Hermann, Robert W., SP 5

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I went to college majoring in Engineering right out of high school. My class load was tremendous, but I thought I could skate through as I did in HS. I was wrong: I did not make the grade and was kicked out in January 1967 and lost my 2S deferment.

I worked at a couple of jobs and goofed off aimlessly until I got a letter from my local draft board in September 67 inviting me to participate in a physical examination in downtown LA. I was soon informed that I passed that test with flying colors. A month or so later I received a letter from the POTUS to report for induction into the Armed Forces in January 1968. My life now had an unexpected direction.

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 January 1968 in Los Angeles where we went through a battery of tests and interviews. I turned down OCS, helicopter flight school, and choice of a MOS - all of which required a 3-year commitment. I just wanted to serve my 2 years and be done with it.

We took our oath and were sent to Fort Bliss, Texas for Basic Combat Training. BCT was hard, but I resigned myself to make the best of it. We got the usual harassment from the drill sergeants as they tried to show us the ropes.

After Basic, I went to Fort Polk, Louisiana, for Infantry AIT at Tiger Land (AKA the 'Birthplace of Combat Infantrymen for Vietnam') as a Mortar-Man (11C10). The photo is of me during a field maneuver at Ft. Polk. We graduated from Polk in late May where we received our Infantry Brass, blue discs, and blue Infantry Shoulder Cords and were given orders to report to Oakland, CA after a one-month leave.

After a few days at Oakland, they bused us to Travis AFB where we boarded a Flying Tiger 707 (Mission F-239) bound for Bien Hoa, Vietnam at 7:30 pm on June 23, 1968. We landed in the middle of the night and were bussed to the Long Binh Replacement center. A day or two later I was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. A few of us protested because we were not jump qualified, but they were taking anyone - even 'legs' in those days.

A group of us were trucked to the 101st Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School (SERTS) at Bien Hoa for a week of in-country training. While going through final processing it was noted that my one year in college and ability to type (a skill I learned in HS) would be needed in the 101st Administration Company.

I spent the majority of my time in Vietnam at the Bien Hoa Army Base. I was assigned to Publications where I was responsible to order, maintain, and provide forms, AR's, etc., for the various departments of the division. I was put in charge of this group in October 1968, when the NCO in charge DEROSED out. One of the other required duties was to perform guard duty on the base perimeter every 4 days or so.

My 11C10 MOS was withdrawn and replaced with 71B20 effective December 7, 1968. I was promoted to Spec 4 on the same day. Up to that point, I was on pins and needles that one little screw-up, and I would be sent to a line unit.

Received orders to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, following my 12-month tour in Vietnam and one month of leave (August 1, 1969). I evaluated the situation and decided to extend my tour in Vietnam for two months to take advantage of the five-month early out and my request was approved by the Commanding General on May 25, 1969. This changed my DEROS from June 26 to August 19.

I volunteered to be a temporary courier and made several trips to Phu Bai and Camp Eagle in I Corps during the period from April to July 1969. I went through the interview process and was promoted to Spec 5 on July 9, 1969. I received my Honorable Discharge on August 20, 1969, from Oakland, California.

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?
The base periodically received in-coming fire in the form of rockets, mortars, and small arms. The target was usually Bien Hoa Air Base which was to our southwest. The enemy was usually sending rockets and mortars from the north or east so we got a few short rounds.

Things warmed up a bit during the Post-Tet Offensive of February 1969. On the morning of February 26, 1969, while our company was on the perimeter we detected enemy elements as they were massing for a ground attack on the Bien Hoa Air Base. The enemy was routed and a body count of 62 was directly attributed to the actions of our company.

Later that day just after dawn, while still on perimeter duty, some noted movement just outside our wire. One of our bunkers opened up with their M-60 and I could see figures falling just as green smoke was popped. One of the NCO's hollered Cease Fire many times. A few minutes later, the wounded were dusted off. It turned out that ARVN or ROK forces were sweeping the area in front of us and no one had told us this was going on.

