Though my battalion worked in many other areas, Camp Barnes was MCB#5's main
base during the 67-68 deployment...the 1968 TET OFFENSIVE continued for the
duration of deployment with lots of damage and many casualities...Chief
…The seeming continual harassment of the Dong Ha combat base was climaxed on 26 February when 300 rounds of mortar, rocket, and artillery impacted on the base. Twenty rounds landed within MCB 5’s camp and caused extensive damage to buildings and equipment resulting in six Seabees being wounded in action
…Camp Barnes received 40 rounds of enemy rocket and artillery fire. The action resulted in three WIA’s, EOHCN S.L. McGinnis, CMA2 I.M. Thomas, Jr., and EAD3 J.C. Monroe, plue 38 pieces of damaged equipment and severe damage to Alpha Company shops, NMCB-5 messhall, and several living huts.
…Six artillery attacks on Dong Ha. Three rounds impacted in the CBMU-301 shop area. One supply tent was destroyed, B&C Company shops sustained shrapnel holes. Some equipment in “A” Company area sustained minor damage. No casualties.
Nobody seems to know exactly what its origin is, though it has been suggested it's linked to the Old Norse huka, to squat; that would make it a close cousin of old Dutch huiken and modern German hocken, meaning to squat or crouch, which makes sense. That's certainly what's meant by the word in American English, in phrases like hunker down or on your hunkers.
The Oxford English Dictionary has a fine description of how to hunker: "squat, with the haunches, knees, and ankles acutely bent, so as to bring the hams near the heels, and throw the whole weight upon the fore part of the feet". The advantage of this position is that you're not only crouched close to the ground, so presenting a small target for whatever the universe chooses to throw at you, but you're also ready to move at a moment's notice.
Hunker down has also taken on the sense of to hide, hide out, or take shelter, whatever position you choose to do it in. This was a south-western US dialect form that was popularised by President Johnson in the mid 1960s.
Good Morning, MAC.. never thought much of the terms source or definition but it
worked many times...there were times when caught out in the open, the prone position,
"holding on to the Earth" had a description all its own accompanied by body parts
squeezing so tightly, one couldn't have inserted a greased flax seed!!!! Chief
We love to here your War stories Rooter. It's history that is "unknown" by most of the younger generation!
The posted story above makes it sound like your lucky to be here. Like my older brother who was building a runway on some small island in the South Pacific when incoming enemy aircraft attacked! he turned the D8 dozer sideways and dove underneath to "Hunker Down" from the bomb shrapnel. the runway was destroyed and the D8 needed repair, he emerged unscathed.
Thank you for your Service Sir.
GO SEABEES.
Greetings YS...you flatter me and I do appreciate the kind words and the comparisons..
Like you told me about your older brother...Sounds like the movie script with John Wayne's
1944 movie, THE FIGHTING SEABEES...only war movie that he ever depicted getting
KIA'd... Perhaps now it sounds like I am still bragging but down below are more
stories that I've written...some I am letting myself be the 3rd person when a story
has been told to me or one I've heard...Please read the story, NOTHING PERSONAL..IT'S WAR
I've been cautioned by a noted newswoman, Martha Raddatz (sp) who somehow read the
story, about my witnessing murder and the time doesn't expel (limits)on such an offense.. I'd
deny it and throw myself on the mercy of the court... Best Regards. Chief
Chief your stories never cease to amaze and amuse me. Between farming as a child, your navy career, and beyond you garner much respect from me at every step. My sister's ex husband was a SeaBed and he's about the only decent guy she's ever dated and I still have lots of respect for him.
Dang Guys.. Old Humble Hank that I am, I'm very impressed with the praise I get from
stringing some words together about having been there and doing this, that, or any
other thing...thank you...YS ACRES pretty much expressed the same praise a bit ago...it
has been a wonderful and activity filled life...83 years and countingOnce on here, way back in its early days this old codger from the south someplace remarked to me that to have met as many
important people as I claim, that I'd have to be 100 years old...I smart-mouthed the
Old Barney Fife acting dude and told him that I didn't live back in the boondocks where
I'd have to wipe the hoot-owl s--- off the alarm clock to know what time of day it was.
That tickled JD (Steve) so much he called me and we shot the bull for ever so long!
God Bless your memory JD...we miss you still...you were the original mover and shaker
of this original THE FIREARMS FORUM. Chief
[QUOTE="rooter, YS ACRES pretty much expressed the same praise a bit ago.
I didn't live back in the boondocks where
I'd have to wipe the hoot-owl s--- off the alarm clock to know what time of day it was.
That tickled JD (Steve) so much he called me and we shot the bull for ever so long!
God Bless your memory JD...we miss you still...you were the original mover and shaker
of this original THE FIREARMS FORUM. Chief[/QUOTE]
Ever so humorous when your writings wander off topic.
I always thought the words hunker down were coined for a position taken in the thick of battle were it was convenient & less embarrassing to wipe after the danger had passed.
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