Myself and 13 other Marines and a Corpsman traveled to CAP Unit each week to train them to use our weapons.
During the day classes, at night we went on patrol and ambushes with them.
We spent about a week with each unit. Helo's picked us up and took us to another unit for a week there. I don't remember to much contact. I do remember an occasion I used arty on a tree line across from us with numerous rounds.
From the beginning of the tree line to my left was lights. It was late at night and a Marine showed me the lights.
I couldn't believe it. I called the rear area and ask if friendlies were in that area.
They came back and said no and to return to a rear area if possible. With a thought of using arty I needed to have a perfect grid and direction.
Under a few poncho's, myself and asst. Sq. Ldr. figured it out.
Our thought was to start from the far left to right in front of us.
By that time the lights were directly in front of us. 20-30 different lights with intervals of 75-100 feet. The tree line was app. 150-200 meters in front of us and the arty said it was to close and we were on the "gun-target" line.
We decided to lie about the distance and told them again it would be about 250-350 in front of us.
With that they started their vollies to the far left all the way up to in front of us.
During that time we could hear the rounds coming over us. Seems it lasted for 10-15 minuted, up and down the tree line.
We waited to daylight and was e-vac out. Another larger unit flew in and searched the area.
We were told later by our rear area OIC of blood trails and weapons found along the area. Newly dug graves, rice, and loose equipment left by the unit. My rear area estimated it was an NVA Company.
SSgt. Willoughby, I met him years later at Vanderbilt Univ. Nashville,Tenn. as an instructor.
I was with the I & I Staff Nashville Tn. at the time as the I & & Gunny. I assisted him with his inspections of his Cadets during that tour.