Wounded and Evacuated

Camp Zama, Japan.

Upon arrival, they needed to decide what to do with those of us that did not need further treatment at Camp Zama. For example, I had a 1/2 cast on, bottom of plaster and then wrapped with bandages. No further treatment until the cast came off and they did more x-rays. Others were in the same situation. Wounds needed to heal and then see what further needed to be done.

As stated the system was over burdened, most of the wards were full to overflowing. They had opened up some of the older closed wards to accommodate the overflow. So they sent 3 or 4 of us there. No medical staff, just us patients and a bunch of empty beds. Told us if we needed sheets changed, just change beds. They would come by weekly and change sheets. 1 or 2 more would continue to arrive daily as the medevac planes brought more in.

A couple of things happened. I got a $100 casual pay, since I had departed Vietnam without anything except pajamas, then went to the patient PX and bought civilian attire. Back at the ward, I teamed up with two other walking wounded and we exchanged stories and contrary to instructions, decide to take some day tours of Japan.

I also found a telephone out in the hallway that had not been disconnected. I discovered I could make collect calls to my wife via that. So after determining time differences etc, we set up a schedule of when I would call. It was great to be able to talk to her everyday, unfortunately after 10 days, our phone bill was more than my monthly pay

So the three musketeers, we were pretty well matched up. Me, I was wounded on the left side, arm in cast and sling, a 1LT who was wounded on the right side, arm in sling, a CPT who had a leg wound and a limp. So I walked on the right, LT on the left, CPT in the middle. That way we could move through the crowds and protect our sensitive areas That was necessary due to the crowded places we went, the Japanese were rushing everywhere and didn’t care who they ran into, especially on public transportation.

We took a few day trips, came back to the ward to sleep and off again the next day. Tried Tokyo night life once, decided that was not a good idea, but had a great Kobe steak, just because we could. Most memorable experience was riding the “fast” train. I think it went from Tokyo to Yokohama at well over 100 mph, that was a kick.

We had to check in daily to see if we were on the roster to be evaced to the states the next day. Took 10 days to finally get scheduled.

We would go by the patient ward, check in and then broadcast that we were going to the PX if anyone in the ward needed anything. One day a woman sitting next to a patient’s bed asked for something, don’t remember exactly what. But anyway, upon return I asked her about her story. Her husband was severely wounded, shoot 7 times in the upper body. He was an advisor and fortunately for him the rounds had passed through his counterpart before hitting him. He told me they were driving down a highway and came to a roadblock and were ambushed, killed the counterpart and lots of other ARVN troops in the truck behind them. He was searched and left for dead, found hours later by a US patrol, still barely alive. He was evaced to Zama to get stabilized before movement to the states. His wife had flown over on her own dime once she knew where he was. From the looks of him, it was going to be a long wait. I stopped everyday to see if they needed anything, until I was evaced out.

Had a small run in with the Zama MPs. Had gone to visit the HQ of the local helicopter medevac unit to see if any possibility of getting assigned there, none of course, especially since I didn’t know if could continue to fly. But me and another guy were waiting at the bus stop, both in civies an an MP pulled up and parked in the bus stop space. The buss came up about a block away and stopped to wait on the MP to move, the guy waiting with me told the MP to move along and get out of the way, or word to that effect. The MP took offense and decided to hassle the Sgt, take him to the station for questioning. I found this totally inappropriate and told the MP so, he told me to butt out. I informed him of my rank and demanded he take me along with the Sgt to see his desk sgt. After much discussion and the Desk Sgt calling the hospital to verify I was who I said I was, he agreed maybe his PFC MP had gone overboard, apologized and had a car take us back to the hospital.

Finally got on the evac schedule, said goodbye to the other two musketeers (they were leaving the day after me), the wounded CPT and his lady, packed my little bit of possessions, and awaited transport.

By this time and after the latitude I had in Japan, I was sure I had the million dollar wound. Turned lose to walk around, take care of myself, etc. I figured I would get to go home as soon as we checked in at a hospital in the states. I was took that the Army would try to get me to the closest hospital to my home (AR) that could deal with my injury. So I was just waiting to get there. Little did I know the events to come…

Next stop the USA, Letterman Army Hospital, SF.