Jim Zito's War Adventures

story . The question is what war? I am now 68 years old and was too young

for the big one WWII and almost old enough for Korea . I missed that one

to. So the only war that is left is Vietnam. The time frame is Mar 1967

I was stationed in Chicago, Illinois at the U.S. Naval Reserve Center and

Division, because I was stationed with them on Okinawa and had one hell

the detailers got my request for transfer and after they picked

themselves off the floor from laughing. They said "if he wants the 3rd

Marine Division we will be glad to help him out . " Sure enough I got those

orders. To say I was a little surprised that they were in Vietnam and not

Okinawa would not be even close . Most people I talked to after getting

Diego, Calif. for transit to Okinawa for further transfer to Vietnam . So

have given me fair warning that this was not going to be a fun transfer .

Vista. When my leave was up I headed to t he 32nd St . Naval base for

transfer .

time . It used to be the old Ontos base . There I stored my clothes I

would not need in country . They had you put your things in a Sea Bag, tag

it and they said they would store it until you returned a year later . Now

and like all humans they could misplace things . I thought well so long

I didn't put anything in there I didn't want to loose. One of the other

your name was on it . When your name showed it gave the date and flight

with a lot of other guys by bus to Kadena Ai r Base. The flight to Vietnam

wasn't very long as flights go. I was wishing it would have lasted at

least 12 months. But you know what they say "wish in one had and cr-p in

air base, deplaned and walked to what you would call a terminal. You

could tell who was coming and who was going by the look of there clothes .

Coming into count ry dark green with pressed creases. Leaving country

bleached no sign of a crease. So you can tell what I looked like, a

I had to get from DaNang to a place called Phu by were the Division

questions as how I was to get up to Phu by . Finally I talked to the right

person and they pointed me to the right desk and I got on a list and was

as many people and luggage as it could take and off we went to my next

destination. The terminal in Phu by wasn't nothing more than a big steel

the place walking, lying down on the floor sleeping. You think up

found out how to get in touch with The Division Surgeons office using a

land line for the first time. I was told a jeep would come and get us . By

this time there were 4 or 5 of us new Corpsman reporting in for duty . Now

I wasn't too worried about were I would be attached because I was at the

time a 1st class hospital corpsman . That is an E-6 equivalent in the

Marine Corps. I thought I would be in the rear with the gear. We get to

the Div . Surgeons office, find the correct place and in we go with

orders in hand. I expected to see an office filled with people typing

away with an officer in charge. What I found was one E- 5 setting at a

desk looking at us like we are new dirt . He takes the orders and other

records and does what ever he has to do to t hem to check us in . Then the

fun part for him begins assigning the men to the units . I am smiling as

he takes this little three by five cardex box and starts thumbing through

the cards . He would stop and say a guys name and assign him to a unit .

They were all going to a line outfit . My name came up and he said

Mortar battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines I could see in my minds eye

linking up with a line outfit and being in an 81 MM mortar squad. I

wondered how do you get those jobs in the rear with the gear and wondered

if that guy was being shipped out so I could take his place. I asked

where they were and how did I get there? His answer was Dong Ha and

catch an airplane with no elaboration. So out to the  jeep who took us

back to the , if you want to call it air port . I told the Marine at the

desk I needed to go to Dong Ha and he said put your name on t his sheet

and wait but I can tell you nothing is going there today. It was around

1400 and I was hungry, thirsty, tired and very hot, no place to set

except on the ground and it was only 1400. Now I couldn't buy anything

because I only had American Money and you needed MPC (military pay

currency) or Vietnamese money I believe called Dong. So here I am in this

so called terminal thinking about what I am going t o do for food and a

place to sleep that night . About 1700 I get to asking around what is the

outfit across the road . I'm told it is Medical Battalion. Medical

Battalion I say to my self with visions of corpsman dancing in my head .

They were r ight up there along side food . I cross the road carrying all

my gear . There is no place to stow it and you can' t just leave it and

expect it to be there when you come back . I ask the first corpsman I see

where I can get something to eat and he said there feeding in the mess

hall .

I head over there and get my self some food . While I am there I talk with

some guys who are stationed there and ask if there is a transit barracks .

night? No again . Finally one of the guys said "I work in supply if you

out of there by 0600." Not to worry I answer him. He takes me over there

after we eat . I stow my gear, get the key and head over to the terminal

to see if anything came in or what is expected for the next day . The

advised to be there early in the am for an unexpected airplane . So that

night I find my self in the supply office with no place to sleep but on

the day they own the night.) I wondered what in the hell ever possessed

door. I set up my heart racing and all my senses on high alert . But as I

calmed down I realized the firing was nothing near by and I began to

around until I could get some breakfast . There I was carrying my gear

was the last night I could be accommodated. If I didn't get a flight out

tomorrow I would have to find some where else to sleep. I t hank the guy

reasons . One a guy changed some money for me and I was able to buy some

terminal I was able to call Mortar Btry 1 - 12, company office and tal k

with 1st sgt McFarland . He said he would be right over and pick me up

on t hat jeep ride to t he company office. Then back out to the airstrip

finally the re.

The story of the Balong Valley will follow at a later t ime.

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