The Story of 2nd Battalion's Hellhounds
This area will be an updated storyline of Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines also known as 2nd Battalion's Hellhounds. This unit is purely fictional and any names, locations, or battles are simply fictional as well. The after action reports are from actual games played using the "FNG" rule set. Hotel Company's area of operation will be in the Nang Tri Province, Republic of South Vietnam in I Corps. The story will pick up with 2nd Battalion setting up a new firebase in the province to monitor and/or control the enemy activity in the area. Once again everything is purely fictional and is not to be intended to be a true representation of the men that served in Vietnam or the actions that took place there.
As the story is updated the new updates will be at the top. In other words the story will run new to old, top to bottom.
At the end of each part of the story that has combat involved there will be a link to click that will take you to an after action report.
Tested 01/20/2008
Captain Reese entered the tactical operations bunker out of breath with a knot in his stomach. “Well?” the Captain said out of breath. “What’s 1st Platoon’s status?” he asked as he continued to look around the dimly lit bunker.
A Lance Corporal behind one of the radios turned and said, “Your men found a tunnel opening and then a sniper opened fire sir. They haven’t reported back in a little while.”
“How many casualties?” the Captain asked impatiently.
“I don’t know yet sir. As soon as they reported the tunnel I sent your runner. Just after he left to get you is when the sniper fired.” the Lance Corporal responded.
“FSB Fisher this is Hotel 1, over.” was heard from one of the radios.
“Go for Fisher Hotel 1.”
“Hotel 1 is requesting evac for one Whiskey India Alfa and one Kilo India Alfa, over.” Lance Corporal Brad Lewis, the radio operator from 1st Platoon, said in a calm voice.
“Standby Hotel 1.” after about a minute pause the radio operator at FSB Fisher came back on the air. “Hotel 1 be advised we have a bird 20 mikes out from your pos (position). He’s half loaded with casualties and can only take your two men, over.”
“Roger, Fisher. Also be advised we do have one Victor Charles WIA.” Lance Corporal Lewis replied.
“Holy shit sir they caught one of the little bastards!” Private First Class Marvin Ross said excitedly. “Can you believe that?”
“Yeah that’s good Private but every one of his brothers in the area knows exactly where 1st Platoon is now.” Captain William Reese responded staring at the bank of radios. PFC Ross’ mood changed at the thought.
“Hotel 1 from Fisher.”
“Go for Hotel 1.”
“Command wants that Pappa Oscar Whiskey evac’d so you will have to keep your Kilo until morning.”
“Copy Fisher, will do. Hotel 1 out” Lance Corporal Lewis said professionally.
“Well sir it sounds like your men did alright.” the Lance Corporal in the operations bunker said as he turned to face the Captain.
“Yeah but at a cost.” Captain Reese said as he turned and walked out of the bunker. As he was walking out of the door to the bunker he bumped into Echo Company’s commanding officer.
“Captain Reese? Captain Collin Babb, Echo Company.” Captain Babb said extending his hand.
“Captain.” Captain Reese said flatly, his mind distracted by other thoughts as he shook the other officer’s hand.
“How did your boys do today?” Captain Babb asked.
“Well I lost some good men today. My first platoon just captured a wounded VC. What about your men?” Captain Reese said with no emotion.
“Sorry to hear about your men. Glad to hear they caught one of them though.” Captain Babb said uncomfortably. “I had two men wounded by 122mm rockets when they stopped for a break. They did manage to get 1 confirmed KIA and another possible WIA. I have a feeling we’re going to busy in our new neighborhood. Well I have to check on the status of my patrols.” Captain Babb walked into the operations bunker and out of sight.
“Captain do you think 1st Platoon will be alright out there tonight?” PFC Ross asked Captain Reese.
“I hope so. I want you to stay here and report to me any with any changes or contact.” The Captain ordered PFC Ross. “I’ll have the Gunny send a replacement later on so you can get some rest.”
“Yes sir.” PFC Ross said and turned back to go inside the bunker.
As the Captain was walking back to his foxhole he could see some of his men from 2nd Platoon cleaning their weapons and checking their gear. They looked different he thought to himself. They were different they had been tested.
