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THE "CAT" TEAM DANANG 1967,68

By: brendan Mc Carron

Reading one of the story’s about Da Nang and MPC’s Exchange reminded me of a similar experience.

I had a buddy named Dave Hill while stationed with the 1st MAW at Da Nang. Dave was a member of a group called the “CAT” which stood for civil affairs team. It was a position you wish you had.

Anyway Dave had access to a Jeep and carried a 45 on his belt.

One evening Dave and I decided to take a trip into Da Nang and party with some contractors he knew.

He also had a set of Captain and 1st Lieutenant bars. You now know where this story is heading.

The guards at the gate saluted us and waved us out.

When we got into the city of Da Nang and hooked with the contractors at their apt we sure did party. At this party was a Sergeant Major and a Master Sergeant.

I guess they had privileges the grunts did not. I swear these guys were calling us sir as we drank together. Any way we got bombed and then it was time to leave.

I still don’t know how we survived the trip back to base. I do remember one of us steered the Jeep

While the other one did the shifting and clutch work. I swear this is all true. We did survive and got saluted as we entered the tent area. Never got caught and i still have those Captain bars today.

And they bring back this memory every time I look at them.

As to the story on getting caught in the village/ MPC. This one reminded me of a party we had for a Sergeant ball who was going home. It was at the air force club on the other side of the airstrip at Da Nang airbase. Again we partied and I decided to take on any or all air force personal in the club. Next thing I know the MP’s had me and delivered me to our Sergeant major. He in turn put me in cage made from 4 metal pallets. It was 4ft by 4ft. There i spent the night hung over and very sore. You try sleeping on a metal pallet. Along with this punishment he also held up my promotion to Sergeant for six months if I stayed out of trouble. I was cured.

Vietnam sure sucked but some of us tried to have some fun.

I sure love those memories.

You marines who have story’s like these should share them with your buddies in this newsletter.

Semper fi marines and happy birthday to us all. Those of you that drink have a beer on me.

Send me a bill.

Brendan McCarron Nam 66/67.

A metal pallet floor.

Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or submit your own story!

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Comments

Corry Blount, Sgt. E-5 RVN 66/67 - June 16, 2020

John, I was with FLSG -A in RAT Platoon from 66/67and I don’t remember your name or Danny Bithers, where was it located when you were attached. Me and 3 buddies went to the Air Force compound one afternoon to go to their air conditioned theatre. We were stopped at the gate and told we could not be admitted without surrendering our weapons at the armory! Since Marines are not to be more that arm reach from said weapon we did not proceed. We were also told that Marines were not allowed into their E-Club because we were known as real troublemakers. Needless to say we never returned to their so refined environs! We did party however with the Aussie detachment and the Army Vet Detachment since these Doggies had unrestricted access to booze confiscated from the various PX’s in the Da Nang area!

Cpl. John DeStefano(aka duffle bag) - June 16, 2020

While TAD to FLSG-A as a radioman in 66. A friend (Donnie Bithers) and I decided to sneak into DaNang early one afternoon to go visit some young ladies in a skivy house, and to also enjoy a few alcoholic beverages. The hours passed very quickly, and we had no way back to the base. So we made our way to the river front where supplies were being unloaded from ships in the bay onto LCM’s. We caught a ride on a flat-bed loaded with bombs heading to ASP1. We were sitting on top of the load as if we were riding “shotgun” drunk as can be laughing and talking about the Gunny. Thinking how we had pulled one over on him. We finally got back to the tent area in the very early hours of the morning, and as we turned the corner. There he was, Gunnery Sgt Bouchard from I think Bangor, ME sitting on the steps (by this time the CB’s had built wooden decks with wire bulkheads and steps) our drunken laughter suddenly turned into solemn silence. He chewed our a$$ out good. A couple of hours later at morning formation he made an example of us. He gave us a choice Article 31 or do some chores for him. We chose the chores. He had us digging $hitters for 3 days. 6X6x until we. hit water. The temperature was 100°+. I will never forget him or that episode. He was a great Marine and he saved my a$$ more than once.

Kevin Sangster Cpl 3/9 ’91-’93 - June 16, 2020

F#@king great story….. Ooh-rah and Happy Birthday…..

Doug Lennon - June 16, 2020

See these guys had to stay locked up in the dog cages in Danang MP area just like the three of us. How could any Marine think another Marine would make up a story like mine and this one. Thank God we survived Nam to tell these stories, just never forgot our buddies that never made it back.

Skeet White - June 15, 2020

Hey good story IWas in the same unit on Hill 55 in 67-68 no mean full stories to tell E.F. Skeet White

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