THE NEW YEAR IN VIETNAM      Tet, the Vietnamese holiday of holidays, combines reverence for ancestors, and welcome to Spring.  Like Easter, it is based on the lunar calendar; this year it will be celebrated 9-12 February.      Although no specific date is recorded for the first observance of Tet in Viet Nam, it probably occurred around 200 B.C. during the long domination of Viet Nam by the Chinese.  The rites practiced by the present day Vietnamese have changed through the centuries and only remotely resemble the original Chinese festival.  They are still predicated on legends of old and are in general designed to show respect for the ancestors, solidify and bring happiness to family life and to bring prosperity into the lives of all.      Everyone dresses up for the holidays.  According to tradition, he who goes out on the first day of Tet with old clothing admits to the basest form of poverty, and as such it is not considered to be in good taste.  By the same token all debts are paid in order to insure a prosperous New Year.      As a rule, the first day of Tet is dedicated to ancestor worship and the second and third days are for visiting parents, relatives and friends.  On the afternoon prior to the first day a special ceremony is held during which deceased relatives are invited to join the festivities and on the morning of the first day of Tet special foods are placed on the family altar to honor the returned ancestors.      The Vietnamese consider a man's actions during Tet to be a forecast of his actions for the remainder of the year.  Visits are an important part of the celebration and invitations to visit are accepted whenever possible.  If invited for the first day of Tet, the visit should be in the afternoon.  (The first visitor is believed to influence the happiness or well being of the family's fortune for the rest of the year).  Gifts to adults are not necessary though a bouguet of red flowers is appropriate for the mother of the family.  For children up to 15 years old a small sum of money presented in a small red envelope has a very special significance.  Medicines, vitamins, sharp objects, or anything not new are considered taboo.      CUNG CHUC TAN XUAN -- "Many wishes for the New Year".                The battalion continues to improve in every aspect.  The change is so apparent that is is commented on during each visit by the Brigade CO, and Division CG.  They are particularly impressed with your military courtesy and appearance.  My congratulations.  These are the kind of comments the best Battalion in the division deserves.    Your combat record in the Rach Kien area is even more outstanding.  You have adapted extremely well to the new operational environment and the VC are beginning to feel the impact of your presence.  You have been effectively blocking one of their major east-west links of communication;  fought your way into the major operational area of the 2d Independent Battalion and in addition to enemy KIA, you destroyed much rice, many bunkers, and a number of VC structures.  Further, one of our air strikes knocked out a VC ammunition dump.  The local 315th VC Company has been reported to have sustained almost 50% casualties to include their company commander.  To date the results of your efforts look like this:    VC KIA (BC)  45 BUNKERS    132 VC KIA (POSS) 134 SPIDER HOLES    503 VC POW   3 BUILDINGS     16 DETAINEES 121 BOOBY-TRAPS     12 SMALL ARMS   8 RICE 32,850 POUNDS MACHINE GUNS   1 S/A AMMO    360 ROUNDS CLAYMORES   7 SAMPANS     14 GRENADES  20 FUEL OIL    310 GALS.       Of course it must be realized that many more casualties have been caused by small arms fire, air, and artillery for which we have no data.  All in all, this is a tremendous record.    Your work, to include our attached Engineers, has been reflected in the village itself.  A new school has opened and more than 130 children are attending.  MEDCAPS operate 3 times weekly.  Many other smaller projects have been completed or are nearing completion.  You have proven yourselves diplomats as well as warriors.    I say again, as I did in the last paper, that no commander could have a better outfit or a finer group of men.  I recognize your daily efforts and cannot praise you enough for them.  Let's continue to show the rest of the 25th Division how the Dragons get the job done!

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER Show us, Lord, the joys of living, Bless our pathways with Your love, Give us songs and birds and flowers Trees below, blue skies above. Tune our ears for hearing laughter Place upon each face a smile, Raise our values always higher, Making every day worthwhile.  Open wide our eyes to knowledge, Truth, and beauty everywhere Turn our hearts to needs of others, Help us take time out to care. Shine the sun where clouds have threatened, Let new life and hope increase, Give us strength to keep on striving Until the whole world lives in peace. by Mary A. Loberg

CHAPEL SERVICES 2D BATTALION, 14TH INFANTRY (FORWARD)    PROTESTANT WORSHIP         0900    ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS     1130 2D BATTALION, 14TH INFANTRY (REAR)    PROTESTANT WORSHIP        0800    ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS    1000   WELCOME BACK    The officers and men of the Battalion would like to welcome SGT John R. Gusick back from the hospital.   BIRTH PFC Kenneth Hardy, a medic with the 1st Platoon, Company C, was notified by the American Red Cross on 16 January 1967, that his wife gave birth to a 7 pound, 5 ounce baby girl on 14 January 1967.  Congratulations Kenneth!

