Let me start by saying I do not remember much about that night. I got to the 526CC&S 4 days before the sapper attack on April 9, 1968. I was told I was going to be with the Disassembly Platoon. What that was I do not know. When you get to a new unit you try to make friends, somebody to hang around with to make time go by. I got my rifle and was shown around the company area. I met Sgt. Eaton and some of the guys. The one thing they forgot is what bunker do I go to for an alert. The night of the attack I ate, wrote home, and was off to bed. At about 2 in the morning is when it all started. The VC were in the company area. They were blowing up everything. I ran out of my barracks, but where do I go! The VC was raking the barracks with AK-47 rifle fire, grenades, and satchel charges were going off. Flares were being fired from the guard towers. It was total confusion. I was lost in my new compound.
The Army can train you to defend your perimeter, but there is no training on what to do when they infiltrate your perimeter.
I made it through the night, but the next day was awful. I helped with the cleaning of the company area. The five dead VC who were killed were laying on the ground. I will remember that forever. I thought, I just got here, and will it happen again? Thank God it did not.
I did 10 months in Vietnam with the 526CC&S and drove a 5-ton tractor with a flat bed.
Before I forget, I met Don Strine at our reunion. He was a gate guard. He told me he helped me get to a safe place that night.
Although I did not know any of the 7 who were killed, or any of the many wounded, I will never forget them.May they Rest in Peace and God Bless them.
I live with my wife Yvonne in Marion, Illinois