Thank You Friendly Sergeant

While on duty at the 71st
We rotate through Charge of Quarters
From the beginning, my duty was cursed
For we soon had incoming mortars

Soon to follow was intense ground fire
A friendly on the ground radioed me
Warned: "expect enemy through your wire"
He could tell I was a CO medic draftee

Didn't have to call a soul
Everyone sprang into action
I really had little control
There was little interaction

I manned the communications
Coordinated with friendlies outside
The armed manned their stations
Providing fire from the inside

Another round of mortars coming in
Together with a rush was their plan
It was clear a fight was soon to begin
Someone yelled, "Get that lead man."

Friendly sergeant radioed to say
They were coming in from behind
That would save the day
If our forces could be combined

Enemy was soon surrounded
Sergeant radioed for us to take cover
Until the all clear sounded
And the gun battle was over

It didn't take the friendlies long
Lots of enemy wounded and dead
Only a few remained of the VietCong
Some of them fled

Lead man was our hospital barber
Had a pass to our compound
Seems he wanted another Pearl Harbor
Grenades strapped to his chest, wasn't messing 'round

We think they were after our medivac
Had a map to go right to them
But they are all still in tact
Couldn't get to them this AM

Mortars caused one fire
Our only loss was that flame
It's that friendly sergeant I admire
Never met him, never knew his name

Seemed to show up from nowhere
He sure did help our crew
We didn't have any men to spare
All I can say now is "Thank You"

David Rose - Vietnam Veteran - Combat Medic