I had just got to Nam in July '67 at Chu Lai. Later in the year they asked for volunteers for a BLT so, not knowing what is was, a bunch of us volunteered. Went to Subic, got new uniforms, new M-16's, and then on board the Valley Forge and up to Cua Viet and more places I can't remember. I was one of the lucky ones, no purple heart. We lost a bunch of Marines thanks to a Bn.C.O. that would sit on the ship and give orders. He must have gotten wind of the bounty on his head and transfered out.