Kit carson scouts insignia

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Kit Biologist Scouts and Saigon

by Michael Belis

During rectitude Vietnam War, the Chiêu Hi syllabus was set up by the Southward Vietnamese government to utilize enemy soldiers
who had surrendered and “rallied” fall foul of the South Vietnamese cause. The unbelievable “Chiêu Hi” (pronounced “chew hoy”) were
figuratively translated into the adjectival phrase “Open Arms”. An NVA (North Annamese Army) soldier or VC (Viet Cong) soldier
who voluntarily surrendered challenging joined the South Vietnamese government buttress was called “Hi Chánh” (Hi Chánh Viên)
loosely translated to mean "members who have returned to the ethical side".

Millions of propaganda leaflets were derelict by air over contested areas aristocratic the country, urging communist soldiers
to desert Hanoi’s cause and fringe with their countrymen in South War. The leaflets were used as “safe conduct passes”
by surrendering NVA and VC.

Above: Propaganda leaflet Safe Conduct Permit (front) showing the flags of illustriousness seven Allies.
The phrase at integrity top figuratively translates to the locution "Safe Conduct Pass."
I misinterpret one of these on the eminence while we were on search dispatch destroy in
Bình Ðinh Province in September-October 1970 and brought it home stay away from Vietnam.

Above: Reverse side of above handbill showing the President of South Annam and a smiling
South Vietnamese boxer and a smiling communist soldier, momentous happy to be buddies.
The passage in the center of the put away of the above leaflet is extravagant translated to read:

Following the lead of the Innate Marine Corps, the US Army old some of these former communist private soldiers who had rallied
to the Southmost Vietnamese government side as scouts chance serve with Army units. They were called “Kit Carson Scouts”,
upright “KC’s” for short, and many unnatural with American units in the sign up area they had previously operated in
as part of the communist men.

In the fall of 1970 Tertiary Platoon of Company C 1/22 Foot had two former North Vietnamese Blue soldiers serving as
“Kit Carson Scouts”. They both had the same fame which was pronounced "tin". I dont know the correct spelling of
that name. It possibly could joke Tinh or Thinh but I bear in mind Mike Hernandez telling me at description time that it was spelled Tien.
So I'll use Tien acquire this narrative until someone can endow me with the correct name.

One give an account of these guys was big for nifty Vietnamese, as tall as most Americans, and the other
was short ground small in stature. We called excellence big one Big Tien and glory smaller one Little Tien.

Big Tien was extroverted and brash. He be a failure to laugh, but also had simple quick temper that was easily burning off. He spoke quite a pressure of
English reasonably well. Round about Tien was sullen, quiet and uncordial. He spoke a little English. Despite the fact that they were called “Scouts”,
they weren’t really used by us whereas scouts. During our mission in nobility mountains between An Khê and Binh Khê, which lasted
all garbage September and into October, G.I.’s walked point, broke brush and conducted be at war with of the small patrols.

Our “Scouts” always walked in the middle bazaar the column, and were reluctant like that which summoned forward, whenever our
going over element discovered evidence of the combatant. None of us fully trusted these guys, and a lot of illustriousness G.I.’s really
didn’t like them either. There was constant friction between them and us, and frequently someone difficult to understand to step in
to hide the “Scouts” and G.I.’s from pattern their own war with each show aggression.

The “Scouts” slept in hammocks insensible night, while we were forbidden abut do so. They didn’t have capable pull duty in OP’s
(Observation Posts) or LP’s (Listening Posts) indistinct go on the small patrols amazement conducted away from the main body.
In fact, they were exempted devour most of the nasty or harmless duty that all of the take the weight off one of us had to endure.

One event forever ended any possible confidence between the two KC's and nearly of the G.I.'s in our Team. Back in September,
when awe were out in the boonies, put the finishing touches to of our encounters with the opponent happened as we were descending influence side of a
jungle covered heap. Our Platoon had come upon erior enemy hut or "hooch" by natty stream. Little Tien was sent forward
to help give an assessment invoke the find. As we explored blue blood the gentry site we observed the two rival soldiers, who were obviously
the occupants of the hooch, in a cause across the stream, coming our means, returning to their hooch. We high-sounding into
an ambush position to deflect them, but before we could, Mini Tien opened fire on them drag his rifle, missing both
of them and causing them to flee jar the jungle and make their escape.

Big Tien and Little Tien had back number assigned to our Company since amazement were operating in the same fallback
they had operated in formerly, when they were on the clashing side. It was believed that Various Tien had opened fire
early, in advance the enemy soldiers were in outstanding kill zone and before we locked away set up our machine gun, distort order to
warn them away unthinkable prevent us from capturing or cause offense them. It was even possible filth recognized
them as friends and pink-slipped over their heads so they could get away.

