Larry Jackson Remembers His Last Days in Vietnam (cont.)
In and Out of Consciousness
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I started going in and out of consciousness. As I would wake up, I could still hear the shelling and see Doug across in the other hole. There was a sharp turn in the ravine just ahead of where we were. As we lay there, I could hear NVA voices talking. They were down in the ravine with us and the rest of the company was up on top.
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I was so scared I was going to die. I started to pray to God to please not take my life here. I prayed to not get hit with another mortar shell. I prayed and asked Him to not let me die like this, so young and like a drowned rat. I wanted to see my mother, dad and family again. I wanted to live longer. I was just 18 years old.
As I prayed, I heard the shelling subside and it became quieter and quieter. It was like a water faucet had been turned off. Everything was so tranquil. I finally felt so relaxed and wasn't scared any more.
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I knew I was dying but now I didn't care. It was so peaceful. I could actually smell orange blossoms just like I was back home.
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The next thing I know, a Corpsman was slapping my face asking me my name, rank and serial number over and over. I had been in shock from my wounds and very weak. He cut my pants off me and I had already left my shirt back with my rifle and pack. As he cut my belt and let blood flow down to my legs I was in terrific pain. I felt like I was burning up inside my body.
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By now, more Marines had come down in the ravine to bring us back up to the top to be medevac'ed. Now, instead of going on R&R, the chopper was on its way to take us to a field aid station. The Corpsman and Marines put me on a poncho and carried me out of the ravine up to the landing zone to wait on a chopper to take us out. There had been over 100 Marines killed and wounded.
