Black Syph, is this true?

[yellowwing]

Back in '85 one of our Gunnies, truth be told, was prone to tall tales. Especially about Viet Nam.

One of his 'Honest to God' tales was about THE BLACK SYPH. His account was that there was a virulant strain of syphyllis that was incurable. Once contracted it you could not re-enter CONUS or any civilized country on the globe.

So they set up a BLACK SYPH colony in the midle of some major river. Even the NVA or VC would stay very far away from this island of death.

True or Tall Tale?

[Osotogary]

I am not a Marine myself but I have heard and read that story many times. I thought that it was an island in and around the South China Seas.

[CPLRapoza]

I heard it was some where in Thailand, if that was the case, you can send me anytime.

[reddog4950]

Funny we all heard diferent stories I heard if you caught it you were sent to a hospital in Guam, and was reported missing in action. I never did know anyone who ever had it after 2 tours,
so maybe it was the D.I. way of scaring us a bit :)
S.F.
Vic

[Super Dave]

I heard the same stories when i was on Okie, and Korea, and almost every other island over there...

[cjwright90]

I was on Guam for 15 months and never heard about that! LOL!