1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Bill Saling Page 8

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Bill Saling

1965-1967

January 1967

1 January 1967

New Year day I spent most of the day inventorying my platoon’s personal gear and then began work on the new club.
We really have fixed the place up and had a bar-b-que outside tonight. I scrounged 70 steaks and had the cooks make up a salad tray.

When the party started I was the bartender for most of the evening and felt just like being at home. Some of the guys went out
and found a movie projector and “insisted” on watching my stag film from Hong Kong. We played cards after the movie
and I finally got to bed around 0230 hours.

2 January 1967

Got up this morning and spent all day running around. Everything went wrong and I was in a lousy mood all day.
This morning I inventoried all the mess equipment and started consolidating all the line companies mess sections.

This afternoon I heard that CPT Perez is in the Air Cav near here so I will try to look him up if I get in his area.

Meeting called tonight and I was told I would be going forward tomorrow to set up a new forward operating base.
It will be good to get out of the rear area and all this paperwork crap.

Larry hopes he will be going to Europe after his tour as part of a MAAG (Military Asst Advisory Group) so we may see him again.
Chief Bohn is obnoxious as ever and I will miss having him around to bicker with all day.

3 January 1967

Was up at 0600 hours and finished packing my gear and then went over and had breakfast. MAJ High came over and said
we would be flying forward around 0900 hours. The chopper was on time so Lou Dinetz and I flew out to get ready
for the battalion, which should be here around 1000 hours tomorrow.

Today I ran into Joe Rickley. He was a Beta at Ohio University, small world. He used to live in the Colonial apartment
where Twig and I lived our sophomore year. He is an Ordinance officer assigned to one of our support units.
Got a letter from Bob Reed down at Bien Hoa.

I feel lousy, like I’m catching a cold with sore throat, etc. so I’m going to turn in early.

Back in my routine and it is sure good to get out of the base camp with all their rules and regulations.
I will write one letter per night to catch up on my correspondence.

4 January 1967

Just after I went to bed last night we received our worst mortar attack to date. There were 13 injured. All rounds landed
in our immediate area. I didn’t want to get up because I still felt bad but after one round landed really close I got up
and jumped into my hole. Finally got back to bed and woke up feeling terrible.

Line companies moved in this afternoon and went right into the field on a search and destroy mission.

Around 1400 hours I still felt bad so I went to see one of our medics and found out that I had a 102 temperature
and a strep throat. He gave me a penicillin shot in the butt and felt lousy all day. I’m going to bed early shivering.
Oh well tomorrow has to be a better day. Jon Katin and Dick Donnelly moved into my tent tonight.

5 January 1967

Woke up feeling much better but still have a sore throat. Finished consolidating the battalion mess halls. I’m now signed
for close to a million dollars worth of equipment. Speaking of signing for equipment I had to pay $12.25 for the watch I lost,
so I’ll be more careful next time with my personal gear.

A and B Companies are out on an operation just south of here but so far negative contact with the NVA,
which nobody is complaining about.

Jon Katin, Dick Donnelly and I just finished eating some snacks and Dick is trying to play his harmonica for background music.
Better not give up on his day job!

Tomorrow Dick and LTC Morley are going out to A Company and spend three days with them in the field.

Our new area is the best we’ve had since leaving Tuy Hoa.

6 January 1967

Checked out the mess hall today and started making a few changes. I got my new ice machine working. It makes ice
every 30 minutes. The ice cubes fall into a big tray. The large GP tent arrived so tomorrow I’m going to set it up
for the officers club and mess hall.

Nobody knows how many officers will be impacted by all the anticipated changes. Col. Miller, our Brigade Commander
leaves on 15 January and we think LTC Morley will follow. Rumor is that LTC Morley will be going to Division Headquarters.
Jon Katin and Doc Maur are both looking for jobs down at Division Headquarters.

Played cards tonight and won a few bucks.

7 January 1967

Really got a lot done today on the new officers mess hall and club. This morning I had the cooks install a screen liner to help
keep some of the bugs out. We even installed a vegetable bin today. I’m tired of living like a bum so as long as I’m here
we are going to live a little better.

