My tour of duty in the USA was from June 1969 to June 1972. I served with the 1/10 Cavalry B Troop attached to the 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands from July 1970 to March 1971.

I attended the Army’s NCO school at Fort Knox, Kentucky where I graduated as an 11D40 in April 1970 after going intense training in all phases of tactics and leadership.

I was a track commander for an army personnel carrier leading the platoon in the recon area of operations. In October 16, 1970 while on a recon mission we came across what was believed to be a bunker complex. Soon after dismounting we followed several paths leading away from the camp. Not far from the camp we engaged in a firefight with the enemy, but not before the enemy had opened up on us from my side. Maybe 50 feet separated us from the enemy. A few seconds later I see AK47 rounds coming toward my direction. As I was falling to the ground I remember firing my Colt 45 toward the  direction of the enemy. My two other team members were on my right side, consequently allowing them time to hit the ground and take cover. By the end of the short scrimmage and after returning back to our unit I had notice a sharp pain in my buttock.

After being examined by the medic I had this huge bruise on my butt, however I had not noticed that my lower left pant leg had changed color to a dark OD green. When this was expose there allowed it, so I kept calm until I was dusted-off. I spent two week  recovering from my wounds. On November 4, I was back to my firebase.

One fine mid day after concluding road security on Highway 19 we were heading back to our firebase when just as we were entering the base I heard on the horn that there was enemy contact on the highway. It was an ambush. I told my driver to turn around and we headed into the heart of the firefight. There were gun ships circling the perimeter like  buzzards firing their 20mm cannons and spraying the ground with cartridges from their mini guns. The whole area smell of gun powder both from the gun ships and our  engagement with the enemy which were believed to have been hardcore NVA.