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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SP 4 Mike Pectol U.S. Army (1966-1975)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
 Family tradition, and wanting to get away on my own. While growing up, the military was considered by most people to be among the most honorable of professions. I wanted to 'Be somebody.'
That's me on the right - being somebody in Vietnam, 1967.
WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
Originally, I wanted to be a Special Forces Trooper. That did not pan out but, I liked the job the Army gave me. I did want to go to jump school when I got back from Vietnam.
This is where I ended up going:
1966-1966, 05B, Formal Schools/(05B) Radio Operators Course
1966-1966, 05C, US Army South Eastern Signal School (USASESS) Fort Gordon/05C Radio Teletype Operator Course Co B
1966-1967, 6th Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment/HHB
1967-1967, 05C, 6th Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment/HHB
1967-1968, 05C, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment/HHB
1968-1969, 05C, Electronic Proving Grounds/Communications Test Company
1969-1970, 05C, 8th Signal Battalion/B Company
1970-1972, 05C, 8th Signal Battalion/A Company
1972-1973, 05C, 1st Aviation Brigade/131st Aviation Company (AS)
1974-1975, 05C, 1st Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment/HHB
This is me playing with my new camera on one of the rare occasions we were back in base camp for a while, in Nov. '67.  The camera and ALL its fine pictures got destroyed at Loc Ninh Dec.9, 1967.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
Yes. ALL of them were significant to me, but of course, some do stand out.
On Dec.9th at Loc Ninh, FSB GRANT - One morning we had a prairie fire. It was started by some smoldering trash in a garbage sling picked up by a "Mule Skinner" It caught fire, and the pilot panicked and set it down right by a "Cord" of prepared 105MM howitzer rounds. It caught the grass and the grass caught them, and there was a very very "hot time" all that day. We were steppin' and fetchin' tryin' not to get 'sploded. We didn't, but most of our equipment did. Our radio rig was lost. HQ and Charlie batteries had to go back to base and re-equip. During all that chaos, most of us were pretty sure the enemy would recognize a 'golden opportunity' and just wipe us out. We never did figure for sure why they didn't attack. The good news was that we got to spend Christmas at base. That was NOT part of the original plan.
During the phony New Year's truce in '67, the enemy broke the truce. It resulted in a big overnight battle at a place called Soui Cut - A.K.A Fire Support Base Burt. It was located very close to the Cambodian border. We were sitting right on the junction of where the HO Trail came in from Cambodia as BAIT to get them to engage in a pitched battle of attrition. We were over run several times, and the chopper pad I was sent to as part of the "Reaction Force" was attacked several times while my team and I were loading critically wounded and unloading re-supply. I and probably most of the troopers on that base thought we were dead men walking, but we were determined to make it cost them.
 Following this, the two pilots who flew to my pad recommended me for a medal but since I had slipped in and out of black out mode and didn't remember much of what they said I did and declined it.
One interesting side note, that battle was used as the model for the final battle scene in the movie "Platoon." So, unbeknownst to me, I was in the Army with Oliver Stone. Most of us who were there, were less than pleased with that movie.
This picture of the truck shows some of the souvenirs we dug up after a particularly heavy mortar/rocket barrage on one of our FSBs in Oct or Nov. '67. Check out the shrapnel and bullet holes in the door. Actually, pick any door! We found out Commo, especially with all those antennas, were PRIORITY targets! Still, they rarely managed to hit anything really important. I think it might have been the captured 81MM rounds out of an 82MM tube. Just a theory.
Anyway, on the way out to the FSB where we fought that battle, I and two of my men were left stranded in our truck which broke down. We had to wait for "The last mechanized Infantry track from the 2/22 Infantry (M) in the convoy to hook us up with a tow cable and pull us into FSB Burt. We were there most of the day, and there were roughly 10 - 20 minute gaps between vehicles and in between them, we were on 100% alert against being over run and captured or killed. I had decided on not getting captured standing ready with the thermite grenade to drop it down the gas tank, and blow up the rig, and the radio and crypto gear and some of the enemy too. It was very scary. The imagination of an 18 1/2 year old Buck Sergeant in the middle of enemy country with only 2 men and small arms was like a ripe fruit for the enemy picking!
Then on the 31st, after a whole month of heavy duty mortaring and rocketing at Burt, TET started. We had to high tail it back to our base camp at Dau Tieng because G-2 thought there might be some trouble there. They briefed us and told us how to act on convoy, which we had to do at night if memory serves me, and what to do if the enemy attempted to ambush us. Well, from best memory, he did try, and we did blow through it, with the help of air cover. When we got back to base, there was some stuff happening alright. An in force perimeter probe at one end of the airfield by an enemy battalion. Kinda piddlin' lookin back, since we had recently fought off  two re-enforced regiments in a "Grudge Match" for kicking their BAZUSKI back in March '67. Plus we were in the way of their attempted infiltration in prep for TET. Anyway, they led us into some trenches behind the berm bunker line, and the whole place was lighting up, big time. We had a chopper shot down and it settled into a tree by one of the HQ buildings and burned, crew and all. One time when the enemy has climbing the wire fence, we 'sploded the PHUGAS on them and cooked most of the ones in the wire when it went off.
