We have begun learning about Tracy’s Dave Ziemke, who enlisted in the Army in June 1967. He completed Basic Training and then Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a field wireman. The war in Vietnam was in high gear, so Dave and his fellow trainees had no illusions about their follow-on assignments.

Dave recalled what it was like to return home from AIT.

“After AIT you’re given 20 days leave with orders to go to Vietnam. I’m thinking, ‘This is way too quick.’ You’re barely out of school; you go home for 30 days; then they’re shipping you to Vietnam.”

Dave took his leave in Tracy and reported back to the West Coast for deployment to Vietnam. He described the scene at Travis Air Force Base, California as he boarded his flight to Vietnam.

“It was a field full of khaki uniforms,” he recalled, “I couldn’t believe how many people they were putting on planes they were lining up.” Dave boarded a new 747 with a couple hundred other replacements and their aircraft took off for Vietnam.

Dave’s arrival to Vietnam was unforgettable. As they approached Tan Son Hut Air Base near Saigon the pilot announced, “If you look out your window, you’ll see the airstrip being bombed — strap in because we’re not landing yet.”

Dave explained, “They were mortaring the airstrip — my first experience of Vietnam.” He added, “They had six airplanes in a flight pattern for I don’t know how long to land.”

He recalled their delayed landing and off-loading the plane.

“When you land, your legs are shaking. You’re standing there scared to death, thinking are they going to start (mortaring) again now that we’re here? You do not know what to expect. The minute you stepped off the airplane — like walking into an oven – the heat gets you and the sweat starts pouring off because it’s very humid. You’re looking around and everybody’s got the same attitude, ‘I don’t want to be here.’ Wanting to be in the Army and being proud changed in a second when you got there.”

Dave estimated there were 500 or 600 new arrivals that day. A sergeant announced names and assignments over a big loudspeaker. Dave recalled, “I heard the one I didn’t want to hear. ‘1st Infantry Division, Ziemke.'” Dave knew this assignment likely meant he would see combat.

“They had 12 deuce and a halves (tactical cargo trucks with folding bench seats along the sides of the box) lined up,” Dave remembered, “you climbed in the back and you haven’t even been issued a rifle, yet.” The big Army trucks pulled away and headed into the Vietnamese countryside with their cargo of scared, young soldiers –Dave among them.

“This is scary because they load you in these deuce and a halves and we’re going to ride from Tan Son Nhut to Dian (pronounced ‘Zeon’), and you know anything about Vietnam. I didn’t even know where Vietnam was on the map, let alone Dian.

Dian was the main base of the 1st Infantry Division and the convoy of trucks with new troops arrived without incident

“We get there. They have a big (reception area) set up. You’re in these tents, while the other people that live there are in makeshift buildings they make out of ammo boxes or whatever. But they’ve got a big camp there — all built up with an NCO bar.”

The NCO in charge of the new arrivals gave an unexpected order.

“He said, ‘You guys go have a beer.’ I was 18 years old and I had never had a beer — legally,” Dave recalled, laughing, “so, we go over and we’re drinking warm Budweiser until they figured out where you’re going.”

The 1st Infantry Division assigned Dave to the 1st Battalion of the 5th Artillery Regiment, one of the division’s artillery units. The battalion’s base camp was in Quan Loi.

“So, we go to Quan Loi.” Dave recalled, “I found out that Quan Loi is way out in the boonies — in the jungle.”

Dave and others took another, longer ride in the back of another deuce and a half. Driving through Vietnamese villages along the way startled Dave.

“At AIT, when we went through the Vietnam village in training they tell you watch out because the villagers look friendly, but there are enemies in there. So, you’re brand new in Vietnam; tooling through these villages; and kids are running up alongside the deuce and a halves with their hands out for candy. The guys in the front of the truck are throwing them candy bars while you’re thinking, “This ain’t what they taught us.'”

The new guys arrived at battalion headquarters at Quon Lai without incident. Dave described their welcome.

“Your barracks are sandbags with a tent over them and Army cots that are uncomfortable, but more comfortable than the ground. We’re set up and here the NCO tells us, ‘OK. Scratch your MOS. You were a Field Wireman. Now, you are anything we need.’ The first couple weeks you’re doing nothing, but filling sandbags. I didn’t know this was to acclimate you to the Vietnam weather — fill sandbags; sweat a lot; and just work.”

Dave soon learned that filling sandbags was a common task as he began rotating out to his battalion’s remote fire bases.

The Lyon County Museum is organizing an exhibit about the impact of the Vietnam War on Lyon County. If you would like to share Vietnam experiences or help with the exhibit, please contact me at prairieviewpressllc@gmail.com or call the museum at 537-6580.