The Unspoken Heroes: 3rd Platoon Corpsman's Untold Story of Sacrifice in the Vietnam War

As the sun began to set on the lush green jungles of Vietnam, danger lurked behind every tree, but amidst the chaos and horrors of war, there were heroes who emerged from the shadows to save lives. This is the untold story of the courageous corpsman from the 3rd Platoon, who selflessly served and sacrificed during one of the darkest chapters in American history.

With the haunting memories of the attack on Pearl Harbor still fresh in their minds, young men and women enlisted in the United States military to protect their country. Among them were individuals who possessed an unwavering commitment to save lives. They were the corpsmen, the medics of the Marine Corps, and they were at the forefront in the battle against death and destruction in Vietnam.

The 3rd Platoon was a tight-knit group of young Marines, fighting shoulder to shoulder in the unforgiving jungles. But it was the corpsman who held the responsibility of keeping the platoon alive, often risking their own lives to save their comrades.

3rd Platoon, a Corpsman's Story of the Vietnam War

by A. Keith Gum(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10323 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	92 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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One such corpsman was James "Doc" Johnson, a quiet and unassuming young man from a small town in Ohio. Doc had dreamed of becoming a physician, but fate led him to the frontlines of Vietnam instead. Armed with his medical kit and an indomitable spirit, he would become a symbol of hope for the wounded and a testament to the incredible impact one person can make in the midst of darkness.

Doc's journey began as the platoon was deployed into the heart of the Central Highlands, an area known for its fierce battles and treacherous terrain. The first few weeks were relatively calm, but the tranquility soon gave way to a storm of violence.

Innumerable battles were fought, each one more brutal than the last. The platoon suffered heavy casualties, leaving the corpsmen overwhelmed and exhausted. As the enemy gunfire and mortar shells rained down, Doc fearlessly rushed towards the fallen, binding their wounds and administering life-saving aid.

But it wasn't just the carnage of war that tormented Doc; the invisible wounds carried by his comrades weighed heavily on his heart. The psychological toll of combat reached deep into the souls of these brave men, leaving visible scars that no bandage could heal.

Doc tirelessly attempted to mend both the physical and emotional wounds of the men he served with. Every conversation, every pat on the back, became an expression of his compassion and dedication. As the platoon grew reliant on his unwavering support, Doc's responsibilities multiplied.

The men of the 3rd Platoon idolized Doc. They admired his bravery, his selflessness, and his ability to instill hope even in the darkest of moments. They knew that with Doc by their side, they had a fighting chance against an enemy that seemed insurmountable.

As the war dragged on, the platoon found themselves in one of their most critical battles: the Battle of Khe Sanh. Surrounded by the enemy with limited supplies and constant bombardment, the situation appeared dire. But Doc refused to accept defeat.

Working side by side with the other corpsmen, Doc fought tirelessly to save lives. His hands became steady despite the chaos around him, his heart unwavering as he pushed himself to the limits of exhaustion. Days turned into nights, and nights faded back into days, but Doc never wavered in his mission to protect and heal.

The Battle of Khe Sanh would be remembered as one of the longest and bloodiest battles in the Vietnam War, but it also showcased the unwavering courage of the 3rd Platoon corpsmen. They defied the odds and emerged victorious, saving countless lives in the process.

As the war came to an end and the platoon returned home, Doc continued to serve his country, this time as a dedicated physician. He carried the memories of Vietnam with him, forever impacted by the sacrifices made by his brothers in arms.

The story of the 3rd Platoon corpsmen is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. In the face of unimaginable adversity, they remained steadfast, saving lives and bringing hope to a war-torn nation.

We owe a debt of gratitude to these unsung heroes, the corpsmen who risked their lives to save others. Their selfless acts of bravery will forever be etched in the annals of history, reminding us of the extraordinary power of compassion and resilience.

Their story must be told, for it is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there are always individuals who rise above the darkness to become beacons of hope and inspiration.

3rd Platoon, a Corpsman's Story of the Vietnam War

by A. Keith Gum(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10323 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	92 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Third Platoon is a series of vignettes about the Vietnam War by a corpsman (medic). You will find few accounts of heroic exploits here. This is not the memoir of a decorated hero but rather a frank disclosure of one who held on by a thread.

Chapter excerpt:

They crawled out of waist-high brush twenty meters from me. I scrambled to them on hands and knees. Both had suffered life-threatening injuries. Streams of crimson arterial blood meant I must abandon one of them. Precious seconds counted. We learned in Corps school to assess and compare before making risky decisions, but this dilemma never came to light. I turned to the nearest casualty to set a tourniquet and applied battle dressings while the other struggled. Minutes later, both died. Severe trauma may have doomed them both, but what about the other Marine?
I had saved a few with comparable wounds. You could dismiss the question with a simple, logical response: I made a wise decision to act at once. The ultimate fate of the other casualty is irrelevant. Time didn’t allow a thorough estimate to decide which might have survived.
What makes good sense in our supposed rational environment often rings hollow to veterans. We search for our own answers in a world steeped in Disney culture. Americans fight wars over there, never here. No collective understanding of conflict informs the homeland.