“Captain Reese.” Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Shipman said.
“Yes Gunny.”
“Sir, 1st Lt. Williamson from 2nd Platoon has a couple men from his platoon we need to address.” the Gunny said in an irritated tone.
“What’s wrong Gunny?” Captain Reese asked.
“Sir there was a couple of chicken shits that lost it out there while the men from their platoon were getting wasted. We need to address this so it doesn’t happen again.” the Gunny’s voice got angrier and louder as he spoke.
“Your right Gunny get the LT and the two men together and meet me at the battalion command tent.” Captain Reese ordered and turned to head towards the battalion’s command tent. He ran through his mind as he walked what he was going to do to these men. He really couldn’t afford to lose any more men from 2nd Platoon but he couldn’t have disorder either.
After the disciplinary meeting with Private Carl Zalenski and Private Jerome Black from 2nd Platoon. Gunnery Sgt. Shipman said, “Sir latrine duty? Is that all those cowards get?”
Captain Reese turned to look Gunny Shipman in the face and said with a stern voice, “Gunny I don’t like it either but 2nd Platoon is hurting, 3rd Platoon is already short on men, and 1st Platoon is still out there and we don’t know what will happen with them tonight. I can not lose any more of my men right now. Plus both of those men were cherries they won’t get the same punishment if it happens again.”
“Yes sir.” Gunnery Sgt. Shipman said in a sharp report as he turned to walk away.
Captain Reese decided he would try to make it to his foxhole again. He wanted to try to get some rest. It was finally dark and he was sure he wouldn’t sleep well with men still out in the field but he had to try.
1st Platoon's After Action Report
See Updated Casualty Report
Walk the Walk 01/06/2008
The next morning brought a different kind of anxiety to Captain William Reese. Today he would be sending his men into combat for the first time and he prayed that he had done enough. He was up and already climbing out of the foxhole the men had dug for him the previous day. He couldn’t help but think of what a difference a day makes in the ‘Nam. Yesterday he had a roof over his head with electricity and access to plenty of “clean” water if there was such a thing in this place. Today he was out in enemy territory with nothing but a hole in the ground and what he carried on or with him. One of his runners, Private James Nelson, the quiet new kid from somewhere in Wisconsin was walking his direction.
“Mornin’ sir.” Private Nelson said handing him a canteen cup full of coffee. “Want some coffee?”
“Yeah thanks Private.” the Captain said reaching out then taking a drink. It tasted a lot different than the coffee at the base but it was better than nothing. Not much though he thought. “Any word on Echo Company and the sniper from yesterday?” he asked the Private.
“Sounds like a Private with their 1st Platoon got nicked while building defensive positions. Nothing serious.” Private Nelson said without expression.
“That’s good Nelson.” Captain Reese said as he finished the coffee and handed the canteen cup back to the Private. “I want you to round up Lt French, Lt. Williamson, Lt. Sherman, Lt. Miller, and Gunnery Sgt. Shipman and have them meet me at the Battalion command post in 10 minutes.”
“Yes sir.” Private Nelson said then turned to walk away. After he took a couple of steps he turned back around to face the Captain and said, “So today’s the day sir?”
“Yes Private it sure is.” the Captain said without expression.
The Battalion command post wasn’t anything like they had back at the old base. This one was a little better than the Captain’s hole in the ground but not much better. He saw the other company commanders and their platoon leaders coming and going with their orders and knew it was his turn to pass on the orders he received late last night. He made his way in to the command post which was more of a bunker and waited for his own platoon leaders to file in. The last man in was Lt. Donald Miller the Weapons Platoon leader and as soon as he sat down the Captain stood up and started his orders.
