I know He goes to war I can't tell you of ever finding God in church And I can't remember feeling He was near me when I went there. I do remember seeing a lot of friendly smiling faces And people dressed in all their nice clothes. Somehow, I always felt uneasy - Too many people, too close. No, I don't remember seeing God in church But I hear his name there constantly. Some ask, Have you been born again? If so, when? And I don't understand! I did feel God in Vietnam - Almost every day. I felt him when, after an all night fire fight, He sent the sun to chase the rain away; and the rain would return with majesty The very next day. He was there when I collected Sgt. Moore's body parts to put in a body bag. He was there when I wrote A letter to his widow explaining how he died. He was behind me when I heard Sergeant Sink's last dying gasp. He helped me carry Sergeant Swanson down a hill in the An Lo valley. I caught a glimpse of God when I felt the heat of napalm Called on our own position, May 27, 1967. I felt him around me when The chaplain would hold field service for our dead. I saw his reflection in the faces of my men When I told them to save one bullet for themselves As we were about to be overrun one hot steamy day In a Nam far away. He led me in the "Lord's Prayer" On every assault As we stood on the skids coming in at treetop level. When we set up night ambushes And I couldn't see my own hands because of the darkness, I could feel his hands. He sent loneliness to guarantee the fond memories That always appear later in life. I'll always remember the strength God gave To the orphans - the children of war. He made them strong, but they didn't understand. I know after 25 years, We sleep under the same star. He sent boys to war. They returned young men; Their lives forever changed Proud to protect the land of the free. I don't know if God goes to church, But I know he goes to war. Written by Barry L. McAlpine First Squadron, Ninth (US) Cavalry Placed by a friend, Ed Culhane powsmias@aol.com 13 Oct 1998

 

24 May 2007 I was speaking with John about a minute before he was hit. I was visiting his Battery and he asked me stay for lunch, but I had to refuse in order to return to my own Battery. As I was leaving, we had incoming. He was a good man, a good soldier, and only by a great misfortune was he lost. From a fellow Cavalry soldier, David Bock HHB 1st Cav Div Arty vanbock@gmail.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The MACV Summary for June 1969 records a 107mm rocket attack on Camp Gorvad (the 1st Cavalry Division base camp at Phuoc Vinh) just before 6 PM on 09 June. Warrant Officer Thomas A. Hill, New Hartford, CT, assigned to B Troop, 1/9 Cavalry, is known to have died in the attack. Although Staff Sergeant Moore's casualty record doesn't contain the date he was injured, The Virtual Wall believes but cannot prove he was wounded in the rocket attack and died later the same day.

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