Hand to Hand

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by Harvey "Sully" Sullivan

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I love this hill! At this point in time I would be happy to stay here for the rest of my tour. If they would only keep bringing in food & ammo, we could defend this hill indefinitely!

We had been mortared soon after setting up on this hill. Third platoon had three casualties, including Lt Sherwood. Even so, we knew we could really kick ass from here.

Second platoon (all 8 of us) had dug in at a turn in the perimeter. KC, Ayers, Ruttle and I had dug an excellent fighting position for the night. It was about 6 feet long, 2 feet wide and 4 feet deep. We were really pleased with ourselves for having picked up the habit of carrying empty sand bags with us. Between us we had enough to fortify our position. I had Pete set up his machine gun about 10 meters behind us and slightly to our right. We were good for the night.... Or so I thought.

The date is June 2, 1969, the place, a rounded hilltop in "Death Valley", the time, the dead of night, my watch. As usual, Ruttle is snoring behind me, in the sleeping position we had dug. I think about getting up to kick him but he's not as loud as he usually is so it would probably only make things worse. The gooks know we're here anyway, so what the hell.

Suddenly, there's an explosion 15 meters directly in front of me. I didn't hear any incoming. Maybe a gook with a satchel charge? I'm gonna blow a Claymore. I set my rifle down to my left and pick up the detonator to my right. BOOM! Shit! A fucking gook is running into the perimeter, straight for me! Time slows down as he is jumping into my hole to get me. My rifle is behind me, I'M GONNA DIE! Reflexively, I on his knees. He's reaching for me! He's gonna stick a knife in my gut! I'M GONNA DIE! I whack him again! Clang! His steel pot just went flying. (What's a gook doin' wearing a steel pot?) He's on all fours cursing me now! "You stupid fuckin' ugggh..." I push his face into the ground! (Something is wrong here) Wait! I carry a pistol! I'll shoot him and figure it out later! Shit! What's that? Yea! KC's here! About fuckin' time! "Sully. What are you doing to Ayres? What's going on? What was that explosion?"

Ayres? Where? .....Ooops!

Harvey "Sully" Sullivan
D/1/501