Bodine, Keith, SGT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
All of my buddies were either joining the reserves or getting drafted. I decided to volunteer for the draft so that I could control my personal business before I went in. It worked out very well. I'm glad I volunteered. I took basic training at Fort Polk, LA. in December

Joining the Military

1965. I was made an acting squad leader in my platoon. Although I was drafted, I took my Military training very seriously and excelled in almost everything expected of me.

I never got into any trouble and became a trusted leader in my platoon. While I was there, there was a racial riot in our company, E-1-5. A group of disgruntled blacks came through each barracks, with entrenching tools, and anyone in their bunk was beaten badly. One of our DI's had his right arm cut off below the elbow by an entrenching tool. I was warned by some of my black friends about the riot, and we were not there when it happened.

I completed basic and was going to Fort Gordon, GA, for AIT. My MOS was 95B10, MP School. Upon arrival at the MP School, I and four others were instructed to stay on the truck. When I asked why, we were told we were going to Infantry training because we had volunteered to go to Jump School for Airborne training. My new MOS was 11Bravo. I had no doubts where I was going after Jump School training.
I arrived at my Infantry training company and was made an acting squad leader there too. Again, I excelled as much as I could in my Infantry training and became a good field squad leader.

After AIT, I went to Fort Benning, GA, for Airborne training. At Fort Benning, rank meant nothing to the jump masters. Everyone was puke to them. The officers did pushups the same time we did, and they did more than us at times. Our squad leaders were called "stick" leaders and were officers. Our stick leader, an Engineer Major, was a turd and took out his resentment for having to do push-ups and being ordered around by the NCOs on us. He must have been so resentful that he didn't pay attention to the instructions, and on his first jump he crashed and burned, breaking his shoulder. None of us felt sorry for him. Our next stick leader was an Infantry officer and was great. I wasn't afraid on my first jump because I didn't know what to expect. Everything went great, and I loved it. Our fifth, and qualifying jump, was an equipment jump, and I was a little concerned about that one. It turned out to be my best jump. We weren't allowed to stand up when we landed, but it was such a good jump I could have stood up. I had to fake a PLF so I could qualify. Graduation was awesome, and I was very proud when I received my Silver Wings.

In June, I came home on leave before I shipped out to Oakland, California, and was able to stay with an Aunt and Uncle before I reported in. They took me to Disney Land, and it was a blast. My uncle gave me a $20 bill when I left to report in, and I still had it a year later when I came back from Vietnam.

On 05 June 1966, I flew to Vietnam on a C-141, which I had jumped out of in Jump School. Around 0200 we landed at Clark AF Base in The Philippines and had about a three-hour layover while the plane was refueled. Everyone went to the base bowling alley, drank a lot of San Miguel beer, and got drunk. We were taken back to the plane on luggage carts and slept during the rest of the trip to Pleiku, Vietnam. On 06 June, we landed and had been on the Pleiku airstrip maybe ten minutes and began receiving small arms fire and mortars. None of us knew where the bunkers were, so we just started running and following the guys waiting to go home. There was a short firefight outside the wire. When the mortars stopped coming in, the runway was repaired, and we left in trucks for to AO with the 1st Cav in Ankhe, up in the Highlands. I was waiting in line to check into my Infantry unit when the clerks began asking for volunteers for Huey helicopter door gunners. It paid an extra $55 a month, and by then I was in it for all the money I could make, so that I could buy a new car when I got back. I was assigned to the 229th Assault Helicopter, A Company, as a door gunner. My training was OJT. I had qualified Expert on the M-60 machine gun, so all that I had to learn was all the ropes gunners do. When I got to Camp Radcliffe, the unit was in the field, so I pulled KP for a week, while I waited for their return. After they returned, I was assigned as a gunner to what happened to be our CO's helicopter. Our CO was then Major Bruce Crandall, who had been the lifesaving pilot in the Ia Drang Valley battle in November 1965, and who eventually was awarded the MOH, along with "Too Tall" Captain Ed Freeman. I was involved in a lot of gun battles on our air assaults, and numerous WIA and KIA retrievals. I flew as much as I could and earned 20 Air Medals. I lost three really close friends. One was KIA by a main rotor that hit him in the head after his helicopter crashed, and the other two were captured by the NVA in December 1966 when our field AO was overrun.

