​Going to Vietnam

After completing basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Infantry Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and attending airborne school (did not complete) at Fort Benning, Georgia, my brother Wayne and I received orders for a 12 month tour in Vietnam. We went home to begin our 30-day leave before reporting to Fort Lewis, Washington and subsequent processing to Vietnam.

           Glyn Haynie Basic Training Aug 1969                                  Glyn, on left, and Wayne Leaving

​March 9, 1969, Wayne and I left our parents’ house for Vietnam. My mother, father and sister took us to the Columbus, Georgia airport, and we said our goodbyes. We boarded our flight and flew to Fort Lewis, Washington, the first stop on a long journey. We spent one night at Fort Lewis and the next morning we boarded an international flight to Vietnam with stops in Alaska and Japan. Wayne and I sat next to each other the entire flight.

​Our first assignment was the Americal (23rd) Infantry Division Combat Center at Chu Lai. The army didn't know what to do with two brothers in-country so they kept us at the Combat Center until someone finally made a decision. After six weeks Wayne went to Korea, and I reported to First Platoon, Company A, 3rd Battalion/1st Infantry, 11th Brigade, Americal Division.

​Wayne Haynie, April 1969, at the Combat Center in Chu Lai. Just finished cleaning gear. If I remember correctly our hooch would be to his left.

The Combat Center was located on the Americal Division firebase in Chu Lai. To your right of the sign is the "Shipping Shed" where replacements reported to go to their units.