.50 CAL. MACHINE GUN------------------------------ Heavy machine gun
105 HOWITZER------------------------------ U.S. Artillery round
107-MM ROCKETS ------------------------------ A rocket used by the enemy with results similar to artillery
122 ROCKET ------------------------------ Enemy rocket used to bombard our base areas and air fields
500 POUNDER ------------------------------ Bomb size typical of those dropped by U.S. warplanes
55-GAL DRUM ------------------------------ Often used by enemy to store supplies for transport or concealment
57MM RECOILLESS RIFLE------------------------------ Communist made direct fire weapon similar to a bazooka
60MM MORTARS------------------------------ Small mortar used by communist forces
81MM MORTARS ------------------------------ Medium mortar used by U.S. forces
82MM MORTARS ------------------------------ Medium mortar used by communist forces
90MM RECOILLESS RIFLE ------------------------------U.S.weapon normally used against bunkers (similar to a bazooka)
ADD, DROP, LEFT, RIGHT------------------------------ Commands to adjust artillery or mortar fire
AGENT ORANGE ------------------------------ Chemical agent used for defoliation, later determined to be extremely toxic
AIMING STAKE------------------------------ Red and white stake used by artillery and mortars to align the aim of those weapons
AIR BOAT------------------------------ Shallow draft boat using an airplane type propeller for propulsion
AIR MATTRESS ------------------------------ Commonly used to float equipment across small canals or streams during crossings
AIRMOBILE OPERATION ------------------------------Infantry troops delivered to the objective by helicopter
AK ------------------------------ Slang for the AK-47 Soviet designed assault rifle
AK-47 ------------------------------ Basic infantry weapon of the Communist forces (30 round magazine, fully automatic)
AMBUSH (NIGHT) ------------------------------ A mission, under cover of darkness, designed to surprise and destroy enemy patrols
AMMO CAN------------------------------ Metal box used to store ammunition and protect it from the elements
ANTI-TANK MINE------------------------------ Mine typically buried in a road to destroy trucks or tanks
APC ------------------------------ Armored Personnel Carrier, lightly armored tracked vehicle
APO ------------------------------ Army Post Office
ARC LIGHT------------------------------ B52 Bombing Mission
ARTICLE 15 ------------------------------ Non-judicial punishment for minor infractions
ARTILLERY ------------------------------ Typically 105 howitzers posted in a Fire Support Base
ARVN ------------------------------ Army of the Republic of Vietnam (our allies)
AU DAIS ------------------------------ Attire for Vietnamese women
AZIMUTH ------------------------------ Using a compass, direction to a target in degrees or mils
B-52 ------------------------------ Largest U.S. Bomber
BABY SAN ------------------------------ G.I. term for a Vietnamese child
BANDOLIER ------------------------------ Cloth strip with pockets for carrying rifle ammunition
BANGALORE TORPEDO ------------------------------Pole like explosive charge used for destroying barbed wire obstacles
BATTALION ------------------------------ Infantry organization usually consisting of about 4-5 companies
BEE HIVE ROUND ------------------------------ Projectile for artillery or 90mm recoilless containing thousands of metal darts
BELT OF AMMUNITION ------------------------------Linked rounds for use by machine guns
BEN LUC ------------------------------ A medium sized town southwest of Saigon
BERM ------------------------------ Earthen rim around a base camp perimeter, providing some protection from direct fire
BIEN HOA ------------------------------ Town and air base roughly 20 miles north of Saigon
BINH CHANH ------------------------------ Town about 15 miles south of Saigon, near the Binh Dinh Bridge
BIRD DOG ------------------------------ Small plane used to mark targets for attack aircraft
BLACK PAJAMAS ------------------------------ Clothing worn by many Vietnamese, including some Vietcong
BLASTING CAP ------------------------------A triggering device for explosive charges
BLOCKING FORCE ------------------------------ An element deployed to block VC escape routes
BOA CONSTRICTOR ------------------------------A large non-poisonous snake native to Vietnam
BOOBY TRAP------------------------------ Deadly devices deployed in treacherous fashion with the objective to kill or maim
BOONIES ------------------------------ Term for a remote place
BOUNCING BETTY------------------------------ Anti-personnel mine that bounds into the air before exploding
BRIGADE ------------------------------ A unit consisting of battalions and attached units, normally around 4000 men
BUCK SERGEANT ------------------------------ Lowest ranking sergeant (E5 pay grade)
BUDDHISM ------------------------------ A major religion in Vietnam
BUG JUICE ------------------------------ Insect Repellent
BUNKER ------------------------------ Fortified position usually made of sandbags, earth, timbers, or cement
BUSH (1) ------------------------------ Ambush....as in "Going on Bush."
