I arrived in-country in early Oct’66, assigned to the 151st Transportation Detachment. The first week I was there, in a morning formation the maintenance Sgt asked if anyone wanted to be a crew chief. Jim Morrison and I were the only two that raised our hands. They took Morrison because he had been incountry about two weeks longer than I. On Nov 23rd I started crewing. During the months that followed, every time someone would take a hit or something exciting would occur, Morrison wanted every detail. He said nothing ever happened to him. Morrison extended his tour, went home on extension leave and came back to us. On September 12th, on an insertion of troops on what was to become known as “million dollar hill” the LZ was mined. A mine went off near Morrison’s ship disabling it. Efrain Robledo was Morrison’s gunner that day because Bob Thomas had the day off. Robledo was helping Morrison to get to a rescue ship and the crew chief of that ship, Robert Garcia, came over to help them. Morrison stepped on another mine. He and Robledo were killed instantly and Garcia was mortally wounded and died on the 14th. This was the last mission I ever flew. Being a short timer I felt like I had cheated death for 10 months and it was time to give it up. Morrison’s regular gunner, Bob Thomas, was killed on his 2nd tour on 4 May’69.

Jim and I had a love/hate relationship. I dont ever remember flying with Jim. What i do remember is that he had a great right hook as my jaw can testify. He would pick on me about being from the south and I would call he call him a pure bred yankey. To he and I, it was all in fun. Although every now and then we would get carried away with it. Even then we were always friends. You never know how much you really care about someone till they are gone. RIP Jim. Your old punching bag………………Smitty

Jim, RIP buddy, you were sweet on my older sister Nancy, but I always had a secret crush on you. I will never forget you, especially when the sad news came. I was only 11.