The Eyes of an Eagle

The Eyes of an Eagle.

I remember the smell of Vietnam as the doors of the C-141 opened to turn me loose in the hell man called war.

The fear and anticipation in each man's face not knowing what to expect. I thought we would have to fight to get off the plane.

I remember booby trap training at CU CHI with the 25th Infantry. Breaking into war, in War Game 0, they called it training.

Our first big operation, Song Be where my cherry wasn't broken, it was crushed in grueling combat, witnessing my brother Sgt Federoff as our first trooper killed. In Song Be I realized for some reason I would survive this. My first ambush with Sgt Mulvany and Sgt Norris on a fateful night for the NVA that dared to come into our territory. The war became real in Song Be.

I remember the good times, being drunk on LST's as we set out for Da Nang and the city of Hue where we laid down the first barb wire at Camp Eagle.

Mount up wire going to the field. Our AO consisted of Quang Tri Prov. to the city of Da Nang, from the ocean to the borders of Cambodia.

I remember all to well the courage, agony and fears of dedicated men fighting to keep one another alive. Sometimes for just another minute. I remember the love we shared not only for us but the people we served and tried to bring freedom. Something that all people no matter where they live they deserve a chance at freedom. For that reason Vietnam was not a total loss. I loved my buddies and I loved the Vietnamese people. I was willing to sacrifice my life that freedom may reign.

The sight of an Eagle

SP4 Eugene T. Schiappacasse