Posted on 2005-06-18 14:56:00
By: Robert Jones & Gaither Deitz 14th ACR Troopers: After more than 40 years I exchanged an email with the GI I came close to shooting in 1966. Sunday, August 24, 2008 Re: I would love to know who that drunken GI was that came real close to being shot by me. >>>>> NOW I KNOW >>>>> Robert Jones To Gaither Deitz:> Gaither, I and Richard Kittridge or Arthur Muldoon got snoot slinging drunk and were walking back on the fence road, a no-no. You were supposed to walk on the center road. We had to take a leak and just as we rounded the corner on the fence road by the motor pools a guard stepped out of the shadow and challenged us. We were drunk and wise ass cocky; we told him to go to hell and laughed. But it quickly became evident that he was serious. I was assigned to the Post Office for the Holidays and a black buck Sgt. was in charge. I told him about it the next day and he told me I was lucky I didn't get shot. Robert Jones >>>>>>>>>>MY REPLY to Robert Jones:> Robert that was me pulling guard that night at the tank motor pool near the EM Club. When the GIs approached the tanks, per our Guard Orders (SOP) I shouted HALT! When he (you) continued to approach, I lowered my M-14 at his (your) chest per our SOP. The GI that was with him (you) took him (you) by the arm saying, let’ get out of here I think he will shoot. I was ready to fire my M14. I often think what would had happen if he (you) had not retreated. I was ready to shoot per our SOP. Sorry if you think I over reacting. What do you think the Army would have done to me and how would I had felt if two drunks took my weapon and or stole a tank (we know tanks don't have keys :) crashing same into a building/EM club killing wounding several. I’m glad it ended the way it did.