by Donald Z. Smith

Created on: November 26, 2011

I knew I should clean my M-16 rifle as I hadn’t in days.  I couldn’t brush my teeth as I used my only toothbrush the Marines issued me for my rifle.  My teeth would have to wait for care until I left this hell hole. 

Both my feet were infected with immersion foot, a disease that causes dead skin on the soles of the feet that is quite thick.  Once the skin falls off, the sores become quite inflamed and are painful during the daily “humping” throughout the jungle.

My face and arms were pock-marked with “jungle rot” which is infected skin from cuts and the lack of proper bathing.  Small fruit flies can be seen entering and leaving the sores.

My hands are full of infected sores from jungle rot from elephant grass that rips my skins as I forge through the jungle.  Sometimes as a point man I wear gloves when I am hacking at bamboo and elephant grass to cut a path for the infantry.

I’ve had malaria once in the Ashau Valley and was medevaced with a 106 temperature.  I have to avoid mosquito bites during evening hole watch which is difficult to do when it is so hot.. 

My dysentery has been reacting lately, and is probably from the water we drink from streams that are not sanitary to drink.

Other than that, my health is perfect from the rigorous life I live in a war zone.  Other than the incidental bullet, hidden booby trap, mortars, or artillery attacks, its like being on vacation in a Caribbean Island. 

I watch at the college campuses and left-wing opposition to  my very presence in a war zone and wonder how anyone would not want to vacation here also. 

I get the privilege of enjoying it and they get  the privilege of castigating me for it. 

Our military operations in the deep jungle and various mountain areas lasted generally a month and were plagued with times without food or water for days.  We would often steal food from dead enemy soldiers we had ambushed. 

The focus on the war was generally on rear areas like Quang Tri where most the troops stayed to support and supply the infantry.  The infantry was usually hidden in a jungle area 20 to 30 miles from our rear area fighting the enemy. 

Our food and water was supplied by helicopter usually and when  it was possible to avoid enemy mortars on our position. 

USO shows were provided to the military during holidays, but often the infantry sat in foxholes miles from these shows on military operations.  It was a very seldom treat to be in the rear to see these shows, and you usually had to be wounded or sick to be back in the rear area.  The rear was meant for most of the combat troops and enjoyed many of the things we were denied.  Part of war.

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