The+Vietnam+soldier

CHASING CHARLIE NOTES

-ordered to nail as many indians as possible. - There was enemy fire, booby traps and large snakes - the heat and dust were unbearable - There was tunnels, mines, bombs, booby traps, and poisonous punji stakes everywhere hidden by thick vegetation. - US army foot soldiers were often on patrol, searching for enemies. (called grunts) - The average man was white from a small town. 21-22 years old - 10-12% were African American, but they accounted for 20% of combat deaths. - New recruits trained in boot camps - A commercial jet transported soldier over to vietnam - Vietnam was so unfamiliar to them. - soldiers were soon take away from the airport to a base camp (this is where they spend most of their time off duty) - At least one grunt in a platoon new medicine to help the wounded (platoon was 20-40 corporals and privates) - The radiotelephone operator (RTO) was very important. they called for artillery or air cover. (killing them became the goal of enemy) - The typical pack weight was 35-70 pounds - Primary weapon was a M-16 rifle. each platoon pursued 2 enemies the (VC)Viet Cong and the (NVA) North Vietnamese regular army. - Vietnam always had heat, humidity, and rain - many dehydrated - Grunts would find no sign of the enemy except trampled bushes or campfire embers - The NVA/VC had an elaborate system of tunnels -Even tunnels under american installations - Tunnel rats were south Vietnamese and Hispanic-american were sent to destroy these tunnels - They cut off ears off the enemies dead and keep them in their back packs. EWW!