This from the novel The 13th Valley. A GREAT BOOK if you are interested in company level operations in 1970. Deals with the 101st in the A Shau Valley.

Here from the character in the book, Sgt. Rafe "The Rapper" Ridgefield, a take on Howard Cosell:

Good evening,ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to ABC's Wide World of War. Tonight we take you to the jungles of the Republic of Vietnam for the finals of the ancient sport of hand to hand combat.

In the finals tonight, which, by the way, are taking place in this spacious Thua Thien arena outside the Citadel, we will see bold, courageous and humble Joseph Gee Eye pitted against the Little Giant, snarling screaming Charles V.C. Cong.

Joe, from Sometown, Anystate, weighed in prior to tonight's engagement at 187 pounds. He has a 41 inch reach and stands 6 foot one.

Charlie, from Sauhnmhamlet, Upnorth Province, weighed in at 58 kilos, ahhh, that is 127 pounds. He stands five foot five and has a 34 inch reach.

I think I just heard the sound of barbed wire being snipped - The National Anthem. We are about ready for the start of tonight's fight.

I noticed at the beginning of this broadcast that Joe had been in his bunker working up a high on Laotian Red. You should note that Joe has several M-67 frags hanging from his belt, a bandoleer of 5.56mm M-16 magazines and a black plastic weapon made by Mattel. Bayonet is affixed.

Here at my right I have the pleasure of having Willie Moreland, who, as you know, is an internationally recognized expert at this sport. Last year, before he retired, Willie was captain of the southern All-Star Team which played the North to a 40,000 to 200,000 deadlock. Willie, the fans and I would like to know how you think Joe will open up tonight if he wins the toss of the coin. Would you comment?

Well, Jim, as you know we like to encourage the boys to open with a bang. Sometimes a short burst will be effective.

Willie, what if Charlie wins the toss? Do you think Joe will be able to open with the same move?

No, definitely not, Jim. He will probably open with a vertical butt stroke series or maybe a long thrust and hold. It really depends then on what VC, ah, Jim, you don't mind if I refer to the boy from the North as VC do you?

No, not at all.

Well, Jim, If VC pulls something unusual, Gee Eye may have to counter with something unusual.

I hate to interrupt you, Willie, but I just noticed that Chuck has a Samurai sword and two bags of plastic explosive. That's is kind of unusual, isn't it?

Yes, Jim, it is. VC usually moves with a minimum of weight and that's a mighty large sword. He usually depends on speed, you know.

From my seat high above Firebase Kathryn I can see that Charlie has won the coin toss. I see some blue-white flame off to the left. It appears that Gee Eye is grovin on the flames.