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That Reminds Me of a Story about Capt. Darling

Stop me if you heard this one before, I was with Golf Co., 2Bn. 5th. Marines out of An Hoa. We were resupplied in the field with fresh water that came in BIG WHITE JUGS that would glow at night. I S—T you not! They could be seen for miles and miles at night. We had to take turns humping the things because they were so bright during night movements. Then, the C.O. (Lt.) gets his orders for flight training and leaves the bush. His replacement was Cpt. Darling and there was a lot of talk about him being a Grunt Officer. One of the changes he ordered is no more resupply of fresh water—which tasted bad anyways. He explained that we would get our water from the wells and so forth in the bush and for the most part we did. The few times during the summer that we could not find a water source; we learned something about ourselves and what we were willing to do to deal with our thirst. Yes, we drank some very disgusting water and it’s true some of us got some strange affects from the water but we never had to carry a target on our backs. Which was a fair trade as far as we were concern—Cpt. Darling never took unnecessary risk with our lives and that was “o.k. in my book” if you know what I mean…..Semper Fi Marines!!
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Comments

Gary Sprinkle - May 4, 2020

In reply to A. Troy Morris, Sgt. USMC 1964-68.
Capt ‘Buck’ Darling was CO of Charlie company when I joined it at Hill 54 July 4th, 1966. One of the most savvy Co’s you’d ever want. He retired a Colonel and sadly he passed away in his sleep a number of years ago.

Marco Rojas - May 4, 2020

I was in VN 66/67. He was the CO for Delta Co In Dec of 66. Then he was transfered to Charlie. Good Capt.

A. Troy Morris, Sgt. USMC 1964-68 - May 4, 2020

In reply to Richard Zell.
Buck Darling was CO of C company when they were on Howard’s Hill ( 488 Nui Vu ).

Donald Johnson - May 4, 2020

I recall in May of 1968, the company that I was in,(Echo 2/5) , was sent into the mountains to assist our sister co, Golf. They had been on a mountain op when they found a hidden NVA hospital. They were overpowered and took heavy casualties. A medivac helicopter was shot down. We got to them about sunset, and enlarged their perimeter. That night we spent the night with 17 brave marines from Golf who gave their lives in that operation. The next morning all the gooks were gone

Earl Powell - May 4, 2020

OOH-RAH!!!

Richard Zell - May 4, 2020

In reply to A. Troy Morris, Sgt. USMC 1964-68.
CAPT Buck Darling was my mentor when I arrived in Vietnam in Feb 67 and joined 1/5. He had previously commanded Bravo Company and was the CO when Bravo rescued Gunny Howard’s (MOH) Recon Team (the most decorated small team during the Vietnam War). I met Buck when he left B Co and became H&S CO in Feb of 67. When he rotated out of RVN IN May 67, I lost my mentor. I was fortunate to be adopted by then 1st Lt Dave McInturf (who in two tours commanded every company in 1/5). Take your pick, Darling and McInturf,no finer men ever led Marine Companies during the Vietnam War. The three of us stayed friends for the next four decades. Unfortunately, both Col Darling and Lt Col McInturf have passed on and I feel the loss all the time. SEMPER Fi, Capt Richard Zell (USMC,Retired) former commander of both 1st Platoon and Company Commander of A Company, RVN 1967

A. Troy Morris, Sgt. USMC 1964-68 - May 4, 2020

That was “Buck” Darling, one of the best Marine Infantry Officers of the Viet Nam War. C 1/5 1966 Proud to have served with him.

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