"Name:
John D. (JD) Bailey "
"Arrived RVN: 31 August 1968"
"Left RVN: 30 August 1969"
"Company: B"
"Platoon: 2nd
"Squad: First"

JD Baily

Who Am I After watching the PBS Documentary on Viet Nam last fall. I felt that I wanted to “reconnect”with Bravo Company 2/22 2nd platoon if I had a chance. When I looked at the 2/22 web site, I saw Steve Irvine who I remembered. I was in the 2nd platoon on the 2-1 track for all of my tour. Many names and places come to mind after looking at some of the albums. But after this length of time it is impossible to recall a lot of the names, events and places. I joined Bravo Company on “stand-down” at Cu Chi around the first week of September 1968. Gale Hutton and I came in on the same day.

The squad leader was Tim Cox a E5 “shake & Bake”. The 2-6 was LT. Farr I believe. Another guy that really helped me was Mike Garza. Garza had been at FSB Burt on 1-1-68 when it was attacked by the NVA and was very seasoned and experienced. Also, Larry Kutchey very well liked in the platoon was very helpful. Later on, Larry became a KIA. I was the last man to speak to Larry before he was killed. Also Larry Hayes of the 1st platoon was a good friend. Some of the men in my squad were Thomas Krekel. “Krek” was 2-1 driver when I became squad leader. Also, medic Larry “Doc” Howard, Bob Crisp, Harold Miesel, Steve “Audie” Murphy, George Van Horn. Others were Jack Henkle in 2-3 I believe. William “Pineapple” Cunningham, Henry Fugate, Womack, Jackie Laws, Steve Truax, Jon Wendelin. Cunningham would always call me “Okie” and I remember Fugate on flank security always carried an M-79. James Newell was driver of 2-1 when we hit the first of four mines when I was in Viet Nam on 2-1. Not very long after I had been with Bravo Co. I quickly realized then that someone out there is trying to kill me and wants me dead. Many days, one of the primary jobs of our unit was provide security for re-supply conveys to Dau-Tieng or Tay Ninh. Also, daily “Riffs” mostly on battalion or company level operations. Many night ambush patrols and LPs. One of the more pleasant experiences that I remember happening. We were in a laager position doing patrols in the Michelin Rubber Plantation on Christmas eve and Christmas day. The next day or two. We were pulled out and came back to Dau-Tieng. We were flown down to Cu Chi for the Bob Hope Christmas Show. Bob always started his show with jokes. Then his famous “one-liner” that he had always used since entertaining the troops since World War II. When Ann Margret came out on stage. Bob said: “ I just want to show you boys what you been fighting for”. Everybody went wild.

I was drafted and Inducted into the U.S. Army on 4-8-68. I did basic and AIT”Tigerland” at Fort Polk. Most of my platoon at Fort Polk was from Oklahoma. We were all “11Bravos”. I was discharged at Ft. Benning, GA on 4-8-70 as SGT. E-5. I lost some very close friends as we all did in Viet Nam. The experience is not pleasant to recall. Here is my statement that I have repeated to family and close friends down thru the years when asked about my service in The Republic of South Viet Nam:

“As a Uniform Sierra (US 54669561), I did not ask for it. But, like thousands of others I served in Viet Nam and did my job”.

John D. (JD) Bailey
jbaileyco@aol.com
Oklahoma City, Ok.
Co. B 2dBn(M)22d Inf.
25th Inf. Div.
11B40

DDUS: 31 Aug 68
Deros: 30 Aug 69