Vietnam Army Ranger Tales
By Phil Mayrand
Not all that happens in war is sad/grim/ugly.
In 1969 while I was in Co. F, 75th. Inf. Rangers, several Ranger LRP (Long Range Patrol) Teams were sent TDY (temporary duty) to Tay Nihn. We were treated like ‘redheaded stepchildren’ with regard to facilities from which we would deploy Ranger Teams in that AO (area of operations).
We were billeted in an area aboard Tay Nihn (a/k/a ‘Rocket City’) that had a few old hooches, no bath or chow facilities, water, or electricity. Our ‘acquisitions man’ soon came up with a ‘spare’ generator for electricity. We had an elevated wing tank for showers, but, no water. We had to beg for chow in various chow halls and make up the rest as we went. Right beside our tiny compound was a fairly large Army Signal (communications) group…they lived and worked in air-conditioned bunkers and had complete facilities including a chow hall.
After my first mission from Tay Nihn, a group of us on stand down were having a few beers and came up with a solution to our problems. We had a fairly large supply of CS gas grenades, the wind was just right, so we quietly lined up on the perimeter of the communications compound and proceeded to gas the heck out of them!
We ran like hell, laughing the whole way back. We were all in the command hooch passing a bottle around and telling lies. The Senior NCO in charge of us was a E-7 named Karobowski. Shortly after that, the first Sargent of the communications unit knocked on the hooch door and asked who was in charge.
Karobowski spoke up. The communications first sergeant announced with a growl: “Sarge, we’re having a company picnic tomorrow and we want ya’ll to come. We have a great chow hall you can use anytime, as well, we have flush type toilets and hot showers that you are welcome to use. In fact, you guys can have practically anything you want from us as long as you’ll promise not to gas us again!”
On another tdy assignment, several Ranger Teams were sent to a tiny Navy PBR (Patrol Boat, River) base called Tra Cu that was very remote and only accessible by helicopter or by water. Again, we were “low man on the totem pole” and had very little in the way of needed facilities. Begrudgingly, the Navy fed us and housed us in a couple of old hooches.
The problem was they didn’t want to sell us beer when we came in on stand down between missions. The Navy had a little screen room beer bar that we used even though the reception by the Navy guys for us was cold. My Ranger Buddy, Bob Newsom and I cooked up a solution. We defused a 28mm grenade (and, for safety, tested it to make sure it was safe), and then reassembled it by putting the ‘spoon’ and pin back in place. So Newsom and I went to the beer bar for a few beers. After we had consumed a few beers, we proceeded to fain an argument about one owing money to the other. We kept ramping the ‘argument’ up until the entire bar was watching the LRPs (pronounced “lurps”) as we were the only ones in camouflaged fatigues and were considered crazy to begin with. Newsom holds the spoon down and pulls the pin out and puts the grenade on the booth table and says if I don’t pay up he’ll throw the grenade. At that point, I said, “Hey, I don’t care, I carry a half case of grenades to the field on every mission…go ahead and throw it!”
At this point, all the Navy guy’s eyes are as big as saucers. Newsom then ‘pops the spoon’ and throws the grenade in the center of the room. The Navy guys almost tore the screen room down trying to get away from the grenade. After that, we never had any problem getting all the cold beer we wanted from the Navy!
Phil Mayrand, Jr., Co. F, 75th. Inf. Rangers (Airborne), LRP (Long Range Patrol), class of ’69 .
any brothers living from co. h 75th, 1st cav.vietnam.
Steve Camp
H Co
1971
I am trying to find information on my Uncle John Holifield, from Dorton Kentucky. He used to tell us that he was sent in to train the Vietnam Civilians. Does anyone by chance know him?
H Campany. 69-70. From Tennessee
The Bob Newsome, Mayrand (whom I’ve met once) was a very special person in .my life. He was wounded on a creep with Phi and the rest. Bob took two (i believe) in the leg. The damage was extensive and he never regained anywhere close to full use.
I met Bob in 1992 when he came to my recently retired Army and Nam vet, father’s shop. They know each other for decades. Boo actually drove my dad’s school bus,,Bob was a couple years older than Pop.
Anyway I knew when I turned 18 I was going in the Army and wanted to be a Ranger from a very early age. Most k8ds grow up idolize Barry Sanders, Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson. I idolized real HEROS and Bob quickly became one of mine.
Bob always encouraged me. When I joined and left for Basic Bob wrote and encouraged me. Jump school, RIP and even after getting to 1st Batt we spoke regularly. I’d go see him when I went home. After I got out i moved my wife and kids to Ga. and ended up joining the GA NG ad deployed to Afghanistam
Bob wrote, sent care packages and encouraged me. We remained in contact until that day my Dad called and told me Bob had passed.
Bob had a heart of gold. It broke my heart when he left here.
Bob never told me the story of the mission he was wounded on until I specifically asked. I did so because I called in a couple favors and got the official narratives and the silver star recommendation. Bob was a true friend and I miss him greatly.. Rangers Lead the Way!
any brothers living from CO. H 75th, 1st cav., vietnam
any co. 75th, 1st still alive
I am close to death with throat cancer. you know the words …..we lead the way………will forever be on my lips. funny , some things I never forget, some things, scare me and I do not know why. That shit sucks……..I am proud of having served…….john
John, I am sad to hear about about your cancer…hang in there Ranger…agent orange? We’ve lost way too many Vietnam Rangers to cancer. While we have lost many Rangers from Vietnam, I am sure there are H Co veterans alive that would love to hear from you…are you in the Brevard area?
RLTW, Phil
If you were in my AO I’d take care of you. Former 91C/91B medic, and still Registered Nurse. 92nd Engineers Combat Heavy
May God bless you Ranger I served with K company in 1970
I’did not get my tab I left Vietnam Nov 68 all lrrp were rangers75 in Jan ,69
thank
you
Jesus
for
a
ranger
that
went
before
us
(me)
free
songs
at
lil red train jeff nelson youtube
two dollar blues jeff nelson youtube
wivvin in a rock, and roll world youtube we just released for all
rangers that got to kill
the right people
for the right reason
(before me)
not sure if we
will able
to put out
the right people
for the right reason
alone
One of the first in Co.F, 51st Inf.Airborne L.R.P. Went home June 68.All Co.F went to the 75 the Rangers in January 69. 11B,91A, 05B and 11F.
I am the son of a H co Ranger, he spoke with much pride and a huge grin of all the great men he served with!
Can I get a shout-out from any C Co. 75th Ranger Regiment—Vietnam???
My grandpa was a 173rd airborne ranger from c company 75th reg.
the 173rd rangers were N Company not C Company
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