Sunday, June 29, 2003

Y'Diam "Charlie" Hmok

 Y'Diam "Charlie" Hmok  was laid to rest on June 21, 2003. Charlie's first military service was when he was 12 years old, and a member of his father's partisan guerrilla group that lured occupying Japanese soldiers into ambushes. Later, Charlie was a member of a reinforcing Montagnard unit that parachuted into Dien Bien Phu the night before the French surrendered. Charlie was wounded there and did not like to tell that story except to discuss the French army. When American Special Forces arrived in South Vietnam, Charlie served with Special Forces A-503, Project Omega, and B-55 Mike Force. Charlie was a Montagnard company Commander in B-55 as we left. He then became a Battalion Commander. After the fall, Charlie was imprisoned for 8 years by the Vietnamese for his support of America's efforts to free his people. Charlie was finally liberated and arrived in America with his wife about 7 years ago.

Before the service, I visited Charlie's open coffin at the church. Charlie's son escorted me to the alter. I prayed for Charlie, his family and the Montagnard people. I prayed for all Special Forces warriors and their families. Before leaving Charlie's side, I reached down, into the casket, and rubbed the Special Forces crest that gleamed against a 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne background, on the Green Beret Charlie was holding in both hands. I had often seen Charlie wearing that Green Beret comfortably and proudly at military and civilian functions in Ft Bragg, and  Greensboro, North Carolina. As my hand brushed against his, I wanted to pull him up. I yearned for the sound of a medivac bird for him. Knowing it was not to be, I saluted a warrior for the last time.

by Mike Linnane
SFA, CH 57
Courtesy of: Charles Geck and his web site Global SpecOps


2:49:08 AM  comment []  

Missing No More

The bodies of PFC. Kevin Ott and SFC. Gladimir Philippe were found yesterday, 20 miles northwest of Baghdad. I had been hoping and praying they would be found alive. It was not to be. There is no further information at this time.
12:28:52 AM  comment []