A Day In The Can Tho Detachment

        A day in Can Tho started with a shit, shower and shave. The MP compound was unusual compared to others because it had regular toilets on each floor and running water. We had a free standing shower on the south side of the building which is usually where I shaved. After collecting my uniform I would proceed to the Provost Marshal Office where I would have a couple cups of coffee that was always available thanks to the efforts of SP/4 Doyle. Then it was coffee and cigarettes, I never ate breakfast in those days.

        Next stop was the armorer's room on the first floor where I signed out my service pistol. Outside the armory was a bench set up where we could clean and lube the weapons. Due to the high humidity lube was a necessity and this became a daily ritual.

        I would then proceed to the front gate area and wait for Guard Mount. Guard Mount went quickly and without incident except for the one time when I almost put a round by SGT Bogg's head...Oops!

        I would team up with my assigned partner, proceed to one of the jeeps and start our Mobile Patrol. Naturally we would inspect the vehicle and confirm that the radio was working. After that we were pretty much on our own until the radio crackled and we would get an assignment from the desk dispatcher.

        We would then go out the gate past the Gate guard and often transport the Ferry detail to the river. Each side had one MP assigned. Twelve hour shifts on the river or main gate were often long and boring. I always preferred Mobile or walking patrol because there was more action.

        After lunch it was more of the same, patrol and waiting for something to happen. Sometimes the wait took hours, but not always.

        We had our own Traffic Accident Investigation teams but it was the mobile units that got to the scene of the accident first to secure the area. Accidents were common between the large GI trucks and the very small Lambretta's and motorcycles that were utilized by the locals. The Vietnamese could fit numerous people into the Lambretta's and on the motorcycles and when they collided with a deuce and a halve the results were predictable and horrendous. At the accident scenes we would protect the victims from from being robbed, control the crowds, and take statements from witnesses. We knew that the Traffic Investigation Teams and when fatalities occurred, Graves Registration would be along to clean up the mess. Rarely, were there Vietnamese survivors.

        One day I was dispatched to a construction site east of Can Tho Airfield where I was directed to a Vietnamese worker that was crushed by a large truck. I was told that he had taken a nap after lunch under the big rig. Someone started and moved the truck and crushed the guy before they realized he was there. When I got there he was still alive but he died shortly after.

        At the end of the shift we returned to the MP compound and caught up on our paper work. SGT Bodofsky was a bear about paperwork and he liked it only one way, the way he liked it.

        After work we turned in our weapons and usually proceeded to the Bamboo Club in the compound were we enjoyed numerous 10 cent Black Label beers. At night we had a room next to the bar that was used for live entertainment and movies. Sometimes we had a strip show [Jackie] or we had one of the local rock bands over or both.

        Movies were more common and I recall seeing Night of the Living Dead and Count Yorga Vampire there for the first time.

        Occasionally, someone would come up with cases of steaks and we would throw a barbecue. It was not unusual for the guys to bring over their Vietnamese girl friends to these events.