Andrew Archer
May 23, 2024
54 years ago, we lost a crew of 4 and an
aircraft to the ubiquitous RPG. Miller, Barry, Vaught, and Perkins. I had not been
in the unit very long, about 3 weeks. But I traveled from Pittsburgh to Viet
Nam sitting next to George Barry in the many aircraft it takes to fly halfway
around the world. But our friendship didn’t start then.
I first met George in Basic Training and shared
many interests one being cars. We both had our eyes on the new Camaro Z28 that
is pictured below with George standing next to his on Daytona Beach. He bought
it in flight school. His flight instructor sold cars at the local Chevy Dealer
part-time. The photo was taken by Dan O’Brien after graduating from Flight
School and on leave both traveling home to Massachusetts.
In Basic, we also had a common thread as Flight
School was in our future, and moved on to Fort Walters, Texas for Primary
Training. I was planning a wedding when Uncle Sam had other ideas and asked
nicely to become a soldier in the Army. As a result in my free time, I would
often call my future wife Janet, and discuss the interruption of our plans.
Long story short we got married at Chaple #2 at Wolters with Major Hamilton
officiating. Tradition suggests we should have a best man and George fit the
bill.
On to Fort Rucker and again in
the same company. Upon Graduation, our Order for VN had identical dates finding
us traveling side by side. In VN our new orders had the two of us on an
identical flight up the coast North with stops along the way. Men got off; men
got on. Off to the next stop and finally, we got off at Camp Eagle.
There were about 10 Aviators shuffled off to a
building to be divided again…you 5 are staying here these 5 are going to Camp
Evans. In a truck and up QL 1 to Evans where we report to the Battalion. Again,
divided between Company A and B. George and I were going to be Lancers.
We arrived by jeep after midnight and were
shown some temporary accommodations when permanent would be assigned in the AM.
here we were shown where the bomb shelter was located, and the Jeep driver
excused himself. We settled in for a year of uncertainty.
Alone in a building with several cots, we made
ourselves at home with a coat for a blanket and a pile of clothes for a pillow.
Somehow, we had stayed together through this whole process. We were tired after
this long journey and had a strong desire to sleep until loud explosions began
happening, over and over. To the bomb shelter to take cover. Silence came and
our heads poked out of the shelter and noticed that no one in the buildings
nearby was moving back to their respective hooch’s. Nothing was moving anywhere.
Unknown to George and me was a 105-battery a short distance up the hill. The
difference between incoming and outgoing was a learned skill that comes with
experience over time.
Screaming Eagle Replacement Training (SERTS)
was next. This several-day orientation course is where I found out I was
allergic to Tide XK which was a popular detergent at the time. With the local
methods used to wash clothing one needs to be more careful rinsing after
washing. The residue left on my fatigue caused my epidermis to close and sweat
was slowly blowing me up like a balloon. Off to China Beach Hospital. I was in
the hospital and had not flown a lick except as a passenger.
While in the hospital all day I was in a bed
and nurses applied some liquid to my arms and legs that slowly was making a
difference. About this time a Red Cross girl came into my ward and had a
homemade poster congratulating me on the birth of my first daughter Kristen.
She also mentioned that the Red Cross shack with books and other reading
materials just outside the outside doors.
Now allowed out of bed I went for a little
stroll to investigate. Finding it I went in and on the left side was a door
that said Oakland. I opened the door with curiosity and saw a black telephone
with Oakland printed on it. I picked up the receiver and a woman said, “Oakland
number, please”. Surprised, I gave her my wife’s family number and a moment
later I was talking to Janet’s father and then my wife. I don’t have any idea
what time it was in Pittsburgh when I called. I found out from Janet when I got
home that the call cost $107 which today would be $865. He never mentioned it.
I started back to my bed a little rattled by
all the news and the surprise call. When I entered the hospital, I walked back
to where I believed my ward was but stopped before entering when I saw a sign
over the door that read Psychiatric Ward. Oh, wrong door and traveled further
and not seeing anything that fit the bill.
Back then I went and investigated the ward and
realized that I was indeed in the Psych Ward after all. I questioned this with
a nurse, and she explained that it was the only ward with air conditioning,
which is what I needed, and I was the only one who could leave. Didn’t sleep
well after that but I was destined to leave soon.
George was in Mia Lok with other unit members
and several aircraft and the MACV-SOG Project Delta guys doing all that shifty
sneaky stuff and I was getting an in-country check ride fresh out of the
hospital. It wasn’t long before news of the dreadful incident that took the
lives of so many good men on this fateful day years ago...To say I was taken
aback by this revelation would be understated.
We were told not to talk about the mission at
Mai Loc and never did until I picked up a book at a 101st reunion sales area. I
was flipping through the book and saw a mention of Project Delta. I questioned
the author and he seemed unmoved by my words. Well, it had been about 30 years
later. What’s the statute of limitations on secrets? Not covered in my
training.
Still in shock of the
event Bill and I with back-seaters and a fresh aircraft made our way to Mai Lok
as replacements for the lost crew. Soon I was introduced to some very unusual
missions, to some very unusual places, with some very unusual men from many
backgrounds, countries, and creeds. It was eye-opening and a very interesting
experience. Surprises every day. Then on to CCN which is another story…then
Ripcord and of course LamSon 719. The time passes quickly when you are busy.
I’ll be lifting one in remembrance of all we
lost that bloody May 23, 1970. As well as the other 22 other crewmembers who
didn’t have a life and future except on the beautiful monument we commissioned
to honor and memorialize them between Tennessee and Kentucky Avenues at Fort
Campbell. Job well done there, guys.
I visited George’s mother twice at her
apartment in Dorchester, Massachusetts with two friends and fellow Aviators Dan
O’Brien and Bob Hamilton, and our wives. We all met in Basic, and we all went
to flight school at the same time. She seemed to appreciate our visits and the
photographs we brought. Each time she insisted we have lunch at her place and
wanted to know all about our families. That was a little hard to do. On one of
the visits, I brought along The Lancer Plaque, and she put it on the wall near a
cabinet with George’s graduation pictures, awards, and decorations. She passed
a few years later I heard. 54 years and it seemed like yesterday.
Memorial Day took on new meaning for me after
these experiences.
I hope you all have a great Memorial Day
weekend.
Andy CW4(Ret.)
L18
From the Lancer website
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23 May 1970 |
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23 May 1970 |
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23 May 1970 |
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23 May 1970 |