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By Fred Jensen 1st Lt 64-66 Grandsons #2 [Christopher-20] and #3 [Joe-19] happened to see the hat and asked me what "First Mobile" meant. They had more questions, and I showed them some pictures of missions and explained some of it. I was surprised at their interest ... none of my family have ever pressed me much about the war. Near the end of "show-and-tell," Joe said to me, "You're very proud of the men on your teams, aren't you Grandpa?" I've had several weeks to digest that, and I find that first off, I *am* very proud to have worn the Black Hat, more so than I usually admit or think about. I remember a quick small mission to put in some TRC-24's to support an infantry unit somewhere quite a bit north of Pleiku. We were to get it installed and running and then turn it over to a signal company and leave. We were there a little ahead of the soldiers, and when they got there, a LtCol came up to us. It was abundantly clear that his day had not been particularly satisfying or successful so far. I saluted him, told him we had his comm ready, and he turned to his SgtMaj and said, "The Black Hats are here. At least our damned comm will work!" That an Infantry Bn Cmdr would know and think anything like that was the sustained doing of everyone in the MOB, and I thank all of you for the chance to relish in that moment. It took everyone doing their job, day in and day out, to make that happen for me and my small team. Thanks, and thank you all for your service. I had a lot of teams and a lot of missions from mid 64 to the end of 66. Some basically fun [Utapao, Korat, Pitsanlouk, for example], one sort of weird ... we were about the first American troops at NKP, with a MRC-80 to Udorn, and living at Mr. Wandee's "Civilized Motel and Bungalow" downtown. Our winch was broken, a team of lumberjack elephants happened by, and they hauled up the remaining antenna for us. We watched the 5th TAC arrive in C-123's. The Lima Sites weren't a lot of fun, and a couple of missions were downright hard ... the MRC-98 on Hill 184 at Cam Ranh Bay comes to mind. Alan and Stormy and I had earlier surveyed that shot to Vung Tau before there were any Americans on the peninsula, and that 600 ft sand dune was the only viable location for the radio. A really crummy trip from Nha Trang on a couple of flat-bottomed Army LCM's got us and our initial gear to the bottom of the hill. We climbed to the top, and I said, "We're going to put the MRC-98 right there." A totally appropriate response from the team would have been, "Oh great! We're stuck on this friggin sand dune and our Lieutenant is completely nuts!" The response I actually got was, "OK, let's get started." That was sooo First MOB! I never want to see C-rations again -- especially ham and lima beans -- I wouldn't mind having a P-52 or two however. But we built the site, and it worked. Hank Tao turned out to be the "Bobby Flay of the First MOB," and we actually ate good in all that sand. To all the guys on my teams, thanks. Thank you for your ungodly competence. Thank you for your courage. And, thank you for your loyalty and trust. I have a confession for the Hill 184 guys, now after 42 years. When I told you "We're going to put the MRC-98 right there," I didn't really have a single clue as to how we would do it, and you'd have been rational to think I was nuts. I remember telling that Capt in the 5th Sig Bn that was our mission, and he said, "Give me a break, how are you going to do that?" I told him I didn't know, but "My guys will figure it out." You did, and thanks for your ingenuity, dedication, strength, and loyalty. I had a PCS to Bien Hoa throughout 67, it wasn't what I expected, it was painful in several ways, and I'd just as soon forget it. My MOB days are special though, few got the trust and dedication I got, I hope you all know I care, and I hope I can remember that 'til I die. Best Regards, and thanks Fred Jensen 1Lt 64-66 (For Fred's contact information email Don.) |
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