The Snake - 1966
I believe that it was when we went to Nha Trang for our LRRP training when this happened. Yes, LRRP training. You see there was no Recondo school at that time. It was started officially about a month after we returned. Well, that is another story.
When we left we asked the 25th Division Surgeon to look after the python we had. Now you had to know Doc Cassberg to understand his enthusiasm and willingness to take care of the snake. The comical part of this story was when we returned.
You see Doc had his arm all bandaged up. I asked him what happened. Well, he said that the snake had bitten him. A python of course has many rows of teeth which are very small and curved back like a fish hook so he can hold his food and they also assist in pulling the food back into his mouth. Doc Cassberg's arm sure was scratched up badly and he ran the risk of a really bad infection.
It seems that the snake began to shed his skin right after we left and Doc Cassberg was going to reach in and take him out. I believe that he was going to show the snake to some of his doctor friends. The snake's eyes were clouded over as the skin was getting ready to shed. The snake could not see what was attempting to get him so he defended himself.
Needless to say Doc Cassberg never volunteered to snake sit again. When he told the story to us we all laughed so hard that we had tears in our eyes. CPT Ponzillo laughed the hardest I believe.
That is my snake tale. I hope that some of you recall this story and perhaps some of the folks who laughed with you.
I recall that Doc Casberg was reprimanded by the Division Commander once for practicing on our McGuire rigs. It seems that the general did not think it funny that the division surgeon was hanging 1500 feet below a flying helicopter on a nylon rope. He made it plain that the division surgeon was not to take such chances of injuring himself and not being available to provide medical services to the division soldiers.