"Crew Chief on the Ground & in the Air"

"Crew Chief on the Ground & in the Air"
Submitted by -SGT Ed Grisham. 11 Bravo, 3rd PLT LZ English

1970-71. I would like to add my two cents worth in regards to low level flight and other experiences that serving with the 219th Headhunters gave me. During my tour in 1970-1971 at LZ English working from the back as I did afforded me some opportunities that I might not have had with other platoons (good or bad). Of course, many Crew chiefs and Observers experienced the same types of situations on a different days and possibly a different AO but regardless, I think that we all would agree and stand united when I say that anytime we left the ground we as a crew were very vulnerable to having our asses shot down to say it mildly! During my tour at LZ English I believe because of its isolated distant location away from the Company area the enlisted and officers alike mingled probably a little closer than some of the other platoons. Of course, I fully understand why the separation between the ranks but, at English sometimes survival of the basic commodities was hard to come by therefore Enlisted as well as Officers were forced to survive and scrounge together. I firmly believe that this environment forged a very strong bond between us all that I consider a privilege to have encountered and has lasted until this day. Oh, Lance Holmes will agree with me that if Major Arlie Deaton would have known how many times Lance and myself volunteered and left our compound on foot patrols with a 173rd Airborne unit we would still be locked up! I know you remember those early days Lance! The Jeep trip from LZ English to Phu Cat Airbase and back and the M-79 taking out the Water Buffalo is another story that I will save for another day.
 
Bob, when you mention that look in the eyes of that particular VC I can absolutely recall the same experiences numerous times that you describe. I may not remember what I had for breakfast yesterday but, I will tell you that there are many visions that flash through my mind on a frequent basis that create this scenario over and over again. I vividly remember targets of opportunity exposing themselves for me from the backseat on many occasions only because we were "cranking" tightly on our wingtip over a hole in the jungle canopy at "tree top level" that miraculously seemed to appear at the most opportune time. I'm certain that the Fishhook, An Loa, Sui Ca Valley, Tiger Mountains etc will bring back many memories to many of you out there. For-sure, getting back in one piece would not have happened if it were not for the excellent piloting skills of our pilots! Talk about flying by the "seat of your pants"!!  It is absolutely true that it was an everyday occurrence to be shot down on as well as up at when flying in and out of these valleys! I know first hand that we made a big difference to the successful outcome of many missions during our time and saved many lives allowing a few more of our comrades to come home and for this, I am proud of all of our service. 
 
Something that I have wanted to say to everyone (pilots & crew) for a long time is what an honor it was for me personally to serve with such a brave group of men! It has also been an honor to have attended all of the reunions besides the first one I believe that involved just a few folks. I know that we all are moving upward in ours years and one thing that is so humbling to me while attending our reunions is fact that when I look around the room and see aging warriors as our group is there is a constant reminder to me that these are the most brave men that ever went off to war because I saw many of you when you and I were young fighting men. You see, I know first hand how thoroughly competent our group was because I was there like all of us were regardless of rank and saw the constant bravery and sacrifices that the 219th was willing to make even at the risk of there own lives. I can honestly tell you that each and every time that I loaded up my weapons into the backseat that I would have sacrificed my life to bring my pilot back alive if I had the capacity to do so and I believe firmly that all of us back seaters, Crew chiefs etc  felt that responsibility to our pilots,,, our hero's! Sure, we are a tuff bunch but, as tuff as we all are I have the seen the tears well-up in the eyes of our aging warriors during the most intimate personal moments of tribute when our reunion group reflects on lost comrades during the war and since. 
 
For me personally, I can recall flying on many missions with no less than 8 different pilots during my 219th time. Of course, by nature each and every pilot had his own differentiating personality and flying habits, aggressiveness etc but, there was always one common denominator and that was to be the best that he could be each and every mission, even at "First Light" and after a hard night drinking! 
 
With that, I will close and wish all of you well and look forward to seeing all of you at the next reunion.