After graduating from High School in 1969 I worked in a factory and then I traveled to Boulder Creek , California where I stayed with my friend Hutch Collier until shortly before my 18th Birthday. I came back to Chicago for my Birthday and two days later I joined the Army. I saw Hutch in Vietnam in 1971. I flew into Long Binh and we had a 2 hour break until we took off again. I had a letter from Hutch telling me he was now stationed at Long Binh. So, I hitched a ride and found his unit. I don't know who was more surprised, him or me. We had a great time for an hour and I had to get back to my ship. That was the last time I saw him until we reconnected in 2009.
Basic in Ft. Campbell, KY and then off to Signal School in Ft. Gordon, GA. I was called into the CO's office in June 1970 and he slid a piece of paper across his desk and said "Sign this and you don't have to go to Vietnam". I asked why and he said "Do you have a brother in Vietnam?" I said "Yes Sir, my brother is in the Marines". He told me that if I signed it I wouldn't have to go. I told him I would take my chances. I was sent to Vietnam in October 1970 and remained until May 1972.
When I arrived in Vietnam I was assigned to AVEL Central, part of the 165th Transportation Company at Phu Loi, Vietnam. I worked on the bench on the night shift repairing helicopter radios. I only worked on the bench for a few months.
The 128th Assault Helicopter Company needed fill-in door gunners so I volunteered despite my father drilling into my head "never volunteer". So, I flew as a gunner and alternated doing odd jobs with AVEL until August 1971.
I started flying with the 128th in February 1971. I flew with several crew chiefs and pilots. My missions included combat assaults, ash and trash, insertions, extractions and bringing out the dead.
My last mission with the 128th was in August 1971 into Cambodia. We were prepared for a big fight but as we flew into the LZ in the Parrots Beak the locals were all out in the open waving white flags. I guess they knew we were coming. That was it, anticlimactic. I flew a few more times later in 1972 with the 388th Trans. Co.
In August I worked in supply with Manny Coronel and when he rotated I took over the job of Supply Sergeant and was also placed in charge of our sector of the bunker line. I really enjoyed this job. I was a great scrounger and proceeded to scrounge everything I could find for the benefit of our company. Of course, it wasn't really stealing, it was called midnight requisition. I just re-allocated a few things from the government.
I remained supply sergeant until Phu Loi closed and I was sent to the 388th Transportation Company, 765th Trans. Bn. in Vung Tau. When Phu Loi closed in March (I think it was March) 1972 we who were left were scattered all over the country. I was assigned to the 388th Transportation Co. at Vung Tau. I had flown into Vung Tau a number of times and knew guys who had taken an in-country R & R there. It seemed like a better place to go than most. I was right!
I had a dispute shortly after arriving with my platoon sergeant who didn't like my very worn jungle fatigues and jungle boots. I didn't draw new clothes fast enough for him and he brought before the CO who saw fit to put me on bunker guard almost every night and ride shotgun on convoys to Long Binh every day. This went on until I left country.
Upon my return, I was assigned to Ft. Huachuca, AZ. Where I remained (with the exception of a 3 month TDY to Pentagon and Aberdeen Proving Grounds) until my discharge in January 1973.
I attended DeVry during the day and worked at a psychiatric hospital as an aide (bouncer) in the locked unit at night. Great job to have after Vietnam. I worked there 9 months and finally had enough. I joined the reserve- 12th Special Forces Group in Arlington Hts., IL. All we did was run, play softball and move furniture. I had orders for jump school then the typical Army BS started and I said screw it and quit. I received my Associate Degree in Electronics Engineering then went to work in the engineering department at Motorola.
I met Pat Stelcher and we were married and settled in to raise a family. I continued my education at night and graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 1981 at the age of 30 with a major in Business and Marketing. I worked at Pat's family business and eventually bought it. After 20 years I sold the business and joined Pat selling real estate. We worked together every day and most people wondered how we could do that without killing each other! But, we are best friends so it worked out just fine.
I retired in October 2016 and we moved to North Carolina. I became a Certified Peer Support Specialist with Veteran Designation and am now a volunteer working with veterans in the Charlotte area.
Best Friends Delgado, Tracey (WIA), Brady (WIA), Duncan, Meduna (KIA)
Worst Moment I received my Door Gunners Statement and was slated to fly the next day on a courier mission. I thought I was ready but wasn't even close. Early the next morning I met my crew chief Delgado and loaded the M-60s on the ship. The two pilots approached and started to get the aircraft ready for flight. They were both Warrant Officers, probably 20 to 22 years old. Seasoned veterans. The engine started and that distinctive whine of the turbine filled the air. Del and I secured the pilot's doors and climbed in our wells. The rotor increased speed and finally we were ready for lift off. I wasn't sure what else I was supposed to do but figured I would just go with the flow. "How are we back there?" the Aircraft Commander asked. "Clear left" replied Del into the mic. I looked around and seeing there were no other people, water buffalos, aircraft or God knows what else replied "Clear right" into the mic. I guessed that was what I was supposed to do. Shit, Del didn't tell me much about what I am supposed to I do thought.
