Capturing Viet Cong Flags

The veteran site: Together We Served asked for 500-word short stories that depict and answer this question:

"Of all the military operations you participated in, including combat, humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, which of these made a lasting impact on you and why?"

Between laying down smoke screens for combat troop insertions or when the flight was shut down for lunch, we on Pollution IV, the smokeship for the 118th AHC, were flying around as a lone wolf, Huey Assault Helicopter looking for any signs of the enemy, or the enemy itself in bunkers, hooches, and villages. We also would find sunken sampans used to transport troops and supplies during the night beneath the water of creeks and estuaries. During the 1969 TET we were also on the lookout for VC flags flying over territory they considered theirs. 

They were wrong, and we proved that by stealing their flags and banners. We'd first come in low and slow to shoot the flags and their poles to debooby trap them. We'd go around and fly slower and lower, and I, or other crewmembers, would stand out on a skid, bend down, and steal the flags—a great psychological win for us.

Yes, there was the occasion when the enemy would see us performing this aerial maneuver and shoot at us. We always had a gunship following us to step in with rockets or minigun support if needed.

We stole 13 VC flags. On the last one, the CO asks where we were. My pilot gave him a puff of smoke to locate us from his lofty altitude. When he saw us so low to the ground, he had to ask, "What are you doing?"

My pilot told him, "Stealing VC flags."

The CO came back with tension in his voice, instructing, "Gain altitude! I don't want my smokeship shot down."

My pilot was always quick with a witty comeback, "But this last one is for you."

The CO permitted us to steal.

Why does this memory stand tall in my mind? It led to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to put me and some of my archival combat gear on display, including the hard-to-find smoke generator to install on the Huey they have on display that has a history of being a smokeship, along with my custom-painted flight helmet and novel, with me on the front cover.

From the battlefield to the National Hall of Fame is a great accomplishment to remember. Here’s the action in photos with me snatching up a flag.

It was another great day of combat where we won. I love winning.

Cheers,

NVA Base Camp Destroyed

Finding an NVA Base Camp in Cambodia

 I flew in a troop-carrying Huey helicopter for my first two months in Viet Nam. After two gunners on the prestigious smokeship, Pollution IV, were shot, I was lucky enough to grab one of the two positions.

I flunked my flight physical due to colorblindness. That being the only problem I had, the doc said, “It’s your ass.” Good thing, too, as during an “accidental” (smile-smile) excursion into Cambodia’s neutral and sovereign country, I noticed some movement of people and distinct bunker emplacements at my two o’clock position. I told my pilot, “We have some serious activity at two o’clock.”

The AC turned the nose of the ship in the direction of the action at our two o’clock position, which soon became our twelve o’clock position. To see what I was talking about, the AC lowered the nose of the aircraft. This nose-down maneuver made Pollution IV descend toward the ground and the activity. My voice may have risen in pitch when I re-explained what I saw: “We have many enemy troops, all very much on the move now, and bunkers around the perimeter. Do you see it?”

“No.” My pilot, not colorblind, did not see what I saw, as the enemy’s camouflage worked fine on him but not so well on me.

“OH! It’s a damn NVA basecamp,” the AC finally responded.

In an all-or-nothing maneuver, he dropped Pollution IV to a low-level flight across the NVA basecamp from one perimeter to the next, instructing, “Kill ’em all.” We smoked across the fortified enemy stronghold at one hundred-plus knots, with our gunners hammering hard at every enemy we could nail.

I shot into the running crowds of soldiers, into subterranean bunker doorways. I especially remember seeing three NVA soldiers in the far bunker, surprised at our daring race across what they considered safe territory. I pumped my bullets into their open pit bunker, hitting two, with the third taking cover as we passed by.

The battle did not stop once we were beyond the enemy base camp’s perimeter. We flew high into the sky, circling the base camp. Our fifty-caliber machine gun lobbed bullets into the NVA base camp with gravity on our side. The NVA fired their fifty-one caliber bullets up at us, with gravity working against them, and we watched with delight as the tracer-burning bullets failed to reach our altitude.