From that time on through the rest of the TET offensive, we were at base camp, supporting operations close to the base, and guarding our part of the perimeter. There were many attempts to infiltrate the wire, and a lot of bodies. Much of that period I do not remember, so it must have been pretty bad. Especially from the pictures of that period that some buddies sent to me for posting on our web site. Kinda gory, but such is life in combat.
In April '68, around the time of the "Battle of Good Friday" they scored a direct hit on one of our ammo dumps, across the road from where I was pulling CQ. It was raining and when there is mortar/rocket incoming, the CQ has to run up and down the street sounding the alert to wake up those who weren't already, so they can get into the bunkers. But by that time, it was so heavy, that most were sleeping in bunkers anyway. The OD, had me go out and check the water in the motor pool to see if it was full to help fight the fire. Never mind that it was raining cats and dogs, and the stuff was poppin and 'splodin' and whizzin' around everywhere, so that if you got within a couple hundred feet of that place, you stood a pretty good chance of getting sliced up, or killed. Anyway, I slipped on the trailer, which was full, and broke the bone in my right hand that leads to the ring finger. They offered me a "legal" purple heart for a third time, but I didn't think it was right. To me, that is for shrapnel or bullet wounds. 'Course, later, when dealing with VA, I sometimes wished I had taken them. Oh, well!
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
See, this is a hard question. For a combat veteran to try to pin down ONE memory out of the hundreds or thousands of incidents they may have experienced ain't easy. There were around 10 of what most combat veterans call "Guardian Angel" episodes or close calls, where I should  have been maimed or killed. But I received a so-called miracle. I guess one of the most traumatic was getting stranded for almost all day on a dusty jungle road on the way to a FSB.
That is the FIRST time I was sure I was a walking dead man and it was only a matter of time. But that also is a miracle story. The enemy had observers and scouts all along our convoy route, and we knew they were out there. Of course they knew, we knew. Except for God saying yes to my prayers, I still don't know why they didn't attack and kill us.
Over there on the right is a picture of what the RATT Crew's "Office" looked like. This was one of our OOPSIES on the way to one of around 100 FSBs we built and used while I was there. Oh, I'm the guy on the left, with the smokie.
WERE ANY OF THE MEDALS OR AWARDS YOU RECEIVED FOR VALOR? IF YES,
 COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THIS WAS EARNED?
No medals for Valor. But the one I turned down was for the Battle of Fire Base Burt. I couldn't remember those heroics they accused me of!
Adjacent is one of our after shots. One of the 2 APC's they roasted before they overran our perimeter the first time.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Expert Rifleman's Badge. When combat happened, myself and all soldiers no matter what their job, revert to being what they are trained to be in basic - a "Rifleman". That badge is the biggest part of what kept me alive over there.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
That is just too impossible to answer. There were so many who helped me stay sane, and some even helped me grow a little bit. Every single one of them was the most important person for that particular time period. They are all almost equal parts of the make up of the whole of the veteran I am now.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Well, it wasn't funny to me at the time, but it was to everyone else. The short version is I was in the shower at Dau Tieng, 3d Bde, 25th ID base camp, VN, and it was within around 150 yards of the perimeter fence. Anyway, soon after I got started, the enemy started lobbing mortars into the camp. First I hit the floor in the corner while thinking what to do.
Deciding I was not gonna risk dying nekked in the shower, I wrapped a towel round me, and hot footed it outta there. Then the mortars started again, and they were getting closer, "walking in", so I looked for the closest likely cover. It was the drainage ditch by the side of the road, but that road ran in front of the little Army style "Strip Mall" where our laundry, barber shop, tailor shop, etc. were located. I took a dive for the last step as they were getting closer.  The ditch was muddy. I hunkered down until it was over. As I was starting to get up, I looked into the road and noticed that not only was my towel in the road, but the girls from all the shops were lined up on the makeshift boardwalk/sidewalk, pointing at me and the towel. They were giggling and chirping in that sing song language.
Boy, was I embarrassed and mad! "You babysans numbah 10!" "You no haha me!" So, I had to crawl on my belly, with them enjoying the show, and then wrap the towel 'round me, then turn with my back to them to get up. I hustled back to the shower, re-shower and got the heck outta there with my towel between my legs. The laughter, and chirpin' following me all the way 'round the corner of the last shop in the row. Musta been funny to someone, cuz the guys at the club were laughin' and snortin' and hee hawing like a bunch of drunken donkeys, hahahaha! Then of course, when I thought about it later, and pictured it in my own mind, it was kinda funny! I sure was a steppin 'and a fetchin'!
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
It took me a long time to find out why all of a sudden I was "crazy." My military job was locked up tight. Good jobs that people "die" in. I had to just do whatever dead end job I could find to survive. Tried school, something always ruined it.