“Ok men I have the orders of the day for you. Major Hertz sent these to me last night.” Captain Reese says looking at his platoon leaders who are ready to take any notes needed. “First off I’ll start with those of you that will be staying at the base today. As we’ve talked about before we are on a rotating patrol plan with the other three companies. Echo Company and us will go out on patrols this week while Fox and Golf Company stay here to defend and work on the base camp. Next week they’ll go out on patrol and we’ll stay behind. Even though it’s our week to be on patrol we will leave at least one platoon behind to defend our area of the base and build up defenses.” He looks at his men again to make sure they are following him. “With that said Lt. Miller I want you and your weapons platoon to remain at the base to finish building up your weapons pits and defenses. Lt. Sherman you and 3rd Platoon will be manning the defenses this week. Your platoon is really short on men right now and hopefully we get some men to fill your ranks before our next rotation is up.” Lieutenants Williamson and French look at each other with a look like their number has been called. “So you men are dismissed.” The Captain waits until they have left the command post then continues. “Lt. French.”
“Yes Sir!” 2nd Lt. Jeffery French says in a thick Mississippi accent.
“French you are to do a walking patrol from the camp. At 0900 you and your platoon will walk through our defenses and walk east for about 2 klicks then do a circular patrol. The other companies have been doing these same patrols so the Major has an idea what is outside of the wire. You will continue your patrol until nighttime then set up ambush positions overnight. Your mission will continue until contact is made or until you complete the full perimeter sweep. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir.” 2nd Lt. French says finishing his notes.
“Lt. Williamson.”
“Yes sir!” 1st Lt. Jacob Williamson says with enthusiasm.
“Lieutenant, you and 2nd Platoon will be loading some choppers that will be here at approximately 1100 hours. You and your men will be flown to this LZ.” Captain Reese says as he points to the map on the wall. “This is LZ Dog Ear. As you can see there is a blue line (river) that runs a short distance away from this LZ. Next to the river is an abandoned French church with some hootches a bridge and an old rice paddy. The old man wants us to check it out to see if it’s capable of handling some patrol boats. You and your men will work your way through the jungle between LZ Dog Ear and the church site. Once your at the church site you will search and secure the area. You are to hold the area until relieved.” The Captain looks at both lieutenants and says, “Any questions before we move on to the other details.”
“No sir!” the young Lieutenants say in unison.
After the briefing is finished Lt. French and Lt. Williamson leave Captain Reese looks over at Gunny Shipman. “Well Gunny I guess we’ll see what we’ve accomplished.”
“Yes sir, we’ve talked the talk now it’s time to walk the walk.” the Gunny says with a grin on his face. “Well sir if you don’t mind I’m going to see how busy our Weapons Platoon and 3rd Platoon are on building those defenses and you might want to head over to the operations bunker to get settled. It won’t be long and 1st Platoon will be heading out.”
“Yeah your right Gunny. I better get going. Send Private Nelson that way also in case I need him for something.”
“Yes sir.” the Gunny says as he turns and walks out of the bunker.
A little after 0900 1st Platoon starts their mission and heads out into the jungle to start their patrol. The Captain is listening to the radio traffic as they leave the base camp. After a couple of hours 1st Platoon hasn’t come across anything and is mapping out the surrounding area for the Major. Shortly before 1100 he hears the radio traffic from the inbound choppers that are going to take 2nd Platoon out to LZ Dog Ear. The Captain decides to walk out of the operations bunker to get some fresh air and to watch the choppers come in. One by one the choppers land and a group of men from 2nd Platoon jump in and the chopper takes off again. This is done over and over until all of 2nd Platoon is in the air and in route to their destination.
“Sir you want me to grab you some chow?” Private Nelson says.
“Yeah Private that would be great.” the Captain says breaking his focus on the leaving choppers. He turns and watches as Private Nelson walks off to get some chow. He wonders how many of the men he just sent off won’t be coming back. He turns to go back inside the operations bunker to listen to the radio traffic. On the other side of the bunker he can hear Echo Company’s radio traffic and sees their company commander doing pretty much the same thing he is, waiting.
“There’s the LZ Lieutenant.” the Captain hears over the radio. “Tell your men 2 minutes.”
The Captain’s stomach is in knots knowing that even though one platoon has been on patrol for over a couple of hours this is the first aerial insertion his men have done in combat. He hears all the pilots talking back and forth to each other but one statement catches his attention. “All right, all the grunts are on the ground and it looks like a cold LZ.” Captain takes a deep breath and exhales.
