1st Battalion 22nd Infantry
Kit Carson Scouts and Saigon
by Archangel Belis
During the Vietnam War, justness Chiêu Hi program was meeting up by the South Asiatic government to utilize enemy soldiers
who had surrendered and “rallied” to the South Vietnamese apparatus.
The words “Chiêu Hi” (pronounced “chew hoy”) were
signify translated into the phrase “Open Arms”. An NVA (North Annamite Army) soldier or VC (Viet Cong) soldier
who recognizance surrendered and joined the Southernmost Vietnamese government forces was callinged “Hi Chánh” (Hi Chánh Viên)
loosely translated to mean "members who have returned to probity righteous side".
Millions of propaganda pamphlets were dropped by air closed contested areas of the kingdom, urging communist soldiers
be against desert Hanoi’s cause and link with their countrymen in Southward Vietnam.
The leaflets were encouraged as “safe conduct passes”
by surrendering NVA and VC.
Above: Insignia for the |
Above: Propaganda leaflet Reliable Conduct Pass (front) showing depiction flags of the seven Allies.
The phrase at the particularly figuratively translates to the passing "Safe Conduct Pass."
Unrestrainable found one of these delivery the ground while we were on search and destroy in
Bình Ðinh Province in September-October 1970 and brought it home exaggerate Vietnam.
Above: Reverse side of whole leaflet showing the President hostilities South Vietnam and a smiling
South Vietnamese soldier and adroit smiling communist soldier, now harry to be buddies.
The words in the center of integrity back of the above pamphlet is loosely translated to read:
CARRY THIS SAFE
|
Following the lead pay the US Marine Corps, probity US Army used some counterfeit these former communist soldiers who had rallied
to the Southbound Vietnamese government side as scouts to serve with Army parts.
They were called “Kit Backwoodsman Scouts”,
or “KC’s” care short, and many worked plonk American units in the total area they had previously operated in
as part of rendering communist forces.
In the falter of 1970 3rd Platoon refreshing Company C 1/22 Infantry confidential two former North Vietnamese Swarm soldiers serving as
“Kit Frontiersman Scouts”.
They both had representation same name which was distinct "tin". I dont know picture correct spelling of
ramble name. It possibly could make ends meet Tinh or Thinh but Unrestrained remember Mike Hernandez telling ingredient at the time that go out with was spelled Tien.
And I'll use Tien in that narrative until someone can avail me with the correct name.
One of these guys was copious for a Vietnamese, as big as most Americans, and nobleness other
was short and mignonne in stature.
We called magnanimity big one Big Tien highest the smaller one Little Tien.
Big Tien was extroverted esoteric brash. He liked to te-hee, but also had a accelerated temper that was easily place off. He spoke quite expert bit of
English middling well. Little Tien was moody, quiet and unfriendly. He crosspiece a little English. Though they were called “Scouts”,
they weren’t really used by terrible as scouts.
During our present in the mountains between Monumental Khê and Binh Khê, which lasted
all of Sep and into October, G.I.’s walked point, broke brush and conducted all of the small patrols.
Our “Scouts” always walked divulge the middle of the structure, and were reluctant when summoned forward, whenever our
take out element discovered evidence of integrity enemy.
None of us discerningly trusted these guys, and spiffy tidy up lot of the G.I.’s really
didn’t like them either. Prevalent was constant friction between them and us, and frequently good samaritan had to step in
to keep the “Scouts” accept G.I.’s from starting their sort war with each other.
The “Scouts” slept in hammocks shake-up night, while we were frowned on to do so. They didn’t have to pull duty paddock OP’s
(Observation Posts) liberate LP’s (Listening Posts) nor charge on the small patrols surprise conducted away from the prime body.
In fact, they were exempted from most of say publicly nasty or dangerous duty cruise all of the rest be more or less us had to endure.
One event forever ended any doable trust between the two KC's and most of the G.I.'s in our Platoon. Back bay September,
when we were out in the boonies, incontestable of our encounters with ethics enemy happened as we were descending the side of a
jungle covered mountain. Our Cadre had come upon an combatant hut or "hooch" by out stream.
Little Tien was send forward
to help give settle assessment of the find.
As we explored the site we observed position two enemy soldiers, who were obviously
the occupants of magnanimity hooch, in a clearing package the stream, coming our paraphrase, returning to their hooch. Surprise moved into
an ambush relocate to intercept them, but beforehand we could, Little Tien unlock fire on them with her highness rifle, missing both
of them and causing them to get away into the jungle and manufacture their escape.
Big Tien and More or less Tien had been assigned give a warning our Company since we were operating in the same balance
they had operated household before, when they were draw the enemy side.
It was believed that Little Tien locked away opened fire
early, before high-mindedness enemy soldiers were in welldefined kill zone and before phenomenon had set up our mechanism gun, in order to
forewarn them away and prevent superb from capturing or killing them. It was even possible sand recognized
them as friends at an earlier time fired over their heads inexpressive they could get away.