REPLACEMENTS      The officers and men of the battalion would like to welcome the following individuals to the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry "Golden Dragons" HHC

REPLACEMENTS    The officers and men of the battalion would like to welcome the following individuals to the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry "Golden Dragons" PFC Larry A. Yerg          HHC SP4 Dennis J. Strimike     HHC 1Lt Burton R. Lysenhop     HHC PFC James C. Miller        HHC PFC Dewie E. Cowart Jr.    HHC SP4 James D. Clardy        HHC PFC Feliberto Rodriguez    HHC PFC Anthony C. Vermander   HHC PFC Chester Kowalski       A Co PFC Daniel L. Hemphill     A Co PFC Joseph Soros           A Co SP4 Robert D. Haslett      A Co PFC Benjamin J. Morgan     A Co PFC Larry G. Smith         A Co PFC Donald A. Preston      B Co PFC George E. Stephenson   B Co PFC Ellison E. Morgan      A Co PFC Robert W. Walker       A Co PFC Xavier Johnson         A Co PFC Jerry C. Howard        A Co PFC Lawrence S. Barnes     A Co PFC Ronald D. Dugan        A Co PFC Steven G. Nott         A Co PFC Paul K. Hjelmervik     A Co PFC Paul A. Holck          B Co PFC Dennis W. Jaros        B Co PFC Timothy A. Wachtman    B Co PFC Ernest T. Dupont       B Co PFC David D. Fisher        B Co PFC Richard O. Koenig      B Co PFC Ernest Buie            C Co PFC Anthony Arcuri Jr.     B Co PFC Hamp B. Boyd III       C Co PFC James M. Ruggierio     C Co PFC Richard L. Barnes      C Co PFC Ronald L. Self         C Co PFC Travis W. Sullivan     C Co PFC Freddie L. Hawkins     C Co RACH KIEN    On 13 January 1967, the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry task force at Rach Kien, was honored by the visit of Mr. John Steinbeck, the well known writer and author.    During his visit, Mr. Steinbeck was shown some of the various civic action programs that have been set up by the battalion.  Among these was the painting of school desks and the medical aid program.    Mr. Steinbeck was also introduced to the village chief and, over coffee at the village market square, talked of the problems and needs that confronted the village.    Our Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Charles A. Gillis, gave Mr. Steinbeck a short briefing on the future plans of operation here in the Mekong Delta and also talked of the work and operations already accomplished by the battalion.    Mr. Steinbeck is presently on a six month tour of South East Asia, six weeks of which have been devoted to South Vietnam.  While on tour, Mr. Steinbeck has been writing a series of columns for News Day, titled "Letters to Alicia".    Whether or not he will return to Vietnam after the completion of his tour is yet undecided.   BUY AND SELL    One 20-inch electric fan . . . 2-speed with a 3 foot swivel-base stand.  The price is $15.00.  Contact Captain Darrell E. Moore at the S-1 office.    One Polaroid land-camera with light meter, timer, flash attachment, carrying case, and flashbulbs; all for the price of $150.00.  Contact SP4 Matthew Vuolo at Commo Platoon or SSG Turrentine at the Battalion PX.

SHORT TIMER "I'm short!"  Comes the cry From a happy G.I. He's soon going home Old Viet Nam good-by It's been a long year Of turmoil and hate, Because so many guys Came and met their fate. But the short timer is happy Because he lived through the year; That's why you hear him shouting "I'm Short!" don't you hear. But one day he was insulted And peaved to no end: For someone had asked him Why don't you extend. He looked very harsh As he began to say: They don't have enough money To convince me to stay. I've had it my friend And I'm sick of this war: I'm nervous and shaky I can't take anymore. I'm going home Right where I belong: My port call is coming Then I'll be long gone. I'm Short, I'm Short And I say it with glee: You couldn't realize How happy it makes me. So good-bye all you lifers I wish you the best: I'm going home And catch up on my rest. "I'M SHORT"    by SGT H. L. TIPPET        HHC              (S-4) PROMOTION    The following individuals were promoted to Platoon Sergeant (E-7) on 22 January 1967.      SSG Benjamin L. Tomas     C Co      SSG Ralph J. Robinson     B Co    The following individual was promoted to Sergeant First Class (E-7) on 22 January 1967.      SSG George T. Leiato      HHC    The following individuals were promoted to Sergeant E-5 on 25 January 1967      SP4 Paul D. Hall          HHC      SP4 Archie B. Thomas      HHC      SP4 Harry E. Carter       HHC      SP4 Robert E. Hopkins     HHC      SP4 Joseph A. Procopio    HHC      SP4 Richard R. Jenkins    HHC      SP4 Ernest L. Weers       HHC      SP4 Edward W. Moore       HHC      SP4 Ronnie E. McCurry     HHC      SP4 Robert K. Naihe       B Co      SP4 Harold D. Ridener     B Co      SP4 Charles R. Simmons    B Co      SP4 Lawrence H. Cutler    B Co      SP4 Billie L. Holloway    B Co      SP4 Edward A. Muelier     B Co      SP4 William L. Davis      B Co      SP4 James W. Gendhar      B Co      SP4 B. J. Bradford        B Co      SP4 Kendall F. Marceau    B Co      SP4 Irving Cole Jr.       C Co      SP4 Michael V. Moffett    C Co      SP4 Thomas R. Mast        C Co      SP4 Robert E. Mains       C Co      SP4 Ronald L. Landesberg  C Co      SP4 Raymond G. Horne      C Co      SP4 James W. Southard     C Co      SP4 Terry L. Harwell      C Co      SP4 Michael C. Myers      C Co      SP4 Dean Nelson           C Co

