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Dave Berry | all galleries >> Galleries >> Vietnam War '67 - '68 > John McCoy - Christmas '67
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John McCoy - Christmas '67

John McCoy on road security along Thunder Road just before Christmas in '67. Many of the combat units were deployed to provide security for the Bob Hope Show.

John was an infantryman, and later, NCO with 2/28th Infantry. We dug in all night and patrolled all day together. Along with our comrades, we had many horrific days and nights on Operation Shenandoah II, including the Battle of Ong Thanh and the weeks at Loc Ninh. John was quiet and friendly, but with the heart of a warrior. I would, and did, trust him with my life. In a battle during the Tet Offensive, John fought not only the enemy but a high fever that finally resulted in his being evacuated and hospitalized. That kind of devotion to duty can't be taught or expected. It comes from the heart. The story of John and the leech is one that will never pass my lips unless alcohol and/or money is offered (preferably both). John and his wonderful family live in Oregon.

Photo courtesy of John McCoy


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Joe Karczynski 10-Apr-2012 21:57
God Bless his soul. He was a outstanding solder and person.
Mike Hansen 20-Sep-2011 06:23
Was he the one that had the leach on his Johnson and had to be evac. I believe we where cooling down in a little stream and I still have pictures of that break.
David M. Aldridge 22-Jun-2010 20:26
Thanks Dave for posting this.
John was just about the only friend I had in Bravo Company 2/28th while I was assigned to them in 1967. He was from Oceanside California and I came from Westminster, California so we got along real well. I was there when John encountered the Giant Leech and I accused him of using the leech on purpose to get out of the bush for a few days R & R:-) I missed him terribly when they sent me over to Delta Company. But I soon became friends with all those guys in Delta and I would sneak back and visit McCoy whenever I got a chance. We finally reconnected in about 2002 and I was so happy he had survived the War. It really left a hole in my heart when John passed away recently. I pray I will be able to meet his family before too long. God Bless You, John.
Terry Foutts 07-Nov-2008 22:42
I was with "A" Company 2/2nd. from April '67 to April '68 and working just north of Lai Khe pulling road security during the same time this photo was taken. Six of us were loaded onto a mail chopper and ferried back to Lai Khe to attend the Bob Hope show. I have no idea why we were picked but we were a very small group that still had our weapons and field fatigues. Just to let you know the audience wasn't all REMF's. One of the clearer memories was of Raquel Welch dancing in a blue and white mini-skirt with knee high boots singing very badly. We were immediately sent back to the NDP as soon as the show ended.
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