D-Day

The photo above was taken in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, when the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division tried to ease General Eisenhower's concerns. After one last bout of wrangling with the Allies, Eisenhower had just given the go-ahead for the D-Day landings.

Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, visited the wharves and airfields to meet with the soldiers, airmen, and sailors he was sending into battle.

When I arrived in Vietnam in August 1969, the commanding general of the 101st Airborne, then a 2nd LT who had jumped out of a C-47 on D-Day minus 2, announced to us that it didn't matter what our MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was.

Gentlemen, you are in the infantry.

We were not in the Infantry; this was my assignment.

C/159 Assult Support Helicopter Battalion was a heavy lift CH-47 Company, moving equipment and sometimes troops to the field to and from Camp Eagle, Phu Bai, Vietnam. Ready to go on a moment's notice.

And doing our job transporting troops and equipment once arriving in the field.

With the Phu Bai "International" airport Control Tower managing our departure and arrival.

We also had 105s firing from the edge of our airfield all day and all night with targets not too far away to the west.

And perimeter defense armored vehicles, ensuring we stayed safe from anyone wanting to come over the wire.

And the reminder that we lived in a combat zone

And a Final Reminder to all veterans and those who didn't make it home