| Frank H. Cochrane of Milo an active member of Joseph P. Chaisson American Legion post for seven years shares his memories of military service during the Vietnam Era.
Entering the Unites States Army November 17th, 1963 he attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and advanced training at Fort Gordon, GA specializing in Signal communications and secondary Infantry skills. Upon completion Frank was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) HQ & HQ Company, 2nd Brigade in Fort Riley, Kansas where he received training in combat operations evaluation with radio duties.
In June of 1965 Frank was shipped to South Vietnam aboard USS George Washington troop carrier made for 5000 troops. They were carrying 7000 troops plus tanks. Bed racks inside the ship were four racks high and he obtained a top rack to avoid others having sea sickness. They landed at night in Vung Tau Harbor, South Vietnam. The ship ramp dropped and they waded ashore with duffle bags and rifles, being picked up by deuce and a half trucks they traveled eighteen miles north on Rte 1 to Bien Hoa. Upon arrival and disembarking they came under sniper fire. No one had a defensive position. They hid and slept behind their duffle bags. No one was struck by the sniper fire. The next day they started building bunkers and eventually Marines provided security.
One night Frank and another soldier were assigned an observation post outside a perimeter with a jeep and radio. The perimeter was a high bank of sand with Marine positions on top. They were sitting in a spot when the heard “plink”, “plink”. It took them a few minutes to realize the plink was bullets striking the vehicle apparently from a long range. They abandoned the vehicle and entered the perimeter through Marines positions. The following day inspection revealed numerous bullet strikes to the vehicle.
Frank returned to the United States and was discharged in November 1965. | |
- FRANK H. COCHRANE
