Shotgun One

The Beginning

Bill  if I get this done will send more.

SHOTGUN  ONE

1 April to June 30, 1963

Soc Trang Vietnam

Shotgun started in the first week of Jan, 1963 the date I don't remember. All the Machine Gun crews in the 25th Division were called to the main post theater at Schofield Barracks around 9am.

Once inside and seated  the Commanding General came in and said these words that will for ever in bedded in my mind.

He said, "thanks for coming but before I get started I have something to say some of you will selected to go in harms way and you could be killed.  If you do not desire to go I will wait for you to get up an leave now."

He stopped talking. (note: quite a few did get up an leave than the doors were closed and MPs posted.)

He went on and told us he received orders to send troops to a place called Vietnam to be Door Gunners on the Army Helicopters.  Then he explained a little about it and turned it over to the Division G2 who told us about where Nam was an why we were there then the G3 told us what training we would be getting.  After that we were sent to the parking lot and formed up in Battalion Units

I believe our Plt Ldr was Lt Vhan.

The next day we took flight III physicals.  If you pass you stay, if not you were released.  For the next aprox. 90 days we trained in weapons, pt, swimming and how to survive a crash. 

We got Pass Ports (At that time you needed a pass port to get in to Viet Nam) we left Hawaii around 30 March 63 on AC133 all the way to Nam.  

We stopped at every major Island between Vietnam and Hawaii.  When we arrived in Saigon we were there just long enough to get on a caribou to Soc Trang to the 93rd Lt. Hel. Co.  the Soc Trang Tigers

(as I remember I will send more)

SFC FRANKIE WILLARD

CO C 2BN/35TH INFANTRY 1961-67

US ARMY RETIRED CACTI ALWAYS

Viet Nam 63   - 65-67    69-70

To Be Continued