This story is from Jeff Murray who flew as my co-pilot before he was promoted to Aircraft Commander. It was originally published in the 281st AHC Newsletter.
It's September 1969 and I'm sitting in our temporary compound outside a Special Forces camp at Mai Loc, a few miles west of Quang Tri, South Vietnam. We were there supporting Project Delta as they recon'd far northern I Corps.
When a mortar lands somewhere near the wire, I beat feet for the nearest bunker and land in a hole next to my platoon leader who asks "Why are you here?" "Taking cover" was my educated reply. "You're the standby pilot" he replies. "Oh." So I beat feet for the aircraft, a UH-1C gunship assigned to my unit, the 281st Assault Helicopter Company.
The problem is I am in my underwear and flip-flops, my recently washed Nomex flight suit is hanging on a tent rope somewhere not near me. Not to worry though, I arrive at the aircraft, jump in and here comes the crew. A co-pilot dressed appropriately, a gunner without a shirt and a crew chief draped in a towel and flip-flops himself, as he came from the outdoor shower. We launched, we found nothing to shoot at but we had to go to Quang Tri to refuel.
Following protocol I jumped out and manned the portable fire extinguisher while the crew chief and gunner refueled us, it was a bit different looking as the crew chief's towel stayed inside the aircraft so it wouldn't blow off and maybe foul a control or two.
While standing there doing my duty as fire guard someone walked up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and there stood a Marine Major in starched fatigues and shiny boots carrying a clipboard. "What do you think you are doing?" I believe I remember him asking.
Well, I was almost 11 months into my tour and feeling short but he was a Major and I was a lowly Warrant Officer 1 dressed in OD green boxer shorts and a matching t-shirt with my helmet on and my visor down so in my best military manner I answered him: "We're putting fuel in the helicopter sir." I thought that was a proper answer and it must have been because he stared at me for a few seconds and did a rather smart about face and walked off. And as he walked away, I heard him mutter "F-ing Army." I think that was a compliment!