Post by merc on Jan 27, 2020 5:57:27 GMT
US Special Forces during the Vietnam War using the AK-47
By Mark Stinson, 14 years with Special Forces. Commo-18E, Team Sergeant 18-Z.
We can use what ever weapon we want but ammo is the problem. I wanted to take a Thompson but when I realized that the .45 rounds had to be inserted one at a time because unlike the M-16 it didn’t have a speed load device. I did carry a 1911 .45 with eight magazines with 7 rounds each with one in the chamber, always. I even slept with my .45 under my pillow.
We had many captured enemy weapons. As a member of the Mobile Strike Force out of A-401, we would deploy with our company with 112 Cambodians. Each Mike Force company was commanded by two SF NCO’s.
We would take an AK-47 with us because if we spotted a force of NVA we would hoist the AK high in the air which was a visual sign that we also were NVA. This was one at a long distance. I used my AK while inside our camp for camp defense. Ammo was still a problem but we had a supply of enemy ammo. After a firefight with many NVA KIA we’d take their weapons and ammo off their bodies.
in the photo of SSG Greg Skougland he is carrying a SKS as well as his M-16.
We had many captured enemy weapons. As a member of the Mobile Strike Force out of A-401, we would deploy with our company with 112 Cambodians. Each Mike Force company was commanded by two SF NCO’s.
We would take an AK-47 with us because if we spotted a force of NVA we would hoist the AK high in the air which was a visual sign that we also were NVA. This was one at a long distance. I used my AK while inside our camp for camp defense. Ammo was still a problem but we had a supply of enemy ammo. After a firefight with many NVA KIA we’d take their weapons and ammo off their bodies.
in the photo of SSG Greg Skougland he is carrying a SKS as well as his M-16.
Me outside our camp carrying my AK-47.
Greg with his SKS ready to deploy with me on another 30 day combat mission.
I had much better accommodations at A-404. A-401 was deactivated in May 1969 and I was transferred to A-404 the Airboat Camp. I purchased some light blue material to make the space more pleasant. The flag was the flag that flew on the flagpole at A-401. The top two weapons were captured after contacts. The AK-47 on the bottom was awarded to me by the Cambodian leader of our 43rd Company with 112 Cambodians. When we returned to A-401 after our 30 days on a combat operation during which we had a prolonged firefight with a NVA Regiment. The Cambodians pride themselves on being brave. During the battle I was moving along the perimeter and reporting to our higher headquarters B-40 FWD inside the B-43 compound. I was calling in artillery and directing CAS (combat air support) it was a stupid thing to do to expose oneself walking above ground with no cover, but I couldn’t see what was happening when I first got into a fighting position (then called a foxhole) so I climbed out. While I was standing I caught sight of the two Cambodian leaders standing further back. I smiled and gave them a thumbs up. Based on my, as they saw it, bravery he awarded me with his AK-47 that he took off a NVA soldier that he killed hand to hand. This was done in front of the whole company. After which Greg said, “you are a made man now and can do no wrong, they will follow you where ever we are on an operation.” What they took for bravery was in fact a stupid act, I should have remained in a fighting position. BTW I was also awarded a Bronze Star with ‘V’ (valor). My TW shirt on the hanger. The TW uniform was my dad’s which he gave me.
