Info Sheet - SSG John Patrick Carter
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I was reassigned from stand down of 73rd SAC at Long Thanh North AAF. Told by 12th CAG S1 I was going to F Troop to reinforce F/4. They were low on troop strength and were in combat in I Corps.
I processed thru rear detachment at Long Binh. After flying North on C-130 picked by UH-1 and flown with others to Tan My Island. Most stayed there. Was flown to Marble Man AAF where we share maintenance hangar with Dust Off.
Met with Platoon Leader CPT James Hoodenpyle and MSG Bob Schenck. CPT Hoodenpyle flew the maintenance UH-1 almost daily transporting official distribution personnel and parts North to Tan My. Flew the route across Danang Harbor to Hai Van Pass, Death Valley up coast road to Tan My. On return would refuel at pad alongside regional road SW of island. I remember that CPT Hoodenpyle had made business cards: U call- We haul. {Left my Stetson for others}
This was really a bare bones operation. Eventually we were ordered to move to Da Nana AB as Marble mountain AAF was closing and would be made into refugee camp.
During August the NVA moved into Phu Bai and we caught Hell with rockets. Billeted at Camp Swampy. The old Marine quarters. We shared maintenance hangar with USAF SOS Squadron with a C-130. It was obvious we were pulling out but we were kept in the dark.
I out processed thru Personnel and Finnance in Danang French Quarter. Depart Camp Alpha enroute CONUS. PCS orders revoked to 604th Trans. Washington DC. ITT approved to 271 Avn. (ASH) APO SF 96271(ROK.) Delay enroute for 30-day leave.
I departed before Christmas 1972
Retired as SFC. Am a service connected disabled veteran - John P. Carter