Summary: By Gary Ives Read by Shawn Robertson Setting: Vietnam War The essence of combat was for Robert nearly impossible to convey. He’d tried to keep a journal from his first patrol but after his second fire fight had abandoned trying to clarify. He could write the necessary military logs and action reports required, that was simple enough. “At 0130, 12 June -- at the mouth of the Ba Sac River (coordinates) encountered and sunk two sampans attempting to place submerged mines. Four enemy dead. Mines detonated by 50 cal. fire.” Or “18 June -- came under RPG fire from high rock formation on beach, four meters, Tinh Vah Village. Returned fire with twin .50’s and two HE 40mm grenades. 2 dead VC . Russian 7.39 mm. rifle destroyed.” No, he had not the will nor the ability to clearly capture those impingements on human limits.
