Christmas at Duc Lap: a photo

[Requiem]

Came across this photo last week and the image has stuck with me, mainly because of the incongruity of a completely decked out Christmas tree in a mortar pit, but also because of the ingenuity of the soldiers. How did they manage to scrounge up a 6' Christmas tree? :lifter I hope they were able to enjoy the tree in relative peace.

Caption for photo reads: 07 Dec 1969, Duc Lap, South Vietnam, Sgt. Buddy Bruek (left) of Vicksburg, MS, and SFC Ernesto Flores of California (no city given), set up a Christmas tree in a spare mortar pit at the Duc Lap Special Forces camp.

v/r
-Susan

[ZonieDiver]

Somewhere in RVN on or about 7 Dec 1969, some USAF types were wondering: "Where the hell is that 6' Christmas tree we ordered?" :D

[Richard]

There were pine trees in RVN - still are - also had pines above 2000' in northern Thailand.

'Buddy' Brueck was the 05B on A-239 at Duc Lap - his real name is Alan. Duc Lap was in ll Corps about 2 miles from Cambodia and frequently under siege - it was converted to an ARVN BDQ camp 31 Dec 70.

Never underestimate the resourcefulness of an SF soldier when he gets the urge to get something done. ;) :D

Richard :munchin

[wet dog]

ow did they manage to scrounge up a 6' Christmas tree? -Susan

These guys stole it from Westmoreland's office, the decorations.

We had a wreath made from M60 links and empty shell casings on our little tree. Even hung an entire box of new P38 can openers using dental floss.

[mojaveman]

That's the Christmas spirit - but what did they do with the mortar? :D

[Requiem]

We had a wreath made from M60 links and empty shell casings on our little tree. Even hung an entire box of new P38 can openers using dental floss.

Unconventional Christmas decorations for unconventional men. :) I'm sure it was very festive (and useful, if you needed to open a can of chow or floss your teeth). :D

Susan

[Requiem]

Never underestimate the resourcefulness of an SF soldier when he gets the urge to get something done. ;) :D

Never Sir. I've read about the "resourcefulness" of the SF men in VN and I admire the talent for scrounging that a lot of them had. :) (And I imagine the resourcefulness gene is still strong today.)

v/r
Susan

[greenberetTFS]

Came across this photo last week and the image has stuck with me, mainly because of the incongruity of a completely decked out Christmas tree in a mortar pit, but also because of the ingenuity of the soldiers. How did they manage to scrounge up a 6' Christmas tree? :lifter I hope they were able to enjoy the tree in relative peace.

Caption for photo reads: 07 Dec 1969, Duc Lap, South Vietnam, Sgt. Buddy Bruek (left) of Vicksburg, MS, and SFC Ernesto Flores of California (no city given), set up a Christmas tree in a spare mortar pit at the Duc Lap Special Forces camp.

v/r
-Susan

Susan,

In addition to Richard's reply to you,don't forget Wolfie's would have far more detail to give you on his tale doing the firefight where he earned several heroic medals.............;)

Big Teddy

[Requiem]

Susan,

In addition to Richard's reply to you,don't forget Wolfie's would have far more detail to give you on his tale doing the firefight where he earned several heroic medals.............;)

Big Teddy

Ha! Big Teddy, the only "black ops" mission Wolfie has ever been on was the one where he snuck up on his own book of "fiction" and shot it full of holes... :rolleyes:

[akv]

In addition to Richard's reply to you,don't forget Wolfie's would have far more detail to give you on his tale doing the firefight where he earned several heroic medals.............

Big Teddy

Big Teddy,

IMHO the only value Wolfie could adds is if the world runs out of hot air balloons.
His next gig might be renting himself out for tourists in Kenya who want to see the Wildebeast migration...

I'd gladly prefer to buy you or any vet here a beer, and if they had tales to share even better.

[Ambush Master]

That's the Christmas spirit - but what did they do with the mortar? :D

That's where the Tree is stuck!!!

[mojaveman]

That's where the Tree is stuck!!!

Thanks. Duh! :p