Worthless soldiers

[catman]

Doc...I just finished a book by one of the chaplins from your AO. Claude Newby, did you by chance ever meet him?

Trav

[1CAVCCO15MED]

I met one good chaplain. He wore a red bandanna around his neck. I don't remember his name but he was always there for anyone. He didn't preach and didn't shout Airboure at dying soldiers like one I met.

[catman]

Doc...the book is called "It Took Heroes". It is a chaplain's memoirs more than a written flowing book. I highly recommend this one. This is the guy that actually reported the 84 Charlie Mo-Pic incident. According to him, command would not do a thing about it so he went through the chaplain chain-of-command. Sounds like a lot of this book took place right in your AO through as he frequently cites visits to 15thMED.

Trav

[1CAVCCO15MED]

I haven't heard of the 84 Charlie Mo-Pic incident. We had a couple of things happen. What was it? I think I will try to get this book. Do you know who published it?

[chilidog]

Fred,
I ran a search at www.half.com for the book. It looks like there are two of them. Here they are listed below.

Chilidog


It Took Heroes : A Chaplain's Story & Tribute to Vietnam Veterans & Those Who Wait for Them
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0-96784-3103
November 1998
Publisher: Newby, Claude D.
231 pages

Illustrated


Revised


Edition: 2

It Took Heroes : Continuing the Story & Tribute to Those Who Endured the Darkest Days of Vietnam
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0-96784-3111
December 2000
Publisher: Newby, Claude D.
320 pages

Illustrated

[MORTARDUDE]

where does the name Red Stick come from ? Wasn't there a Creek Indian chief named Red Stick ??

Larry

[catman]

Doc...the official name of the book is "It Took Heroes, A Cavalry Chaplain's Memoir of Vietnam" It was written by Claude D. Newby and published by Ballantine Books.

The 84 incident was when a small LRP patrol took a Vietnamese girl captive and raped her for a couple of days and later killed her. This took place around the Village of Cat Toung or Hill 192 or around grid 978736 if anyone still has there maps. That was November of 1966.

That was during his first tour, he later did a second tour with 2-8 Cav.

Doc PM me your address and I will send the book to you.

Trav

[chilidog]

Larry,
French explorers were sailing north up the Mississippi river when they came upon a red post somewhat like a telephone pole on the east bank. They asked their Indian guide what it meant. Two Indian tribes settled a territory dispute by planting the pole and painting it red. It was the boundary marker between them. The French explorers made a settlement on the site. The pole, or stick in French was "Baton." Of course, "red" in French is "rouge." So now, the nickname for Baton Rouge, LA is "red stick." I can't tell you very much more about it; I'm really a transplanted Texan.



Chilidog