I noticed on
the VSPA Purple Heart page a request for any information about the incidents
which led up to Awards. I can add some details to the posthumous Purple
Heart for A1C Joel Loftis, K-9. It was
my fortune to
be on the scene at Loftis' death, and a month later for A1C Orsua's,
the other K-9 handler who died while I was there. Here is what
I remember about both deaths:
A1C
Joel C. Loftis was sitting in front of his quarters reading his
mail. As I recall he was sitting by one of the concrete power poles
as I walked passed to the post office to pick up my mail. I had just
entered the post office which was very close to the K-9 billets when
a 107mm rocket impacted across the street killing Joel Loftis. It was
the classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time as the
daytime rocket attacks were usually random events meant to harass rather
than do any significant damage. I seem to recall that several other
107s fell that day one impacting near the BX and another near the base
theater.
A1C
Charles David Orsua died when he lost control of the duce and a
half he was driving as it rounded the corner by mortar pit (Cobra. ?)
Normally the pit was left unmanned during the daytime, but we were manning
it that day because of an earlier rocket attack. A light shower earlier
in the day had made the road slick. As Orsua rounded the corner we could
see he was going much too fast as the corner in question was quite abrupt.
I remember the truck skidding and then rolling. A1C Orsua was thrown
from the vehicle and killed instantly as the truck rolled over
him. After contacting bluebeard (the
medics) we ran
to the accident scene to render assistance, but there was nothing to
be done. In my mind, I can still see the look on his face; one of surprise
rather than pain.
Blue skies to both of you gentlemen where ever you are.
Stuart Becher,
Sgt 35th SPS Heavy Weapons
Phan Rang RVN 69-70