BUSH (2) ------------------------------ The field...as in "Going to the Bush."
C-123 ------------------------------ A commonly used cargo plane in Vietnam, propeller driven, fixed wing
C-130 ------------------------------ A commonly used cargo plane in Vietnam, propeller driven, fixed wing
C-141 ------------------------------ Large cargo plane, jet aircraft...largest until C5 was deployed
C-4 ------------------------------ Plastic Explosive compound, carried by infantry in 2-pound blocks
CACHE ------------------------------ Concealed site to hide weapons and ammunition, etc.
CALL SIGN ------------------------------ On the radio, without using names, a coded means of identifying yourself to other allied forces
CAMOUFLAGE ------------------------------ To break up the image, to blend in with the surroundings
CAMOUFLAGE COVER------------------------------ A camouflage pattern covering the helmets of US troops
CAMP FRENZELL-JONES ------------------------------Brigade Main Base of the 199th at Long Binh, named after two fallen heroes of the unit
CAN GIOUC ------------------------------ A large town 20 miles south of Saigon
CANTEEN ------------------------------ Plastic container for carrying water
CAYUSE ------------------------------ Sometimes called a LOH (pronounced Loach)...a small observation chopper
CG ------------------------------ Commanding General
CHAIN OF COMMAND Military Organizational Chart...from the President down to a private.
CHALLENGE & PASSWORD ------------------------------Means of identifying friend or foe... at night. Seldom used in VN.
CHANDELIER FLARE------------------------------ Aerial flare...to light an area at night. To allow defenders to see attackers.
CHAPLAIN ------------------------------ Military equivalent of a minister or priest
CHARLIE ------------------------------ Nickname for the Vietcong based on the phoenetic alphabet lettter C (Charlie)
CHI-COM ------------------------------ Chinese Communist
CHIEU HOI ------------------------------ A program permitting enemy soldiers to rally to the Saigon government.
CHINOOK ------------------------------ A large cargo helicopter
CHOLON ------------------------------ The Chinese section of Saigon (southern part of the city)
CHOPPER ------------------------------ Slang for helicopter
CHUCK ------------------------------ Slang for Vietcong...Charlie
CIB ------------------------------ Combat Infantryman's Badge
CID ------------------------------ Criminal Investigation Division
CIDG ------------------------------ Civilian Irregular Defense Group
CLAYMORE MINE ------------------------------ Anti-personnel mines employed by both sides using different designs.
CLEANING ROD ------------------------------ Metal rod designed to draw a cleaning patch through the bore of a weapon.
CLIP ------------------------------ The part of a rifle that holds the ammunition.
CMAC ------------------------------ Capital Military Assistance Command
CMD------------------------------ Capital Military District (Saigon)
CO ------------------------------ Commanding Officer
COBRA ------------------------------ Nickname for an attack helicopter gunship
COBRA (2) ------------------------------ Deadly snake native to Vietnam
COMMO ------------------------------ Communications (radio)
COMPANY ------------------------------ A unit of soldiers numbering roughly 150-200 men
CONCERTINA WIRE ------------------------------Coils of barbed wire looking like a child's toy "Slinky"
CONEX ------------------------------ A large metal shipping container. Used in the rear to secure weapons, etc.
CONVOY ------------------------------ Series of vehicles moving together, with security assigned, for safety in numbers.