Got word today that LTC Morley will be leaving the battalion on the 20th and will be replaced by a LTC Paul Braim
who is now the G-5, Civil Affairs Officer with Division Headquarters.

Camp Holloway was mortared last night had 3 KIA (killed in action) and 40 WIA (wounded in action).
They also lost some aircraft in the attack.

8 January 1967

Attended the church service with Chaplain Sauer this morning and it was very nice.

Continued to work on my officers mess and it is coming right along. All afternoon I spent cutting lumber to make tables
for four in the new mess tent. Now I’m trying to find some chains to line the walkway. Tomorrow we plan on having tablecloths,
ash trays, sugar bowls and salt and pepper shakers. People can’t believe I’m setting up a formal mess hall in the forward area.
This will be better than base camp when I’m through.

After dinner the officers played the enlisted men in volleyball. We lost. I was filthy so I took a heated shower in
MAJ High’s private shower. Not bad.

Officers mess tent. Notice salt shakers and sugar and our very own TV, which was operated off a generator
and had virtually no programming to watch.

Enlisted dining area.

9 January 1967

Big pill day. Not much happening. Finished the tables in the officers open mess so now all I need is something for a tablecloth.

Call came in this afternoon that the firebase would be moving out tomorrow, so the vacation is over. My boys are ready to go
and get away from the Mickey Mouse details and KP (kitchen police) duties associated with living in the rear area.

We played volleyball tonight and did better than last night but still not like we used to play. Had a court martial tonight and then
Larry and I cooked some popcorn and drank an orange soda. Took a shower and went to bed big day tomorrow.

10 January 1967

Got up and finished packing and had breakfast. I went out on the first chopper this morning to check the area and prepare
an LZ (landing zone). The area was really thick jungle and we had to cut all morning. We blasted the big trees with C-4
(plastic explosive) and a big chunk of wood hit me in the leg. I thought for a minute my leg was broken. Boy did it hurt it is still sore.

I brought 4 of my guys out and we busted ass getting the LZ cleared and a machine gun bunker operational. All afternoon
we dug and cut logs for our overhead protection. By dinner we had gotten everything pretty much done.

Russ Zink and I put a small tent over a hole and that was where we slept. Right now I’m standing watch as the duty officer
in the S-3 shop. My shift is from 2300 hours to 0100 hours. I got stuck with the duty because Donnelly and Stapleton
are still back in the rear area.

Special Forces Camp along the Cambodian border. We worked with the camps in Plei Me, Plei Djereng, Plei Morong.

One of my jobs was to coordinate our movement in the AO (area of operation) with the Special Forces
so we didn't shoot each other by mistake.

Typical Montagnard village in the highlands on the Cambodian border. The Montagnard people were native to the area
much like our American Indian.

Very typical village sweep to check on any possible NVA movement in the area.

Family living Montagnard style. Very neat but you never knew what was inside the hooch.

Very colorful. The villagers said they had never seen Americans before. Note: can on bird stand is a C-ration can.

My boss Larry Kincheloe checking out a tunnel. They were used as a bomb shelter and a fighting position. I did not want to go down
in the tunnel. The NVA would hang poison snakes by the tail, which made them mad as hell and they would bite you in the face.

11 January 1967

Moved my bunker today so I would be closer to the helipad. A and B Companies moved out to the field again this morning
and that left just Recon Platoon and a Platoon from A Company along with my platoon to defend the firebase.

This afternoon I led my platoon on a patrol to find a creek. It took over 30 minutes of cutting through vines and undergrowth
to locate a creek. I established perimeter security and everyone took turns getting shaved and washed up for the first time
in two days. The damn creek was full of leeches and I had four on me when I got out. I hate those damn things.

Tonight I sent out a three man LP (listening post) in my sector for additional security. Went to bed but got up at 0300
to stand radio watch here in the S-3 shop.

12 January 1967

Larry came out today for a short visit and brought along my mail. My LP came in this morning
bitching how cold it was last night they said they froze all night.

Two of my cooks came out to the firebase and brought a portable grill. They are turning out some
good chow. We even had eggs cooked to order this morning.

A and B Companies were to have gotten chow tonight but all my helicopters were called back to base camp for some reason.
Our chow came out onboard the little observation chopper. It took 5 trips but we got everyone fed. We are starting to have
a water shortage here at the new firebase so I’ve arranged to have a water buffalo (water tank) flown out in the morning.