Now, I am on PTSD 50% disability, and I guess I am semi-retired. I will "officially" retire later this year. I help disabled people around the house, and I do veteran's service work in the form of running a website for the Veterans of my Vietnam Unit. They can sign in and list who they would like to re-connect with, and see the history. We constantly, as we are able, update it.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the 77th Field Artillery Regiment Association and the Charlie Co, 3d Bn. 22nd Infantry Association. Fairly closely associated with the 222 Inf (M) Association. Past member of the 22nd Infantry Regiment Society, and the 25th Infantry Division Association.
From the Artillery Association, of course I benefit from  the camaraderie of fellow Artillery Combat Army Veterans. We know what each other did in our parts of the war, and that understanding makes it's easier to talk to them than anyone else. Civilians do not understand things like that. We understand each other in a way no two civilian friends can. (Unless maybe they are police or firemen who have experienced similar dangers and maybe almost died together a few times, or seen some of their own die.) It is actually pretty much the same with the infantry brothers. One difference is that the infantry really appreciates the big guns bailing them out. That is about the same as we appreciated them for handling most of the security of our FSBs and keeping the enemy off us, so we could give them accurate timely and devastating support fire. You can see the mutual benefit of that relationship, right?
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
I have a much better sense of teamwork, and more respect for my fellow team mates than many civilians do. It also taught me that life is NOT about just me. It is about me and all the people I interact with in at work and away from work. Having had some REAL worries in my military career, I have I feel a better sense of what is and what is NOT worth worrying about. I learned also, not to take small luxuries, comforts, etc. for granted. Having been in combat, I am not prone to panic or indecision in some situations that might 'freeze' other people. Never was able to have a career but, if I could have, those things would have been beneficial in that too.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
Do your very best to be the very best you can be at your job. They are all important. Respect all of your fellow soldiers. They all fit into the green machine and make it work smoothly. If you find out early you don't like your job, as soon as  possible, look for opportunities to train for a new one, that you will like. It is not always carved in stone that you will start and end your career in the same job.
Document EVERYTHING! The good and bad that happens to you. If they offer you a medal, take it. It may not matter to you now, if you are Gung Ho, but it could make a very big difference in how difficult it will or will not be to get certain benefits you deserve post service especially if some sort of disability or other issues come up later on in life. If you get medals, awards, etc. get copies of them and keep them in a place away from the military personnel office that stores the originals. Injuries, wounds, etc. always get treated for them, and always obtain and store separately copies of the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, etc. Documents such as those can be invaluable later in your career, or after you get out. Periodically make an appointment with your personnel records division, and make sure all that has happened to you is reflected by orders, certificates, etc. It all counts, for promotions, and other stuff. Make sure all qualification badges, letters of appreciation, etc. are in your 201.
Educate, Educate, Educate! Both in your primary MOS, and secondary if you have one, and in the job of the immediate superior you hope you will one day replace when they retire. Study other military subjects, and skills, as well as civilian things that interest you. Also, use the school benefits they give you for finishing high school, and get in some college while still in the service. That will make it easier to go to school when out. You will need to carry less credits, and you will likely have more free time, or be able to work a part time job instead of a full time one possibly. Prepare the way now, while you are in, for the time when you are out. Even if you are planning a career in the military.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
I have high hopes to connect with those I served with. As the site grows so does this possibility. High hopes has kept me fairly sane for all these 43+ years.
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The camera and ALL its fine pictures got destroyed at Loc Ninh Dec.9, 1967.
Following this, the two pilots who flew to my pad recommended me for a medal but since I had slipped in and out of black out mode and didn't remember much of what they said I did and declined it.
two re-enforced regiments in a "Grudge Match" for kicking their BAZUSKI back in March '67. Plus we were in the way of their attempted infiltration in prep for TET. Anyway, they led us into some trenches behind the berm bunker line, and the whole place was lighting up, big time. We had a chopper shot down and it settled into a tree by one of the HQ buildings and burned, crew and all. One time when the enemy has climbing the wire fence, we 'sploded the PHUGAS on them and cooked most of the ones in the wire when it went off. 
have been maimed or killed. But I received a so-called miracle. I guess one of the most traumatic was getting stranded for almost all day on a dusty jungle road on the way to a FSB.
COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THIS WAS EARNED?
The ditch was muddy. I hunkered down until it was over. As I was starting to get up, I looked into the road and noticed that not only was my towel in the road, but the girls from all the shops were lined up on the makeshift boardwalk/sidewalk, pointing at me and the towel. They were giggling and chirping in that sing song language. 
the camaraderie of fellow Artillery Combat Army Veterans. We know what each other did in our parts of the war, and that understanding makes it's easier to talk to them than anyone else. Civilians do not understand things like that. We understand each other in a way no two civilian friends can. (Unless maybe they are police or firemen who have experienced similar dangers and maybe almost died together a few times, or seen some of their own die.) It is actually pretty much the same with the infantry brothers. One difference is that the infantry really appreciates the big guns bailing them out. That is about the same as we appreciated them for handling most of the security of our FSBs and keeping the enemy off us, so we could give them accurate timely and devastating support fire. You can see the mutual benefit of that relationship, right?
possible, look for opportunities to train for a new one, that you will like. It is not always carved in stone that you will start and end your career in the same job.
