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If I Could Change One Thing...
We Lived. They Died.
Bob Mitchell
Phan Rang, Phu Bai, Ðà Nàng
April 1967-Dec 1968
If I could change one thing it would
be: I was on post one night at the rear of the Command Post, across
from the alert helicopter and next to the terminal. The new NCOIC
of Tiger Flight, SMSgt Joseph, came to my post and asked for a
copy of my orders. I asked him what he wanted them for, and followed
it with, "If it's for that commendation medal -- forget
it." I said something to the effect that I knew where
I had been and what I had done, and that was enough. I was nearing
the end of an extended tour in country and only cared about getting
home. His response was, I was thinking of the Bronze Star; and
that was the last said about it. This was a young trooper talking.
It's now 35 years later and I have a
wife of 30 years and 2 girls and 2 boys ranging in age from 21
to 26. I wish I had kept my big mouth shut that night and given
him my orders.
Bob Mitchell
Phan Rang, Phu Bai, Ðà Nàng
April 1967-Dec 1968
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