In April 1966, I was involved in the rescue of seven infantrymen who had been wounded in an ambush by the NVA, near Bong Son. One WIA had been shot nine times and was near death. He had not been rescued, along with the other six, because the first helicopter that came in was shot down. The second helicopter was a Medivac helicopter but didn't come in because the LZ was too hot. We heard a call for help from any chopper in the area, and our CO, Major Jackson, asked us about trying to get them. We agreed to go, so he flew to the LZ. We received instructions on where to land. However, because we were receiving too much fire, we landed on the other side of the LZ. As soon as I saw the injured being brought to our chopper, I jumped out and ran over to them to help get them there quicker so that we could get out of there. The first WIA was the Bn. Commander, who had gone out with them to get a medal. The WIA shot nine times was the last one brought out, and we were full by then. He told me and my crew chief he had been passed over twice, and if we didn't get him out, he would die. I and the CE removed the passenger seat, got him on, got out of there, and took them to the Pleiku MASH unit hospital.

Years later, I began thinking about the kid who was shot nine times. All I knew for sure was his unit, which was the 5/7th Cav. I went online and looked for a 5/7th website and found it. I wrote the webmaster an email asking about the men that night, specifically the one-shot nine times. He wrote me back and thought he knew who I was asking about but needed more information. I wrote him back and told him one of the WIA was the Bn. Commander, whose right leg had been blown off just below the knee. That same week I received an email from the soldier's wife, telling me they had been thinking about me all those years as well. His name is Connie Pearson and his wife's name is Sue. I called Connie and cried, and we talked for about two hours. All seven wounded men lived. Connie was paralyzed by the second shot in his back. He and another trooper had run out to rescue the downed Bn. Commander, but both were shot. Connie laid on top of the Bn. Commander and told me they used him for target practice until he was pulled off the field. The first shot had shot his right index finger off.

Sometime later, I and my CE were awarded the BS with a V Device.

In 2001, I was going to be in a documentary called "In The Shadow Of The Blade," about how the Huey helicopter affected different lives in and out of Vietnam. I turned them down at first until Connie and I had met. I told them if they could put me, Connie, and Sue together in the documentary, I would do it. As a result, Connie and Sue came to Texas, and we had our first face to face reunion since April 1967. It was one of the best times of my life. Connie had come home and started his own logging company. He had been very successful and had actually been a logging truck driver until his shoulders began giving out. He had ten logging trucks and had been able to provide himself and Sue a good life. Unfortunately, in 2012 Connie became very ill. His old body had given out on him, and he passed away. Sue and I continued to stay in touch until she passed away as a result of cancer in 2015. It was an honor to not only know both if them but to be great friends with them.

I had to retire for health reasons in 1999. I began going to the Houston VA, and within six months I received 100% Service Connected VA and SS disability. My time in the military prepared me for the rest of my life. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. It made a man out if me, and I have been able to handle everything that has happened to me and my wife in the last forty years.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I was drafted in December of 1965. I was in charge of the Reception Station roster, and when I reported for basic training at Fort Polk, LA, I was asked to be a squad leader. I felt really honored that I was asked. After basic, I was sent to Fort

Vietnam 1967

Gordon, GA, for Infantry AIT. I was asked to be a squad leader again, and, of course, I accepted. I learned how to be a good leader, and I liked the responsibility. After AIT, I went to Fort Benning, GA, for Jump School. I earned my wings and was really proud of myself for finishing Jump School. I was sent to Vietnam in June of 1966. I volunteered to be a door gunner on a UH-1D Huey helicopter. I was assigned to the 1st Cavalry/"A" Co. 229th AHB in Ankhe, up in the highlands near Cambodia and Laos. On June 11, 1966, I was promoted to PFC. On November 5, 1966, I was promoted to Spec. Four. On May 19, 1967, I was promoted to Sgt. E-5.

After Vietnam, I was sent to Fort Campbell, KY, and was assigned to B Company 3/187th Infantry.

In July of 1967, the 187th was sent to Detroit, MI. for the racial riots. Our AO was a school gym. We patrolled the streets and helped the local police make arrests. We were there a month, and when I returned to Fort Campbell, the entire division was being transferred to Vietnam. They told me I hadn't been home long enough to go back to Vietnam. However, I would gladly have gone back to be with 101st Airborne. Instead, I was sent to "A" Company, 1st Bn., 505th Infantry of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. I wanted to re-enlist and stay in the Army as a recruiter, but I was an E-5 with under 5 years of service. I was assured I would go to Vietnam at least twice more. I had enough of war and got out in December of 1967.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?