About one month before my ETS (and after my extension of a month), our company area was hit with mortar and rocket fire for a minute or so. This occurred around 8:00 AM while we were in formation. Two things were very odd - one was we NEVER had a formation Ever and two - Very unusual to have a daytime attack. Most everyone scattered for cover and I dove behind a sandbag wall that surrounded a nearby structure with 4 others. After it was over, some of us went to our hooch to see how it fared and noted 3 members of our Company had sustained injuries from a 122 that hit right outside the door. One was my replacement that had arrived about 2 weeks before this incident. His right hand had been torn off from a large piece of shrapnel off the rocket. Medics took him away in an ambulance and we never saw him again.

All of this instilled in me the need to arrive at a peaceful solution. War is not a solution - it is usually just a temporary condition.

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.
On the night of August 22, 1968, a portion of the Airbase to our west was getting hammered with rockets. We were on a slight rise and were standing outside our hooch watching what was going. We felt safe since we were over a mile away. All of a sudden, there was a very bright flash and the darkness went totally white, then yellow, orange, red and finally to black. This scene all occurred in total silence as we stood there staring in awe. A few seconds later we were knocked to the ground from the concussion of the blast. Within 30 seconds debris started falling like rain. We all ran inside our hooch to take cover. After a few minutes or so the debris was just particles of sand.

When I first saw it, I thought it was an A-Bomb and we would all get fried. I recently found documentation of that blast which was a 122mm rocket that set off secondary explosions resulting in the detonation of over 200,000 pounds of ordnance. An entire pad of 500 pound bombs took a direct hit It was the largest single blast that took place on an Air Base in Vietnam during the war.

Here's a photograph of the crater created by that blast. It was taken by Robert Levins of 7th/8th Artillery who would investigate these types of events to try to determine the location of where the hostile fire originated for further necessary military action.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I do have some fond memories of all of them, but the fondest are of my time in Vietnam. The camaraderie, the fine men (peers, NCOs, officers) I worked with.

For the most part, everyone did their best to succeed in their mission. We worked hard and we played hard. Yes, there were some bad times, but overall it was a good experience for me. I learned a lot of things that would be useful later in my life.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My brother, Phil, enlisted in the Army before I was drafted and became an instructor on radar systems at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, around the same time I was sent to Vietnam. With me in 'Nam, he could not be involuntarily sent to Vietnam and his CO told him he was going to Nam after I returned. Phil decided he wanted to get an early out also, so he volunteered to be sent to Vietnam in May 1969. I got a call from him when he arrived in Long Binh and I made arrangements with my CO to visit him the next day since it was only a half-hour drive over from Bien Hoa.

That night we were hit with rockets and one of them hit the ammo dump which burned all night and the next day. I drove over to Long Binh in the morning and we had a reunion. He asked where Bien Hoa was and I pointed over to the large column of smoke off in the distance and said, "about a mile east of it". Nearly every time we get together he recalls that story about our reunion in the Nam.

During my visit, I went with his group for weapons orientation training at a range at Long Binh. Here is a photo I took of my brother firing an M-60 on that day.

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?
The Infantry Shoulder Cord which we earned upon completion of our infantry training at Fort Polk means the most to me. It exemplifies the efforts that I put forth to do the best I could during training in the Army. I did much better than I thought I could by eventually qualifying as an Expert on the M-16 and the 81mm mortar. I was also the fittest that I had ever been before.

It means more to me than the Army Commendation, Good Conduct, or Bronze Stars that I received in my 19 months of active duty. I am also very proud to have achieved the rank of E-5 within less than 18 months of service. It exemplifies appreciation and recognition by my superiors of the hard work, accomplishments, and sacrifices that I put forth during my tour in Vietnam.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
SSG Ralph Tinsley, my platoon sergeant in Basic. He showed us the ropes and forged us into a well-oiled machine. He was firm but fair. I deserved every push-up he made me do.

I wish I could recall the names of our Cadre at Fort Polk during Infantry AIT. They worked tirelessly to try to instill in us enough information to help survive at tour in Vietnam.

1LT Witko was our first direct supervisor in 'Nam. He was no-nonsense and instilled in us that our job was to make him look good. He did NOT want to have his superiors come down on him because one of us screwed up.