“Here’s your chow Captain.” Private Nelson says handing the Captain some C rations. “It’s not like base camp but it beats eatin’ bugs.”
“Thanks Private.”
“So are they there yet?” the Private asks.
“Yeah they are and so far so good.” the Captain says a little relieved.
As the Captain is eating his cold beans and franks one of the radios keys up with a lot of static and gunfire in the background. The Captain tosses his food on a nearby table and walks closer to the radios. “Who was that?” Captain Reese asks the Marine running the radios for his company.
“I don’t know sir.” the Marine says trying to tune in the radio traffic. A few minutes later another squelch of the radio with static and gunfire. “Damn it sounds like one hell of a fight going on but I can’t tell who it is.” the Marine says with frustration.
“Damn it son I want you to find out now. I want to know who the hell that is.” the Captain says very upset and worried. “Private Nelson!” the Captain says still watching the Marine working on the radios.
“Yes sir!” the Private says a little nervous.
“Get the Gunny up here now. I want him to see if he can figure this out.”
“Yes sir!” Private Nelson says as he turns and runs out of the bunker.
“Damn it, Damn it, Damn it,” the Captain thinks to himself as he starts to pace waiting for the next traffic.
“Base camp Papa 219 this is Hotel 1 actual, over.”
“That’s Lt. French.” the Captain says to the Marine behind the radio. “See what’s going on.”
“Hotel 1 this is Papa 219, over.” the Marine responds.
“Sit Rep, all is fine no sign of the enemy.” Lt. French reports.
“10-4 Hotel 1. Papa 219, out.” the Marine says happy it wasn’t 1st Platoon that was in contact but upset that he still doesn’t know who is. The Marine starts to turn around to talk to Captain Reese when Gunny Shipman and Private Nelson come into the operations bunker.
“Hotel 2.…Hotel 2 requesting immediate dustoff for several wounded.” is heard over the radio causing the room to go silent. Captain Reese can only look at Gunnery Sgt. Shipman with an empty feeling inside.
“Hotel 2 this FSB Fisher.” a voice from the tactical operations center at their old base responded.
“Fisher this is Hotel 2.” with the sound of gunfire in the background. “We need immediate dustoff for several wounded, over.” the winded voice says again.
“That’s Corporal Ewing.” Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Shipman says in a near whisper. “That’s 2nd Platoon sir.” The Captain realized what he had thought all along it was his men calling for help.
“Negative Hotel 2.” the voice from Fire Support Base Fisher says calmly. “All birds are tied up with another operation.”
“God damn it!” the Gunny shouts. “What the hell are those assholes doing!” All the Captain can do is just listen to what is transpiring.
“Sir Fisher doesn’t have birds to send 2nd Platoon what do you want to do?” the Marine behind the radios says looking at Captain Reese with a concerned look.
“Get Major Hertz on the horn now!” the Captain ordered. “Since we can’t put a boot in someone’s ass from out here he sure will.”
After a few minutes Major Hertz gets on the radio with Captain Reese and after going back and forth and listening to the static and gunfire over 2nd Platoon’s radio. The Major decides to round up some choppers to go out and evacuate 2nd Platoon. While this is going on 1st Platoon continues with their patrol with no enemy contact.
The Captain and Gunny walk out of the operations bunker to get some fresh air. “Sir, it might not be as bad as it sounds.” Private Nelson says.
“Damn it Private they said they have men down out there. That’s bad enough.” Gunnery Sgt. Shipman shouts at Private Nelson.
The three men just stand there lost in there own thoughts of whose hurt or even worse who was killed. The Marine that was behind the radios walks out of the bunker and turns towards the three Marines. “I’m off duty but there is another man that took my place. Sorry about your men.” he says as he turns and walks off. Shortly after he walks off the distant sound of choppers could be heard coming towards the camp.
“Private stay here and let me know if anything else happens with 1st Platoon.” the Captain orders Private Nelson. “Lets go Gunny.”
