Capt. George White lll
My Men
I don't want to appear precocious, because you were no more "mine" than you were Roger's, or Pete's, or Bill's. Forty-two years ago we came together for several months and became the best damn fighting force in the whole war.
So good were you magnificent bastards, that years later, senior NVA and VC officers readily admitted they didn't want to engage you.
Thousands of them went around less than one hundred of us to attack a full infantry battalion, re-enforced with artillery and quad-50's.
Years ago I read a dispatch from Ernie Pyle, the famous war correspondent. He was walking along the high ground above Normandy Beach in June of 1944. As amazed as he was by the huge amount of military might crossing the channel from England to France, he could not help but see the expressions on the faces of German prisoners being moved through the area. He wished that their expressions of fear and impending doom could be seen by all Germans and peoples of the world – ending the conflict.
My wish would have been that people like Johnson, McNamara, Kissinger, and Ho Chi Minh could have been above LZ Gold when Chargin' Charlie crashed through the perimeter.
Capt. White
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Lt. Roger Frydrychowski
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"I wore a Tunic"
is a song from World War One.
"I wore a tunic. a lousy tunic,
And you wore your civvy clothes.
We fought and bled at Loos,
While you were home on Booze.
The booze that no one here knows.
Oh you were with the wenches,
While we were in the trenches
Facing an angry foe.
Oh you were a-slacking,
While we were attacking,
The Jerry on the Menin Road"
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We had trained together through Basic and went together as a unit to Vietnam in 66' Until some of us died, we felt ourselves fortunate to have that extended relationship. We ate, bled and cussed together. We fought the enemy, the ants and our fears together. We endured the rains, the orders and loneliness together. We took care of each other. We didn't think about courage, valor or "gallantry in Action." We didn't think about ribbons. We did our duty together. We went home alone.
In course of exposure to hostile fire we were scared. In anticipation of hostile we were more scared. We acted bravely when not seen. We were in the jungle, in the mud, and in the blood of our friends. We bled or were blown back twenty feet in the air and got a ribbon with a certificate that read "for wounds received in action." We were there "In Action." Many, many others were not.
I wrote those words several years ago and sent them nowhere special on the internet. Since then I have been honored to join with many of you in reunions on each coast. On earlier occasions after we came home, I had written that "Being with and leading those men from the first day in the service, through one year of combat has been one of the deepest felt experiences of my life." Since the reunions I have not been able to find the words sufficient to express the respect, admiration and love I hold for each of you and our fallen comrades.
The physical, emotional and psychological threats and barriers you have faced and overcome were a part of our war and your homecoming. The zealousness of a brand new second lieutenant during Basic must certainly have created more than a few "Pains." Your accomplishments, your valor during combat, your extra efforts for the good of the unit or your buddies were, most unfortunately, not always given the recognition they deserved. The extraordinary, heavy combat experiences of our outfit, likewise, were mostly not recognized. There was one stretch, for example, of twenty-one straight days of significant enemy encounters. And there was Soui Tre. As a combat unit-because of the intelligence, bravery and compassion of you men- you had no equal in the Viet Nam War. The enemy feared us; and rightly so.
I am proud to have served with you. I am proud to join with you after all these years. Your magnificent strength and character is shown in the efforts you are making to come together now and share memories and feelings. I trust that this bond of brotherhood will always be with us. Know that you are forever in my thoughts and Prayers.
Lt. Fry
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Patty White's Poem
Chargin' Charlie
We're the fighting men of the triple deuce.
Charlie stutters and stumbles when we're on the loose.
Led by Capt White and LT Frydrychowski
We are Chargin' Charlie and will always be.
Now when some say "Logo" they think of cash,
Like Nike or Adidas and all that trash…
But this "Logo" was different; it was Charlie's stash…
And Chargin' Charlie got it – We took it in a flash.
There was a helluva battle in Soui Tre.
Charlie pinned down the 3rd of the 22nd on that day.
From March 20 to 21st they were overrun…
Most never thought they would see the morning sun.
The "Cav" couldn't make across the "imaginary" river,
So LTC Julian sent Chargin' Charlie to do one for the Gipper.
They rode their tracks in that morning and saved the day…
While the 2nd of the 12th dug with their fingers
To get below the fray.
It was the biggest single battle of the Vietnam War
And Chargin' Charlie won it – their spirits did soar.
Their heroism was honored in US Army lore…
A presidential unit citation they all now wore.
We're the fighting men of the triple deuce
Charlie stutters and stumbles when we're on the loose.
It's been over forty years, but between you and me,
We are Chargin' Charlie and will always be.
We are the women of the triple deuce.
We know better than to turn them loose.
We were proud of them then and will always be
Just look into our eyes and you will see.
Pattie White