Charlie Company 2/22 66'-67'

Photo's & Stories of the "Original Boat People"

           Commander's Page


Capt. George White lll


 New on 3-21-2011

     AN ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE   

 

In a few days we will celebrate our 44th anniversary of SOUI TRE. That means we approaching half a century sincethat morning. 44 - Good Caliber – Good Gun. I think we only had between 60 and 80 of you Beautiful Bastards that morning, but we kicked the HELL out of several thousand ofthose VC/NVA who had attacked in Regimental Size. Can you believe the BS and GUNSMOKE that has come out as to where we were, and who got there first? Just ask the REDLEGS from the 77th Artillery. Guys, I wish you well,and if you get a chance to celebrate – have a Jack Daniels for me – but, reflect when you do on all those men we lost, who didn’t come back. They are right here with us in spirit, and always will be. Regards – The Old ManCAPT George C White III

 

 

 Jim May - reply to George Whites Message
First, I'd like to thank you for including me on the Original Charlie Company e-mail list.  I do like knowing what you guys are up to.
As for this particular e-mail, I'd like to comment.  As we all know, I wasn't there.  In fact, I was on the other side of the world at Ft Benning, GA.  And, because I wasn't there I have no personal stake in what went on.  So, I am able to provide an unbiased opinion.
I read a lot of History, Military History.  I've also listened to many of your personal stories about Soui Tre.  I've heard the pitch in your voices change and the seen the Thousand Yard Stare in your eyes when you told your stories.  So, I believe I am able to contrast what you all did in relation to what others have done.  American Fighting Men have been involved in countless battles in our 235 year history.  Examples of bravery fill library books.  Stories of overcoming great odds are part of the Nation's fabric.  History shows that it is common for American Fighting Men to do the uncommon when faced with danger.  
Having said that, I would like you to consider what I believe to be the truth about Soui Tre.  You went into a situation where you had no good intelligence about how to get to where you needed to be.  In fact, you were told you couldn't get Soui Tre from where you were. You had no good intelligence as to what size force you would be facing and you had no idea as to how that force was disbursed or equipped.  Simply put, all you knew was that there were some Artillery Types in big trouble and if you didn't get to them, quickly, they were going to die.  
When I listen to the stories you all make very little of what I consider the most important aspect of Soui Tre.  You speak of what went on, the actions of your Buddies, the quick response by the Guys on the other tracks in battle.  What you don't speak of is the great courage it took to go headlong into a place you weren't suppose to be able to get to and to confront an unknown.  This is what separates you from those that have gone into the fight knowing what they could expect.  What to expect didn't matter to you.  You found a way that didn't exist.  You confronted a force you knew nothing about and you fought your way to rescue those who were down to their last few rounds of small arms ammo.  You killed half of an enemy regiment and scared the hell out of the rest of them, so much so, that they left the field. 
It is your collective Courage that won the Battle of Soui Tre.  It is your Courage that separates you from those in the library books.   
No unit, no individuals in all of America's Fighting History have ever been more deserving of the PUC. The only time you should remove your PUC mini-pins is when you're in the shower.
You are an exceptional group.  I hope to see many of you in Atlanta next month.
Jim May
 
PS. I see Magnet is on the e-mail list.  I know he wasn't at Soui Tre.  I also know that had he been there he would have been wounded!!
PPS. I am also aware of the on going "discussion" between Captain White and Lieutenant Frydrychowski regarding some small detail as to who was where when.  I can assure you that the "discussion" will go unresolved.  It's important to Alpha Males that they have such "discussions." 
 
George
Great thoughts and the right sentiment to never forget those who gave their lives as we remember each other.  That one day's action by Recon and Charlie 2nd Bn (Mech), 22nd Infantry should always righteously fill us with pride for what we were able to do.  We likewise, as George reminds us, should take pride in the fact that we were joining that day with the brave men who stood courageously within Fire Base Gold to become an unbeatable force of American fighting men.  
We are brothers.
Roger (Lt. Fry)







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