1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Diary of John Grant Page 6

Diary Entries of John A. Grant
Charlie Company 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry 4th Infantry Division
Headquarters Platoon

August 1, 1970

What a way to start off the day.
We killed another dink this morning. I ran over there and got his
Hammock, which was in excellent shape.
He was really messed up.
We got the rest of our resupply today; hot chow, packages etc.
I didn’t get any letters at all, except one from Patti (Porras)
with a peace sign in it.
I got a new rubber bitch today too.
Tomorrow we will back haul items and probably move out later
in the day.
28 days until R & R.
WOW!
End of Entry

Notes: I do not know which Platoon got the dink.
I did get that hammock and kept it until I left country.
Patti Porras is my wife’s younger sister.
Rubber bitch: air mattress.

August 2, 1970

We left the LZ at 12:30 and headed to our new NDP,
which wasn’t too far away.
We thought a dink was following us for a while and maybe
he was but we couldn’t spot him.
We have a real good spot to set up tonight, so, I suppose we
will sleep well; that is if that dink forgot about us.
Roadrunner was setting up a Vampire and it went off.
No one was hurt.
End of Entry

August 3, 1970

We woke up at 6:00 AM this morning, packed
our gear and headed down the finger
about one klick. At 11:30 AM, we got word that we would be
CAed to the firebase Niagara and two platoons to LZ Terrace.
So, naturally we had to move all the way back to our
resupply LZ.
We will be Caed tomorrow morning if things go right.
26 and a wake up until R & R
End of entry

Notes: finger: ridgeline of the mountain.
One Klick: 1,000 meters.
R & R: Rest and Recovery

August 4, 1970

We were CAed in to LZ Niagara about 3:00 PM today.
Only the CP and Sidewinder were brought to Niagara,
the other two platoons were taken to LZ Terrace.
Not much occurred when we arrived except that our mail
was here and I got several letters.
End of Entry

Note: CP (command post)

August 5, 1970

I put up my hammock this morning in the bunker
and I relaxed all day.
We got cokes in today, plus a little ice.
A few of us had a real long conversation with Chaplin Plunkitt
from about 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM.
We got into some deep discussion of things I have
wondered about for years.
End of Entry

August 6, 1970

The big excitement for today was going to the firing range
and test firing our weapons.
The rest of the day consisted of rest, relaxation
and listening to the tape player we borrowed.
End of Entry

August 7, 1970

We got up at 6:00 AM this morning, did our regular
police call and then just sat around and did
as little as possible.
We had no hot chow this evening, because we
couldn’t get a bird.
They were all busy on CA’s etc,
End of Entry

Note: police call is picking up and tidying up the area of
trash, cigarettes etc. Got to keep the area clean right?

August 8, 1970

Our usual routine went about, until around 9:00 AM.
A LOH came in with the Battalion Commander on it.
He had been shot in the foot while passing over
Alpha Company’s A.O.
The bird was hit several times but could remain flying.
They took him to An Khe directly from Niagara on a slick.
We had hots today, plus hard-boiled eggs for lunch.
Mail came in and I got a lot of mail for a change.
End of Entry

Notes:
LOH: Light Observation Helicopter used by officers mainly.
A.O.: Area of Operation
A Slick: UH-1 (Huey) helicopter used for transporting troops in tactical air assault operations. Door gunners included.

Ed., The Battalion Commander who was wounded on August 8, 1970 was Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Allee.
Allee had taken command of the Battalion on August 1, 1970.

August 9, 1970

We started tearing down our bunkers and getting ready
to move over to LZ Terrace.
We got word later that we wouldn’t be moving for another
24 hours from the first plan.
End of Entry

Notes: As of now we are still separated from Roadrunner and Panther.

August 10, 1970

Today we had most of the day to sleep or read or do
whatever we wanted.
We didn’t move the firebase, so we will be here tomorrow,
probably most of the day.
End of Entry

August 11, 1970

It has been too long now that our company has had no trouble
or tragedy. Today it has struck.
It is more of a personal thing this time.
My best friend, while in Roadrunner, was shot to death
through the chest.
Thomas L. Porter, Vicksburg, Mississippi was dead on arrival at
17th field hospital, Camp Radcliff.
He was shot while on patrol from LZ Terrace.
I was on LZ Niagara at the time.
I am now at LZ Terrace with the rest of the company.
Doc Browning, his closest friend, had to watch him die.
It was Doc’s first combat patient. We all pray it to be his last.
May his soul rest in peace.
Why? Dear God, why?
End of Entry

Notes: I can honestly say that I have never been so sad over the loss of a friend.
I carry this memory with me and will my entire life.

