Chapter 31

The Razorback

On the twentieth of January, Third Platoon relieved Second Platoon on the top of the Razorback. This rock formation with its sheer sides rises up out of the valley just to the northwest of the Rockpile. Since the entire platoon was going up, Lieutenant Osborne and his command group came with us. Though it was said to be rough living among the rocks, it at least got us out of the mud for a while. Three days of C rations (nine meals) were handed out to each man. Our packs did not hold them while in their boxes, so all the cans were removed from the boxes and stacked inside the pack. Water on the Razorback was scarce, so we hydrated by drinking several canteens of water before leaving. The last thing we did before leaving was refill our canteens.

Walking in single file, we left the Punch Bowl through the gate in the south end of the barbed concertina wire perimeter and headed out along the main trail. The trail descended down Lima Hill, arriving at the steeply inclined base. We followed the trail up the base until it arrived at the near vertical sides of the Razorback. The point men climbed up and secured ropes. Using the ropes, we climbed slowly up the face, finally reaching the top and arriving at our bivouac area.

Each squad took a position so that we had a defendable perimeter. The command group set up under the trees in a small patch of jungle. Toward the north end of our perimeter was a small opening large enough for a helicopter to lower a cargo net with supplies, or at least that was the plan. I set up my shelter on the south end of our perimeter. I used my poncho as a tarp to sleep under. I pulled the drawstring on the hood closed and tied each corner to bushes and rocks. I then inflated my air mattress. Sitting under my poncho, I had a view of the whole valley. Turning around in the other direction, I could see the valley and mountains to the west. The view was breathtaking.

On the south end, our head (toilet facility) consisted of a board lashed at one end to the trunk of a stout bush that inclined out over the edge and secured by rocks at the other. This allowed us to sit with our butt suspended over the edge, allowing feces to drop to a small ledge twenty or so feet below. Prior to the construction of the seat, a knotted rope tied around a rock provided the necessary handhold to allow defecation over the side.

 I was the only corpsman now with the platoon. Due to the shortage of corpsmen, Den Gray remained below with the company on the hill to cover the other platoons. This meant that I participated in every activity, spending very little time in camp. I was outside our perimeter more than each individual Marine. It all became a routine; I would go out with one squad on a patrol during the day, come back, and a few hours later, go out with another squad on an ambush at night. I carried a pad of writing paper in one of the cargo pockets on the leg of my trousers. While on breaks, I would write home. When I finally went back down to Lima Hill twelve days later, I had written forty pages and sent them off in four envelopes with ten pages per envelope.

January 21, 1966

Dear Louise,

Here we are up on the Razorback. Right now we are sitting here on an ambush and there’s nothing to do so I decided to write you a letter.

We hiked up here yesterday with enough food in our packs for 3 days. We’re supposed to get supplied by helicopter.

This morning we started out on this patrol and just a few minutes ago set up our ambush.

From up here you can see the whole valley. It sure looks beautiful.

Right now some of the guys are cooking C-rations and other things.

Well, we got back from our ambush, we also checked out a couple of caves, but didn’t find anything. So we walked back to our area on the hill.

We have only enough food for about 2 more days, because the helicopter didn’t re-supply us today. That is we’ll have enough for 2 days if we only eat 2 meals a day and we are out of water also. We’re going to try and catch some in our ponchos, if it rains tonight.

Right now I’m sitting here on a rock on top of the Razorback looking out over the land below, sure looks neat. Hill all around with the Rockpile sticking up over to my right.

(Page 3 is missing)

I get down and send it off you will have a real long letter coming to you. Bye for today. I’ll continue maybe tomorrow if I get a moment or so to sit down.

Patrolling the Razorback was quite an experience. Leaving our perimeter, we passed through a defensive position where an M60 machine gun was posted. It was constructed of rocks piled up for cover with a dip near the middle to allow passage in and out of the perimeter. Outside, the jagged uneven terrain made it slow going. The top of the Razorback between our perimeter and the next hill narrowed, requiring us to walk straddling the ridge with one foot on either side until it widened out several hundred yards later. Once past this obstacle, others presented themselves: stepping across large fissures, climbing rock faces, and traversing narrow ledges along the sheer face. After a time or two out on the trails, we learned where the hand- and footholds were located and were able to move faster on the trails. The rough granite was harsh on our jungle boots, and the short hardy vegetation tore at our utility trousers. For days, the Razorback was shrouded in clouds creating a thick fog, limiting visibility of our surroundings. It had stopped raining except for the occasional shower.