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.
In Contact with:
Carl Gann, 101st Admin Co., worked nights in the Vans creating orders

Joseph Zmugg, 101st Acmin Co., was the Assistant AG and our section leader in the 101st Admin Company at Bien Hoa. He was easy going with a good attitude and treated everyone with respect. I

Operators ID Card

had been driving vehicles (1/4T, 3/4T and even 2-1/2T) off and on as required for over 6 months while in Nam. In May, 1969, we were stopped at typical checkpoint near Long Binh by MPs where it was typical to clear your weapons. An MP asked to see my Operators ID Card. I had no idea what he was talking about so I searched my pockets and said I didn't have it on me. He issued me a citation and told me to give it to our SGT when I got back to our base. Upon return I showed it to our SFC and he took me into 1LT Zmugg's office to inform him of the ticket. Joe looked at it and tore it up, he asked a clerk to type up an Operators ID Card, signed it on the spot and turned it over to me.

I would like to make contact with:
Members of my BCT Platoon
Members of my AIT Platoon
Members of the 101st Admin Company

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?
When I first got my assignment in Vietnam, the new guys were put on sandbag duty. Our job was to maintain and repair the sandbag walls that were around each building, hooch, etc. On the first day, three of us drove a 3/4 ton truck to the dirt area and we spent a couple of hours filling sandbags and then throwing them into the bed of the truck for transport back to our quarters. We got done, jumped in the truck, and started off, except the truck wouldn't move. The engine was on and in gear, but it would not move.

We got out and looked around, scratching our heads. What was going on? The driver got back in and tried again with the same result. Standing back a bit, I noticed that the rear end was down quite a bit lower than the front. I got up close to the rear wheel and looked up inside the wheel well and noticed that the fender was lying on top of the tire. The vehicle was way overloaded. We unloaded about half the sandbags until we got about an inch of clearance above the tire and then headed off back to our area.

On another occasion, while on trash duty, we drove a jeep hauling a canvas-covered trailer full of trash to the dump which was a pit about 200 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 20 feet deep. Some of the debris at the bottom of the pit was a smoldering fire. I backed the trailer up to the edge of the pit, dropped the tailgate, and started tossing out the stuff. To get the debris out faster, I climbed inside the trailer and started pushed things out with my feet. Some of the debris we had was long, perforated continuous computer paper which was multiple-sheet with carbon paper between the sheets.

Apparently, a box of this stuff went down into the pit but a good portion of the paper was still in the trailer with a stream connecting the two. Soon, I saw flames at the back of the trailer as the fire in the pit had traveled up the paper trail and was on its way to the trailer that I was inside. I quickly jumped out at the hitch end. We then pondered the situation as the back end of the trailer started to burn. We quickly unhitched the trailer from the jeep and pushed the trailer into the pit. We brought the jeep back, parked it, and walked away. I do not recall anyone asking about the missing trailer.

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?
My military experience provided the motivation I needed to go back to college and really apply myself. I received my BS in Engineering from California State University, Northridge, with honors in 1974. I worked for Bechtel Corporation on the design, construction, and start-up of nuclear power plants for the first 10 years. I became a Registered Professional Engineer in 1977.

I then moved on to the design of refineries as well as spending one year on loan to "Imagineering" for the design of a Disney Theme Park in Paris. I left Bechtel in 1995 when I took a position in the Engineering department of a local gas utility that supports natural gas transmission and storage operations. I retired from work in March 2012, and now enjoy the life of leisure.

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

Bien Hoa Army Base Map in work

101st Airborne Division Association

I also belong to many Veteran Groups on Facebook and created and admin 3 groups. One of the Facebook groups I created is called "Bien Hoa Army Base Vietnam War Veterans." In addition to sharing "War Stories" on the group we are working to develop a map of Bien Hoa Army Base as it existed during the war. Here's a photo of me with the Map of Bien Hoa Army on the wall in my home office as it stood a few years ago. It's been substantially updated since then.

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?
My military experience provided the motivation I needed to go back to college and really apply myself. I also learned a lot from the school of Hard Knocks and how to deal with people in various situations.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Continue to do your best at every challenge that is thrown your way. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by your countrymen and we all think of you often.