13 January 1967

Tonight I learned you do not EVER play poker with old sergeants. I lost $40, which is the most I’ve ever lost. It was gone
in the blink of an eye. I can see how people can lose their entire paychecks. I’m just not used to playing for those kind of stakes.
Oh well, that is one lesson I won’t soon forget.

I returned to 3-Tango base camp to replace Larry while he goes into the field with C Company to practice his map reading
in this type terrain. Rumor has it that Jim Stapleton will take over S-4. This new LTC Braim will be assuming command soon
and I’m sure there will be more changes coming. The firebase where I’m staying has no water so a shower felt good after 5 days.

14 January 1967

Woke up late this morning and missed chow. Life here in the rear support area is driving me nuts after just one day. There is just
nothing to do and the time really drags. Larry is still out with C Company practicing his map reading and will probably be gone
for a couple of days. Since I’m the ranking officer here in the rear I am in charge. Can’t wait till Larry gets back so I
can get back to the firebase.

MAJ High will also be leaving so there will be quite a few changes with this change of command.
I will really miss MAJ High, he has been a good mentor.

LTC Morley really hates to leave and has tried everything possible to keep his command.

15 January 1967

Not much happening this morning. Around noon we were getting ready for a change of command
ceremony for COL Jud Miller our Brigade Commander.

After the ceremony I found out that we will be moving out tomorrow lock, stock and barrel. Since Larry is not here
I had to finalize all preparations for the move. I sent part of my platoon back to pick up the trucks from base camp
so we can pack up and get moving by 1200 hours tomorrow. The rear area had really gotten built up recently so it will
take some effort to get ready for a tactical move. All the comfort crap will have to go.

Battalion formation where we awarded individual medals and remembered our fallen comrades.

Change of command ceremony.

Pass in review. Not exactly in a good formation but it was the thought that counts.

What's a parade without a fly by Army style. These were our observation helicopters putting on the show.

16 January 1967

All morning tents were coming down and all sort of shelves and wooden storage units were being burned. It really looks like
a gypsy camp on the move. All in all everything went pretty smooth. We had 41 trucks arrive from base camp around
1100 hours to add to the confusion.

Larry arrived on one of the first helicopters of the day but everything had already been taken care of so he was happy.
We moved out at 1400 hours on one of the dustiest trips I’ve made in months. We arrived back at Oasis base camp
where we were a couple of months ago. It has sure changed for the worst it was filthy. We took a screwing on this move.

17 January 1967

Had to get up at 0500 hours this morning to make sure everyone got fed before we moved out at 0830 hours.
Got all the trucks in a convoy and sent them back to base camp without a hitch.

Spent all afternoon putting up our tent and organizing the inside. The dust was so bad it was like walking in 3 inches of flour.
You can’t keep anything clean. It is very hot during the day and freezing cold at night.

Larry and I had some popcorn and a beer tonight. Cleaned our weapons and listened to the radio before turning in.

18 January 1967

Nothing much happened today. Went out to the firebase and saw my platoon and visited with LTC Morley. He is really feeling bad
about leaving the battalion. This afternoon we had to call for a “Dustoff” (med evac helicopter) for some guy in C Company
who stepped on a punji stake.

MAJ High and Lt. Hal Walland, the engineer lieutenant from Tuy Hoa, who was my tent mate,
stopped by for a couple of beers.

19 January 1967

Went to back to base camp to check on my ammo storage area and mess hall.

Saw MAJ Shufelt (one of my ROTC instructors from Ohio University) and we talked for about an hour or so. It seems
no one has ever heard from CPT Dominck Mastropasqua (another ROTC instructor from OU).

New Doc reported in to replace Doc Maur, who is going to Qui Nhon to work in the evac hospital.
The new Doc just graduated from med school and finished his internship so he is excited to be
here. I’ll see how excited he is after a few months of handling combat casualties.

20 January 1967

Today is the hump, six months down and five to go. Not much happening.
Flew up to the firebase and checked everything out.

Decided today is my last diary installment. I’ve recorded the first six months
and that is more than enough to remember this place.

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