The two men run down towards the make shift LZ for the base and wait to see who gets off the choppers. The men from 2nd Platoon look tired edgy and bloodied. The Captain can tell there are men missing but can’t tell who for sure. 1st Lt. Jacob Williamson stops and gives his men some orders then walks towards Captain Reese and the Gunny with Corporal Fred Ewing following him with the radio still strapped to his back. 1st Lt. Williamson looks exhausted and drops his gear by the Captain.
“Sir,” 1st Lt. Williamson says. “Sir they took out a lot of good men sir.” was all he could say looking at the Captain.
“Ok Williamson, I want you to store your gear and get your squad leaders rounded up for debriefing.” the Captain says in a low voice.
“Sir they killed Gunny Jackson and Doc Jacobs.” the Lieutenant says with an empty look in his eyes.
“Williamson come with me.” Gunnery Sgt. Shipman says leading the young Lieutenant towards the company command post area.
After debriefing 2nd Platoon it was starting to get dark outside and the Captain knew that 1st Platoon would be staying out in the jungle overnight. As he looked towards the operation bunker he could see Private First Class Marvin Ross running as fast as he could towards the Captain. “No” the Captain thought to himself. “I just lost 5 men I don’t want to hear any more.”
“Sir it’s 1st Platoon!” PFC Ross says out of breath.
2nd Platoon's After Action Report
See Updated Casualty List.
Part 3: To the Boonies 01/01/2008
It was still dark out when Private James Nelson knocked on the door to Captain Reese’s hootch. “Sir it’s time.” he said with just a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“Alright Private, I’m almost ready.” the Captain said. In truth he had been ready for awhile. It’s not like he slept much last night anyway. As he gathered the rest of his gear he looked around his dimly lit home walked over to his desk and turned out the only light lighting the hootch. “It’s now or never.” he said to himself as he turned to walk out into the darkness.
Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Shipman already had the platoon in formation and ready to be airlifted to the jungle. The Gunny had the company’s platoon leaders around him and they were all chatting in voices low anxious much like the rest of the men in the company.
“Sir, Hotel Company is ready.” the Gunny said almost excited “and your platoon leaders are all present.”
“Thanks Gunny.” the Captain said as he looked at the faces of his young Lieutenants. “Ok men, today is our turn to be taken to our new base. So far the weather is supposed to be clear so we shouldn’t have any problems and if our insertion goes like the other company’s have it should be quiet.” The lieutenants were listening intently to what the Captain had to say. “However we should be ready for anything. We will be inserting into the southwest area of the base. The other companies have already started building defensive positions so where we are landing is going to be our quadrant of the base.” He continued to give instructions on what he expected of his platoons once they were inserted and for the rest of the day. Towards the end of his speech you could start to see the color of the sky change as the sun came up and you could hear the choppers coming towards them. “Any questions?”
All the officers looked around at each other and in unison said, “No sir!”
“Alright then get your men ready because today is the day we find out what this war has planned for us.”
The Captain watched as each squad of men was loaded into the choppers one by one and then took off. His group would be the last to go in case there was contact he could run the fight from the air.
“They’ll be alright Captain.” He heard Gunny Shipman say. “They’re good men and they have a good CO (commanding officer).”
“Thanks Gunny I just hope I’m good enough.” the Captain replied.
“Well sir if you don’t believe me I guess we will find out soon.” the Gunny said with a slight grin on his face. “Well I believe this is our bird sir.”
The Gunny and the Captain loaded the chopper with the rest of the company’s headquarters section. As soon as they were all aboard the chopper pitched forward and took off. The flight to the new base seemed like it took forever. The Captain was looking out the side door at the terrain below. It was mostly jungle with a few rivers, rice paddies, and open spaces. He had a spare headset on that was for the crew of the chopper so he could monitor the radio traffic and also talk to the pilot.
“So far Captain your men have had a easy go of it.” the chopper pilot said. “Of all the times we have been out here it’s been quite so you should be fine. Alright we’re 5 mikes (minutes) out.”
As he was taking off the radio headset he could hear the pilot talking to the base camp letting them know they were the last bird which would let them know who was on board. The Captain held up 5 fingers to show the rest of the men on the chopper they had 5 minutes. He moved closer to the doorway next to the Gunny. The cool air felt nice but he knew it wouldn’t last. Just about the time his mind started to think about the comforts of home he missed the Gunny leaned towards his ear and yelled “There it is sir.”
