB in
Amarillo, TX, while attending Air Force Basic Training. We went to Survival
School and took that fateful airplane ride to Vietnam together along with about
18 others. At Nha Trang, RVN, we were all separated and sent all over the
central highlands.
I was sent to Cheo Reo, the small province capital of Phu
Bon province, to join MACV Advisory Team 31 as a radio operator with an Air
Force Forward Air Control Team. Army and Air Force combined, we had 65 live
bodies. Cheo Reo, as can be referred to on the map attached to this website,
was about as Central Highlands as you could get, but the VC chose to use it as
an infiltration area. In other words, we had to look for Chuck.
I was in
Cheo Reo during the 1968 Tet Offensive. We took only 2 rounds of mortar fire,
but it was enough to win a trip to the Bunker Hotel for 3 days.
We only
suffered 2 KIA's from our camp during my entire tour; ironically, a Major and a
Lt. Col. I will let the circumstances surounding their deaths remain private.
However, both died performing their duties.
We came out of the field about
10 days before leaving RVN; sent back to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron
in Nha Trang, from whence we came. It took about 3 hours and 45 minutes of the
10 days to actually out process. The first thing they ask was our weapons;
instant paranoia, sleepless nights and many beers. Coming home was like a
dream. That's my story and I'm Stickin' to it.
Editor's Note: The 10 day out processing time requirement was spelled out in a letter from Col. Barnett 21 TASS Commander in 1967. Field units were reluctant to release personnel in a timely manner and travel conditions often were difficult. Late arrival meant clerical work was rushed and often done incorrectly. I was a good example, I had a DEROS but was still ordered TDY back to Bao Loc in October '67. When I pointed out that I would not meet the 10 day requirement at Nha Trang, those orders were changed. (And I got a verbal reprimand from Lt. Col. Devoigne for not being more diplomatic.) Phil Dunton
