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In the
"inner-city" of Caloo (pop. maybe 200) dwelled this
group of older Montagnard children who gladly posed for the
passing Marines. The Montagnards, once described to me as being
the equivalent of our Native American Indians, were staunch
supporters of the Americans and it was a pleasure when Kilo 3/9
had the rare opportunity to walk through their village.
Even at age 19 it took me aback to witness the level of poverty
these people lived, and thrived, in during the war. Note the
C-ration crates they fashioned into homes on stilts. We
complained, and rightfully so, about the
places in which we had to sleep. But at least we knew, if we
survived, that we'd be going home to the comforts provided in
the USA.
These children, three years later, were in the direct path of
the NVA's merciless Easter Offensive of 1972 that slashed
through the heart of the northern I Corps and overran Vandegrift
Combat Base (Stud) on the northern
edge of Caloo. God only know how many of these smiling faces are
still alive today. (Please see Photo No. 18.)
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