1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Kuhn's Story Page 11

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

ETS
Jan 1972

ESTIMATED TIME OF SEPERATION

It was in mid January, just before my birthday that I was standing outside of the barracks when the company clerk
came walking past me. In passing he told me that my transfer orders came in. He was so nonchalant about it when
I asked him where I was going. He said “You got ETS orders.” I repeated his words: ETS!!!?” “He replied
“That’s what I said: ETS”. I was in shock, I couldn’t believe my ears! I WAS GOING HOME!

I remember praying: “GOD, don’t let anything happen to me now, I’m too short!” I know that sounds funny
but I do seriously believe that God had been watching over me during my entire time in the service.
There were just too many bad situations that occurred and worked out in my favor and there were just too
many close calls and too many incidents that could have been tragic. I know it wasn’t just luck or coincidence.
Besides God told me back in the beginning at Cam Ranh Bay that everything was going to be OK!

I spent another two weeks at Tuy Hoa doing more of the same type of guard duty. Knowing that it was almost over
really helped my attitude and the 12 hour days alone in the guard tower seemed to be insignificant. Morale was high
the final few weeks; at least it was for those of us going home. I reiterated the promise to myself that if I ever made it
back home that I would never ever leave again.

After 10 months and 10 days of serving in Vietnam, and 10 days after my 20th birthday, I reported to Cam Ranh Bay
to process out of country. That’s where my tour began and that’s where it ended. It turns out that
I had enough time in country (over 10 months) to qualify to get out. Those with less than 10 months were transferred
to other units. Bender had to stay; Jarvie and I were going home. And because I was held over for so long
at Ft. Dix after basic, I had just over 18 months in the service and was eligible for discharge. Those with less than
18 months were transferred to bases in the states to complete their 2 or 3 years of service.
They gave us new Khaki uniforms and plane tickets and orders to Ft Lewis, Washington for processing out of the Army.

ME AND JARVIE WAITING FOR THE FLIGHT HOME

THE FREEDOM BIRD

I sat with Jarvie on that long flight back to "the world" just like I sat with him in those bunkers night after night.
We had a refueling stop in Alaska where it was so cold that it took my breath away when I got off the plane.
Finally we arrived at Seattle Washington in the middle of a snow storm. We had just returned from a tropical sweatbox
wearing a short sleeved khaki uniform. And it was great! It was early in the morning and they served us steak and eggs for breakfast.
They put us through all of the processing routine and paid us what seemed like a lot more pay than I should have received,
but I guess there was some kind of separation pay. We signed a lot of papers and just like that, the Army set us free
and I was a civilian again!

My emotions were mixed with jubilation and a little sadness.
I was going to miss a lot of those guys.
Jarvie and I shook hands and said goodbye and I never saw him again.

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