I may not remember all of the facts correctly, it has been 39 years, but Christmas eve, 1968, I remember being on one of my first night ambushes. I was scared shitless and completely at the mercy of the climate and the enemy, all that kept me going was a determination not to do anything wrong and not to get myself or anyone else killed. The mosquitos ate me up and I got no sleep and returned to our lines emotionally spent and physically exhausted but happy to see another morning dawn. One of my first platoon size patrols was only the day before and on December 23, 1968 we were ambushed and I was lucky but other Marines, including my first combat officer, 2nd Lt Herbert Ing were not. He can be found at the Wall, panel #36W, line #69. The beginning of a long 13 months that i still remember as if it was yesterday. Merry Christmas brothers, both on and off the Wall.
Semper Fi, Scott
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