"Command PFC" - 697th, 561st and A-B/809th Engineer Battalion

    USA RET(2 years,7 months,hardship tour)

    Born:   19 Oct 47; graduated high school June'65, James Logan High, Union City, California;   I hired out with the railroad in Nov'65 in the shops in Oakland, California (right next door to the Oakland Army Base.)   I got my "greeting card" in Jan'68; at the last minute, I joined (RA) and was guaranteed a school in Aberdeen, Maryland for Automotive Repair (MOS 63H20.)

    So, after 8 weeks basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington, commencing on 9 Feb 68, and after 14 weeks of AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, I had orders for Thailand!   It was around the 10th week, during a formation, names were called out in alphabetical order starting from "A," and stopping at "K"   (minus NG's & ER's, of course) stating we were going to Thailand.   Everybody looked at each other then there was a deafening "Ya-hooooooo!" that could be heard several states away!   Even though no one had been there, we figured it had to be good.

    I arrived at Don Muang Airport, Bangkok on 2 Sept 68.   After disregarding the Chaplain's advice at the Prince Hotel in Bangkok, some of my AIT buddies and me had a rejuvinating rest of the day and all night in Bangkok!   (200 baht)    The next day, we were bused to Camp Friendship in Korat.   From there, to the 697 at the old Camp #44 (Camp USARTHAI.)   The month of September was basically a love fest (like so many others.)

    In October, they sent a bunch of us to Sattahip to join up with 2nd & 3rd platoons of the 697th.   I was stationed there from Oct'68 to June'69 at which time I transferred to the 561st at Camp Lightning.   In July, I was sent to B Co, 809th @ NKP with the 561st.   (Do you detect a pattern of moving around a lot?)   This was the army's way of dealing with "disgruntled employees."   I once wanted to see the I.G. (Inspector General) because of a black platoon sergeant always on my "case."   I was going to claim racial prejudice, in as much as he hated lazy, less-than-motivated "individuals.")   I finished out my first year in the Northeast.

    PCS'd in Aug'69 with orders for Ft. Bragg, North Carolina with a Maintenance Co.   A sheer reign of horror came over me!   While home on leave, I did a little playing around on the telephone and was connected to the Pentagon, Dept of the Army, Assignment Division, Enlisted Personnel.   I "hit pay dirt" with a sympathetic civilian clerk that asked me exactly where I wanted to go!   I said:   "Anywhere in Thailand!"   She told me to send her a copy of my present PCS orders, in care of her, and my new orders would arrive at the Overseas Replacement Center at the Oakland Army Base.   I sent that lady a dozen roses.   "Lo & behold" - toward the end of September'69, my orders for Thailand were there!

    I arrived for my second helping on 1 Oct 69.   I was assigned to A Co, 809th Engineer Battalion and for the first time,   I worked in my MOS!   I was sent TDY to Camp Metrapap at Guasman (between NKP and Sakon Nakorn)   This place was 60 'klicks' from nowhere and there -- guys had their 'tee-locks' living right there in the hootch with them!   "..died and gone to heaven."

    In March, I joined the MPs -- best job yet!   Lots of bribes; 6 on - 3 off; on the 3 day breaks - Bangkok, or Korat here we come!

    Then, in Sept'70, I was fired from the MPs for "suspicion of illicit activity" (and general purposes...)   I was sent back to A Co Motor Pool, but didn't give a flying ..'airplane,' because I was about to ETS!

    In January of that year (1970,)   I met my wife.   She was a housegirl at A Company.   (I "made the maid." <bg>)   Still married to her today, with 2 Thai/farang kids:   ages 24 & 28 - daughter the older.

    ETS:   Sept'70 & returned to my job at the railroad.   I must have been homesick for the railroad because while in Thailand, I was laying 'thais' often.   <rofl>

    Some of the Thai workers called me "kee-mow" Fanta, (Fanta Soda) since that's what I always drank...

    Command P.F.C. Mike Ellis
    FTA697@aol.com