Dragons Tale

VOL IX,  No 3                                                                  15 February 1966

K A R A   V I L L A G E

   Kara Village is a lonely built-up area populated with fifteen chickens, one duck and three dogs.  This village is a stage where a cast of animals and soldiers schedule performances to educate fighting men in an important technique in conducting successful counter-guerrilla operations.
   The Viet Cong are able to succeed where they 9rganize and control the civilian population.  They will have military gains in those areas where they organize and control the civilian population.  The aid, sympathy, cooperation and assistance given to the Viet Cong soldier from the local population enhance his stamina and well being.  This gives him food to eat, a place to rest, a friend to hide him, a man to guide him, a village to warn him, a messenger, an observer or spy and a source of men from which to build himself a fighting unit.
   Kara demonstrates techniques to organize and control villagers.  Kara demonstrates techniques in securing, searching and clearing a village that is Viet Cong controlled or where the villagers are sympathetic to the cause of the Viet Cong.  These techniques are demonstrated for you to see and hear as realistically as possible.  Kara shows you what to do and how to do it.
   The Kara demonstrations are presented by elements of HHC, 2nd Bn, 14th Infantry.  The stars of the cast are the rifle platoon leader, the village chief, and the interpreter.  S/Sgt James D. Spitz of the S&A Platoon, HHC, 2/14 plays the part of the First Lieutenant rifle platoon leader.  S/Sgt Spitz was utilized as the lieutenant because there were no lieutenants available in the battalion to portray the platoon leader’s role in December 1965.  He does his part so well that lieutenants now available have not been utilized to replace him.  Sgt. Harry Ishii of A Company, 2/14th plays the part of the Village Chief.  He puts his heart in his part and the audience watching his facial expressions can’t help but “feel” his words even if they can’t understand his spoken words (Japanese).  PFC Miyagi of A Company 2/14 Infantry closes out the stars of the Kara demonstrations:  he is the interpreter.  He acts his part just as interpreters do in Vietnam today.  He looks and acts like the proverbial interpreter (Japanese).
   The headquarters commandant is responsible for  the Kara Village mission.  He is fortunate in having Capt. Peter Kama, S-2, 2/14 Infantry as the principal instructor for Kara.  The commandant coordinates support for Kara demonstrations and provides personnel, equipment, transportation and security for Kara Village.  Since the 2/14 Infantry has had the responsibility for Kara Village, more than 2,500 troops have observed the performances.  Marines, troops of the 25th Infantry Division, dependents and VIP’s have been spectators to Kara shows.  Your opportunity to see Kara will be on 28 February 1966.  Kama and Kara will greet you with a “Chao ong” when you arrive.

     

 

  C H A P L A I N ' S   N O T E S
  

   “Jesus saith unto him, ‘Have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip’?”  St John 14:9

   Much emphasis is placed on the need for individual experience with God, but other things, essential to mature religious concepts and dedication should be stressed more.
   In emphasizing personal experience there is danger that we might forget that the Bible is the only tangible source of Judaeo-Christian religious authority.  To overlook this fact will tend ot cut the vine from the root, thus opening the door for a hodge-podge religious experience to supplant the stable authority of the Living Word.  Also, over-emphasis of religious experience may make the Judaeo-Christian faith seem unreal and impossible for the majority of people who have little in common with the mystics.
   Perhaps we should ask ourselves, ‘What constitutes and authentic religious experience?’  The answer in Judaeo-Christian terms must be, “Any experience which gives a deeper meaning to life.”  Ordinary people who cannot boast of religious ecstasies find deepening experiences in reading their Bibles, in fellowship with other Christians, and Christian living.
   There is the further danger in over-emphasizing individual experience that we might fail to recognize the real religious experiences when they come our way.  This appears to have been Philips plight.  “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?”
   Philip had desired the supreme religious experience; he had failed to see that it was a part of his everyday life.  It is so with us, if we will but recognize it.

