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HERE
This Remembrance Profile was originally created by MSG John Porter - Deceased
PLIEKU PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM
HWY Q19, 11 KM EAST OF SUOI DOI AIRFIELD
UTM GRID REFERENCE BR144534
Today Feb 11TH 2012 my mind drifts back 40 years to feb 11 1972 South Vietnam, QL19. I was the N.C.O.I.C. of the gun truck Brutus, with the 359th Trans Co. On the way to Pleiku somewhere after An Khe the convoy came to a halt just outside one of the small villages. The Convoy Comander came on the radio and said one of our trucks had wrecked. I had the driver of Brutus pull around and go to the scene. Then I saw what had happened. Carl Johnson's truck somehow hit the bridge. He was thrown out of his truck and hit the bridge head first. It was plain to see he was dead, still a Dust Off was called. the Medic's worked on him for some time and he was flown away. I don't think anyone who saw him thought there was any chance at all he would make it. But still when we got to Pleiku the first thing we all wanted to know was how was Carl! Over the years I have often thought of Carl, I remember when I first saw him and thinking he didn't look old enough to be in Vietnam. Now seeing pictures of me back then I looked the same way. After all we where all really Kids, funny I didn't think so back then. I didn't know Carl very well, I don't think he was with the 359th long before he was killed. I do remember he was always friendly, and always had a smile on his face. I hope his family knows he died doing what his country asked him to do. Even tho he didn't die in combat. He is no less a Hero. He did not suffer, the end was swift.
Steve Campbell