Leaving Vietnam
F Troop was still based in Lai Khe in December 1971 although we had been alerted that we were soon to move back to Long Binh. The United States was continuing the drawdown of troops in Vietnam. Rumors were circulating that individuals were getting time dropped off their tour and going home early.
In early January 1972, the Troop moved to Long Binh. Tuesday January 25 we were staging out of Tay Ninh East flying reconnaissance missions along and north of Highway 7 in Cambodia. Returning from the mission, I got a radio call. It was the Troop Admin Officer and this was highly unusual. I remember asking, “Why are you calling me?” and saying, “I don’t want to hear anything from you except that I’ve gotten a drop and am going home.” He said that was exactly why he made the call. My orders had just come down. I was to return to Long Binh post haste and report to 90th Replacement on Thursday.
I was being assigned to an Armor Battalion in Europe following a 30 day leave. To say I was shocked, but ecstatically happy, would be an understatement.
Wednesday morning I packed up my meager possessions, gave away what I did not want to take home, and took my one small box to Transportation for shipment as “hold baggage”. I said good-bye to my friends and brothers in arms. Thursday morning I reported to 90th Replacement. At 90th I met several of the same people I had arrived with back in March. We caught up on the past year’s experiences. Friday around noon time lists were posted on the bulletin board. I was manifested on an evening flight to Travis Air Force Base in Oakland, California.
That evening the “Freedom Bird” lifted off from Tan Son Hut to the cheering of those aboard. About 20 hours later we landed at Travis. Because of the time changes and the dateline, we landed Friday night nearly the same time and day we left Vietnam. We were bused to San Francisco International Airport. After checking the flight schedules, I discovered Delta Airlines had a flight to New Orleans leaving in around Midnight. I got my standby ticket and hurried to the departure gate. I was third on the stand by list. There were only two open seats. I missed the flight and would have to wait until 7 A.M. the next morning. Everything but the USO Lounge was closed in the airport. I spent the rest of the night there.
Saturday morning I made the cut. After a change of planes in Dallas, I landed in New Orleans about 10:30 A.M. Ashort cab ride later, I walked onto my parents’ home’s side porch a few minutes before noon. I had not alerted my folks that I was coming home as I wanted to surprise them. I will always remember the look on my Mother’s face when she opened the door and saw me. A couple of hours later, there was another knock on the door. The postman was delivering my “hold baggage” box. My return from Vietnam was complete
From flying in combat on Tuesday to being home with my parents on Saturday had taken four days. There was no time to wind down, no time to decompress, and no time to return to normal. The culture shock of going from Vietnam combat to home on leave in the States in such a short period of time is difficult to describe.
Thirty days later I was in Germany at the 2d Battalion, 68th Armor for my next assignment.