Left:

SP4 Thomas L. Porter

Company C 1/22 Infantry

KIA August 11, 1970

August 12, 1970

We had quite a day today.
At least 5 of us from headquarters did.
Sidewinder had a “stay-behind ambush” @ Niagara
of which we lost communication with.
Some birds came to extract them, but they too could not get
in touch with them.
So, the C.O., Jeff, Doc, Whaley and I got on a bird and went to
Niagara to pick them up.
What excitement we had, with Gunships all around us for
protection. Everybody got out OK without harm.
Later on, it rained really hard here at Terrace, so we took
a shower. (In the rain) Lightning struck the ground and jolted 3 men pretty bad,
but they recovered O.K.
We had services for Porter.
End of Entry

Notes: The “stay-behind ambush” was to see any and all combatants visiting the LZ.
We had never lost communications in the field before this.
Without communications you can not get support if needed.

August 13, 1970

The day went by in peace and quiet, here on LZ Terrace.
It was just another day in Vietnam and one day
closer to my R & R.
Firebase Hard Times was hit with a few mortar rounds late tonight.
No one was hurt.
We got cleans today.
End of Entry

August 14, 1970

Most of my day was spent in our bunker pulling radio watch.
It rained for awhile and I cleaned my M-16.
That’s about it for today.
We had hot chow plus we got a little mail.
I got three letters. We didn’t go on a rescue mission
or anything exciting today.
End of Entry

August 15, 1970

Today was just a normal day on a firebase.
Headquarters monitored the radio all day long.
Nothing exciting happened.
End of Entry

August 16, 1970

We left Firebase Terrace on foot about 1:30 this
afternoon. Alpha company was humping up as we were humping down.
After being on a firebase for so long, the hump today really made me sweat.
Today was my day to hump the radio, and with 4 days rations and
water, my ruck kicked ass.
End of Entry

August 17, 1970

It has been an ass-kicking day today.
We humped quite a long way, plus we had to cross the
big blue line, up to our waists, for 50 meters.
At noon we saw a bamboo viper snake about 1 ½ feet long.
They are poisonous enough to kill a man in 30 seconds.
We set up by the big blue for our NDP.
End of Entry.

Notes: Bamboo Viper snakes: I am not positive about how poisonous this snake is. That is what I was told by other troops in the jungle.
Vietnam does possess the most poisonous snake in the world from what I have read. We saw several snakes and avoided them where possible.

August 18, 1970

Today we humped our young asses off. We have gone
6 or 7 klicks in two days.
That is about all we did today, besides break for lunch and
set up our NDP on top of a possible LZ.
It really looks like rain, so we built some good
strong hooch’s to prepare for it.
I walked rear security today.
End of Entry

Notes:
6 or 7 klicks in full rucks is a very long distance in the jungle.
6,000 to 7,000 meters. (3.7 to 4.3 miles).

August 19, 1970

Everything started out quiet on the LZ here, but then Bravo Company
got in contact. They had 2 men hit.
We were supposed to be ready to move to their location if they needed
help, but nothing came of it.
Later in the day, Panther got in contact. They saw a dink in a
hammock and a broad (female) kneeling next to him.
The dink spotted L.T. Welman so L.T. shot the guy.
The girl ran for the hooch, with a bunker under it, but Panther
threw a frag in the hole and killed her.
They spotted one more dink, but he got away.
A lot of NVA equipment was found in the area.
It was an aid station of some kind.
We had no G.I. casualties. (deaths)
End of Entry

Notes: NVA are the North Vietnamese Regular Army.
Frag: Grenade

August 20, 1970

We packed up our hooch’s and moved in to the wood line
about 5 meters so the birds could (land on) the LZ.
We got a few cases of C's; enough to give each man three meals.
The rest of the day we relaxed in the shade of the trees and
bull-shitted.
End of Entry

August 21, 1970

It hasn’t been too bad a day today. We were CAed to LZ
Hard Times, then convoyed to Radcliff for standdown.
I’ve been drinking beer and eating since I got here.
I saw a movie, with Jerry Lewis, in the mess hall.
I’m Tee -Tee high now, 8 days tell R & R.
Can’t wait.
Wow, I’m not high, I’m drunk

Note: My writing got progressively more and more sloppy.
Guess I had some beers that day.
Tee Tee: A little bit.

