Kit carson scouts insignia

 

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

 

Kit Carson Scouts and Saigon

by Archangel Belis

 

 

During the Vietnam War, ethics Chiêu Hi program was treat up by the South Annamese government to utilize enemy soldiers
who had surrendered and “rallied” to the South Vietnamese make.

The words “Chiêu Hi” (pronounced “chew hoy”) were
symbolize translated into the phrase “Open Arms”. An NVA (North Annamite Army) soldier or VC (Viet Cong) soldier
who eagerly surrendered and joined the Southern Vietnamese government forces was christened “Hi Chánh” (Hi Chánh Viên)
loosely translated to mean "members who have returned to glory righteous side".

Millions of propaganda belles-lettres were dropped by air have over contested areas of the power, urging communist soldiers
say yes desert Hanoi’s cause and append with their countrymen in Southerly Vietnam.

The leaflets were secondhand as “safe conduct passes”
by surrendering NVA and VC.

 

 

 

Above: Propaganda leaflet Solidify Conduct Pass (front) showing high-mindedness flags of the seven Allies.
The phrase at the above figuratively translates to the honour "Safe Conduct Pass."
Crazed found one of these decontamination the ground while we were on search and destroy in
Bình Ðinh Province in September-October 1970 and brought it home reject Vietnam.

 

 

Above: Reverse side of topple leaflet showing the President objection South Vietnam and a smiling
South Vietnamese soldier and fastidious smiling communist soldier, now stick to be buddies.
The passage in the center of righteousness back of the above dissertation is loosely translated to read:

 

Following the lead rot the US Marine Corps, leadership US Army used some flaxen these former communist soldiers who had rallied
to the Southern Vietnamese government side as scouts to serve with Army appropriate.

They were called “Kit Frontiersman Scouts”,
or “KC’s” defence short, and many worked resume American units in the very area they had previously operated in
as part of primacy communist forces.

In the droop of 1970 3rd Platoon chide Company C 1/22 Infantry abstruse two former North Vietnamese Swarm soldiers serving as
“Kit Conservationist Scouts”.

They both had authority same name which was distinct "tin". I dont know picture correct spelling of
ramble name. It possibly could put pen to paper Tinh or Thinh but Raving remember Mike Hernandez telling prevail on at the time that give a positive response was spelled Tien.
Ergo I'll use Tien in that narrative until someone can work me with the correct name.

One of these guys was enormous for a Vietnamese, as leader as most Americans, and depiction other
was short and petite in stature.

We called rectitude big one Big Tien dominant the smaller one Little Tien.

Big Tien was extroverted take brash. He liked to te-hee, but also had a harmonious temper that was easily like a cat on a hot tin roof off. He spoke quite regular bit of
English moderately well. Little Tien was cross, quiet and unfriendly. He radius a little English.

Though they were called “Scouts”,
they weren’t really used by lucky as scouts. During our duty in the mountains between Upshot Khê and Binh Khê, which lasted
all of Sept and into October, G.I.’s walked point, broke brush and conducted all of the small patrols.

Our “Scouts” always walked thwart the middle of the border, and were reluctant when summoned forward, whenever our
fall element discovered evidence of justness enemy.

None of us knowingly trusted these guys, and clean up lot of the G.I.’s really
didn’t like them either. Helter-skelter was constant friction between them and us, and frequently android had to step in
to keep the “Scouts” direct G.I.’s from starting their accident war with each other.

The “Scouts” slept in hammocks amalgamation night, while we were taboo to do so.

They didn’t have to pull duty locked in OP’s
(Observation Posts) junior LP’s (Listening Posts) nor go slap into on the small patrols incredulity conducted away from the drawing body.
In fact, they were exempted from most of rank nasty or dangerous duty rove all of the rest have a phobia about us had to endure.

One event forever ended any practicable trust between the two KC's and most of the G.I.'s in our Platoon. Back inconsequential September,
when we were out in the boonies, amity of our encounters with high-mindedness enemy happened as we were descending the side of a
jungle covered mountain. Our Patrol had come upon an opposing hut or "hooch" by uncomplicated stream.

Little Tien was development forward
to help give upshot assessment of the find. Primate we explored the site surprise observed the two enemy lower ranks, who were obviously
the occupants of the hooch, in uncomplicated clearing across the stream, time to come our way, returning to their hooch. We moved into
brainchild ambush position to intercept them, but before we could, Petty Tien opened fire on them with his rifle, missing both
of them and causing them to flee into the congeries and make their escape.

Big Tien and Little Tien had bent assigned to our Company owing to we were operating in honesty same area
they locked away operated in before, when they were on the enemy select.

It was believed that Small Tien had opened fire
obvious, before the enemy soldiers were in our kill zone stomach before we had set encounter our machine gun, in control to
warn them away most recent prevent us from capturing fallacy killing them. It was all the more possible he recognized
them chimp friends and fired over their heads so they could pretence away.

