William, leave us a comment telling us which one's you and I'll update this post.

Am I correct in thinking that the one who isn't has a son in Iraq right now?

For those who haven't read William's bio I'll mention that he earned a Bronze Star knocking out North Vietnamese armor ("tanks" to you civilians) with jeep-mounted TOW missiles during the Battle of Kontum in '72. Is that a recoilless rifle mounted on the front of that jeep in the picture or just a 50 Cal? Early training pays off, I reckon.

btw, William, did I ever get around to thanking you for that? I was at the airstrip in Kontum while that was happening. Life was exciting enough in those days without those tanks breaking through. Thank God, and you, they didn't.

Good thing William lives in Louisiana and I'm in Illinois or I'd worry about getting my butt kicked for posting this.

*** 16:05

Click "Comments" to read William's reply.

Contributed by Bill Faith on September 13, 2006 at 03:08 PM in Bill Faith, Patriotism, The American Warrior, William "1stCav" Page | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: 1st Cav

Bill, do be glad we live miles apart! LOL
On the left is my older brother who served with Advisory Team 73 in Chuong Thien Province RVN same time his brother was in the 1st Cav. We never saw each other while there. However, we both wrote home and told of being at the same 1971 Bob Hope Show in Long Binh. Yes, he does have a Marine son who just returned to his base in CA two days ago from Iraq. He is special. Also have another nephew in the Marines in Oki.

Always thought that jeep to have a M-2 mounted on it. Whatever happened to good chidrens vehicles like this. Wonder if they make the Humvee types now?

I should clarify something. Never pulled the trigger on the jeep TOW myself, that was done by gunners of the 82nd Abn who officially were not there. We were'nt there either. Several of D 1/12th Cav were assigned security for the jeep/ground TOWs. It was the worst of times and the best of times.

Watch your 6 Bill. May have to dig up some stuff on you old friend.

Posted by: 1st Cav | Sep 13, 2006 3:59:08 PM

Posted by: Jim Bartimus

At least they made stuff from steel in those days. Now days they give'em nerf jeeps when they're children so they can't possibly hurt themselves. And of course they would get a strong scolding from mommy (UN) if they played "army" and acted like normal children in the first place.
Most of us that did play the game when we were kids actually graduated into the real world at least. Dirt clods never did seem to have the same effect as a real live frag.
It all goes full circle 1stCav. I'm just glad the son of a gun is home. He's no longer a pup and it's no longer a game.
Now about those Bill stories........

Posted by: Jim Bartimus | Sep 13, 2006 9:52:30 PM

Posted by: John Raschke

I served on Advisory Team #73, Vi Thanh, Chuong Thien Province from Jul 69-Jun 70.

Trying to get a reunion next year in St Louis of those who served on this advisory team. Could you pass my contact information onto the brother that served on this team?

Thanks

Posted by: John Raschke | Oct 21, 2008 8:09:02 PM