The Captain looked towards the direction the Gunny was pointing and saw a barren spot with some smoke plumes coming up out if. You could barely see the movement of the men on the ground. They were the other men from 2nd Battalion and also his men going about the business of building defenses and clearing the area. He could see the choppers that took off before his land unload their men then take off again in as little time as possible. “Won’t be long now and we’ll all have boots on the ground in Indian country.” he thought to himself as he took a deep breath. The door gunner tapped the Captain on the shoulder and held up 2 fingers. Two minutes and he would be jumping of his chopper just like his men before him.
As the chopper started to slow and flare he looked out his side of the chopper at the base. So far the other companies had started clearing the brush around the perimeter and started very basic defensive positions. The chopper was about 5 foot off the ground when the co-pilot turned in his seat and yelled “GO, GO, GO!!!” The Captain jumped of the skid of the chopper and hit the ground. He took a knee and looked around at his surroundings as the chopper took off. He gathered his headquarters section and headed towards the middle of the line his men had taken up.
“Corporal Green.” Captain Reese says to his RTO.
“Yes sir.” Corporal Harold Green replies.
“Get on the horn with the platoon RTO’s and have them get their LT’s over here.” the Captain said surveying their little section of the base. Their section was a slight rise with a flat area. Outside what was going to be the base perimeter was about 100 meters of open area before the tree line of the surrounding jungle started.
“Right over there sir,” Gunnery Sgt. Shipman says pointing. “That’s where we need to put the company headquarters and ops center.”
“Alright Gunny, looks good to me. Get some men started on digging and filling sandbags.”
“Aye Aye Captain.” Gunny says in a little pirate voice as he turns and starts shouting out names of “volunteers” for his new task.
“Captain Reese?” a voice says from behind the Captain.
“Yeah.” the Captain says as he turns around.
“Captain Joel Owens, Golf Company CO.” the well tanned Captain says.
Captain Reese reaches out and shakes hands with Captain Owens. “Captain William Reese, Hotel Company as you already know.” Captain Reese says with a slight grin. “So how are things going so far?”
Captain Owens looks around and says, “As you can see the tree line is a little close but once we get the defenses put in place we’ll work on moving that farther out. Right now Foxtrot will be on your left with Echo Company behind them and my company will be to your rear.” Captain Owens looks back at Captain Reese and continues. “The old man and his crew will join us in a couple of weeks once the base is more ‘secure’. I guess he doesn’t want to risk his ass. I’m sure you saw how the defenses are coming along. It’s going to take time but the men are working hard.”
“How about enemy activity?” Captain Reese asks.
“Well, Echo Company has had a few run ins with our little brothers in black but nothing major.” and as almost on cue a muffled crack rang out as the two Captains hit the dirt. “Well that’s a first.” Captain Owens says after a short pause then looks at Captain Reese. Distant shouts of “Corpsman!” can be heard in Echo Company’s direction. “Well Bill welcome to our new home.” Captain Owens says as he stands up and heads off towards his company’s area of the base.
“Yeah welcome home.” Captain Reese muffles as he stands up and looks towards Echo Company’s area. “Might be the first sniper but I’m damn sure it won’t be the last.”
Part 2: Prelude to the Unknown 12/21/2007
The sound of choppers woke Captain Reese the next morning. It wasn’t just the sound of them that woke him up it was the thought that he knew in three more days they would be taking him and his men into the unknown of Nang Tri Province. He had spent most of the previous night making sure he could get the most out of the time he had left with his company before they left for their new area of operation. He had gone over the company roster and the breakdown of the company’s supplies and assets so many times he almost had them memorized. As the captain walked to the doorway of his hootch he opened the door and looked out to see Echo Company being taken to what was going to be 2nd Battalion’s new home.
