Ken was correct about the severity of the
situation !! I was
Lt Blacks RTO and was behind him when the grenade exploded in front of him !! LT Black
shielded me from the shrapnel - yes! - his eye was a bulge under the skin below his eye
!!! However , although my pack was ripped apart - I was not injured !! The machine
gun team on our left were both hit as were the 2 men that had brought up the flame
thrower and did not know how to use it ! That was not their fault - they were just
shown how to use it that morning back in the rear -- but they came out to join us in
hell anyway !! when I called for help on the radio men showed up out of nowhere to
help !!!We withdrew with many wounded - and Ken Hornbeck did go back to recover what
weapons were left - I remember as he passed me going up the hill and asked me if I was
ok - Then he returned with m-16's and an M 60 in his arms !!
Times were tough for all
of us on that day but that is what I remember in a confused situation !! Thanks to
all the guys that helped us !!!
George Dennis
D/1/501
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