Jim Scavio – Radar Section Chief – Part Four
Pictures That Tell A Story
Montagnards were largely Christianized tribal people from Vietnam’s central highlands. They were true friends of American soldiers during the Vietnam War, and they paid a terrible price. More than 50 percent of adult Montagnard males were killed alongside American soldiers during the Vietnam War. This is a picture of Montagnard village between An Khe and Pleiku. Notice that there are only young people and women.
You couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds for the kids who watched their father go off to join his unit.
The whole area on either side of highway through An Khe pass was once double canopy jungle. When I first saw the landscape as an FNG ((funny new guy) I asked an old timer if they had bombed the area with B52s. He laughed and told me, “That’s Agent Orange”.
There were constant reminders that there were mines everywhere. If it was strong enough to blow the hood off, what happened to those who were riding inside? Notice all the tracks going around the hood, probably indicating another booby trap underneath it.
The Armored Cavalry had a bad day today. This mortar crew APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) hit a large mine made from an artillery shell while on patrol. None of the crew inside made it.
LZ Sherry had all the amenities. Here is our hot and cold running water system. Unfortunately we had to wait until the rainy season came before those barrels had water in them. Otherwise it was 110 degrees in the shade.
To see all of Jim’s pictures and commentary go to:
