Friday, August 13, 2010
Trip to the Dentist - Army Style
A Trip to the Dentist - Army Style
by Lou Davis
I arrived in Viet Nam in mid December. After 10 days of in country training, I was sent to Bien Hoa and was able to see the Bob Hope show on Christmas day. The next day a helicopter took me to Fire Base Mace. I reported to my new platoon leader at dusk. He told me to draw ammo, food and water and informed me that we were to be helicopter-inserted into the bush early the next morning.
I found the 2nd squad, where I had been assigned and introduced myself to my new comrades. They mostly ignored me, and I realized later that it was because I was an FNG (F***ing New Guy). After a few weeks, our squad leader was wounded and since I was a sergeant, I took over the squad at the ripe old age of 19.
Our squad walked point every 3rd day and I followed my point man very closely, observing my compass. One day we were bending low to go through some thick brush and his rifle butt accidentally hit me in the mouth, chipping my front tooth. No big deal.
Our platoon was extracted in mid February and we were flown to a Fire Base on top of a mountain named Nuey Chou Chin. We had been in the jungle for over six weeks, and we were exhausted, filthy, and more animal than human. There was a spring half way down the mountain where a water pump and a fire hose brought us water.
My squad was given two perimeter bunkers to occupy and defend, and while my squad members took showers, got mail and enjoyed hot chow, I was busy checking our trip wires, claymore mines, barb wire, drawing munitions and scheduling guard duty. It was late and I was looking forward to sleeping in a bunk and not on the ground, so I decided to hit the rack and planned on taking my shower in the morning.
That night the enemy mortared us and destroyed the water pump, so I didn’t get my shower. I asked my platoon leader if I might be able to go to the rear to fix my tooth. A couple of hours later, I was summoned and climbed aboard a tiny two seat observation helicopter, to be taken to a large Army base in Long Bien.
A soldier in a jeep was waiting for me and we went to a nice air conditioned dentist office. I was surprised to see an American woman as the receptionist and all the soldiers wearing starched khaki uniforms. I sat on one side of the three sided waiting room and no one would sit near me and they all were avoiding eye contact.
I no doubt smelled badly, but I realized that to these folks, I presented a menacing appearance. I had my 45 caliber sub machine gun, a gurka knife, hand grenades and was wearing a captured VC chest web gear loaded with 30 round magazines.
After about 30 minutes, a pretty round eye (American girl) took me to an exam room and placed me in a dental chair. I placed all my weapons on my chest and lap. The dentist soon came in and I could tell that he was intimidated by me. He greeted me and nervously began to look into my mouth. Instantly, I grabbed his wrist, gave him a fierce look, and said very quietly, “Hey Doc, you’re not going to hurt me are you?” He backed away, stuttered, and assured me that I would be treated with the utmost care.
He began to gingerly examine me and I promptly fell asleep. I was awakened by the dentist and the nurse calling my name with their backs against the wall. They were afraid to touch me or startle me. I turned my head to look at them while I felt around my mouth. Finally, I smiled and said, “Good job Doc”. They both almost collapsed with relief.
Outside, my driver was waiting to take me back to the airport. I told him to take me to the PX (Post Exchange, a type of store). He refused, saying that he had orders to take me immediately back to the air base. I tapped my gun and growled, “Take me to the F***ing PX!’ At the PX I bought two bags full of cookies, candies and snack for my guys.
by Lou Davis
I arrived in Viet Nam in mid December. After 10 days of in country training, I was sent to Bien Hoa and was able to see the Bob Hope show on Christmas day. The next day a helicopter took me to Fire Base Mace. I reported to my new platoon leader at dusk. He told me to draw ammo, food and water and informed me that we were to be helicopter-inserted into the bush early the next morning.
I found the 2nd squad, where I had been assigned and introduced myself to my new comrades. They mostly ignored me, and I realized later that it was because I was an FNG (F***ing New Guy). After a few weeks, our squad leader was wounded and since I was a sergeant, I took over the squad at the ripe old age of 19.
Our squad walked point every 3rd day and I followed my point man very closely, observing my compass. One day we were bending low to go through some thick brush and his rifle butt accidentally hit me in the mouth, chipping my front tooth. No big deal.
Our platoon was extracted in mid February and we were flown to a Fire Base on top of a mountain named Nuey Chou Chin. We had been in the jungle for over six weeks, and we were exhausted, filthy, and more animal than human. There was a spring half way down the mountain where a water pump and a fire hose brought us water.
My squad was given two perimeter bunkers to occupy and defend, and while my squad members took showers, got mail and enjoyed hot chow, I was busy checking our trip wires, claymore mines, barb wire, drawing munitions and scheduling guard duty. It was late and I was looking forward to sleeping in a bunk and not on the ground, so I decided to hit the rack and planned on taking my shower in the morning.
That night the enemy mortared us and destroyed the water pump, so I didn’t get my shower. I asked my platoon leader if I might be able to go to the rear to fix my tooth. A couple of hours later, I was summoned and climbed aboard a tiny two seat observation helicopter, to be taken to a large Army base in Long Bien.
A soldier in a jeep was waiting for me and we went to a nice air conditioned dentist office. I was surprised to see an American woman as the receptionist and all the soldiers wearing starched khaki uniforms. I sat on one side of the three sided waiting room and no one would sit near me and they all were avoiding eye contact.
I no doubt smelled badly, but I realized that to these folks, I presented a menacing appearance. I had my 45 caliber sub machine gun, a gurka knife, hand grenades and was wearing a captured VC chest web gear loaded with 30 round magazines.
After about 30 minutes, a pretty round eye (American girl) took me to an exam room and placed me in a dental chair. I placed all my weapons on my chest and lap. The dentist soon came in and I could tell that he was intimidated by me. He greeted me and nervously began to look into my mouth. Instantly, I grabbed his wrist, gave him a fierce look, and said very quietly, “Hey Doc, you’re not going to hurt me are you?” He backed away, stuttered, and assured me that I would be treated with the utmost care.
He began to gingerly examine me and I promptly fell asleep. I was awakened by the dentist and the nurse calling my name with their backs against the wall. They were afraid to touch me or startle me. I turned my head to look at them while I felt around my mouth. Finally, I smiled and said, “Good job Doc”. They both almost collapsed with relief.
Outside, my driver was waiting to take me back to the airport. I told him to take me to the PX (Post Exchange, a type of store). He refused, saying that he had orders to take me immediately back to the air base. I tapped my gun and growled, “Take me to the F***ing PX!’ At the PX I bought two bags full of cookies, candies and snack for my guys.