The aircraft lifted off the ground into a hover and slowly backed out of the revetment and proceeded to the runway and in a few short moments we were airborne and on our way. On our way where I didn't have a clue. The flight was beautiful, water shimmering off the rice paddies below. Ambling creeks and rivers bordered by nippa palm and palm trees. Farmers working in the fields. All very peaceful. But, there were the scars of old wounds and new. Not healed and ugly. Shell craters. Hundreds of them. Mostly clustered in groups. Craters from artillery and air strikes. Signs of war, a war that has been going on for many, many years. It was a sharp contrast to the otherwise peaceful scene below.
We landed at the base at Lie Khe and picked up two American advisors and two ARVN officers. We would be flying them to Tay Ninh. The top ranking advisor, a Captain, put on a set of head phones so he could talk to the Aircraft Commander. After chatting a minute the AC spoke to me over the intercom "McCabe, is your gun loaded?". "Uh, no sir" I replied. "Why not?" "Well sir, I don't know how to load it. I never fired an M-60 before" I replied. "You stupid fucking idiot" the AC screamed into the headset. "What kind of fucking moron are you? Goddamn it Del you better square this stupid fucker away and show him how to load that goddamn thing when we land. I am not going to get my ass blown away because some stupid fucking gunner doesn't know how to load his goddamn gun!" We eventually landed at Tay Ninh in the shadow of Nui Ba Den - the Black Virgin Mountain. The mountain rose steeply out of triple canopy jungle to a height of about 3,000 ft. The summit was held by a contingent of 25th Infantry Division soldiers who were frequently under siege. It was a dominating feature in this sector near the Cambodian border.
On landing the American advisors and the ARVN officers left looking over their shoulder at me and laughing. They were veterans and I was obviously so green it was funny. I was totally embarrassed by what had transpired. Del walked over and said "Watch and learn FNG". "Goddamn it Del, why didn't you show me how to load this fucking thing?" Del replied sternly "How should I know you never fired an M-60? What am I, a fucking mind reader? Sorry, would have paid more attention if we were flying a CA." "Combat assault? Is that the only time you ever fire this thing?" "Hey, forget it" replied Del. "This is how it is done" he said as he showed me how to load the M-60. "You start firing this and you will learn pretty quick. Just keep it clean so it doesn't jam."
The pilots returned and we took off flying re-supply missions for the remainder of the day. Finally at about 1600 hours we were finished for the day. We took off from our final stop at Duc Hoa and headed to Phu Loi - home. The AC came over the intercom and said "OK McCabe, time for school. We are going to a free fire zone and you will learn how to fire that weapon so I don't get killed flying with you." "Ok sir, sorry about that. I never fired an M-60 and thought I would get some training before flying. Hell, I qualified with the M-14 in basic and never fired an M-16 until I was in training to come over here." "No sweat, just learn. There is no time here for slow learners."
We flew southwest of Saigon to an area designated as a free fire zone meaning you can shoot anything that moves. Men, women, children and animals. The ground below was mostly covered with abandoned rice paddies and streams lined with various tropical plant life. No human life was seen. The aircraft turned into a bank to starboard and proceeded to circle an area consisting of old rice paddy and mixed jungle. "OK McCabe, kill something" the AC said over the intercom. I looked down the barrel of the M-60 at the great emerald green expanse below and slowly squeezed the trigger. The gun jumped and began to fire, orange tracers streaming out to the foliage below, the belt of bullets a continuous feed into the M-60. I got used to leading the target. It was really a reverse lead compared to shooting skeet. Because of the forward movement of the Huey you had to lead behind the target and watch the tracers curve around into it. I always loved shooting and this was a lot of fun. I shot up plants and even fired at a few birds which I missed. Then the gun jammed. The belt of ammo was curving under the gun because of the slip stream and caught on the M-60 and jammed. A good lesson, I cleared the jam and used my left hand to feed the ammo and fired with my right hand. I was a pretty good shot and was happy with the results. After firing about 180 rounds the AC came over the intercom and said "Lesson over, back to base". I stopped firing and pushed the gun into the up and lock position. I sat back in my well in the wind and thought about the day. It had been humbling for sure but a great learning experience. I was exhausted but enjoyed the cool air and the beauty of the sun setting slowly casting a peaceful glow to the rice paddies below. It had been a long day.
When we landed I was told to clean the guns. I was then told "oh by the way, we will be flying a Combat Assault tomorrow". Oh shit. I thought. How can they expect me to be ready for this after today? I had a sick feeling in my stomach as I walked back to my hooch. What did I get myself into?
Other Memories I started flying with the 128th in February 1971. I flew with several crew chiefs and pilots. My missions included combat assaults, ash and trash, insertions, extractions and bringing out the dead. I am still here today to enjoy the life that God has granted me when others lost it.
The men of the 128th were all brave and exhibited great courage, spirit and character. I salute you all and am proud to have served with you.
My last mission with the 128th was in August 1971 into Cambodia. We were prepared for a big fight but as we flew into the LZ in the Parrots Beak the locals were all out in the open waving white flags. I guess they knew we were coming. That was it, anticlimatic. I flew a few more times with the 388th Trans in 1972.
