My name is Dominick Fondo but everyone calls me Nick.
I served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1968 in Ft. Jackson, S.C., Ft. Benning, Ga., Germany, South Viet-Nam, Japan, with the last year at Ft. Dix N.J.
I started in Germany with the 8th Mountain Infantry from1964 to 1965 and then joined the best unit of all, 101st 1/327th Abn Inf A co. (Known as Abu) during the last part of December 1965 through December 1966. I was hit at a place called Dak-To. I was a machine gunner 3rd Platoon Abu. The 502nd became surrounded and we were at a dead run through the Jungle to relieve the pressure on them. We became encircled by the 24th NVA re-enforced regiment and were in a battle for our lives. The battle lasted for about two weeks. I was hit the first night as was my assistant Gunner Lawrence (Pineapple) Kalawe. Pete Griffin and I met I believe the first or second night of battle. He was inserted along with about four other 502nd guys was one of the best troopers I ever had the pleasure of serving with.
The chopper started taking heavy fire and had to leave. Pete and I were both in the Battle for Dak-To in 1966. It turned out that our brothers, Pete’s and mine were in Korea together. But we do not know if they knew each other. The first night all Pete and I did was load bodies on choppers. My MOS was heavy weapons. When I first arrived in the Company I was assigned to a Sgt. Martinez as a rifleman and soon thereafter Sgt. Mitchell of the Weapons Squad asked if I would take over as a Machine Gunner. When I told him I was very happy where I was, his reply was ” Well you know weapons platoon is looking for someone to carry (Hump) the base plate for the 81mm Mortar! Quick deduction 80-90 lb. base plate vs. 12 lb. machine gun… The machine gun won. Sgt. Mitchell wrote a book called ” Fate Unknown.” it is a truly wonderful read about life as a grunt in Nam.
Four of my brothers served, Michael D. Fondo (Deceased) Korea w/187th then 1st Cav. who as wounded at Pork Chop. Frank E. Fondo of U.S. NavyHard Hat School and Richard E. Fondo (Deceased) U.S. Navy and Ronald S. Fondo U.S. Navy. Mike and I would speak of our wartime experiences.
The worst part of Nam for me was when I would assist the medic and a Trooper would pass while holding him! Prior to Nam, I never so much as had a fight while growing up. But after Nam for many years I would become extremely angry and at times vicious if someone crossed me. Getting captured by the NVA was my greatest fear.
My return home was not a pleasant experience. One hippie made the mistake of calling me a baby killer. I went off on him and ended up in jail and he went to the hospital. Today I am rated 100% with total and permanent Disabled P.T.S.D. and 40% wounds.
My daughter is helping to produce a true, poignant and thought provoking video about suicide and survival www.indiegogo.com/…/i-chose-life-stories-of-suicide… Together, she and her associates are trying to help save the lives of combat veterans, victims of bullying and anyone in despair that is despondent and needs a helping hand to walk with them through the darkness and gloom of this life-threatening and indiscriminate dismal state of possible self-destruction.
No matter the cause, no matter what the stimuli; suicide is not the answer!
~ Nick Fondo, Vietnam Veteran
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