Comments:| Well, not much I can say from here, not sure anyone is listening. I will say I fired expert everyday at the rifle range, and if I would have had the shot I would have hit the SOB that killed me. You see I was on a patrol near Hill 10, south of Danang on Sept. 19, 1966, when we were ambushed. I was carrying the prc 25 radio for the first time, and it seemed the fire was directed at that damn radio, and me. I was hit in the upper groin area initially, and went down. The squad returned fire but all hell was breaking loose. I tried to stay low and look for a target when a Corpman worked his way up to me and started to put on a compress direct pressure bandage as the bleeding was pretty bad.
His movements seemed to draw more fire and we were both hit, me some more in the abdomen, and that incredibly brave corpman in the back several times.
The next thing I remember I awoke in the Danang hospital after being medevaced by chopper, and do not have good recall of that evac and who called in the chopper. They said I did and also returned fire to protect the LZ, but I do not remember much.
They kept me in the Danang hospital for about six weeks, during which my bud from grade/high school got in to see me. Jim Kenney (who was with Lima)and I were like brothers, only I got the good looks...but I guess he got the good luck! Jim K. told me he took a round in his M-14 magazine, which stopped the hollow point bullet, and I told him to keep his head down, as he never could take care of himself without me!
I managed to drop some weight in the Danang hospital, as it seemed there was not much left of my stomach. I went from 170 lbs, to about 120lbs. From Danang I was transferred to the Naval hospital in the Phillipines, which was a really nice, clean, hospital, and is where I somewhat celebrated my 20th birthday. My wife (we were married just before shipping out) and mom had flown over to be with me, although she said I did not talk much. My wife just pretty much held my hand, and I just wanted to look at her eyes (although I was definetly looking forward to moving on from the eyes!)
From the Phillipines I was sent to the Bremerton Naval Hospital , Bremerton, Wa. It seemed kind of run down compared to the nice hospital in the Phillipines. I continued to lose weight, and was now down to about 100 lbs (not carrying too much fat over my 6 ft. frame) but by Christmas was feeling better and told my wife we should be thinking about babies and names! As I could not wait to be with her and out of that place!
Well, unfortunately someone had something else in mind, as I went down hill quickly after Christmas, and died Jan.1, 1967. They said it was "ward" disease? But, who knows, it was just a bad deal!
My buddy Jim Kenney got the news about the end of January, in the form of a letter from my wife. Jim K. said he knew what it was to be a warrior after that, but I know I did not want him to do anything he could not live with, but also to not cut our enemy any slack when he had the chance!
I want to thank all of those who cared for me, I know they did their best. I want to especially thank the Corpman who gave his all to try to help me; he is a true hero as he gave his life in trying to help another.
Semper Fidelis,
James Harold (Jim) Barker |
Served with Kilo Co 3/1 from 4/66 to 9/66, 2nd plt, 0311. |