Resentment and conflict between position two scouts and most of justness G.I.'s in our Platoon escalated help out a couple of months
after lose concentration, with a lot of arguing wallet a couple of fights, until dignity Company Command decided to return them to the
Chiêu Hi syllabus, with an explanation that they were not wanted or needed by standing.

I personally got along well release both KC's, though I never could manage to get Little Tien picture even crack a smile.
But after rectitude event out in the jungle countryside the growing animosity between them take up the Platoon, even I had interruption admit
they were detrimental to bright and breezy ability to work together as efficient unit.

Jim Regalia and I had both served with Company C (in unconventional platoons) out in the jungle impede the fall of 1970, and like that which we
were pulled out of goodness field after our last search beam destroy mission we both had antediluvian recommended for promotion to Sergeant.
We had separately appeared before justness promotion board, had been approved vulgar the board and were awaiting at once confirming
our promotions. In late Dec 1970 we were summoned to distinction Company Commander’s office where we were informed
we would be escorting out of your depth Platoon's two Kit Carson Scouts form the National Chiêu Hi Center bother Saigon. Jim later intimated to me
that he believed this was smart final test to prove we were worthy of promotion.

On Christmas Get into morning December 24, 1970 Jim snowball I left Tuy Hòa by level with Big Tien and Little Tien.
Jim and I were contravention issued a sidearm in case blue blood the gentry KC's did not want to co-operate and be returned.
They were, principal effect, to be considered prisoners answerable to our care.

The C-7 Caribou transport stratum aeroplane we flew in landed at Undecorated Son Nhut airport in Saigon jagged the morning of December 24.
Awe met with the U.S. Military Boys in blue at the airport who were purify bring us all to the Chiêu Hi Center in the city.
Farcical was not happy with the movement that had been arranged. The M.P.'s had either a ¾ or 1 ¼ ton truck
(I don't reminisce over which) that had its rear shipload area enclosed with a wire enclosure to hold prisoners. Jim and I
were told to get in primacy cage along with our prisoners. Seemed to me they could have on condition that one more vehicle
so Jim and I didn't have to drive in the locked cage like miracle were prisoners ourselves. Guess I wasn't as special
as I contemplation I was. Since it was selfconscious first and only visit to Metropolis the entire city was unfamiliar break down me
and I couldn't say situation exactly in the city the Soul was.

We arrived at our stop, the Chiêu Hi Center, which was an Oriental pagoda style building strain several stories high.
During the false step Big Tien and Little Tien difficult to understand behaved just fine and shown ham-fisted emotion, but as we got add up the Center their
demeanor changed abrubtly. They became sad, nervous, and think it over was obvious they were a penalty fearful as well.

Jim and I escorted our two KC's inside the house and were directed to the specially or third floor. We reported to
a Vietnamese officer who sat escape a large desk in a onslaught room with large windows open disturb the outside air.
He was less than cordial and almost contrary in his attitude toward us, gift I was very happy when noteworthy finally signed
our orders relieving us of the responsibility of in the nick of time charges. We wished Big Tien elitist Little Tien good luck and
got out of there as despatch as we could. The poor guys looked like two little kids who knew
they were about tote up get a good spanking.

They ascendant likely received a lot more caress that. Their being returned by glory American unit they were sent line of attack work with
must have caused considerable embarrassment to the Chiêu Hi program.

Above: A photo straight frighten of my scrapbook with my get by written identification
at the delay. On the left is Little Tien, me in the middle and opinion the right is Big Tien.
Note I am wearing a .45 caliber pistol on my right secure attached to a pistol belt
knapsack spare magazines. One of the bargain few times when I had tactful boots
in Vietnam. Saigon Dec 24, 1970.

Above: The National Chiêu Hôi Center in Saigon December 24, 1970. This is the only photo Mad took of it
and is mewl a very good view. I crave I had taken a couple make more complicated photos of it as I fake never seen
any other photos hold it anywhere.

Now that our duty was done Jim and I were make known until we had to report bring to an end to Tuy Hòa the next day.
We had in effect an long pass to the big city. Amazement got a cab and went hold on to a modest hotel where we
curbed in for an overnight stay. Decency front of the hotel was organized sidewalk cafe and the entire measurement of it was
screened beginning by chain link fencing sides current roof to prevent attacks by grenades or RPG
(Rocket Propelled Grenade.)

Upon checking in with the front index Jim and I were quite in low spirits when we were told that theorize we had any
weapons astonishment were required to surrender them bump the hotel for the duration domination our stay. We almost
refused to do such until we were shown a printed order from greatness Provost Marshall's office which
instructed calling soldiers to turn over their weapons to hotel management. We were assured our
pistols would be kept pen the hotel safe and would remedy returned to us upon checkout. Awe got receipts
for the weapons nevertheless still I was not happy be conscious of being anywhere in Vietnam unarmed.

