1912 Erfurt

Navy · 07-30-2003, 03:48 AM

All,
My platoon medic in 2/D/2-503rd PIR was Doc Valez. He humped his medic bag,(a good 20 pounds) plus all the stuff that a M-203 gunner carried in his vest (add another 20 pounds), plus the normal grunt load: 12 quarts of water, food for 4 days, 200 rounds of 7.62 MG ammo, 2 PRC radio batteries, 4 smoke grenades, 6 frag grenades, 2 Claymores and personal effects of a sentimental nature. Doc Valez's view was that if, and when, we got overrun, he would be the final protective fires. He was a dope-smoking hippie and a real challenge to leadership, but under fire he was one of the bravest men I ever met. He was armed and dangerous, both in and out, of the field. Such men are exactly what Steve Ambrose, my now departed friend, wrote about in "Citizen Soldiers", but Doc V was simply 25 years to late for Steve.
Tom A.
PS: For Lugerholsterrepair: I feel certain you know this guy or at least his clone.
TA

07-30-2003, 03:48 AM	#14
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	All, My platoon medic in 2/D/2-503rd PIR was Doc Valez. He humped his medic bag,(a good 20 pounds) plus all the stuff that a M-203 gunner carried in his vest (add another 20 pounds), plus the normal grunt load: 12 quarts of water, food for 4 days, 200 rounds of 7.62 MG ammo, 2 PRC radio batteries, 4 smoke grenades, 6 frag grenades, 2 Claymores and personal effects of a sentimental nature. Doc Valez's view was that if, and when, we got overrun, he would be the final protective fires. He was a dope-smoking hippie and a real challenge to leadership, but under fire he was one of the bravest men I ever met. He was armed and dangerous, both in and out, of the field. Such men are exactly what Steve Ambrose, my now departed friend, wrote about in "Citizen Soldiers", but Doc V was simply 25 years to late for Steve. Tom A. PS: For Lugerholsterrepair: I feel certain you know this guy or at least his clone. TA