WILLIAM I JORDAN
Chaplain (Major) USA
1st Brigade

L-3 Chapel Services
Sunday

Protestant Worship Service     1000 Hrs

Catholic Mass    1100 Hrs

     

 

C O L O N E L ' S   N O T E S    2 / 1 4

  

SPIRIT AND UNITY
  

   In preparing for future missions we are giving primary attention to training.  Our ability to shoot, our tactics, the judgment of our squad and fire team leaders, our knowledge of the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses are being developed and improved in a deliberate manner during our current training program.
   We are also giving prime attention to basic maintenance by learning to prevent rust and damage and reduce wear to the minimum.  We stress that maintenance must continue during operations while pressing on to accomplish the mission:  maintenance cannot wait until we return to our base.
   In addition to good, solid training and maintenance, we must develop the spiritual strength of the individual.  Individuals must establish their own communication with God through the church or other channel of their choice.  Chapels and Chaplains are provided by the United States Army and are conveniently available.  I consider it a duty as the Battalion Commander to urge and encourage you to  make a sincere, early, and continued effort to build spiritual strength.  You will need it before too long.
   We must also develop spirit and unity for the good of the battalion.  Our MISSION and our common desire to see it through are great, unseen forces which give us unity of purpose.  Things that can be seen and heard are also needed.  Two examples are the Fourteenth Infantry crest and the official name GOLDEN DRAGONS; these link us with the Americans of the past who fought under the same Regimental Colors for the same reasons that may soon call us to battle.
   As a battalion, however, we need to have a feeling of unity and spirit right here and now – something that contributes to our immediate combat readiness and battlefield cohesiveness.  For this purpose we have chosen our own nickname and our own mark.  We are also developing our own song.
   Our nickname is the BATTLE DRAGONS.  This distinguishes us from other battalions of the Fourteenth Infantry.  We can consider ourselves as the Battle Dragon Arm of the Golden Dragon Clan.
   Our mark, at left, shows the converging striking power of the Rifle, the Dragon, and the Lightning Bolt.  The rifle represents the key weapon of the Infantry:  the bayonet and the downward aim of the rifle symbolize close combat, ground mobility, and shooting low.  The Dragon with fourteen fins on its backbone ties us in with the Fourteenth Infantry; its flying attack and flaming breath represent air mobility and battalion fire support.  The Lightning Bolt represents Tropic Lightning and all forms of artillery, air and other support delivered to us by the 25th Infantry Division.
   Our song, the Battle Dragon Chant, is on this page.  It is designed for use both as a yell while marching in cadence or as a song for a group of trained voices.  We will be experimenting with the song in the next few weeks; then we will learn it and use it to our advantage.
   The nickname, mark, and song exist to give us unity and spirit.  We will need these once we are committed to battle.

J. M. SCHULTZ
Lt Col, Infantry
CO, Battle Dragons

  

 

"BATTLE DRAGON CHANT"

(Intro)
Stand tall, look sharp. We're the Infantry!

(Song or chant)
In the TWO SLASH FOUR-TEEN In-fan-try,
We are a LEAN MEAN TEAM BEAM'D at Vic-to-ry.

With a BIG GOLD DRA-GON on our side,
Eight Hundred Bayonets are out for hide.

We can move and shoot and communicate!
Anything we hit, we eliminate!

Can we move out?  WELL YES!
Fight well?  HELL YES!
GO, GO, GO, we are the In-fan-try.

(Follow Thru Chant)  (Count)
TWO-SLASH-ONE-FOUR, TWO-SLASH-ONE-FOUR,
FIND, FIX, FIGHT, we are the In-fan-try.

(Sing)
BIG TWO FOUR-TEEN BAT-tle DRA-gon Fever,
ZOOM, ZIP, ZAP, we are the In-fan-try!

(Count)
TWO-SLASH-ONE-FOUR, TWO-SLASH-ONE-FOUR,
SEIZE, HOLD, STAY; we are the In-fan-try.

(Sing),
WIN; WIN; WIN, with BAT-tle DRA-gon Fever,
IN-FAN-TRY delivers VIC-TO-RY.

