Day 15: Memorial Day!

Phu Loi, Vietnam

A transport helicopter drops off a platoon in the jungle.  As they lift off the platoon comes under fire by a gun turret dug into the side of a hill.  Quickly the helicopter pilot spots where the enemy fire is coming from and bank towards the insurgents. The pilot yells at the door gunner, “Their getting cut to ribbons! Be prepared to drop smoke so we can call in a ground strike.”

Frantically the door gunner begins returning fire and making preparations.  As the helicopter approaches it too comes under enemy fire.  Bullets tear through the floor bursting through walls and equipment.  Below the platoon races for the safety of the trees as the helicopter becomes the new target for the enemy.  “Now! Now!” The pilot screams and the door gunner hurls his canister of smoke at the enemy insurgents and misses the target. 

“We have to circle back around!” The door gunner screams over the noise and ammunition's fire. Bullets shatter the cock pit window and tear through the sides of the helicopter. Shell casing litter the floor as they continue to spew from the muzzle of the door mounted machine gun.

Again they circle. Desperately the door gunner continues to return fire pumping round after round in to earthwork gun turret.  Never slowing the turret continues to return fire. 

For the second time the door gunner releases smokes and this time he successfully paints the target.  Bullets rip through the floor as they retreat only this time one strikes a vital organ of the helicopter, the main rotary engine. There is only one place to go from here.   “We’re going down,” the pilot screams. 

The helicopter bucks like a bull trying to dislodge its rider and thirty seconds later it comes to an abrupt stop as it slams into the jungle floor.  God must have been with the crew of two because they both survived. They scrambled for their gear and retreated to into the darkness of the jungle. Blessed to be alive they were now going to have to survive behind enemy lines.    

It took three long days before they could be evacuated and their helicopter retrieved.  A few days after that the young door gunner stood outside and with a shaking hand rose a salute to all the friends he had lost so far in the war as he celebrated his 18^th birthday.    

The door gunner’s name was Eldo Roy Shank III. He was my father. 

 My father in Vietnam. 

The crash he walked away from.

This Memorial Day I remember my father and all those who insure our freedoms and keep us safe.  You are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Daily Recap:

Matt: 36 min. jog.

Kelly: TBD