We spotted a hand
full of the enemy who had been shooting at us running over the top of
another hill. I radioed the CO ordnance of the fire mission to the
artillery at camp Caroll as I was dropping my trousers. I bent over, back
side facing the marines still charging up the hill behind us. I had a lit
cigarette by this time as was in the process of burning a leach off.
The leach by this time had gotten too close to where I didn't want him to
be. The leach and the enemy were no longer a threat to me. Our guys were
shooting at the retreating enemy so the men rushing up behind us didn't
know what was going on as they came into view of me bending over.
In true marine spirit under fire, I feared what the first man to see this sight
would think -- who charged up and said, "Tex it's bad enough that I'm getting shot at but do you have to
moon me too?" The leach removed, I pulled up my trousers and adjusted
the artillery on to the hills beyond.
That marine never broke stride as he moved on up past me to the line.