This incident occurred shortly after I arrived at 2-4-2.
I was probably there only a few weeks. Vinh Chau Island
averaged 3 to 4 clicks long and 2 to 3 clicks wide so
there was a lot of territory to learn. (For those who don't
know a click is 1,000 meters). Our team had formed up
and started from our ambush site. It soon became apparent
that our PF that night had absolutely no idea where he
needed to go. Our routes on KT's always included several
check points where we would stop for awhile and just wait
for trouble to walk by. All the checkpoints coordinates
were pre-set with the comm center at CACO so if we needed
artillery support the illumination or high explosive
rounds could be fired quickly.
It turned out that I was senior man that particular
night. Even though I was only a PFC the responsibility
of leading the team was dropped on my shoulders. I didn't like
it but I accepted what I had to do. As I said before I had
only been there a short time and was not very familiar
with the island. As we started up again I very quickly
gained new respect for those who walked point all the time.
An added pressure was the fact that we were out on what
I call a "Vietnam" night. There of course was no outside
lighting at all; there was also no moon, it was overcast.
The lack of light would actually hurt your eyes. I've told
people to go into a closet, turn off the light and close
their eyes. Then you get some sense of what I mean by
"Vietnam" night.
I still remember so vividly how my heart was pounding
in my ears. I was sure it could be heard by everyone around
me both friend and foe. I just knew I would give us away
to Charlie just by my heartbeat. I recall how slowly I
walked; bent over to present a smaller target. I kept
waiting to see a human form emerge from the darkness from
the opposite direction. I wasn't sure how I would react.
Fortunately I was never forced to make that decision.
We were out several hours and found all the check points with
no problems at all. Not once did I take a wrong turn or
even hesitate in that long journey.
But what has intrigued me all these years is how was
I able to accomplish all that? It was impossible that I could
remember all the trails and turns I needed to make that night.
Impossible by human standards at least. I believe that
the Lord was guiding me that night. No, I didn't feel a
hand on my shoulder or a voice whispering in my ear but
God was there nevertheless. And what makes it even more
special is that this was years before I became a Christian.
I certainly didn't believe in his son's teachings. But I
know that God has a plan for all of us; we can't
always know what that plan is. It may not be shown to
us on OUR timetable but it will be shown.
I have no other explanation for what happened that night.
The Lord was beside me but he also kept everyone else
on the team safe that night.