  

 

S - 2   N O T E S   u n C L A S S I F I E D
  

   HEY! YOU!  Come here, real close.  Now don’t you tell anyone where you heard this, but this Brigade is being shopped to the Union of South Africa to guard the Tootsie Roll factory there!  We will be equipped with 6.2 pound brooms and the lucky ones will get to use the 8.3 pound mop.  We will all wear camy stripe “T” shirts and carry bubble gum dog tags.
   Of course this is a rumor, and a ridiculous one at that;  but really, aren’t most rumors?  Rumors start off as little “off the wall” stories in the latrine and grow to enoumous “Facts” that have everyone believing them.
   People who spread rumors are little better than the rumors they spread.  These people want to make a big impression on their buddies.  They want to be the barracks “Know It All” and have the latest word on everything.  These people actually want attention and the only way they can get it is by making up stories that sound impressive but have no factual basis whatsoever.
   Use discretion in passing on information to your friends.  Believe nothing unless you are sure it comes from a reliable source.  Remember, this Nation’s security is a factual thing.  Don’t jeopardise it by spreading hearsay.  Rumors gain you nothing, but they may cost you your life.  Remember; a person who knows nothing says much, but a person who knows a lot says little.

VERNON D. SHIBLA, Jr.
1st Bde PIO

  

 

LOOK’N’LEARN

1.  What manufactured product accounts for more than any other type of aerosol product produced in the United States?

2.  What 15th century painter attempted to build an airplane?

3.  At what speed can at ostrich run?

4.  What percentage of American households today have television?

5.  Of the people who lose their lives in motor accidents, what percentage are pedestrians?

(Answers)
1.  Hair sprays of various kinds.
2.  Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).
3.  In excess of 30 miles an hour.
4.  About 90%
5.  Almost 70%
   "THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY ON ITS OWN ACCOUNT AND NOT MERELY FOR ITS TRAPPINGS OF INTEREST OR POWER CAN NEVER BE DIVORCED FROM IT, CAN NEVER REFUSE TO COME FORWARD WHEN HE FINDS THAT SHE IS ENGAGED IN DANGERS WHICH HE HAS THE MEANS OF WARDING OFF."
...THOMAS JEFFERSON

    

 

C O M P A N Y   N O T E S   2 / 1 4

  

BRAVO

   Bravo Bandits have gotten rid of their non-deployables and are again training for the call to arms.  Morale is high.  DR’s and Article 15’s are low;  the First Sergeant is happy and so is the CO!
   Supervision of the Jungle Warfare Center is a thing of the past – now we must practice what we taught.
   We welcome 1st Lt. Gibson as our new Executive Officer and 1st Lt. Maas as a Platoon Leader.
   Congratulations are in order for SP4 Mitchell on his decision to become a helicopter pilot.  Many units send men to become airborne – we have one of the few going heliborne!
   These men fought and won.  It is OUR duty to help win freedom for our fellow man.
CHARLIE

   Three new officers were assigned to Charlie Company during the month of January.  1st Lt. Moore is now the Executive Officer.  1st Lt. Kindleberger is the platoon leader of 1st Platoon, and 2nd Lt. Blake is in charge of 2nd Platoon.
   SP4 Bobby McIntyre was Promoted to Sergeant E-5 and is now a squad leader in teh weapons platoon.
   On Monday, 14 February 1966 a change in assignments in the battalion will take place, with 1st Sergeant Van Duyne of HHC moving to Charlie Company and 1st Sgt. Agan of C Co assuming the duties of 1st Sergeant of HHC.

  

 

M A N   W I T H   A   M I S S I O N

   Military civic action – not warfare – is the straightest road to victory in a conflict involving less favored nations.  Today’s soldier, to be successful at arms, must also be as successful in gaining support for the aims and ideals of the Free World.  The USARPAC soldier – a MAN WITH A MISSION – knows that when he leads by example he is helping to show others the way to the freedom, strength, and independence he enjoys.
   Military civic action means giving hope for a better life to people less fortunate than ourselves.  It is not charity.  It is sharing the work, and teaching the know-how.  Its end result is strength for the Free World, and another task of honor accomplished by the USARPAC soldier.
   The essence of military civic action is sharing the load to help less favored nations learn how to be both strong and free.  Every USARPAC soldier should remember General Westmoreland’s short and pointed words on the subject.  “Today’s soldier,” says the general, “must try to give, not take away.”
   PFC Joe Doakes didn’t think he was doing very much when he volunteered to teach a course in basic English at a local school in a foreign land.  But he made fifty friends among his pupils, five hundred others among their friends and relatives, and five thousand more among those who heard what he did.  Doakes may not have realized it, but he was practicing military civic action by aiding others to learn how to improve their lives.
  