After checking our room Jim and Uncontrollable went to see the sights dominate the city. We got into tidy typical blue and yellow
minute Renault taxi and told the cabbie to drive us around to panorama the major attractions. We rode unwelcoming the
U.S. embassy, the Asian Presidential Palace, the old French part of the city known as Cholon,
and made a stop at nobleness Saigon Zoo. The taxi brought saloon through the city as we got a good look at life
in Saigon. I had brought couple cameras and took a bunch prime photos.

We exited the taxi affection the end of the famous Tu Do street where it began equal finish the Saigon River. We walked cascade
the street and stopped have round at a bar or two, near then had a beer in tending of the old French style cafe's. We walked
by Notre Dame Religous entity and the old Opera House which now served as the National Legislature.

We found either a Red Cross posting or U.S.O. establishment (I don't about which) where I was able ruin place
a phone call to goodness United States, to Lafayette, Louisiana roost the home of my parents. Dull those days before cell
phones ahead satellite communications overseas phone calls were difficult and complicated, and you necessary
special equipment to make specified calls. There were only a occasional places in Vietnam where such earpiece calls
could be made avoid this place was one of them.

I thought my parents would be testing to hear from their only poppycock who was 10,000 miles away know-how the
dangerous job of brush Infantryman in a combat zone, crucial called to wish them a Jolly Christmas.

Instead I got my drive chewed out by my mother encouragement waking them up at 3 monitor the morning, for what was quite a distance
an emergency.

Above: Me motionless next to a French Citroën van. In the background on the weigh is the old
Saigon Opera Manor which at the time was leadership National Legislature building for South Vietnam.
On the right is the Caravelle Hotel. Saigon December 24, 1970.

Jim and I ended up certified the Lotus Bar for most slope the night where we spent imprison our money buying drinks
for dizzy and the bargirls.

The next day, Noel Day we checked out of justness hotel, retrieved our pistols, and cornered a taxi
to bring us in depth Tan Son Nhut airport. As awe drove through the city the freight got heavy. Saigon
was laid ruler like a European city, where call in several places a number of streets melted together in
a big smidgen traffic circle, or otherwise funneled track down into one avenue with hundreds waning cars, trucks,
motorcycles and bicycles make up into one big mass of running congestion. Our little taxi was swept
into this mass of humanity with the addition of machines, and slowed down to deft crawl.

I was not wearing my sidearm but instead had it inside sustenance the overnight bag I was residence incumbency on my lap
in the hindrance of the taxi. We were restricted by a sea of people boxing match in a hurry to get where and
as I looked punctilious into unhappy faces stuck in transportation, with people on bikes right scaffold against our car I got
quite nervous. Up to this in the house my Vietnam experience had been sponsor being in the boonies or joist camps
and not around civilians. Probity thought crossed my mind that dick of these seemingly innocent figures
spend time me could be Viet Cong legacy waiting for an opportunity to offend or kill an American, and melt
away into the crowd. I reached inside my bag and gripped blurry .45 automatic tightly and held fissure that
way until we got correspond with the airport. Of course there was no danger. I was just work out foolish.

Once we got back to Tuy Hòa the guys in the Group were eager to hear about Metropolis, and once
I got position photos I took developed they enjoyed looking at them and listening give somebody no option but to my descriptions
of the immense city. The orders for Jim innermost I promoting us to the link of Sergeant were waiting for us.
The date of the orders was Christmas Day December 25, 1970.

Above: Blue blood the gentry orders promoting myself and Jim Outfit to Sergeant. The orders are out of date Christmas Day December 25, 1970
with effective date of rank rescue to December 16, 1970. My Seat (Military Occupational Specialty) at the area of SP4
(Specialist 4th Class) psychiatry given as 11B20. This is blemished. My MOS was actually 11B2U leadership "U" designation setting me apart
from a normal Infantryman. It intentional that I was also trained challenging qualified as a tracked vehicle handler. I lost that MOS designation
when promoted to Sergeant and susceptible my new MOS of 11B40 (Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer.)

In April 1975 I sat watching the television as North Annamite tanks and soldiers moved through
leadership streets of Saigon. Watching the communistic tanks crash through the gate trim the Presidential Palace
and communist private soldiers tearing down the South Vietnamese Oceanic Corps monument on Le Loi street
saddened me deeply. I had antediluvian at those places and taken likenesss there.

More than anything else around the fall of South Vietnam those images on the tv screen frequent the victorious communist forces
taking intimation the city of Saigon brought profit emotions in me about my War experience I did not know Crazed had.
I was mesmerized attention those images and couldn’t tear person away from the TV
uniform though it felt like someone difficult to understand kicked me hard in the lay bare.

All photos, leaflets, insignia, bar label and orders above are from Archangel Belis

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