I am shown in the back of the Weapons Carrier, as we headed through downtown DaNang taking the dogs to China Beach for a swim.

This group picture is in DaNang Afld, circa early 1971 on a Weapons Carrier full of dogs and gun fighters on the way to post. The red head on the left was David Stafford with Duke who we called “Puppy King.” Dave and I had gone through the Air Force Pipeline at Lackland AFB, Texas for Basic Training – Security Police School – Sentry/Patrol Dog School – and Air Base Ground Defense. After ten straight months, we were shipped off to DaNang, Vietnam. We missed the 68 Tet Offensive, but they didn’t call DaNang “Rocket City” for nothing. We worked the distant perimeter fences between bunkers that were manned by Marines who were pulled out and replaced by ARVN troops in mid-1971. I liked working with the Marines a WHOLE lot better!

The other picture is Dave Stafford and Duke. It’s funny what they say about humans and dogs sharing “personality traits” after they’ve been together for awhile. These two both had the same attitude, and I guess it was only coincidence that they both had red hair! My last and undoubtedly the hardest day in Vietnam was saying goodbye, not just to my best friend, but a five year combat veteran. I rotated out in October 71, but I will always remember King X765.