Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Melvin on January 13, 2011, 11:39:26 AM
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I was digging through some boxes awhile back and came across a few photos that my Dad took while he was in Vietnam.
Dad was a conservative guy from a small town in central Illinois. He landed in Vietnam aboard a troop transport on Jan.1 1967 with the 9th I.D. He was a medic with the 1/111th artillery and was with the first group that established Firebase "Bearcat". Sometime during May of that same year, he hit a mine in his vehicle and was critically injured. He took the Okinawa, Alaska, Seattle route home in a full body cast and was told that he'd never walk again. Well, he was a tough S.O.B. and wasn't having any of that. After a long rehab, he eventually learned to walk again.
As a boy, my Dad taught me everything I needed to know about life. Including how to fish, hunt, throw a punch, stand up for others in need and never lie. Dad and I always toured around together on the weekends and would always frequent the same restaraunts and stores. After awhile I realized that the places we went had one thing in common. They were all owned/operated by other Vietnam vets. That's the kind of guy he was. He firmly believed in supporting his brothers-in-arms.
He wrote notes to his first wife on the back of some of these pics. I'll put the text at the top of each.
"A boat like the one I came over on. I took this while waiting to get off the U.S.S. Rose in the Harbor of VungTau, Vietnam. Jan. '67"
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft001.jpg)
"One of the 'little' tanks we use against 'ol Charlie."
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft003.jpg)
"The Skin (far left), Sgt. Smiley and you know who. Back at base camp."
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft013.jpg)
"Honey, this is the Fearless Fred and your hubby on one of their lighter moments, goofing off."
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft012.jpg)
"The chopper that crashed when we were out at the Special Forces camp. Six of the ten men aboard were killed. The plane just fell apart in mid-air. It was quite a terrible sight."
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft017.jpg)
"This is out in the jungle clearing. We were expecting mortar that night. Everyone had to build overhead cover, Skin and I already had ours done. Notice my pistol, it shoots fine." NOTE: apparently His Father-in-law had sent him a sixgun to use.
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/Copyofjoeashcraft.jpg)
"Back at base camp. the jungle cap was given to me by the little Cambod medic for treating his troops while we were out with them."
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft006.jpg)
Anyway, I just wanted to post these pics to honor my Dad and all the Vietnam Vets.
I wanted you guys to know that your kids are out here, and were doing fine. And that we'll never forget what you men did for us. Thank you.
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I'll second that Thank You.
:salute
Thanks for sharing
Love the jeep :D
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Pretty kewl. Thanks for sharing. :salute
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Great pics man, here's one of my dad back then.
(http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad341/maddafinga_photos/FireBase1969.jpg)
2nd Batallion, 26th Marines, 1969
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Great shots!
Thank you for your service!!!!
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Thanks guys, those rock :salute
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Thanks for sharing Melvin.
Thanks to your Dad for serving and thanks to you for giving us a glimpse into your Dad's archives..
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Assuming your Dad is still with you. Please tell him welcome back and thanks from another old soldier.
:salute