by Jim Sheppard » Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:21 pm
I have a personal story about LZ Litts that I just penned for my memoirs.
Sometime in the early Fall of 1967, My Charlie Company was sent to LZ Litts to provide security for a 1st Cav Infantry unit that was to be picked up there by a C130.
There was a resettlement village between the northern half of the runway and Highway (QL) 1 to the East. A well traveled dirt pathway connected that village with one to the West of the runway...and there was a steady stream of civilians walking back and forth between these two villages. When we encircled the LZ for security as the C130 approached for it's landing, my 1st Sergeant chastised me vehemently (A polite euphemism!) for allowing villagers on the runway at my position where this pathway crossed...I did everything I could but the people would not listen. I could see my 1st Sergeant getting ready to explode...so, without warning, I fired a round with my M16 into the air. This worked, but the Cav unit that was waiting to be picked up all dove for cover. Now instead of an angry 1st Sergeant...I had a company of battle weary Cav soldiers ready to finish me off! Fortunately, the plane landed and they had to hurry and load for takeoff.
My 1st Sergeant just shook his head...but what else could I do!
True story!