Sept 2 1115 Vietnam Time - Nha Trang to DaNang by Bus

Early Thursday morning Thong and I took a taxi to Chi's house, then on to the bus station. 

 

 To the Nha Trang Bus Station

With no seats available on the train, we settled for the 0800 bus from Nha Trang destined to DaNang. Although it was a very nice sleeper bus, the 11-hour trip takes its toll. 

 



Traveling National Highway 1, we passed several notable landmarks from the war. One was Chu Lai Airbase, where I first touched down in 'Nam on a C-141 Feb 6, 1968. Barely 19,  "green". The nightmare begins...

 3 Weeks into my 19th Year
 

I could see LZ East (Hill 488) in the distance.  I have climbed this hill 3 times since 2011.


On a 5-man Observation Post- LZ East

Beyond East is LZ Center. We operated in the field month after month, spending but a day or two occasionally on Center. Yet, it's a notable reference point. I have climbed this hill twice since 2010.

LZ Center

 

And we passed LZ Baldy's main gate. I served on a Baldy perimeter bunker after getting out of the field in October 1968..like a vacation compared to the field.

(Finally out of the Field) Bunker #8

Arrival in DaNang was about 8 PM, after which Thong's wife made us a tasty meal. Then I crashed.

Tomorrow at 0800 I'm on my way to Hue, then to Dong Ha. Nhi Ha, on the DMZ.




 

 


Comments

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