doorgunner
The Guinea Pig Chinook Crew
Because of my Combat-Related Amnesia it has taken me 50+ years to piece together flashbacks into coherent events. We were given the nickname "Guinea Pigs" by the other Flight Crews. We were the only crewmembers and two Pilots who were forced at gunpoint to load barrels of "Herbicide" onto our Chinook. Orders were to strap the barrels to the level ramp and crack the barrels open over future hilltop outposts or on forest that were infiltrated by N.V.A.. We liquid would blow back into the open ramp of the Chinook-we would strip down to our underwear and combat boots in order to let our flight suits dry out. Because of the narrow passage to the cockpit the pilots were never affected by the herbicide, since the mist exited the Chinook thru the left and right doorgunner windows. After the 1st mission we doorgunners and the Flight Engineer would become very sick with Flu-Like symptoms, along with a list of other unexplainable symptoms.
I cannot remember the names or faces of the left doorgunner nor the Flight Engineer. I am hoping they have not succumbed to the carcinogens but are able to respond to this MEMORY. I would appreciate their input very much.
doorgunner/General Grant Trainee
doorgunner
United States - Monday, December 02, 2024 at 21:13:54 (EST)