Vietnam 1967 in front of my platoon building in Ankhe

I was assigned to "A" Co. 229th AHB/ 1st Cavalry (Airmobile) as a door gunner on a Huey UH-1D troop transport helicopter. We supported the infantry and took them on combat assaults and dropped them off in the boonies. We would return to pick them up after they were finished. We flew "ash & trash" missions to deliver food, water, ammo, etc. Sadly we picked up KIA's and WIA's and took them to the hospital in Pleiku. I flew 575 combat assault missions and was awarded 20 Air Medals. We were shot down once, not far from the ground, and had an engine failure at 5,000 feet. The pilots were able to land the Huey, and none of us were injured.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
There were three incidents I didn't know if we were going to survive.

One incident occurred when we landed on a mountaintop to drop off some infantry soldiers at night. As they jumped off, the wind increased and blew our helicopter off the mountain. I don't know how far we fell

Me and the two pilots I was with the night the engine quit. Mr. Lanny Julian and Capt. John Lehrter.

before the Pilot was able to get power restored, and we were able to fly out if the mountains. However, I could see the trim lights flashing off the side of the mountain we were blown off of.

Another incident happened when we were mortared at our AO in Ankhe, not long after I arrived. We ran to the helicopters to get them off the landing zone and picked up some Infantry to fly them to where the mortars were coming from. Upon coming in for a landing, I heard an explosion. Luckily, we weren't very high off the ground, and we crash landed. We were taking small arms fire but were able to get the pilots out of their seats and jump on the next chopper that landed next to us. We went back to our AO, boarded another chopper, and continued picking up Infantry and dropping them off until the LZ was secure.

The last incident was at night while we were 3500 hundred feet high and our engine quit. I just knew I was dead then for sure. But once again, God was with us, and the pilots were able to control the descent. Although we crash landed, and the tail boom broke off, we weren't injured. The CE and I got the pilots, the ammo, guns, and the radio out and headed for cover. We took cover in a ditch, and the CE and I flanked the pilots with our M-60's and set up for the night. As the sun began rising the next morning, a Huey flew in, landed right in front of us, and we ran from our cover and boarded. As we lifted off, we saw a village right behind where we had hidden in that ditch. Thank God, they weren't the enemy, I guess, or else they didn't want to die that night. Neither did we.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memories are at Camp Radcliff in Ankhe, Vietnam because I was in combat with many really great men, friends, and Soldiers that I had the utmost respect for then and still do to this day.

My worst assignment was at Fort. Campbell, KY, in July 1967. I had not

The three boys killed in Detroit

been home from Vietnam a month and reported to Fort Campbell. I was assigned to B Co., 187th Airborne Infantry and trained for riot control to go to Detroit, Michigan. We went to Detroit and stayed in a school gymnasium while going on Jeep patrols with the police, looking for curfew violators and snipers. We were shot at one night, from a house and chased down the shooters. We turned them over to the police, who cuffed them and put them into a squad car. We drive off and had not driven very far when the police cars stopped. The police got the three boys out and walked them into an alley, where they shot all three boys in the back with shotguns, killing them. We were told by our PL to forget about it and never say anything about it. I did for years until I couldn't forget it. I looked it up on the internet, and I found that the police said the boys were killed while in a shootout at the Algiers Motel. I knew the real story and tried since 1995 to tell the true story to anyone who was interested. I never found anyone until a couple months ago, when I met an author in Detroit who is an activist for the families of the slain boys. That is all I can say now, but that duty turned out to be my worst nightmare.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I was reunited with a soldier who had been shot nine times and was rescued in November 1967. All I knew was he was with the 5/7th Cavalry. I found the 5/7th website and e-mailed them asking about the guy shot nine times. They replied and asked me some more

Connie Pearson, Sue Pearson Reunion in 2001

questions. I told them one of the seven wounded was their Btn. CO who's leg had been blown off below the knee. They contacted the man shot nine times and I heard from him in an e-mail. His name is Connie Mack Pearson, from Illinois. A production company had contacted me shortly after that and asked me if I would be interested in being in a documentary about the Huey Helicopter and how it had affected different lives from Vietnam. It was titled "In The Shadow Of The Blade". I told them about Connie and told them if they would connect Connie and me and, if it was OK with Connie I would do it. Connie was paralyzed from the waist down and would have to drive to Texas. He agreed and in 2001 we were reunited. Connie was flown to my church L Z in a Huey that had been in combat in Vietnam. It was a very good feeling to finally meet face to face. We still stay in touch by phone. From left is Connie, his wife Sue, my wife and two of my grandchildren, and me.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" Device. On 16 February 1967 we were flying at night looking for trouble, and we found it. An emergency message came across our radio asking for medical evacuation of several seriously wounded infantrymen from a battlefield near Bong Son, Vietnam. When we

