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"Humping"
was an appropriate term for all grunts serving in Vietnam and perhaps even
more so for the "Mountain Marines" of the
Ninth Marine Regiment. To be able to walk through knee-high grass was a rarity for Kilo
3/9 for the hills always loomed ahead.
We'd begin at about 6:30 a.m. and hump the day long, not
settling in for the night until well after 6 p.m. Unlike this photo of a day-long
patrol into the mountains east of Stud, we'd often carry upward of 75-80
pounds of gear.
We'd struggle mightily to pull ourselves up the rainforest
covered hills one tree sapling at a time, hoping the next one didn't have yet
another thorn or bramble wrapped around it. (Please see Photo No. 11)
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