Sept 2 1030 Vietnam Time - Meeting with Col.Tha, Former North Vietnamese Officer

Thong and I arrived via taxi at the home of Col. Tha at 10 AM Wednesday, the appointment time, and were greeted by his daughter-in-law, Van. To our disappointment, it was learned that Tha, 95 years of age, had been taken to the hospital just an hour prior for a check-up. Van graciously invited us in for tea as we discussed an alternative plan to see my former adversary.

 With Van, Col. Tha's Daughter-in-Law

 
 Smiling Damn Guide & Van

I was decided that, if Tha comes home that afternoon, she would call and we'd return. Should he remain in the hospital, Thong and I would see him there. We had traveled a long distance and were determined.

We were pleased when Van phoned a couple hours later, advising us that Tha had arrived home and that we could visit with him. We immediately grabbed a taxi and headed to his house.

It was 2015, with my Alaska friend, Danny, that I first met Col. Tha. Neither Tha nor I knew what to expect. At first, nervousness seemed to prevail. With his grandson interpreting and Danny photographing/videotaping, we waded into particulars of the May 6 battle. We both learned significant, previously unknown details. Chilling-to-the-bone revelations. 

With Tha and His Grandson

When Tha brought out a razor to show to me, I knew that it had been taken from one of our men killed May 6. He uttered "Kimball", who was our 3rd platoon leader. My request that I be given the razor to return to the family was denied. Tha wanted to meet with them himself.

 

 Lt. Kimball KIA May 6, 1968 NHi Ha

It took almost an entire year of back and forth (with Khanh acting as intermediary) to convince the colonel that the family would not be traveling to Vietnam. He finally agreed that I could retrieve the razor on behalf of the family. When Thong interpreting, I did so in 2016:

 Lt. Kimball's Razor Returned

Heavy, sobering stuff....

I again visited Col. Tha in 2017:



 

This past Wednesday, on return to Tha's home, Thong and I were greeted this time by his son. As we waited, in the living room,  Tha slowly made his way down the hallway and sat down on the sofa by my side. At 95 years of age, he looked pretty darned good. We shook hands & embraced, after which I presented my former foe with vitamins and ibuprofen.

 With Col. Tha


And I gave Tha a photo book that I created:


 Reviewing Photo Book

 

With Tha tiring easily of late, we had but a brief visit. With handshakes and hugs, Thong and I said goodbye with a promise to return on the next trip. Friends, indeed.

 

Smiling Damn Guide with Col. Tha's Son


 With Tha and his Son











Comments

  1. GmanSeptember 5, 2022 at 11:24 AM

    Great looking photos Neil! Very happy you got to see Col. Tha

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sept 12 1645 Vietnam Time - DaNang U.S. Naval Hospital-Gene Morrison

Image
Today Thong and I traveled by motorbike to seek out the site of the U. S. Naval Hospital in DaNang, where SSGT. Gene Morrison was airlifted subsequent to being severely wounded May 26, 1968. Thong had a general idea, but we poked around until finding it. The Vietnam-era building was replaced on the original foundation by a new hospital. The main gate to the new hospital is in the identical location of the U.S. Naval Hospital gate, through which Morrison would have been transported.  Site of U.S. Naval Hospital, DaNang, Vietnam SSGT Morrison's chopper would have landed on a helipad right about here. It has obviously not been maintained, but this is the pad. Then the wounded Marine would have been taken by ambulance a very short distance to the hospital.  Vietnam-Era Helipad for U. S. Naval Hospital, DaNang Here are the hangers for the helicopters at the U.S. Naval Hospital Helipad. We wanted to get inside the wall, but it's now a military installation of some sort and soldiers ...
Read more

Sept 16 0830 Vietnam Time - Another Visit with Mr. Thuong

Image
After the Sept 9 chicken distribution, we drove a short distance to the house of Mr. Thuong. There were many banana trees en route. Just two years old when he fell into a fire, reducing his hands to mere stubs, Thuong has adapted amazingly well and can tackle about any task. He has a huge grove of papaya trees, the fruit of which is sold at local markets. He picked a few ripe ones for us. He also raises chickens and pigs. However, a swine disease has temporarily placed a halt on pig production. A vaccine has been developed but, much like the covid-19 vaccine for humans, it doesn't necessarily prevent infection. We took a look at the 50 chickens that he had received from us earlier that day. And it was a pleasure meeting Thuong's mother.   With handshakes & hugs, we were on our way to see Mrs.Vac.
Read more

Sept 19 2325 Singapore Time - On My Way Home

Image
Well, I left DaNang Airport at 1155 and arrived in Singapore 3 hours later. The last time that I flew DaNang to Singapore was July '68. A huey was dropping off supplies to my field  company when someone hollered out, "Hannan, R & R."  I had had no clue if I would ever get an R & R or, if so, where it might be. I rushed to the chopper with my M-79 and pack and jumped on board. My head was still spinning as it lifted off and headed for Chu Lai. Then came a cold beer (something cold!), a shower (I had been in the field since Feb), and a haircut (longest my hair had ever been). From Chu Lai I believe that it was a C-130 that flew me to DaNang.   Leaving DaNang Air Base July '68 When standing on the tarmac in DaNang July '68, about to board a plane destined to Singapore for 5 days R & R, someone tapped me on the shoulder. To my surprise, it was Gary Davidson (aka G-Man) from my hometown of Versailles, Ohio. He was going on R & R in Taipei. What a coinci...
Read more