LZ Hardtimes - August 1970 - Elements of 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry
getting ready to load up on trucks for the convoy to Camp Radcliff
at An Khê.

August 22, 1970

I woke up early this morning and was sick to my stomach, so, I
ran outside and threw up. Then I came back in and lied down.
This routine continued for four times and I felt terrible.
Jeff and I walked to base camp and trains, then later went to the PX.
At dark, we spotted a live band, so we tripped on over and listened
and watched for a couple of hours.
Just about everybody was drunk but me.
I couldn’t take it again.
End of Entry

Notes:
Trains: Military Logistics
PX: Military Exchange

August 23, 1970

I awoke in good spirits this morning, ate steak and eggs for
breakfast. I started drinking beer about 9:00 or 10:00 AM.
Around 12:15 I started for the 1st of the 14th Infantry
building with the intention of seeing Rich.
I found the S-1 and waited for a few minutes and in he
walks (which was an improvement over our last visit).
His leg is in good shape with no noticeable limp.
We talked for a while, had a beer, and I headed back to the
standdown area, where I immediately crashed until after chow.
End of Entry

Notes: S-1 is Administration, Personnel, Training, Logistics Officer
Rich: Richard Cooper, Friend from the U.S.

August 24, 1970

Not much happened today until this evening when we
went to the Roadrunner Club. I went and got Rich
and we got in the club at 8:30 PM.
A band played and they had girls dancing on stage etc.
I got drunk, as usual, and the guys from Roadrunner Platoon
and I came walking back to the standdown area raising hell.
The M.P.’s stopped and told us to have a good time, but
not to cause any trouble.
I crashed about 12:00 AM
End of Entry

Note:
The release of all the anxiety from the field comes pouring out of a guy when
the opportunities arise. Standdowns are meant to do just that.
It keeps the morale high. We all needed it this time.

August 25, 1970

First thing this morning I went to the firing range, with
the radios, and monitored them while Delta Company zeroed their
weapons. Then we came back to the standdown area at 11:30.
I sat around until 6:00 PM, then we returned to the range for
night fire exercises. At 9:00 PM we returned, then I crashed.
End of Entry

August 26, 1970

I was awoken with harsh words, “Grant, wake up, you’ve
got K.P. duty today.” Well, with a lot of bitching and moaning,
I finally got out of it.
After noon, I came on in to the 1/22nd area to report for
R & R. We had a formation at 6:00 PM and I ate chow
afterword. I returned to the barracks and started talking to a few new guys
who were going to Charlie Company tomorrow. All the time, I was
thinking how glad I wasn’t a new guy, and how well I remember
the first few days in Vietnam for me.
I was full of curiosity and questions and scared
not knowing what lies ahead.
125 days left today.
End of Entry

August 27, 1970

On to Da Nang for R & R
End of Entry

Notes: I left Da Nang on the 27th and arrived in Hawaii on August 29th.

August 29, 1970

Arrived in Hawaii and met my wife Monie, and met my son John A. Grant II
for the first time. My brother Larry, my sister Donna and brother-in-law David
also came to Hawaii and met me as well.
Being able to hold my son for the first time was probably the most special day in my life. I remember it so very well.
I also remember riding in a car for the first time in months. Even though the car was moving pretty slowly,
it couldn’t go slow enough for me. I kept asking them to slow down. My mind was still like I was on point in Vietnam
trying to see every detail along the way. I was actually uneasy.
I wooden sign fell over at a shopping center and I was on my stomach immediately. It was just a response I had no control over.
End of Entry

Left:

John Grant in Hawaii on R&R,
with his son. John's son was born
at home, while John was in Vietnam
on a search and destroy operation.

He met his wife and several other
family members in Hawaii. It was
the first time John ever saw his son.

August 30, 1970 through September 4th, 1970

I was on R & R from August 29th through September 4th
There are no posts or entries to share. However, I can say that
my R & R was greatly needed and appreciated.
My wife and I had our travelers’ checks stolen on the beach in Hawaii.
My wife forgot she had them in her bag and we went to the beach.
Someone took advantage of the situation.
We did get our money back from the company but it took time away from just relaxing.
End of Entry