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 Greetings! You are reading an article from The Mudville Gazette. To reach the front page, with all the latest news and views, click the logo above or "main" below. Thanks for stopping by! July 29, 2005 VietnamBy GreyhawkFrom Kit Jarrell and Heidi Thiess: Over the next few installments of this story, you will hear of people like Gary Linderer, Kenn Miller, Frank Souza, and Rey Martinez. You may already know them; in fact, you may own some of their books. Other men in this story - Riley Cox, Tony Tercero, John Reid, and others - may not be as familiar to you, but by the end of it, you will know them all. These men were brought together by the war in Vietnam; their brotherhood forged in blood, sweat, and combat. They have awards, memories, and familiar names etched on a wall as reminders of their time ?in country?, as part of F Company, 58th Long Range Patrol. For some of them, the scars are obvious. For some, they are more hidden; silent and lurking - but for all of them, they are permanent. Such is the nature of war.The story starts there, and ends with accusations of atrocities in 2004. Must read. Posted by Greyhawk / July 29, 2005 9:17 PM | Permalink 2 Comments |
November 26, 2010America@war [Greyhawk]
I think anyone who's ever pondered the "comment" option - once only available on blogs and bulletin boards, now ubiquitous on almost any web site - will appreciate this:
The so-called faculty of writing is not so much a faculty of writing as it is a faculty of thinking. When a man says, "I have an idea but I can't express it"; that man hasn't an idea but merely a vague feeling. If a man has a feeling of that kind, and will sit down for a half an hour and persistently try to put into writing what he feels, the probabilities are at least 90 percent that he will either be able to record it, or else realize that he has no idea at all. In either case, he will do himself a benefit. That's wisdom from the past, captured for posterity at the US Naval Institute, shared via the web on the institute's 137th anniversary. From their about page:
"The Naval Institute has three core activities," among them, History and Preservation: The Naval Institute also has recently introduced Americans at War, a living history of Americans at war in their own words and from their own experiences. These 90-second vignettes convey powerful stories of inspiration, pride, and patriotism. Take a look at the collection, and you'll see it's not limited to accounts from those who served on ships at sea, members of the other branches are well-represented. I'm fortunate to have met USNI's Mary Ripley, she's responsible for the institute's oral history program (and she's the daughter of the late John Ripley, whose story is told here). She also deserves much credit for their blog. ("We're not the Navy nor any government agency. Blog and comment freely.") We met at a milblog conference - Mary knew (and I would come to realize) that milbloggers are the 21st-century version of exactly what the US Naval Institute is all about. Once that light bulb came on in my head, I mentioned a vague idea for a project to her - milblogs as the 21st century oral history that they are. "Put that in writing," she said (of course - see first paragraph above!) - and here's part of the result. Shortly after the first tent was pitched by the American military in Iraq a wire was connected to a computer therein, and the internet was available to a generation of Americans at war - many of whom had grown up online. From that point on, at any given moment, somewhere in Iraq a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine was at a keyboard sharing the events of his or her day with the folks back home. While most would simply fire off an email, others took advantage of the (then) relatively new online blogging platforms to post their thoughts and experiences for the entire world to see. The milblog was born - and from that moment to this stories detailing everything from the most mundane aspects of camp life to intense combat action (often described within hours of the event) have been available on the web... And et cetera - but since you're reading this on a milblog, you probably knew that. And you know that milblogs aren't just blogs written by troops at war, that many friends, family members, and supporters likewise documented their story of America at war online in near-real time, as those stories developed. The diversity in membership of that group is broad, the one thing we all have in common is the impulse to make sense of the seemingly senseless, and communicate the tale - for each of us that impulse was strong enough to overcome whatever barriers prevent the vast majority of people from doing the same. Everyone at some point has some vague idea they believe should be shared - we were the people who, from some combination of internal and external urging, found and spent those many half hours persistently trying to write it down. But where will all that be in another 137 years? Or five or ten, for that matter. That's something I've asked myself since at least 2004 - when I wrote this:
Membership in the ghost battalion has grown in the years since, and an ever growing majority of those abandoned-but-still-standing sites are vanishing. Have you checked out Lt Smash's site lately? How about Sgt Hook's? If you're a long-time milblog reader you know the first widely-read milblog from Operation Iraq Freedom and the first widely-read milblog from Afghanistan are both gone from the web. If you're a relative newcomer to this world you may never even have heard of them - or the dozens upon dozens of others who carried forth the standard they set down. If you have a vague notion that something should be done about that, (a notion I've heard expressed more than once...) then you and I and the good folks at the US Naval Institute are in agreement. Preserving the history documented by the milbloggers is just one of the goals of the milblog project, the once-vague idea that we're now making real. And it's a big idea, if I say so myself - too big to explain in one simple blog post, so stand by for more. Likewise, it's too big a task to be accomplished by just one person. So if you're a milblogger (and exactly what is a milblogger? is a topic for much further discussion on its own) I'm asking for your help. All I'll really need is just a little bit (maybe just one or two of those half hours...) of your time, and your willingness to tell the tale. We've already made history, it's time to save it. (More to follow...) Posted 4:02 PM | Permalink |
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The Mudville Gazette is the on-line voice of an American warrior and his wife who stands by him. They prefer to see peaceful change render force of arms unnecessary. Until that day they stand fast with those who struggle for freedom, strike for reason, and pray for a better tomorrow.
