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R.G.Cress "Sgt. E-5" "Grunt"
1st
Calvary, Vietnam 70-71
I entered the military in January 1970 and took Basic
Training at Fort Bragg, NC. After Basic I was assigned to Fort Polk,
La. for Advanced Infantry Training. After 8 more weeks of sweat and
hell, I volunteered for the Non-Commissioned Officers Training School at
Fort Benning, Ga. Twelve more weeks of sweat and hell, then I
graduated a Sergeant E-5 and was assigned back to Fort Polk, La. as an
assistant Drill Instructor and learning how to teach men to follow orders
under combat conditions. After those 8 weeks were up, there was a
short 2 week rest before going to Vietnam. I arrived there in October,
1970 and was assigned to the 1st Calvary Division, 2nd of 7th. Within
3 days I was in the jungles of Vietnam. All the training I took could
not touch what the real conditions were like. No movie, books or even
listening to men who had been there could touch the real thing. How
could such a beautiful jungle hide the deadliest 2 and 4 legged creatures
known to man? If the VC weren't bad enough, the snakes, scorpions,
mosquitoes and the heat were a living hell. How could we be expected
to fight under such conditions? Well, we did and did a pretty good job
of it, considering all the circumstances. My outfit was assigned as Search
and Destroy, (sometimes called Hunter/Killer Teams). VC were located
by reconnaissance patrols or air surveillance. Then they would report back
to the CO, who in turn would assign my men to go out and eliminate them.
We were choppered out to the most remote parts of the jungle to carry out
our missions, which was usually successful without any loss of my men,
although we did have casualties. We did pretty good on the body count of VC.
Quite often, by surprise, we would encounter small bands of VC, on our way
to a mission. A firefight would take place, leaving several dead or
wounded. No training can prepare you for the thrill of battle.
It is unique in itself and leaves no room for error. Several times
bullets would rip through my clothing. I've seen hand grenades hurled
straight toward me by the VC only to be saved by a singled strand of bamboo,
which would deflect the grenade. My group of men was small, often 6 and
sometimes 12 members. Smaller groups made less noise and were more effective
with the element of surprise. Several times we were pinned down by enemy
fire because we were outnumbered, only to be saved by helicopter gun ships
who would fire up the area allowing us to escape and regroup. Often
our battles were within 20 yards, due to the thickness of the jungle and the
bamboo that surrounded us. Not much light was allowed to enter because
of the thick canopy of vegetation, making the VC harder to see. Often
many were killed by luck (ours and not theirs) and nothing else as they
could hide so easily, usually carrying nothing but their weapon and a small
bag of ammo or rice. We were brought food and water every 3 days by
helicopter. Our packs weighed close to 100 lbs when full. I
carried 9 qts. of water, 2 bandoleers (16 clips) of M16 ammo, 1 can of M60
ammo, 4 smoke grenades, 6 hand grenades, 2 claymore mines with wire, food,
sleepwear, poncho, poncho liner, steel pot, and writing pads and pens.
The pack was so heavy, I had to put towels under the straps to keep from
cutting into my shoulder. We had to hump(walk) almost every day
because it wasn't safe to remain in the same place for long. Normally
we walked 2 clicks (2000 meters), many times cutting through brush with
machetes. I lost 40 pounds during my stay there with the heat,
humidity, and lots of walking, it wasn't hard to do. While serving in combat
I was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Metal, and the Combat
Infantry Badge (CIB). I was offered the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) to
reup, but I figured I might not be as lucky on the second tour so I
declined. Finally in October 1971, I was able to return to the World
(USA). Saddened by what I saw in war was overshadowed by what I saw in
the States. With the riots and disrespect the soldiers received, it
angered me because no one knows what we went through and they don't need to
judge us by what they saw on TV. We had no choice. We were fighting
for our lives and what we thought was a stop of Communism. I chose to go and
never regretted it once. It has been 30 years and I remember it just
like it was yesterday. Even the smallest details of a firefight are
unforgettable. I have not had a full 8 hours undisturbed sleep since
returning home. I developed such keen hearing and sight that I pick up
on everything and have to sort it as safe or unsafe. If I was called to go
again tomorrow, I would. A little older, a little heavier, but a whole lot
wiser. Maybe when the Big Team Leader in the sky calls me home, then I
will rest in peace.
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Born and raised in Salisbury, North
Carolina.
A. A. Degree Criminal Justice & Bus.
Adm.
He is married with wife Millie and
children Brian and Julie
VIETNAM
Vietnam, yeah friend, I was there,
still am
Ten thousand miles from home but I
visit it everyday
Why, left my soul there, maybe someday
I’ll find it
Where, among the thick jungle, nestled
among the screams
Hidden beneath the horror that was
there
Listen, can’t you hear them, I can
Medic, Medic, hold on son, helps
coming
But for many it never came
Vietnam, yeah friend, I was there,
still am
I visit it every night, through the
sweat
Through the slightest sounds that
return me to combat
Heart pounding, adrenaline gushing,
ready to kill anything unknown
Darkness is my friend but I have to
look close, eyes fixed
Slightest movement detected, VC, VC,
take cover
I can hear him, breathing heavily,
trying to pinpoint his exact location
Now he is mine, his life is over
Vietnam, yeah friend, I was there,
still am
I visit it every day, through the
loneliness
Through the stone look that replaces
my smile
Through a body that once had a heart
and soul
Through my hands that once were tender
with love
All gone, replaced with grief and
sorrow
Vietnam, yeah friend, I was there,
still am
Still alive but not living, still
breathing but not loving
Still longing for but can’t find the
peace so desperately needed
Still trying to become what I was
before the war
Looking for the big chopper to return
me safely home
Will it ever come, probably not, it’s
long overdue
They loaded the dead to return them
home
But the living dead remain
Vietnam, yeah friend, I was there,
still am
Always will be, tried to leave but
can’t
Too many memories still linger, maybe
someday
Rest in peace my hero comrades
For I was there with you, still am
Sgt. Rodney Cress
1st Calvary, Vietnam 70-71
Written June 2, 1995
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