Meanwhile, the AC worked out the coordinates of the base camp’s exact location, radioed the Air Force, and asked for aerial fire support. A loaded B52 bomber responded, telling us to clear the area ASAP, as he was only five minutes out, which is like being there already.

I sat with my 35mm still camera in the ready position and took this next shot of the basecamp lifting 1500 feet into the air as dust particles.

It was a good day of combat, risky as risky gets, “But, momma, that’s where the fun is.”

Cheers,

Gunner on Pollution IV, the Smokeship for the 118th Assault Helicopter Company.

Viet Nam, "Then, Again, and Beyond" FREE

Brian Wizard's award-winning documentary will be FREE until Memorial Day 2022 to honor the ultimate sacrifice of our military men and woman who fought and died in harm's way.

For full details visit: https://brianwizard.com/index.php/vietnam-books-dvds/product/185-then-again-and-beyond-mp4-download

With my 8 mbs connection the download takes far beyond the time for my attention span, but if I let it go whilst I do something else, then the download will complete.

 Run Time: 66 minutes. 

IF you like this FREE video documentary and would like to support this veteran's lifelong work in keeping the history alive, feel free to toss a donation into the busker's hat via: https://brianwizard.com/index.php/special-order-payments

Live, Learn, and Enjoy,

Pay By Check/MO/Precious Metals

PAY BY MAIL

Okay, I'm throwing in the towel. I'm tired of losing the opportunity to entertain interested would-be patrons due to the Hikashop Shopping Cart's HARD TO MAKE WORK BS. Please, give it a try. If it doesn't easily perform the task of paying via Paypal, feel free to send me a check, money order, or some precious metal to:

Brian Wizard, POBox 42 Wallowa, Or. 97885.

Be sure to include your name, address for posting to, product name/description and quantity, to include shipping costs. Any questions, email  me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (High-tech loses to old school.)

Product(s) posted after checks clear. Will not work for eBooks, sorry. You must use Hikashop to obtain the eBook link.

EBook discount

In celebration of all the fun to be had by reading books, all Brian Wizard eBooks are now offered at a FIFTY PERCENT discount. From $9 down to a mere $4.5.

No coupon needed, discount already applied.

Enjoy the reading,

The day a B52 strike was called in due to my colorblindness

Finding an NVA Base Camp in Cambodia

I flew in a troop-carrying Huey helicopter for my first two months in Viet Nam. After two gunners on the prestigious smokeship, Pollution IV, were shot, I was lucky enough to grab one of the two positions.

I flunked my flight physical due to colorblindness. That being the only problem I had, the doc said, “It’s your ass.” Good thing, too, as during an “accidental” (smile-smile) excursion into Cambodia’s neutral and sovereign country, I noticed some movement of people and distinct bunker emplacements at my two o’clock position. I told my pilot, “We have some serious activity at two o’clock.”

The AC turned the nose of the ship in the direction of the action at our two o’clock position, which soon became our twelve o’clock position. To see what I was talking about, the AC lowered the nose of the aircraft. This nose-down maneuver made Pollution IV descend toward the ground and the activity. My voice may have risen in pitch when I re-explained what I saw: “We have many enemy troops, all very much on the move now, and bunkers around the perimeter. Do you see it?”

“No.” My pilot, not colorblind, did not see what I saw, as the enemy’s camouflage worked fine on him but not so well on me.

“OH! It’s a damn NVA basecamp,” the AC finally responded.

In an all-or-nothing maneuver, he dropped Pollution IV to a low-level flight across the NVA basecamp from one perimeter to the next, instructing, “Kill ’em all.” We smoked across the fortified enemy stronghold at one hundred-plus knots, with our gunners hammering hard at every enemy we could nail.

I shot into the running crowds of soldiers, into subterranean bunker doorways. I especially remember seeing three NVA soldiers in the far bunker, surprised at our daring race across what they considered safe territory. I pumped my bullets into their open pit bunker, hitting two, with the third taking cover as we passed by.