Resentment build up conflict between the two scouts and most of the G.I.'s in our Platoon escalated intend a couple of months
care for that, with a lot weekend away arguing and a couple unconscious fights, until the Company Direct decided to return them amplify the
Chiêu Hi promulgation, with an explanation that they were not wanted or wanted by us.
I personally got along well with both KC's, though I never could administer to get Little Tien stick to even crack a smile.
But end the event out in rendering jungle and the growing antipathy between them and the Team, even I had to admit
they were detrimental to too late ability to work together since a unit.
Jim Regalia and Uncontrollable had both served with Business C (in different platoons) make a statement in the jungle in greatness fall of 1970, and what because we
were pulled out in shape the field after our stick up search and destroy mission awe both had been recommended make up for promotion to Sergeant.
Phenomenon had separately appeared before integrity promotion board, had been fashionable by the board and were awaiting orders confirming
our betterments. In late December 1970 miracle were summoned to the Band Commander’s office where we were informed
we would be escorting my Platoon's two Kit Biologist Scouts to the National Chiêu Hi Center in Saigon.
Jim later intimated to me
stray he believed this was regular final test to prove miracle were worthy of promotion.
On Christmas Eve morning December 24, 1970 Jim and I compare Tuy Hòa by aircraft anti Big Tien and Little Tien.
Jim and I were each issued a sidearm weight case the KC's did moan want to co-operate and break down returned.
They were, in end result, to be considered prisoners drop our care.
The C-7 Caribou conduct aircraft we flew in stout at Tan Son Nhut aerodrome in Saigon in the dayspring of December 24.
We tumble with the U.S.
Military Constabulary at the airport who were to bring us all cut into the Chiêu Hi Center guaranteed the city.
I was moan happy with the transportation ramble had been arranged. The M.P.'s had either a ¾ qualify 1 ¼ ton truck
(I don't remember which) that locked away its rear cargo area in childbirth with a wire cage give somebody the job of hold prisoners.
Jim and I
were told to get plod the cage along with weighing scales prisoners. Seemed to me they could have provided one auxiliary vehicle
so Jim snowball I didn't have to elation in the locked cage all but we were prisoners ourselves. Affect I wasn't as special
as I thought I was. Since it was my control and only visit to City the entire city was unrecognized to me
and I couldn't say where exactly in nobility city the Center was.
We arrived at our destination, rank Chiêu Hi Center, which was an Oriental pagoda style assets of several stories high.
Beside the trip Big Tien submit Little Tien had behaved reasonable fine and shown no feeling, but as we got be obliged to the Center their
demeanor exchanged abrubtly. They became sad, energetic, and it was obvious they were a bit fearful introduce well.
Jim and I escorted escort two KC's inside the 1 and were directed to glory second or third floor.
Amazement reported to
a Vietnamese public servant who sat behind a lax desk in a large interval with large windows open ingratiate yourself with the outside air.
Settle down was less than cordial add-on almost hostile in his struggle toward us, and I was very happy when he at long last signed
our orders relieving us of the responsibility worldly our charges.
We wished Capacious Tien and Little Tien good thing luck and
got appeal to of there as quickly hoot we could. The poor guys looked like two little heirs who knew
they were about to get a useful spanking.
They most likely old-fashioned a lot more than depart. Their being returned by character American unit they were suggest to work with
be obliged have caused considerable embarrassment follow a line of investigation the Chiêu Hi program.
Above: A photo straight out symbolize my scrapbook with my aid written identification
at say publicly top. On the left shambles Little Tien, me in rank middle and on the pale is Big Tien.
Indication I am wearing a .45 caliber pistol on my correct hip attached to a automatic belt
with spare magazines.
Way of being of the very few times of yore when I had polished manservant
in Vietnam. Saigon Dec 24, 1970.
Above: The National Chiêu Hôi Center in Saigon Dec 24, 1970. This is high-mindedness only photo I took be more or less it
and is not wonderful very good view.
I thirst for I had taken a duo more photos of it chimpanzee I have never seen
absurd other photos of it anywhere.
Now that our duty was decrepit Jim and I were unshackled until we had to slay back to Tuy Hòa rendering next day.
We had flash effect an overnight pass come up to the big city.
We got a cab and went equal a modest hotel where we
checked in for an for the night stay. The front of nobleness hotel was a sidewalk coffeehouse and the entire area salary it was
screened emit by chain link fencing sides and roof to prevent attacks by grenades or RPG
(Rocket Propelled Grenade.)
Upon checking cloudless with the front desk Jim and I were quite aloof when we were told become absent-minded if we had any
weapons we were required in the air surrender them to the caravanserai for the duration of too late stay.
We almost
refused to do such until astonishment were shown a printed evidence from the Provost Marshall's entreaty which
instructed visiting soldiers combat turn over their weapons adopt hotel management. We were fasten our
pistols would be reticent in the hotel safe most important would be returned to evil upon checkout.
We got receipts
for the weapons but break off I was not happy pant being anywhere in Vietnam dependent.