 
 
 Furthermore, I will occasionally use satire or parody herein. The bottom line: it's my house. I like having visitors to my house. I hope you are entertained. I fight for your right to free speech, and am thrilled when you exercise said rights here. Comments and e-mails are welcome, but all such communication is to be assumed to be 1)the original work of any who initiate said communication and 2)the property of the Mudville Gazette, with free use granted thereto for publication in electronic or written form. If you do NOT wish to have your message posted, write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the subject line of your email. Original content copyright © 2003 - 2011 by Greyhawk. Fair, not-for-profit use of said material by others is encouraged, as long as acknowledgement and credit is given, to include the url of the original source post. Other arrangements can be made as needed. Contact: greyhawk at mudvillegazette dot com  Tending Distant Far from hearth and home, watching What tales we'll tell When things grim Some distant sunset, vision fading Saluting fallen friends whose names - Greyhawk, Baghdad, December 2004 |
The following is stated on the cover of Gary Linderer's books: "Gary A. Linderer is the publisher of `Behind the Lines,' a magazine that specializes in U.S. military special operations. In Vietnam, he earned two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with V device (for Valor), the Army Commendation Medal with V device, and two Purple Hearts. His first two books were selected by the Military Book Club."
Gary Linderer has consistently claimed to have earned two Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts, all for the same day's combat in Vietnam, on 20 November 1968. He used these high honors to enhance his professional reputation and credibility as an author and his fitness to be consulted as an expert on LRP operations. Records I obtained in 2000 by FOIA request from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO., refute Mr. Linderer's claims of two Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts for the same days combat actions of 20 November 1968. Because Mr. Linderer has lied about his medals, according to the NPRC records, then readers have to view everything Mr. Linderer writes in his book with a skeptical eye. The text of Linderer's NPRC record is as follows:
National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100
OFFICIAL LIST OF AWARDS The Official Military Records of GARY A. LINDERER [SSN removed] show that he is authorized the following awards and decorations for his service in the US Army:
SILVER STAR
BRONZE STAR MEDAL W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND "V" ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AIR MEDAL
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL NATIONAL DEFENSE
SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL W/4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/DEVICE (1960)
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS W/PALM UNIT CITATION BADGE SHARPSHOOTER
BADGE W/RIFLE & MACHINE GUN BARS EXPERT BADGE W/AUTO RIFLE BAR
////////NOTHING FOLLOWS/////////////
R. L. HINDMAN,
Director
THE EYES OF THE EAGLE
By— Gary Linderer
An Ivy Book Published by: The Ballantine Publishing Group Copyright
1991ISBN: 0-8041-0733-5
NONFICTION
PREFACE
“This book is a nonfiction work based on my experiences in Vietnam. Based on
238 letters…”subsequent information and verification of people, places and events described in my letters were collected... Historically accurate.”
From Gary Linderer's book EYES BEHIND THE LINES.
"For some reason, when people read something in print, they have a tendency to believe it; tell them the same story face to face, and they think you’re making it up. Yes, these books helped to give us the credibility that we could never have achieved on our own.”
From Gary Linderer book. "The CID’s evaluation stated that the unit (F Company, 58 LRP) was composed of malcontents, psychos, and criminals."
June 26, 1968
Page 39
“We left the perimeter at first light, going out through the east
gate of Camp Eagle…Our mission was to patrol the eastern half of the
AO, avoiding civilian contact, and look for anything out of the ordinary…
Intelligence had reported occasional VC activity in the hamlet.
VC tax collectors and supply parties often traveled the trails in the AO at night.”
From Linderer's book. “We spent the evening drinking and getting totally blown away. We raised alot of hell, and I guess I probably overdid it with the war stories. They must have been impressed, because most offered their
sisters to me before the night was over. Audie Murphy didn’t have a thing on
me. Well, how were you suppose to act around air force personnel?”
