Can Tho was the third largest city in Vietnam and Prostitution was rampant. Officially the Army did not condone the use of these services and we were there to stop it. I think at some point the Army conceded that wasn't going to happen. That's when they started registering all the working girls and gave them medical examinations, shots, etc. All in an attempt to keep them clean.
All the working girls were registered and had a picture ID card they had to carry with them at all times they were working. We knew what bars they worked at and if the didn't show up for their checkup or shots the bar would be placed off limits. The bar owners made sure they got their shots. I learned the hard way to look the other way. I was pretty green (Newby) and was on town patrol. We would always check the back rooms to see if anyone was doing drugs or smoking pot. I entered a back room just as a girl was leading a soldier by the hand up stairs. I thought we were there to prevent that kind of thing so I stopped him and asked for his ID card. He reached for his cargo pocket, took out a frag and pulled the pin. I told him to have a good time. Again I had to change my shorts. The guys back at base thought it was pretty funny when I told them. They must have had similar incidents. I always looked the other way after that.
Another time I was on patrol with an SP from the Brown Water Navy across the river. This was his first time on patrol and didn't know anything. There was an ARVN Airborne compound on the North side of the river. They would get paid once a month and come to Can Tho on pay day. This particular day was pay day. They really resented that the girls would not have anything to do with them because they were cheap. The American's were much more generous and wouldn't haggle over price. We walked into this place and about half way in I heard the distinct sound of a round being chambered.
I turned around and there was a smiling ARVN Ranger with a 45 pointed at my head. He was so drunk he could hardly stand. I froze not knowing what to do, its not like I could talk to him. Just then two of his buddies jumped up and one under each arm dragged him out the door, pointing the gun at me all the way. This particular bar had two swinging doors just like the westerns. Once they were out me and the SP chambered a round, I got to watch the SP too. |
