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Many times, while moving from one firing location to another, we had to provide immediate, protective fire for troops in contact with the enemy. These unplanned fire missions were called “hip shots” since they could occur without notice. These missions were both frequent and exciting.

There were kids all along the roads when we traveled. They would run beside the vehicles asking for stuff. We would throw C-rations if we had them handy. Many times some of these kids would be selling iced Coca-Cola. Even in the midst of fighting, it seemed that you could buy a cold soda from some kid hiding behind the adjacent tree.

The Battery was located near a French club that was off limits to our personnel. According to local reports, it had a swimming pool and a fine bar. On one occasion, the VC used this club in a firefight that resulted in enemy troops infiltrating the battery area and sending everyone into defensive positions. I entered the newly constructed, underground command and fire direction centers headfirst. Tracer bullets crisscrossed the battery and in the morning, there were VC bodies hung in the infantry’s defensive positions. Because of the attack, we increased our fortifications and constructed sleeping quarters underground.