“Gary A. Linderer is the publisher of ‘Behind the Lines,’ a magazine that
specializes in U.S. military special operations. In Vietnam, he earned two
Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with V devise (for Valor), the Army
Commendation Medal with V devise, and two Purple Hearts. His first two books
were selected by the Military Book Club.”
**************************
National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100
OFFICIAL LIST OF AWARDS
The Official Military Records of GARY A. LINDERER (SSN removed) show that he
is authorized the following awards and decorations for his service in the US
Army:
SILVER STAR
BRONZE STAR MEDAL W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND "V" ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AIR MEDAL
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL NATIONAL DEFENSE
SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL W/4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/DEVICE (1960)
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS W/PALM UNIT CITATION BADGE SHARPSHOOTER
BADGE W/RIFLE & MACHINE GUN BARS EXPERT BADGE W/AUTO RIFLE BAR
////////NOTHING FOLLOWS/////////////
R. L. HINDMAN,
Director
************************
From the United States National Archives: DA 1594 DAILY STAFF
JOURNAL OR DUTY OFFICER'S LOG. These are the contemporaneous,
unbiased, official radio reports from units in the field using
the US Army "SALUTE" reporting system. SIZE of the enemy, ACTIVITY
of the enemy, LOCATION, UNIT, TIME, and ESTIMATED strength.
**************************
G-2 & G-3 Section 101st Abn. Div. Camp Eagle YD808162 20 Nov. 1968 1000H (C) G2 recd msg fr 1st Bde stating: At 2400H to 0400H vic
An Nong Village YD918093 & An Nong 3 YD933106 in Loc Bon village, info came in from village chief to A Co that 30 VC last night came through loc above. Primary purpose was to collect money,
but would eccept rice instead. They came from south and returned south.
1200H (C) G2 recd msg 2d Bde stating: At 1130 H vic YC829900 LRP TM #24 ambushed est enemy sqaud (reinf) moving E on trail at YC 829900. Appartently rice carrying detail, for only two were VC were armed. En appeared to have been heading towards hill # 512 at YC 8490.
Res: 9 VC KIA, 2x 45 pistols CIA. Note: 8 VC were killed outright, one was captured but was seriously wounded. This VC later died after
attempt to evac him was made. No friendly cas. 1220H (C) G2 recd msg fr 2/17 stating: At 1124H vic YC8490 LRP Tm #24 amb 9 VC, 5 women & 4
men. LRP Tm believes VC were porters. Res: 5 female KIA BC, 4 VC male KIA BC, 2 x US 45 Cal pistols. VC were moving towards Hill 513 YC8490.
Item no. 11 - 0945 hours (C) G2 recd msg fr 2d Bde stating: At 0530H vic YC829901 2/501 LRRP Tm #24 fnd fresh footprints made by sandels. Heading 340° NW from loc. More to follow.
Item 17 - 1200H (C) recd msg fr 2d Bde stating: At 1130H vic YC829900 LRP Tm # 24 ambushed est enemy sqaud (reinf) moving E on trail at YC829900. Apparently was a rice carrying detail, for ony two VC were armed. En
appeared to have been heading toward hill # 512 at YC8490. Res: 9 VC KIA, 2
x 24 pistols CIA. Note: 8 VC were killed outright, one was captured but was
seriously wounded. This VC later died after an attempt to evac him was made. No friendly cas.
Item 18 - 1220H
(C) G2 recd mes fr 2/17 Cav stating: At 11245H vic YC8490 LRP Tm # 24 amb (ambushed) 9 VC, 5 women & 4 men. LRP Tm believed VC were porters. Res: 5 VC female KIA, 4 Male KIA BC. 2 x US 45 Cal pistols. VC were moving towards Hill 513 YC
8490. Neg US cas.
Item 33 - 1620H (C) G3 recd mes fr 2/17 Cav stating: 2/17 (C) reports LRRPs in RZ Brenda are
in heavy contact, 9 cas. Request 1 Co RRF. 1st Bde will supply the company - A/2/502. Insertion controlled by credit 4.
Item 36 - 1645 H (C) recd msg fr 2d Bde, at 1622 H, vic YC839880, LRP Tm 24 made contact w/unk size force. Res: 2 US KHA, 8 WIA. A complete report will be turned in tonight.
Item 48 - 2043H (C) G3 recd msg fr 2/17 Cav, LRP medevac completed 1830H, C/ARP ext fr contact site 1920H, shuttle to Brick has not been closed.
