https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...CNSolp23-1.jpg
Marine communicators had the difficult task of stringing wire in dense jungle terrain while remaining wary of the enemy.
National Archives Photo 127-N-67228B
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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...CNSolp23-1.jpg
Marine communicators had the difficult task of stringing wire in dense jungle terrain while remaining wary of the enemy.
National Archives Photo 127-N-67228B
Attachment 67837Former GCA Director Bill Ricca was a LRRP in Nam with the 173rd ABN. On one patrol they were inserted into a suspected VC area and found a trail with blue commo wire running down the side. They decided to follow the wire and the patrol leader walked along it while the patrol remained in the jungle and kept pace. As he rounded a bend, he ran head on into a squad of VC and was wounded in the exchange of fire. The patrol opened up while dragging the PL into the jungle, but they knew the noise would bring lots of the enemy. In short order they were being pursued by dozens of VC while trying to carry the PL to the pickup LZ. Bill volunteered to remain behind and hold them off while the patrol escaped. The others gave him their grenades and spare mags, then headed away as fast as they could. Bill used the grenades and rifle fire to delay the pursuers, and Bill watched one VC fire an M1 rifle at him... the bullet hit his M16A1 and shattered it, but Bill only got a small cut from pieces of the stock. Miraculously, he was able to evade and make it to the LZ in time for the extraction. Bronze Star with V for Valor, and the only GCA member to actually be shot at with a Garand. Bill is kneeling lower left.
Time marches on. Look for Bill selling parts at the Northeaster gun shows.
Attachment 67838Attachment 67839