Getting Out
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Here is a small extract of DA orders under authority of which I left Vietnam and got out of the army.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96262

SPECIAL ORDERS                                                                                      16 August 1969

NUMBER 228                                                       EXTRACT

54.       TC 370.  Fol orders AMENDED.

SMO: Para 50 SO 185 this Hq CS
Pert to:  REFRAD of HARRIS, DWIGHT E. 501-48-7708 1LT QM 4419 HHC & Band, SUPCOM
                    WAJ7AAA    APO 96262
As reads:    DEROS:  5 Sep 69
IATR:      DEROS:  27 Aug 69 (Adj)
As reads:  EDCSA:  (To USARVRet Det APO 96375)  1 Sep 69 (To USATRFSTA Ft Lewis WA 98433)  8 Sep 69
IATR:   EDCSA:  (To USARV Ret Det APO 96375) 23 Aug 69 (To USATRFSTA Ft Lewis, WA 98433) 30 Aug 69

FOR THE COMMANDER:

OFFICIAL:                                                                                    GORDON J. DUQUEMIN
                                                                                                       Colonel, GS
                                                                                                       Chief of Staff

ROBERT C. TUYN
1LT, AGC
Asst AG

 

The gist of all of that was that I (and quite a few other people) left Vietnam early and got out of the army early.  Everyone was quite happy.

I can't remember the exact day I left Camp Enari. I flew from Camp Enari to CamRanh Bay on the coast of Vietnam. This was an exit place. There was a lot of drinking and general mischief.  I remember soldiers burning their division patches.

Two things I clearly remember about leaving Vietnam and arriving back in the United States.  Number one: When the plane actually lifted off the ground in Vietnam all of the men on board spontaneously clapped.  Number two:  When the plan actually touched the ground in the United States all of the men on board spontaneously clapped.

Louise met me at Ft. Lewis, and we drove back to Seattle that afternoon. Louise's parents and Bruce were in England when I got back. I saw Todd for the first time in almost a year. He had grown a lot. I was really happy to be home with Louise and Todd.

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