Item 51 - 2130 H (C) G2 recd msg fr 2/17, total 3 KHA, 21 WHA (8 serious, 13 minor), all cas
fr LRP Co except 8 WIA fr ARP. One Kit CASON was WHA (minor) not included in 21 WHA.
SUMMARY: A LRP tm of F/58 Inf ambushed ten en [enemy] moving N on trail vic [vicinity] YC839887. The res [results] were eight enemy KIA and two wpns [weapons] capt [captured]. In subsequent encounter w/a [with a] reinforced enemy squad, the team killed on addtional en [enemy] in the same area.
G-2 & G-3 101st Abn. Div CAMP EAGLE DATE 23 Nov. 1968 page 5 of 7. Item No 35 - 1429 hours
(C) G-2 recd msg fr 2d Bde stating: At 1325H vic YC83888 D/2/501 1st plt at 1240H fnd 8 bodies: 7 x VC, 1 NVA, 4 pairs of PJ, 20 lbs of rice, 1 kettle, equipment left by LRPS: 1 x WP grenade [grenades], 1 x bottle of whole blood, LRP rations, poncho liner, 6 x US rucksacks, 1 x sewing kit and 5 xclaymore. Note: The 8 x VC were previously reported.
**********************
From Linderer's EYES BEHIND THE LINES book, page 11- "My first full day back with F Company was occupied with replacing the weapon and all the gear and equipment I had lost November 20. I had to start from scratch replacing my LBE [load-bearing equipment] and my rucksack and pack frame."
From Gary Linderer's book: From Gary Linderer's book: Page 10 - "The fact that we had killed over two hundred NVA, including the
executive officer of the NVA 5th Regiment did not lesson his grief."
*******************
These many so-called Random House/Ivy/Ballantine books are from this:
"The virtuous image of the Bertelsmann media empire has been destroyed by a devastating historical study into the company's Nazi links that exposes its post-war success as built on a lie."
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/story.jsp?story=340907
FROM MILITARY BOOK CLUB INTERVIEW OF GARY LINDERER.
MBC: That's a hell of final exam! In the book, you name names. Did you
change any names?
GL: No.
MBC: I'm thinking of the "toe-popper" incident. Do you feel you've any
responsibility by withholding this knowledge?
GL: Well, what happened there was a war crime as far as our government is
concerned. And there is no statue of limitations on that. No one saw or knew
anything. It just happened. (Note to readers) We're talking about an
unpopular LRP officer who stepped on a small anti-personnel mine that had
been placed at the entrance to his hooch.
GL: It happened when I was there. The entire company was intensely
questioned by the CID after that incident. A few people knew who the
perpetrators were and other found out later. That secret has never been
divulged and never will be. That captain had already gotten some people
killed in an infantry outfit he'd commanded earlier, and had demonstrated
that he hadn't learned from his mistakes. There was no doubt in our minds
that he would accomplish the same feat in our company. There is no going
over anyone's head to a higher authority in a situation like that.
MBC: Tough times, tough measures.
GL: All of us realized back then that on a mission we had to rely on each
other. The six men were trained as a team and relied on each other's
judgment and performance. Usually, when we lost people in the field, it was
because somebody outside the team made a mistake, or because our support was
not there, or because a decision was made by higher authority to keep a team
in after it was compromised. That call should always be the team leader's.
Many times it was taken away from him, and we lost people as a result.
MBC: Do you ever hear from people who come out less than heroically in your
books?
GL: That captain tried to come to our first reunion. He stayed in the
service, by the way, and was a retired lieutenant colonel at the time of the
reunion. One of our First Sergeants contacted him when he found out that he
was planning on coming. He told him it would not be advisable for him to
show up. When the officer asked why, he was told that someone might try and
finish the job. The man still did not understand why this had happened to
him, even at that late date. I don't think he ever fully realized that it
was one of our people that did it.
MBC: Well, I guess he figured it out at that point.
GL: He had only been in the company four days when this happened. But in
those four days, he had not endeared himself to anyone. He was probably a
very competent officer, but his technique was not conducive to a unit in
combat. His military bearing and his attitude demonstrated that he was the
only one to call the shots, even with a team on the ground. His command
style might have worked in a stateside unit, but it would only succeed in
getting people killed in combat.
CPT JAMES G. SHEAPPARD was a FNG and was not ever assigned to any other unit. If Linderer would write and brag about these guys blew off this new guy's foot what would they do to stay out of the war or fight? Smear a fellow Vietnam vet who caught them lying, of course!