MILITARY CIVIC ACTION
EVERY SOLDIER'S RESPONSIBILITY

  

THIS CHILD WON’T FORGET the kindness and generosity displayed in the small gift that means so much.  Such a gift is a very powerful device for gaining friends in Vietnam.
 

  

 

  

 

ABOLISHMENT OF TYRANNY

   In 560 BC a prominent citizen of Athens called Pisistratus seized upon the Acropolis, making himself master or as the Greeks said “tyrant” of the city.  But it was his son – Hipparchus – who brought tyranny as we know it to the ancient Greeks by hiring mercenaries to enforce it, to collect high taxes, and to maintain his oppressive rule.
   Aroused Athenians, history tells us, finally overthrew the tyrannical son, where many gave their lives in the quest for freedom from oppression.
   Down through the centuries men have given their lives in the spirit of “…eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
   Today, we are still faced with the threat and presence of tyranny in our world.  In essence, all tyrants are one, i.e., their goals are the same – to take over the mind of man.
   We in the Armed Forces of the United States today are facing proponents of tyranny throughout the world.  In years gone by, our forefathers fought tyranny in our own land and on foreign shores.  Like our forefathers, we carry on to defend freedom – against tyrants.
   In 1800 Thomas Jefferson swore to fight tyranny; Abraham Lincoln told this nation in 1858 that “Our defense is in the spirit which prized liberty as the heritage of all man…”  Theo Roosevelt, in 1905, said, “We have duties to others and duties to ourselves and we can shirk neither;”  and in our own generation, John F. Kennedy summed up the drive of these great men in the fight against tyranny when, in his Inaugural Address in 1961, he told Americans “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
   In the Armed Forces we can answer anyone who asks what we are doing for our country with another of President Kennedy’s statements:  “…we are involved in a struggle against the common enemies of man:  tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.”

  

  

  
THE DRAGON’S TALE is an authorized bi-monthly CI publication for the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 14th Infantry, APO San Francisco, 96225.  Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army.  AFPS and ANS materials are used.  Basis of distribution is one copy for every three men in the battalions.  Dates of publication are the 15th and last day of each month.
  
COMMANDING OFFICERS:
                                              
OFFICERS IN CHARGE:
                                             
EDITORS:
                                             
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Lt Col G Procter Jr
Lt Col J M Shultz
Capt Pelligrino
1st Lt Deliz
SP4 John Kleinjan
PFC Dave Hutchinson
PFC Vernon Shibla

  

     

 

   I was a WAC lieutenant reporting for temporary duty at Eighth Air Force headquarters just outside London.  As I approached the door, it swung open and there stood an impressive lieutenant general with a young aide behind him.  Remembering my classes in military courtesy, I stepped back and rendered a smart salute.
   But the general, with a wave of his hand, invited me to go through first.  Before the door swung closed I heard the aide say, “Sir, these WAC’s are new to me.  I’ve been meaning to ask, which comes first – rank or sex?”
   “Young man,” the general replied, “when you reach my age, sex always comes first!”
  

   There is no future in any job.  The future lies in the man who holds the job.
“Isn’t this a dull party?”
”Yes, I suppose it is…”
”Look, Honey, why don’t we two just ditch it?”
”Thanks, I’d like to, but I can’t . . . I’m giving the party.”
  

   The well-to-do farm boy asked whether she’d still love him if he lost all his money.  “Oh, yes,” she admitted.  “And . . . I’d miss you, too.”
  

   The honeymoon is completely over when your dog fetches your slippers and your bride starts barking at you for taking your shoes off.

  

 

This copy of The Dragon's Tale was obtained and has been generously contributed by John Kleinjan, HHC,  2/14th Inf.

     

The Dragon's Tale Vol. IX No. 3  15-Feb-66
Copyright © 2009 Kirk S. Ramsey
Last modified: May 30, 2009