HAWG - Exploits of an A-10 Fighter Squadron in Afghanistan

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - So you're the one responsible for my getting shot the first time. Two weeks and a day after you left, April 17, 1969, they missed you so badly they took it out on me. I was not in country long. I left out McChord on December 19, 1968 and returned to CONUS in late July. I was in a comma for a month, and left shortly after coming to -- probably within a week. Having been shot in the head four times, I didn't know if I was afoot or horseback, so I'm not sure when I left. I refuse to even guess about the date for fear of being wrong and sounding like a wannabe. I really don't like counting my first month in Viet Nam as it was spent going through the four week Recondo School at Nha Trang. I don't like counting my last month because I was asleep. So my DD-214 shows I was there for eight months, but I only like to say I was there for five months. That was the only time I felt as though I was in harm's way -- January 19, 1969 through June 20, 1969. I loved it in Viet Nam -- except for two days.

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - Yeah, the part that amazed me was how they could turn those tight circles and remain on target. Practice, practice, practice.

While I don't much agree with this, especially the order of things, it does allude to Puff saving my sorry ass. Without Puff, we were dead.
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/5119

SGT Robert Pryor - I also had departed from McCord to go to Vietnam, I'm happy to say though I never qualified a Purple Heart. I never even had a cold while in Vietnam but then I figure with all the shots I got before going they must have covered every disease known to mankind.

SGT Robert Pryor - I would agree with You on being thankful for "Puff" or "Spooky" as We called it at Da Nang. Without the AC47 a few times I might not be here either but I am. I saw what happened to them but a least it wasn't me ! Good work on the response that earned the DFC for You !