IN SUPPORT OF THE GOLDEN DRAGONS    On 2 January 1967 elements from the 1st Platoon of "B" Battery, 5th Battalion, 2d Artillery were attached to the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry to provide direct support for the operation in Rach Kien.  The attached elements are comprised of 2 twin 40MM tracked vehicles and 2 Quad-50 machine guns.    Bravo Battery, which was attached to the 25th Division Artillery, has two platoons, each of which has eight twin 40's and four Quad-50's.  The unit was organized in May of 1966 at Fort Bliss, Texas and after extensive training departed for Vietnam on 8 November 1966.  Since their assignment to the 25th Division the unit has found itself very much in demand and consequently is spread rather thin.  Lt. Livingston, platoon leader of the first platoon, finds himself hopping from one area to another.  In addition to elements in Rach Kien he has elements with A and B Companies of the 4/9th and also elements near the Iron Triangle.    The twin 40's and the Quad-50's, both of which are provided with armored protection, are geared to provide rather impressive firepower:  the rate of fire of the twin 40's is 240 rounds per minute; the Quad-50's turn out 2000 rounds per minute.    The elements at Rach Kien have been used mainly for flank security patrols, convoy and road clearing escort, and perimeter defense.  Captain Tyler, LO of the 7/11th Artillery, has also used them quite extensively for indirect H and I fires and counter mortar.    The men of the 2/14th welcomed the twin 40's and Quad-50's with open arms.  The first night that they opened fire, though, it seems as if the entire battalion headed for their bunkers.  Their noise and tracers flying through the air are common place now and as one infantryman stated as he returned from a night patrol, "The psychological effect on Charlie must be great when he sees forty to sixty 40MM tracers coming in at him.  I was two hundred meters away and it scared me."

R and R . . . IN A NUTSHELL

Place Best Features Best Bargains PX Min $$ Required Nightlife Sightseeing Passport Required (3) $1 US Equals Hawaii Good ol' USA Monkey pod wood dishes Yes $175 Excellent Excellent No   Hong Kong Free port everything (especially clothing) No (4) $125 Excellent Excellent No $5.73 HK Tokyo Largest city in world Cameras, electronics, china Yes $200 Excellent Excellent No 360 Yen Kuala Lumpur Capital of Malaysia pewter, tin, silver, fabrics No $125 Fair Good Yes $2.9 Malay Penang Quiet beaches pewter, tin, silver, fabrics No $125 Fair Fair Yes $2.9 Malay Singapore Cosmopolitan melting pot pewter, tin, silver, fabrics No $150 Fair Good Yes $2.9 Malay Bangkok Thai people jewelry, Thai silk Yes $150 Good Good Yes 20 baht Manila Beautiful scenery cigars, lace, wood carvings No $150 Good Excellent Visa only 3.85 pesos Taipei Friendly people Wood carvings, embroideries, ceramics Yes $125 Good Excellent No $40 NT Vung Tau Beach Free chow and billets Yes (1) $25 Poor Fair No 118 piastre

NOTES:  (1) Essential items only   (2) Includes average R and R hotel, 2 good meals a day, 2 limited nights on the town, $20 shopping, daily sightseeing   (3) For leave only; R and R personnel need only up-to-date shot record.   (4) U.S. Navy Purchasing Branch at British China Fleet Club.

JOKES PLUMP WIFE:  I'm so angry that I could slap that bonehead store clerk for sending me a brassiere three sizes too small! HUBBY:  There, there, my dear, try and pull yourself together.    An Irish tramp approached a prosperous looking individual one day, soliciting alms.  When he saw the man put his hand in his pocket, the bum cried out:  "May the blissing of God follow you all your life!"  But when the wealthy one pulled out his handkerchief, the tramp immediately added:  "-and niver overtake ye."    THE DRAGON'S TALE is an authorized weekly publication of the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry.  Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army.  AFPS and ANF materials are used.  Basis of distribution is one copy every three men.   CO:      LTC Charles A. Gillis   OIC:     1LT Paul Vasylionis   EDITOR:  PFC Douglas C. DeBolt

 

This copy of The Dragon's Tale has been generously contributed by Jim Huskey, HHC S-1, 2/14th Inf., 66-67    The Dragon's Tale Vol. 1 No. 8  27-January-67 Copyright © 2009 Kirk S. Ramsey Last modified: July 14, 2009