“Good luck guys.” The captain whispered as he watched the last of the choppers fly off. He turned back and went back inside his hootch to get ready for the day. He wanted to get his platoon leaders together to see what they needed and to go over some training he wanted them to have the men go through in the next couple of days. The all to familiar rain started again but today it was a light rain compared to yesterday. Another wet day in the Nam he thought to himself.
As Captain Reese was getting dressed he heard Gunnery Sgt. Shipman heading his way. The Gunny was cussing up a storm about the rain and the sloppy muddy mess that he had to walk through. “Hey Captain you up yet, sir?” the Gunny shouted.
“You bet Gunny come on in out of the rain.” the captain replied.
“Sir you’ve got yourself some eager as beaver young lieutenants that are ready for your plans.” Gunnery Sgt. Shipman said with a big grin on his face and a big wad of tobacco in his lip. “And sir with all of this damn rain they will probably have a pond to swim around in here shortly.”
“Ok Gunny, lets go make sure our beavers have some wood to chew on for the next couple of days.” Captain Reese chuckled as he led the Gunnery Sergeant out the door into the rain. As they walked and talked about the different things that the company needed to cover in the next couple of days there was a tugging thought in the back of his mind about what was in store for him and his men.
After briefing his platoon leaders on the training he wanted them to go over in the next couple of days and the checklist of things he wanted them to cover. The Captain walked to the battalion’s TOC (tactical operation center) to see how Echo Company was doing. As he was walking he noticed that the men of 2nd Battalion were starting to change. They weren’t as relaxed as they were a couple of days ago. Everyone of them knew they were going into an unknown situation and they wouldn’t have the same “safety” of the base they were on now.
As Captain Reese entered the TOC he looked around to see if he could read the faces of the men inside. He wanted to know what Echo Company’s fate had been when they landed at was to be the site of their new home. He saw a young Private First Class sitting behind a radio that looked like he was just waiting for something to happen. “Any word on Echo Company Private?” the Captain said in a low voice.
The Private turned his head toward the Captain’s direction and said “No, they were inserted without contact and have been pretty quiet except for their hourly check ins. Why do you want to know?” he said starting to stand to stretch.
“Just curious Marine.” The Captain said happy to hear the news.
When the Private finished his stretch he looked closer at the Captain and realized he was talking to an officer not just another curious grunt. “Oh sorry sir, I didn’t…”
“That’s alright Private. I’m sure you’ve had plenty of visitors so far today.” he replied with a grin.
“You can say that again, sir. Like I said sir they’ve been really quiet so far.” the Private said relieved the Captain wasn’t upset with him.
“Alright Private have at it.” the Captain said as he turned to walk out of the TOC.
The next day was pretty much a rerun of the previous day. A meeting with the platoon leaders, same rain, same waiting, except today it was Fox Company going out into the jungle to join Echo Company. Fox Company was inserted fine with no enemy contact. 2nd Platoon from Echo Company came across some enemy troops while they were on patrol but they enemy slipped away. “Well at least the enemy was around,” the Captain thought to himself.
It was the day before the Captain would lead his men out into enemy territory. Training was coming along fine with what little time they had. He was sitting behind his desk going over the company’s roster again. He was getting anxious he had to get some fresh air. The Captain grabbed his helmet and rifle and walked out of his office door and told Private First Class Marvin Ross, his runner, that he was going to grab some chow and asked if he wanted any. The Private looked up from the magazine he was reading and said no.
As Captain Reese was walking to the Officer’s Mess a couple of men from his 2nd Platoon came running by. They slowed down when they came across their Captain with their eyes wide open. “Sir,” they said out of breathe “Sir Echo Company’s 1st Platoon just got in a firefight with some gooks.”
“Slow down guys.” the Captain said his heart thumping a little harder. “Where did you hear this?”
“Someone heard if from a guy coming out of the TOC, sir.”
“Ok as you were.” the Captain ordered and decided that chow could wait he had to hear what was going on. On the way to the TOC he wondered how bad it was how many men were killed. What would he do if it was his men. He entered the TOC and saw the same PFC from the other day. He wasn’t as relaxed today. The Captain just stood and listened to see what was going on. All was quiet now.
“So what happened Private?” he asked.
