CPL RICHARD HENRY GREENE

Michael Castle
mikesherrycastle@att.net
I served with Richard, in Combat
2111, Winged Foot Dr., Missouri City, TX., 77459, USA
How does, one forget?
Cpl., Richard Green, Brother, there is not one day, that has gone by, in my life, that you're not remembered. I see your face, in the mirror, along, with Kevin Carlin. We went, to the rear, for different reasons, November, 1968. You were going home, Kevin was going, on R&R. I was back, for immersion foot, from standing in our foxholes, filled, with water. We left, our Fire Base, I believe Hill 861, over looking, Khe Sahn. It was, the Monsoon season and it seemed, that we were, always fogged in and the rain never stopped. Patrols were no fun, in the I-Corps, as every step forward, meant three back, with the muddy trails. It was not raining, when we arrived, in Quang Tri and we all, checked in and got a cot. This was unusual, as we slept in bunkers, if we could sleep, at all. We walked, into the hooch, that was built off the ground, wood frame, with a canvas tent, over it. It was so funny, as they had a shower, with a fifty-gallon, drum, on top and out houses. We walked, into out hooch and laid, out our gear. I remember Kevin, dropped his belt, on his rack and pulled his 45, out and cleared the weapon. There was a new, S/Sgt., Dick Backus, who took a great interest, in Kevin's 45. Dick said, he loved 45's and asked, if he could hold it, or check it out. he even offered, to clean the weapon and Kevin told him, clearly, to leave all, of his gear alone. We all decided, to go to a tent, down, a pallet sidewalk, which was an EM., Club. It was so odd, as they had a few, small tables and cold beers. We each had, three Black Label, beers and talked, about your trip home. We teased you, about leaving us and we shared, pictures and stories, of home. Kevin was talking, about Australia and his R&R., he was, so excited. If I remember correctly, you had, a sister and we teased you, about writing her, all, in fun. We made our way back, to our hooch, your cot was, the first one, on the left, as we entered. Mine was beside, yours and then Kevin's, with S/Sgt., Backus, on the very end. We came back, laughing and cutting up, you sat, on your cot and Kevin and I sat, on my cot. Kevin grabbed, his backpack and gear, to show us some pictures, of his girl friend and she was very pretty. We got messing, around and you grabbed, a round dowel, used, for mosquito netting and started hitting us, on the legs. Man that stung! We kept up, the teasing and you hit us, with the dowel. I thought, it was funny, but Kevin got upset. He kept yelling, for you to stop, but you hit him, a little harder, each time. For some reason, Keven swung, around and grabbed his 45, as he came around, it went off. He had cleared the weapon, however S/Sgt., Backus, cleaned and loaded the weapon. He must have, chambered a round, not thinking Kevin told him, to keep his hand off, of his things. I was, on Kevin's left and you, were straight across, from me. The round hit you, in the chest. I was, shocked and I looked, at Kevin and he turned pale, as if it, was not intentional. I don't believe it was, he was only messing around. I looked, at your face and seen the blood, I heard your last words. I see this everyday, in the mirror, or driving down, the road. My heart was broken, for you and your family, Kevin and myself. I believe, a part of me, is with you! You fought, in so many, battles and you would, have been home, for Christmas, I'am truly sorry and always, say a prayer, for you. They came, for you and operated, for hours trying, to save your life. Kevin cleaned, your gear and packed, everything for you, as he kept saying, you would be right back. Kevin turned, into an old man, in an instant, as he cleaned, your precious blood, from the cot and deck. He wiped everything, including, your jungle boots, then packed them, for your trip home. I was very upset, with S/Sgt., Backus, as he chambered a round, in that weapon. I screamed at him, that it was, his fault and why, didn't he leave, Kevin's things alone? He left the hooch, as I was yelling. I tried, to get Kevin, to sit down, so I could talk, with him and all, he would say, was, that you would, be right back. We all died that day, that was supposed, to be your send off. I love you, Richard and looked up to you, please forgive us, as we were kids, with blood, on our hands and broken hearts and man size weapons. Tops came in and told us, you passed and they took, Kevin away. I was alone, with no one, to talk with and to this day, I can't find anyone, including my doctors, that understands, my pain. Kevin was put, in the 3rd, Marine Division, mental, health ward. I was sent, back, to the bush, with such, a heavy heart. I was warned, not to talk, about your death, to anyone. I was scared, for the first time, since the first bullet flew. I was worried, about Kevin going, to prison. Dr. Morris Kase, was the Chief, psychiatrist, for the 3rd, Marine Div.. He worked with Kevin, as he was going, to have a Court Marshall. I was called, to the rear many times, by Dr. Kace, to talk with Kevin, he would not, talk, with anyone else. We would, sit and smoke cigarettes and as dumb as this sounds, we always sang a song, 'I want to go home, oh how, I want to go home.' It ripped my heart out, to see Kevin and not know, what would happen. I testified, at the trial and it, was later announced to me, that it was, considered an accident. I believe it was, I believe, it was. I was in area 13, at Camp Pendleton, California, in late July, or August, of 1969. I saw Kevin, in a mess hall. He told me, he went to see, your parents and he told me, I should have, told, the truth. I did not under stand, what he meant? He got up, from the table and told me, he was on, his way back, to Vietnam. That is the last, I have ever seen, or heard, of Kevin. He looked, so tired and broken, as he walked away, I think of him, often and wonder, what became of him? I was seeing a doctor, from Canada, that served, in Vietnam. Dr. Levin was, in San Carlos, California. We had many sessions, as the VA., doctors, brushed me off. He wanted me, to go see, a former Marine, he thought he would be, of help. I got an appointment, with Dr. Morris Kase. I went, to his office and he was rude, put your file, on my desk and I will, call you. I did not, have a clue, who he was, until he called my house, two days later. I went, to his office, thinking he would be angry, or to give, my file back. It was not like that, he welcomed me, in and we sat down, this time, with coffee. He said Mike, you don't remember me, do you? I told him no, I had no clue. He said, I read, your file and your letters. I was, the Chief Psychiatrist, for the 3rd, Maine Division. He went into detail, of how, he kept track of me, in Vietnam and always knew where, to find me. He said, he brought me back, to see Kevin, many times. Then he was in tears, telling me, of Vietnam. It has been, almost 42, years and I had, to write this. I have not, forgot your bravery in battle, or your smile, or your sense, of humor and dedication, to the Marine Corps. I truly was not sure, if I should write this, as I do not, want, to upset, your family. With the greatest, respect and love, Semper Fi! You are not forgotten! Your Bloody Brother! L/Cpl., Michael Castle.
Sep 20, 2009