Glyn Haynie Memorabilia
I found this newpaper article on line and wanted to share with the platoon. Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. "The Bronze Star Medal with 'V' device for valor, which was awarded posthumously to Pfc. Eldon L. Reynolds, is presented to his widow, Donita, of Weatherford, in a ceremony at Ft. Sill. Reynolds was killed in action, Vietnam, July 14. (medal presented by Maj. Gen. Charles P. Brown) . Reynolds also received The Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal."
This is a newspaper article on Willie Matson receiving his High School Diploma posthumously nearly 50 years after he was killed. His sister, Joyce, is in the photograph.
Photographs of my time with 1st platoon.
This is my favorite photograph. Sitting on the ground left to right was Dwight Anderson, Danny Carey, Bill Davenport and Ray "Alabama" Hamilton. Standing to the rear of the seated squad members, left to right, was Mike Dankert, Ronald Owens and Jerry Ofstedahl. Unknown to us, during the next three days, three squad members would be killed and three wounded in the photograph taken that day, August 12, 1969.
Glyn Haynie Video Interview
Dr. Preston Jones, professor of history at John Brown University, interview (August 26, 2021) for The War and Life: Discussions with Veterans project. The YouTube link below is part one of two parts of the interview.
Dr. Preston Jones, professor of history at John Brown University, interview (August 26, 2021) for The War and Life: Discussions with Veterans project. The YouTube link below is part one of two parts of the interview.
Click on Image
I wrote this Poem many years ago before writing my Memoir. August 13, August 14, and August 15 would turn out to be the worst days of my life. After the 15th, much of what happened blurs into darkness. Some things I witnessed and did remain unspoken, even to Dankert. But I must write something, because those three days would come to define my entire existence.
**Fear and Dread**
*August 13*
The day dawned like any other
Until enemy fire shattered the morning air
Second squad fell, their numbers dwindling
I met the enemy's gaze down my sights, squeezed the trigger
Cradled the dead in my arms
Tended to the wounded, their pain my own
Navigated the treacherous night for my gear
Fear and dread became my companions
*August 14*
Dawn broke on a world forever changed
Led patrols into hostile territory
Felt unseen eyes tracking our every move
Searched fallen enemies, hands trembling
Their presence lingered in the air
Their scent haunted each breath
Villages stood empty, doors open
Fear and dread deepened their hold
*August 15*
Morning rose heavy with foreboding
Led the platoon through rice paddies
Hostile eyes burned into our backs
My warning cry came too late
The world exploded
Bullets tore the air
Our platoon was cut down
I glimpsed the bright tunnel
Mike's voice pulled me back
Screams pierced the smoke
Gathered the wounded
Collected the scattered pieces
Held my brothers one last time
Fear and dread consumed all
*August 13*
The day dawned like any other
Until enemy fire shattered the morning air
Second squad fell, their numbers dwindling
I met the enemy's gaze down my sights, squeezed the trigger
Cradled the dead in my arms
Tended to the wounded, their pain my own
Navigated the treacherous night for my gear
Fear and dread became my companions
*August 14*
Dawn broke on a world forever changed
Led patrols into hostile territory
Felt unseen eyes tracking our every move
Searched fallen enemies, hands trembling
Their presence lingered in the air
Their scent haunted each breath
Villages stood empty, doors open
Fear and dread deepened their hold
*August 15*
Morning rose heavy with foreboding
Led the platoon through rice paddies
Hostile eyes burned into our backs
My warning cry came too late
The world exploded
Bullets tore the air
Our platoon was cut down
I glimpsed the bright tunnel
Mike's voice pulled me back
Screams pierced the smoke
Gathered the wounded
Collected the scattered pieces
Held my brothers one last time
Fear and dread consumed all
When I Turned Nineteen: A Vietnam War Memoir is a true story that chronicles Haynie’s long journey as a nineteen-year-old who was sent by his country to fight an unpopular war.
The cover photograph of Glyn Haynie was taken by Don Ayres in October or November of 1969 in the mountains west of Hill 4-11. |