The Private turned and saw it was the Captain again. “Well sir, 1st Platoon of Echo Company was on patrol and got into a firefight with some gooks.” There was some static coming from the radio he was monitoring so he snapped back around listening for any voices. After a few seconds of nothing he finished, “Anyway sir they reported no friendly casualties but reported possibly 4 enemy casualties but all they can find are blood trails.”
“What about Fox and Golf Company?” the Captain asked, his mind at ease at hearing there were no friendly casualties.
“Sir, nothing but the hourly reports like usual. They did report the gunfire but that’s it.” the Private said dividing his attention between his radio and the Captain.
“All right Private thanks.” the Captain said as he turned to walk out of the TOC.
“Good luck tomorrow sir.” the Private said as the Captain was walking out the door.
“Thanks.” Captain Reese said walking back outside knowing tomorrow it would be their turn to load the choppers and head out. “I think we’re going to need it.” he said to himself.
Part 1: The Briefing 12/15/2007
Captain William Reese, commanding officer of Hotel Company of 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Marines, stood in his tent packing the rest of his gear into his pack before he headed off to brief his platoon leaders and platoon sergeants of their new orders. He had just returned from Battalion Headquarters earlier in the day and knew what his company’s destination would be, it’s fate however was unknown to him. As his thoughts drifted to what was awaiting his men there was a light knock on the outside of his hootch. It was one of his runners, Private James Nelson, a young kid that just arrived in country earlier that week.
“Captain Reese?” Private Nelson said unsure of himself.
“Yes Private.” The captain responded.
“Sir, all the lieutenants and platoon sergeants are in the briefing hut waiting for you sir.”
“Ok Private I’m on way.” The captain said as he gathered his weapon and helmet and exited the door to his hootch. It was still raining but was starting to let up if you could call it that. As the captain jogged over to the briefing hut he was running what he was going to tell his men through his head. This was his first combat command and only had been in charge of Hotel Company since the end of October and it was now only November.
As he entered the briefing hut he heard Gunnery Sgt. Shipman bring the room to attention. He removed his helmet and told the leaders within his company to be seated. There was an nervous but anxious energy in the room. The captain took his position behind the make shift podium that someone slapped together with old ammo crates.
“Men, as you may know I had a briefing at battalion earlier today,” the captain started as he scanned the faces of the men in the room. These men were the young lieutenants and sergeants that would lead even younger men into combat. “and I can put the rumor mill to an end by telling you we as well as all of 2nd Battalion are going to be relocated to Nang Tri Province here in I Corps.”
The men in the room looked around at each other to see if anyone had heard either good or bad about their new stomping grounds.
“2nd Battalion has been ordered to establish a fire support base in Nang Tri to suppress and monitor enemy activities and to assist the local populace in whatever needs they may have. Once we have started to establish some defenses at our new base we will also be responsible for defending a couple batteries of 105mm howitzers who will be providing artillery support in the area. We will be transported by helicopter to our new home and supplies and anything else we will need will be delivered the same way. Battalion is going to have each company inserted on separate days due to air assets being limited. Echo Company will be the first group of men to be entered into our new area of operations followed by Foxtrot, Golf, then us. The first couple of weeks we are there we will be working on rough defenses for our new home. Once they have been established we will rotate platoons to do patrols or work on defenses. We will have two platoons out and one at the base. Any questions?”
A voice from one of the lieutenants asked when they will be leaving.
“We leave in four days. Echo Company goes tomorrow so we have time to pack our gear and get some last minute training in for the men. Any other questions?”
“What about enemy activity?” comes from another man in the room.
“Enemy activity is unknown at this point as well as how the locals are going to receive us. So gentleman we don’t know who is going to be on our side or how many are on the other side. But I can tell you this, we need to be ready because I have a feeling Charlie isn’t going to like us moving onto his turf. Anything else?”
The men in the room look around at each other and talked in hushed voices amongst each other pondering what lay in store for them. The captain looked around the room and wondered who is going to prove themselves, who is going to make it, and who’s not. He wondered if he will make it and if he will let his men down. He hoped not. “If that’s all, you know what you need to do. Dismissed.”
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