Connie facing me at our reunion in 2001

were trying to land at the directions of the RTO, we were taking heavy small arms fire. We diverted to the other side of the LZ. As soon as we landed, the wounded began being brought out. I went back to help extract the rest of the wounded. At six loaded wounded, we were full, but there was one more wounded, shot nine times. He told me he had been passed over twice, and if we left him, he would die. Medvac had tried to get in, but it was too hot. Another Medvac tried but was shot down, and all were killed. The crew chief and I tried to raise the passenger seat, but it wouldn't come loose. We took it out completely and loaded the seventh trooper and took off for the hospital in Pleiku. The photo is of mine and Connie's reunion in 2001. Connie is facing me.

The photo is the property of Sara Beal. No reproduction or copies permitted unless pre-approved by ITSOTB or Sara Beal. Copyright Protected.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?

CIB Combat Infantry Badge

The CIB. You have to be in the Infantry to get a CIB. It is not given. It is earned.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

Myself at Fort Gordon, Ga. 1966

My First Sergeant at AIT training at Fort Gordon, GA, had the most positive impact on me. He showed me how an NCO can be a First Sgt., treat people fairly, and still get his point across.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
John Richard Gregoire, KIA Vietnam. John had a contagious laugh that could make me laugh, even if I was in a bad mood. We were very close friends. I really missed him and his joking around after his death.

Faron Fipps. who died In 2013. Faron and I became close friends

The Fab Five

in Vietnam. After I returned and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, I lived off post with him and his wife. We had great times together visiting with other families and racing our cars at a local drag strip in Lumberton. We stayed in touch until about a year before he died.

Lee Horton, my CE and a close friend in Vietnam. Lee and I shared many adventures in Vietnam, and I was very fortunate to have Lee as my CE. Lee always took his job seriously but was a lot of fun to be around. Lee was from Bakersfield, CA. I tried to find Lee for many years but to no avail. I finally found him in 2017, when I came across his obituary. I was able to contact his wife and talk to her about Lee and myself. I sent her two pictures she had not seen before. Lee passed away in 2013.

Sgt. Love worked in communications in Vietnam, and we became good friends. He arrived in Vietnam quite a bit after I had been there. We never were in contact again after I left. Sgt. Love was an easy going guy and a pleasure to hang around with. We were four good friends who confided in each other when times were getting us down.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?

Henrietta

On one of our CA's we landed in a village, and I captured a chicken. I named her Henrietta. She liked to sit on your shoulder and drink beer until she got drunk and fell off. Our CO liked her sitting on his shoulder while he drank beer. He would make jokes and laugh about her sitting on his shoulder. We would all be laughing, but not for that reason. As Henrietta would drink beer, she would be pooping down his back. Now that was funny.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?

Me Kayak Fishing In West Bay Galveston,Texas.

I worked in a chemical plant as an operator and a shift supervisor. I am 100% disabled from PTSD, and I go to the Houston VA regularly. I play golf and am in several ministries at my church. One of them is a Military Ministry. My wife and I have a small catering business. In the past two years I have taken up Kayak fishing, and I love it. Due to my illness, I have not been able to go fishing for several months. However, I am receiving treatments, and I hope to be able to begin again really soon.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

Helivets

I am a lifetime member of VHCMA. In addition, I am a member of Helivets, DAV, and the American Legion.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Serving in the military has made me a good leader and a responsible husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?

My Advice on Military Service

Do your best at all times and don't worry about the protesters. Do your thing. As General Hal Moore said, "Hate the war, love the Soldier." America and Americans support you 100%.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

Graphic I made for my website www.hack1966.com

I have met some really good friends on TWS, and one of them knows a guy I was in Vietnam with. They not only served at the same time but they were close friends. I've never been one to talk much about Vietnam, but answering the questions in my "Service Reflections" makes me feel really good about myself in sharing my story. The friends I've met on TWS are very great men, and I've enjoyed reading their profiles. I actually received an e-mail message from a man who came across my "Reflections" section and sent it to my brother. Thank you for being here for us vets. It means so much to all of us.


Published in TWS "Voices" Jan. 3, 2011.

DS 8/20/18