Feb 16 1968

[39mto39g]

We are on Hwy 1 in the new city of hue.
How we got hear is a story in it's self. I don't like telling it, because one time a Marine called me a lier when I told him.
But hear goes.
While walking below rt 9 we came across a bat comming down the river. This boat was like no other I had ever seen, It was an ar boat. The Boat drove up on shore and our LT had a 5 min talk with who ever was in charge of the boat. Our LT motioned for us to come on over and we did. We got on this boat and went back to the water. We were hallin ass east on this river and came to a bend in the river, we all brased for the big turn and it didn't happen, The boat went straight, over the enbankment and threw the rice paddy and back on the river again, never slowed one bit. (I want one of these) We got close to Hwy 1 and the boat stopped and let us off. I can see this boat in my mind as I type it said on the side in 1 foot letters MARINES.
We got a chopper ride to Hue with some 101 helicopters. The 101 was attached to the 1st cav at the time and we were to meat with them in Hue. We went across a canale bridge and walked a little while. We came apon another canal bridge and there were a bunch of Marines at this bridge. We bull shitted for a little and they went one way and we went the other. The next couple nights were sleepless. Some of the people were just sitting on there front step like it was just a sunday.

[lcpd24]

I was there in Feb. 68, supporting the Marines from the river on PBR's, what you saw I think was an old WWII duck boat, there were using them to bring up suppies an ammo, for us an the Marines there. The 2/5 Hotel Co., was the main force that I remember dealing with while we were there

[39mto39g]

L24
No, it was an air boat.
Drove right up on the shore, Our LT and the boat LT talked and we got a ride, It lifted up about 3 feet and turned around and went back in the water. It was about 40 feet long, Had two 50s and 81 and a 60. Big huge prop in the back.
Thats why I don't tell this, Marines just go, That didn't happen. I have no answer for that, and no picture. I even tried to look for a air boat up north in the Marines and found none, Down south they were plenty, but non up north. The first thing I noticed about the boat was that it drove up on shore and that it had MARINES in big letters on the side.
It wasn't a duck.

Ron

[lcpd24]

Check this site out, might be what you saw, I forgot about the air borat, the 9th inf had


http://www.vietnamgear.com/gallery.aspx?GalleryID=8

[39mto39g]

That looks as close as I can remember. except, on both sides of the boat it said Marines in 1 foot letters.
I know they had them down south with the 9th. but with the Marines up north?

Ron

[splummer]

I saw those air boat things a few time when we were heading south from Phu Bi on the way to Danang. They kind of hovered up onto the beach from some river [or sea] off hwy one.

[39mto39g]

Slum
Thank you.
I thought for a long time that those Marines that said I didn't see that boat, just maybe right.
I can remember sitting on the front of that thing like it was this morning. I sure wish I had taken a picture of that thing.
Or, not so good of a memory.


Ron

[DMZ-LT]

Tiny one day was a foot away from me when the lead APC hit a mine or RPG going up a hill. Flipped over and caught fire for a day . Found a leg bone from the only guy I could not account for. Tiny swears 4 guys died and their screams haunted him. We all make up our own movies in our head as Frank used to say. Glad we talk here. You ain't no crazier than the rest of us Ron

[splummer]

I know after talking to about 20 guys from my old unit these last 3 years that no one remembers things exactually the same. Its really strange. We remember the same stories but usually different.
Ron,
I think I remember those hover boats as looking like they were partley made out of rubber . I thought they were Navy and I remember white sand and at the time thought I saw the sea, but if I saw it from hwy one it must have been a river.