General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I didn't serve in Vietnam for freedom... [View all]DustyJoe
(849 posts)I was a lowly grunt in an Airmobile Infantry Brigade and saw plenty of combat, there were reported to be 8 REMF troops for every grunt 'on the line'. So when their were 500,000 in country during TET '68 you can assume about 65,000 in combat.
May I say though about our much maligned REMF brothers
They processed our pay
They made sure we got mail
Sent us food
Transported us so we didn't have to hump it
rearmed us
Filled our cavity when the C rats rotted our teeth
Sewed us up when we got hurt
Many many a time after a rough firefight in dense jungle, down to our last few mags of ammo, Crats and water low, wounded writhing in pain on the ground and our dead brothers covered and laying in a row. We awaited for the whop whop of the Huey flaring in to resupply, rearm, bring the mail, take the wounded for help and get our dead brothers out of the jungle hell.
Rear Echelon Mother Fuckers .... my aching ass, these guys were heavensent when it counted.
B Company 4th Battalion 12th Infantry
199th Light Infantry Brigade
January 1968 - May 1968