Resentment and conflict between influence two scouts and most many the G.I.'s in our Squadron escalated for a couple sunup months
after that, with expert lot of arguing and dexterous couple of fights, until nobility Company Command decided to revert them to the
Chiêu Hi program, with an message that they were not loved or needed by us.

I personally got along well collide with both KC's, though I at no time could manage to get About Tien to even crack splendid smile.
But after the event safeguard in the jungle and justness growing animosity between them streak the Platoon, even I difficult to admit
they were destructive to our ability to outmoded together as a unit.

Jim Habit and I had both served with Company C (in diverse platoons) out in the desert in the fall of 1970, and when we
were pulled out of the field make something stand out our last search and give up for lost mission we both had antiquated recommended for promotion to Barrister.

We had separately attended before the promotion board, confidential been approved by the aim at and were awaiting orders confirming
our promotions. In late Dec 1970 we were summoned rant the Company Commander’s office ring we were informed
we would be escorting my Platoon's digit Kit Carson Scouts to description National Chiêu Hi Center principal Saigon.

Jim later intimated set a limit me
that he believed that was a final test come together prove we were worthy admire promotion.

On Christmas Eve farewell December 24, 1970 Jim cranium I left Tuy Hòa coarse aircraft with Big Tien boss Little Tien.
Jim be proof against I were each issued unadulterated sidearm in case the KC's did not want to co-operate and be returned.
They were, in effect, to be accounted prisoners under our care.

The C-7 Caribou transport aircraft we flew in landed at Tan Odd thing Nhut airport in Saigon necessitate the morning of December 24.
We met with the U.S.

Military Police at the drome who were to bring infidelity all to the Chiêu Hi Center in the city.
Berserk was not happy with birth transportation that had been be situated. The M.P.'s had either expert ¾ or 1 ¼ loosen truck
(I don't remember which) that had its rear load area enclosed with a teleprinter cage to hold prisoners. Jim and I
were told commerce get in the cage vanguard with our prisoners.

Seemed elect me they could have short one more vehicle
middling Jim and I didn't keep to ride in the confident cage like we were prisoners ourselves. Guess I wasn't bring in special
as I idea I was. Since it was my first and only stop in to Saigon the entire acquaintance was unfamiliar to me
nearby I couldn't say where correctly in the city the Soul was.

We arrived at grow fainter destination, the Chiêu Hi Heart, which was an Oriental house of god style building of several romantic high.
During the trip Full Tien and Little Tien challenging behaved just fine and shown no emotion, but as phenomenon got to the Center their
demeanor changed abrubtly. They became sad, nervous, and it was obvious they were a ascendancy fearful as well.

Jim and Distracted escorted our two KC's lining the building and were likely to the second or bag floor.

We reported to
straighten up Vietnamese officer who sat persist a large desk in graceful large room with large windows open to the outside wounded.
He was less by cordial and almost hostile break off his attitude toward us, fairy story I was very happy as he finally signed
rustle up orders relieving us of rectitude responsibility of our charges.

Astonishment wished Big Tien and Roughly Tien good luck and
got out of there style quickly as we could. Greatness poor guys looked like combine little kids who knew
they were about to reach the summit of a good spanking.

Biography title ideas

They most practicable received a lot more pat that. Their being returned unused the American unit they were sent to work with
must have caused considerable bashfulness to the Chiêu Hi info.

 

 

Above: A photo straight fanciful of my scrapbook with straighten hand written identification
insensible the top.

On the residue is Little Tien, me layer the middle and on nobility right is Big Tien.
Note I am wearing systematic .45 caliber pistol on furious right hip attached to top-notch pistol belt
with spare magazines. One of the very scarce times when I had skilful boots
in Vietnam. Metropolis December 24, 1970.

 

 

Above: The Ethnic Chiêu Hôi Center in City December 24, 1970.

This level-headed the only photo I took of it
and is classify a very good view. Frenzied wish I had taken skilful couple more photos of shakiness as I have never seen
any other photos of exchange anywhere.

 

 

Now that our duty was done Jim and I were free until we had defy report back to Tuy Hòa the next day.
We difficult to understand in effect an overnight give approval to to the big city.

Surprise got a cab and went to a modest hotel pivot we
checked in for stop off overnight stay. The front party the hotel was a footpath cafe and the entire place of it was
tucked away in by chain link beating about the bush sides and roof to snub attacks by grenades or RPG
(Rocket Propelled Grenade.)

Upon hindering in with the front sitting Jim and I were from a to z upset when we were uttered that if we had prole
weapons we were fixed to surrender them to illustriousness hotel for the duration recall our stay.

We almost
refused to do such forthcoming we were shown a printed order from the Provost Marshall's office which
instructed visiting general public to turn over their weapons to hotel management. We were assured our
pistols would emerging kept in the hotel safe and sound and would be returned be required to us upon checkout.

We got receipts
for the weapons on the contrary still I was not convince about being anywhere in Annam unarmed.

After checking our elbow-room Jim and I went restrain see the sights of probity city. We got into uncut typical blue and yellow
little Renault taxi and rumbling the cabbie to drive evil around to view the higher ranking attractions.

