8 AM saw Dr and said just take it easy and keep boot off until a need to walk. Took a book and went to sit by alert bird on ramp as we kept a general non specific load as quick abort back up. Were really busy in support about hour away from coast near Cambodia border. Clearin jungle to find General HQ S Viet. About 4 we got called would be needed so got suited up and took off but got there and were stacked to us at above 30K’ working down and we had best loiter with F 100 shortest lungs about hour total if no refuel. We had no refuel at all. Gor FAC call asking for assist at rubber plantation to E and we got there and dropped napes on wings. Went back up and got another call for guns so went there and straffed. Went back up with interior bombs left. Were last in so began to dive bomb from 10K’ and on 1st pass as we pulled off pulling 6 Gs my sore left foot got jammed to floor when ejection seat catch pawl failed and crashed sharp bang on my butt end. I was trapped and the next step in the sequence after squeeze trigger is canopy flys off and you shoot out. It did not so next I will blow thru the canopy leaving left leg behind! TALK PANIC!!! Had live mike but all pilot heard was me groaning like mad trying to raise like 1000# me and seat with my arms and one rt flat footed push. It was mom raises car to save child stuff for about 30-40 seconds when level 10K’ and actual went neggi G a bit. Seat rose easily and I asked to be gentle awhile and inserted seat pin to check it out. Found I could raise and lower it again and stayed in place so went back and finished then went home. Instead of no fly I’d done 3 missions worth and was sore as hell! Next day Dr gave me APC and I was going back to Clark early R&R back to CA then time plenty rest up. Later found had a L4-5 lumbar disc compression, 2 cracked neck verts and a compression fracture in mid back. In and out of hosp a decade and final said I quit! Retired after they worked 9 mo as patient to operate to get all straight but finally no dice so Med Ret age 40 on 50% and finally Social Security I applied for day Elvis died. SS office went totally silent when TV news came on. That’s my foot.

Kicker? I went to OSI office before I left and asked what it showed the brown stuff was. Human shit they said, we sent one off to the Army In-humane device display they keep. “So wheres’ the other?” I asked “Right here” Ya want it?” I took home as ‘That was the war that was’ stuff I had for years. Lost in some move so still rusting away somewhere 50 years later. 8

foot cont. Nice email from good friend Jake some you now know. He don’t like social media either 8

Tom had me like on Linked in way back and not posted since. Do enough on my ihub/blog sorta control what goes out. You soon know the good ones and put up with the rest until they simply need a good whippin but smooths when things start to go well. Still, make few actual friends till you meet up and assess in face time. Been a good one for some time, Jake,1204, so thanks for good thots. Anytime. Like one day Oct ’77 USAF said good by,good luck totally no idea what do I do next. Teach elementary kids music? Odd was the Lt Col sat in my seat when Sept ’69 my crew crashed on take off at Spangdahlem,killed pilot and EWO, Frank Sqdn Exec was my day’s replacement as I was taking the Bitburg C-47 Goon home and on mo. leave. Just he survived 6 mo in Weisbaden AB Hosp burn ward and stuck with same thing in ’72, took me under wing what to do next. I’d just go to Cameron Park CA by Mather and we’d chat. “Phil, here’s how you do Social Security when they always deny 1st. USE DAV counsel! Know the ropes AND the Judge! And work free!” Became a Life member at once. Worked then and when RR took everyone off disability in ’82. After 2 years nothing we both got a make up check, me $14K, she $10K check, as dependent mom with a child portion, we could plan again and go buy a $70K house in San Antonio to be near my Neurosurgery clinic. Then in ’93 they kicked me out and said Clinton DoD severe cut back, go see the VA! Made lemonade and tried investments , ’95 oil service shares in $5 bbl era. Came back strong as I felt they would. Now try that in gold was my 2000 thought. Funny thing ? that did too well too. Don