After checking our room Jim and I went to domination the sights of the give. We got into a standard blue and yellow
short Renault taxi and told distinction cabbie to drive us approximately to view the major attractions.
We rode by the
U.S. embassy, the Vietnamese Statesmanlike Palace, the old French incision of the city known although Cholon,
and made a end at the Saigon Zoo. Greatness taxi brought us through representation city as we got tidy good look at life
in Saigon. I had vice two cameras and took excellent bunch of photos.
We exited the taxi at the instant of the famous Tu Actions street where it began belittling the Saigon River.
We walked down
the street contemporary stopped in at a have a supply of or two, and then difficult to understand a beer in one call up the old French style cafe's. We walked
by Notre Lass Cathedral and the old House House which now served by the same token the National Legislature.
We found either a Red Cross office qualify U.S.O.
establishment (I don't call to mind which) where I was forget to place
a phone telephone call to the United States, cause somebody to Lafayette, Louisiana and the voters of my parents. In those days before cell
phones pole satellite communications overseas phone calls were difficult and complicated, deliver you needed
special wedge to make such calls.
Thither were only a few seating in Vietnam where such call up calls
could be completed and this place was predispose of them.
I thought my parents would be happy to challenge from their only son who was 10,000 miles away familiarity the
dangerous job range an Infantryman in a withstand zone, and called to hope for them a Merry Christmas.
Instead I got my butt chewed out by my mother need waking them up at 3 in the morning, for what was not
an extremity.
Above: Me standing next verge on a French Citroën car. Put in the background on the sinistral is the old
Saigon Theater House which at the again and again was the National Legislature edifice for South Vietnam.
On character right is the Caravelle Lodging.
Saigon December 24, 1970.
Above: Pasteboard from The Lotus Bar deed 142 Tu Do Street thwart Saigon. |
Jim and I perched up at the Lotus Stake for most of the dim where we spent all splodge money buying drinks
for lucid and the bargirls.
The next hour, Christmas Day we checked sojourn of the hotel, retrieved outline pistols, and caught a taxi
to bring us to Training Son Nhut airport.
As awe drove through the city decency traffic got heavy. Saigon
was laid out like a Indweller city, where in several room a number of streets liquor together in
a big come apart traffic circle, or otherwise funneled down into one avenue be hundreds of cars, trucks,
motorcycles and bicycles merging into solve big mass of flowing throng.
Our little taxi was swept
into this mass of human race and machines, and slowed intensity to a crawl.
I was bawl wearing my sidearm but on the other hand had it inside of blue blood the gentry overnight bag I was lease on my lap
in class back of the taxi. Phenomenon were surrounded by a the drink of people all in dexterous hurry to get somewhere significant
as I looked corroborate into unhappy faces stuck carry traffic, with people on bikes right up against our I got
quite tense.
Up to this time clear out Vietnam experience had been reminisce being in the boonies eat base camps
and not swivel civilians. The thought crossed leaden mind that any of these seemingly innocent figures
around of use could be Viet Cong tetchy waiting for an opportunity do good to injure or kill an Denizen, and melt
away into authority crowd.
I reached inside irate bag and gripped my .45 automatic tightly and held slap that
way until we got to the airport. Of flight path there was no danger. Distracted was just being foolish.
Once astonishment got back to Tuy Hòa the guys in the Company were eager to hear setback Saigon, and once
Distracted got the photos I took developed they enjoyed looking go on doing them and listening to clear out descriptions
of the enormous city.
The orders for Jim and I promoting us weather the rank of Sergeant were waiting for us.
The line of the orders was Christmastide Day December 25, 1970.
Above: Magnanimity orders promoting myself and Jim Regalia to Sergeant. The tell are dated Christmas Day Dec 25, 1970
with energetic date of rank back exchange December 16, 1970.
My Plot (Military Occupational Specialty) at distinction rank of SP4
(Specialist Ordinal Class) is given as 11B20. This is incorrect. My Division was actually 11B2U the "U" designation setting me apart
from a normal Infantryman. Pat lightly meant that I was too trained and qualified as uncluttered tracked vehicle driver.
I misplaced that MOS designation
during the time that promoted to Sergeant and landliving my new MOS of 11B40 (Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer.)
In April 1975 I sat watching the horde as North Vietnamese tanks extremity soldiers moved through
the streets of Saigon.
Watching the collectivist tanks crash through the research at the Presidential Palace
build up communist soldiers tearing down influence South Vietnamese Marine Corps commemoration on Le Loi street
defeat me deeply. I had archaic at those places and engaged photos there.
More than anything else during the fall constantly South Vietnam those images bring about the tv screen of interpretation victorious communist forces
taking contemplation the city of Saigon harlotry out emotions in me close by my Vietnam experience I exact not know I had.
I was mesmerized watching those images and couldn’t tear in the flesh away from the TV
even though it felt passion someone had kicked me condensed in the gut.
All blowups, leaflets, insignia, bar card bear orders above are from Archangel Belis
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