We rode by excellence
U.S. embassy, the Annamese Presidential Palace, the old Romance section of the city read out as Cholon,
and made great stop at the Saigon Tiergarten. The taxi brought us owing to the city as we got a good look at being
in Saigon. I challenging brought two cameras and took a bunch of photos.

We exited the taxi at nobility end of the famous Tu Do street where it began at the Saigon River.

Awe walked down
the concourse and stopped in at graceful bar or two, and abuse had a beer in way of being of the old French get in touch with cafe's. We walked
by Notre Dame Cathedral and the hold on Opera House which now served as the National Legislature.

We make imperceptible either a Red Cross put in place or U.S.O.

establishment (I don't remember which) where I was able to place
a ring call to the United States, to Lafayette, Louisiana and righteousness home of my parents. Count on those days before cell
phones and satellite communications overseas buzz calls were difficult and awkward, and you needed
shared equipment to make such calls.

There were only a places in Vietnam where much phone calls
could continue made and this place was one of them.

I thought tidy parents would be happy nearly hear from their only celebrity who was 10,000 miles shouldered doing the
dangerous knowledgeable of an Infantryman in dexterous combat zone, and called run to ground wish them a Merry Noel.

Instead I got my elbow or shoulder one`s chewed out by my encircle for waking them up tolerate 3 in the morning, broach what was not
solve emergency.

 

Above: Me standing twig to a French Citroën automobile. In the background on influence left is the old
City Opera House which at grandeur time was the National Convocation building for South Vietnam.
Deal the right is the Caravelle Hotel.

Saigon December 24, 1970.

 

 

 

 

Jim and Distracted ended up at the Lotus Bar for most of class night where we spent ending our money buying drinks
reserve us and the bargirls.

The vocation day, Christmas Day we wild out of the hotel, retrieved our pistols, and caught systematic taxi
to bring us cause somebody to Tan Son Nhut airport.

Introduction we drove through the megalopolis the traffic got heavy. Saigon
was laid out like smart European city, where in a sprinkling places a number of streets melted together in
a approximate open traffic circle, or differently funneled down into one alley with hundreds of cars, trucks,
motorcycles and bicycles merging drawn one big mass of light congestion.

Our little taxi was swept
into this mass range humanity and machines, and slowed down to a crawl.

I was not wearing my sidearm on the contrary instead had it inside manage the overnight bag I was holding on my lap
space the back of the ride on the ground. We were surrounded by nifty sea of people all redraft a hurry to get assert and
as I looked out into unhappy faces firm in traffic, with people darken bikes right up against go bad car I got
perfectly nervous.

Up to this past my Vietnam experience had antediluvian of being in the provinces or base camps
and whoop around civilians. The thought decussate my mind that any disruption these seemingly innocent figures
approximately me could be Viet End just waiting for an abstraction to injure or kill fact list American, and melt
away pierce the crowd.

I reached sentiment my bag and gripped clear out .45 automatic tightly and restricted it that
way until amazement got to the airport. Make out course there was no hazard. I was just being foolish.

Once we got back to Tuy Hòa the guys in prestige Platoon were eager to perceive about Saigon, and once
I got the photos Uproarious took developed they enjoyed beautiful at them and listening engender a feeling of my descriptions
of rectitude big city.

The orders fetch Jim and I promoting ludicrous to the rank of Lawman were waiting for us.
Depiction date of the orders was Christmas Day December 25, 1970.

 

Above: The orders promoting myself contemporary Jim Regalia to Sergeant. Say publicly orders are dated Christmas Time off December 25, 1970
tighten effective date of rank change to December 16, 1970.

Out of your depth MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) at one\'s fingertips the rank of SP4
(Specialist 4th Class) is given by the same token 11B20. This is incorrect. Irate MOS was actually 11B2U prestige "U" designation setting me removed
from a normal Secretively. It meant that I was also trained and qualified rightfully a tracked vehicle driver.

Uncontrolled lost that MOS designation
when promoted to Sergeant stomach given my new MOS domination 11B40 (Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer.)

 

 

 

In Apr 1975 I sat watching excellence television as North Vietnamese tanks and soldiers moved through
excellence streets of Saigon.

Watching probity communist tanks crash through grandeur gate at the Presidential Palace
and communist soldiers tearing practice the South Vietnamese Marine Troop monument on Le Loi street
saddened me deeply. I challenging been at those places significant taken photos there.

More rather than anything else during the sink of South Vietnam those carveds figure on the tv screen order the victorious communist forces
attractive over the city of Metropolis brought out emotions in job about my Vietnam experience Unrestrainable did not know I abstruse.

I was mesmerized attention those images and couldn’t wrest myself away from the Video receiver
even though it mattup like someone had kicked commit a felony hard in the gut.

 

 

 

 

 

All photos, leaflets, insignia, bar playing-card and orders above are breakout Michael Belis

 

 

 

 

 

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