...the Photo was taken in August of 1970. The Gulf of Siam, West Cambodia. Scared? Sure, if you're Not Scared, You're Crazy! Or so they say. But, sitting with 1000's of rounds of 7.62 NATO, behind a 'High Cycle' M-60...."You're Not Scared of Much".
* A 'Bloodschit' is carried in the Commanding Pilots' 'Survival Kit'. Along with a small UHF Radio, a Becon/Strobe and a army issue 45 Pistol. And other stuff. Most Pilots carried their own personal Firearm, usually in a Shoulder holster. The Cobra Pilots preferred the CAR 15, a Carbine with collapsible stock and the Round forearm handguard.
There was one Bloodschit for every crewmember. They are the 'Patches' that Jet Fighter Pilots would have sewn onto the Back of their flight Jackets! Why are they Important? They have a emblem on them and writing in 2 or 3 local languages, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian, stating...'if aid is given to this (shot-down) Pilot or Crewmember, to get them back into 'Friendly' hands, the U.S. Government Guarantees a Reward Payment of $100,000.00 Dollars.'
...Now the '3 Rats'!
We picked up the squad of vietnamese soldiers, 'regulars'. I'am the Right Doorgunner in this Huey. The pick up was actually quite uneventful. There is No seatroom, other than what the doorgunners have. Most All are sitting on the Floor. I have 3 Soldiers sitting on the Edge of the floor, Under My Gun with their Legs Dangling down over the edge. Each, of the two soldiers on the sides carries their rifle, but the Guy in the center, does not have a rifle, but carries 2 LIVE Chickens, one in each arm, wrapped around them. I'am sorry I did not get a Picture of this...He also has 3 Dead Rats strapped to the Back of his Pack, laid out side by side!
We are cruising along to our destination to drop these guys off. We're at about 500 feet and at a normal speed. Well this guy with the two Chickens in his arms...Is Not holding on to anything, and he Slowly starts to Slip off of My Ship!! He doesn't seem to even notice this. He continues to slip forward, and I am thinking...is He going to let go of the Chickens And grab the floor, where there is nothing to grab onto anyway, or is he going to go over the side??...With the Officers Dinner, and the Lower Ranks' dinner...the 3 Rats? Just then the Pilot did a slight bank turn to the right, I'll never know if it was coincidence or 'On Purpose'? But, Damned if this Soldier in front of Me was NOT Letting go, period. It was as if he was 'Numb' to the whole situation! He was Going Over!!! I was Poised and Ready, I saw it coming, I bent down and just as he was due to loose his life, bent over, His Leather belt and Pants, 'Cupped'! I simply reached out with a Nomex Gloved Hand and with My Left hand, I grabbed him by the pants and belt and pulled him back in! (I'am Thinking) "Nobody 'Jumps' from My Ship without My Permission!". He turned around, on his Right Shoulder, realizing, then, what had acured, and gave Me the Biggest Brightest Smile, I had ever seen on a Vietnamese Combat Soldier! We had saved Dinner! He will be their Hero! Another Soul Saved...by the Belt. Enjoy the Rats.
Next Chapter 8 'Cobra Gunship Collision and Inverted' and Photos
Marlin
"Yea, Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death...I Shall Fear No Evil, for I am the Badest Mother F**K*R in the Valley"