The battle did not stop once we were beyond the enemy base camp’s perimeter. We flew high into the sky, circling the base camp. Our fifty-caliber machine gun lobbed bullets into the NVA base camp with gravity on our side. The NVA fired their fifty-one caliber bullets up at us, with gravity working against them, and we watched with delight as the tracer-burning bullets failed to reach our altitude.

Meanwhile, the AC worked out the coordinates of the base camp’s exact location, radioed the Air Force, and asked for aerial fire support. A loaded B52 bomber responded, telling us to clear the area ASAP, as he was only five minutes out, which is like being there already.

I sat with my 35mm still camera in the ready position and took this next shot of the basecamp lifting 1500 feet into the air as dust particles.

It was a good day of combat, risky as risky gets, “But, momma, that’s where the fun is.”

Cheers,

Life Immaculate, the making of an angel

Welcome to Brian Wizard's Twenty-first Century EBook Club

Featuring: Life Immaculate, the making of an angel,

Brian Wizard's latest novel.

STOP! For the PAPERBACK version visit: https://brianwizard.com/index.php/paperbacks/product/235-life-immaculate-the-making-of-an-angel-pb

You'll see details of this eBook presently available at the bottom right corner of the catalogue. For the paperback edition click the link above.

The cost of an eBook is much less than paper, with immediate delivery, no postage, and just as much of a good read, and presently available below.

The gist is: What makes an angel? Countless lifetimes as a singular spirit, always learning and growing during the climb up the Spiritual Tower. At the top is the reward: Angel Status. Pure and Free of Sin will be the next lives onward.

This story is an alternative to other stories that pretend to know what waits for the dead. The answer is: rebirth and more life.

You can check your own spiritual well-being and progress as you ride along with Zephyr and John Angel during their road trip to fun.

 Meanwhile, and just for fun, here's Brian Wizard singing the ballad created inside the story, playing a baritone ukulele: Buried in the Dirt of Boot Hill

Buried_in_the_Dirt_of_Boot_Hill.mp3

Reading puts the theater in your mind.

Cheers,

Of course, you see there are many more great Brian Wizard stories in eBook and paperback. The Avid Reader discount will be announced once the current discounts run their course, approximately in late June. All purchases of any story will automatically be put on the Avid Reader's Discount List.

Viet Nam: "Then, Again, and Beyond" Doco

Add to CART: Viet Nam Documentary

This documentary brings to life images from the novels "Permission to Kill" and Photo Book, "Smokeships Always Leading the Way." It was shot in Viet Nam during the war by the crew of Pollution IV. (Filmed on Super 8mm film, so don't expect the Hollywood quality of fake stories.)

The story continues another 40+ years with a return to Viet Nam in 1999 "Make Friends Not War" and onto the amazing debut party a smoke generator found, purchased and delivered to the Smithsonian Nat'l Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Va. and installed on the Huey there with a smokeship history. "Smokeships Always Leading the Way."

From battlefield, through a healing return, and into a National Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. That's what one self-driven veteran can do with a little help from his friends, yet no corporate sponsors.

It also has a killer original soundtrack and three original Brian Wizard music videos.

Running Time: 66 minutes. The MP4 Format plays on almost all devices.

It's not HBO, it's not NetFlix, or any other corporate entity's production. It's pure Brian Wizard, totally independent and WINNER of Best Doco at the NY Independent Film Festival.

NOTE: The download file may take up to 30 minutes to arrive in your download folder, so be patient, please.

See the short video of the day Brian Wizard donated his flight helmet to the Smithsonian in the Video section top of Home Page. Find it here

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Free E-Book: Smokeships Always Leading the Way (photo book)

Pollution IV was the smokeship of an American Assault Helicopter Company in Viet Nam. Brian was a permanent gunner on this Huey. With a crew of five, this ship laid down smokescreen-cover for the Flight Formation of nine landing, troop carrying, Hueys. Pollution IV defined the front line from a step beyond the call of duty. They were an all volunteer crew.

Download it for FREE:  Smokeships Always Leading the Way

"Enjoy the FREE Reading and come back for more Brian Wizard E-Books at the Ebook Store"