CORDON & SEARCH ------------------------------To quickly surround a village and search it for VC and weapons
CORDS ------------------------------ Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support
CORPSMAN ------------------------------Navy or Marine term for a medic
COSVN ------------------------------ Committee for the Office of South Vietnam. (Secret VC High Command)
COURT MARTIAL ------------------------------ Military trial
CP ------------------------------ Command Post
CRATER ------------------------------ Where earth has been displaced after an explosion...artillery, mortars, or bombs
C-RATIONS ------------------------------ Food unit for soldiers in the field
C's ------------------------------ Abbreviated term for C-Ration meals
CS GAS ------------------------------ Riot gas, nonlethal gas used to drive enemy soldiers from bunkers
DAISY CHAIN ------------------------------Explosives linked by detonating cord to fire simultaneously
DAISY CUTTER ------------------------------15,000 lb. bomb dropped by C-130's to clear landing zones in heavy jungle
DEAD RECKONING ------------------------------Navigating where there are no easily identified landmarks.
DELTA ------------------------------ Where a river meets the ocean..as in Mekong Delta
DEMO ------------------------------Demolitions
DEMOLITIONS ------------------------------Usage of explosives
DENTCAP ------------------------------ Dental Civilian Assistance Program
DEROS ------------------------------ Date Eligible Return (from) Overseas
DET CORD ------------------------------ High explosives in the form of cord
DEUCE AND A HALF ------------------------------Two and a half ton truck
DIRECT FIRE ------------------------------Firing by line of sight as opposed to firing shells at distant unseen targets
DIVISION ------------------------------Large unit of approximately 10,000-15,000 troops
DMZ ------------------------------Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Vietnam
DOG TAGS ------------------------------Identifying metal tags carried by each soldier
DONG NAI RIVER ------------------------------A river flowing through the jungle northeast of Saigon past Bien Hoa
DON'T MEAN NUTHIN ------------------------------An expression of frustration
DOOR GUNNER ------------------------------A helicopter machine gunner acting as security for the helicopter and its occupants
DRAFTEE ------------------------------ Inducted into the armed forces involuntarily
DRY SEASON ------------------------------In the Saigon area, the six months ending around May 1 (very little rain)
DUC HOA ------------------------------Town west of Saigon near the Cambodian border
DUFFEL BAG ------------------------------A canvas bag used to carry clothing, etc.
DUST OFF ------------------------------Term used to refer to Medical Evacuation helicopter
DUSTER ------------------------------ A vehicle resembling a tank whose main guns are twin 40mm's
EAGLE FLIGHT------------------------------ An infantry assault via helicopter.
EARLY OUT ------------------------------Exiting the Army earlier than scheduled
ELEPHANT GRASS ------------------------------Very high grass with sharp blades,
EM CLUB ------------------------------Enlisted Men's Club
ENTRENCHING TOOL------------------------------ A small shovel for digging foxholes.
EVAC ------------------------------Medical Evacuation
EXTEND ------------------------------ Voluntarily staying in Vietnam additional time
F-100 SUPER SABRE ------------------------------Fighter bomber used as close air support for infantry
F-4 PHANTOM------------------------------ Fighter bomber most commonly used in the Vietnam War
FATIGUES ------------------------------Field or work clothing
FIELD OF FIRE ------------------------------An assigned area to be covered by fire.
FIRE AND MANEUVER ------------------------------A small unit combat tactic.
FIRE AND MOVEMENT ------------------------------A small unit combat tactic.
FIRE FIGHT ------------------------------ An armed engagement with enemy forces.
FIRE FOR EFFECT ------------------------------ A command given after adjusting fire, meaning, give me all the rounds you can.
FIRE IN THE HOLE ------------------------------Expression used to warn others of an impending explosion.
FIRE MISSION ------------------------------Command issued to request fire support
FIRE SUPPORT ------------------------------ Help from other elements to deliver fire on the enemy. (Mortar, artillery, gunship, bombers)
FIREBALL AVIATION ------------------------------Aviation group of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade
FISHNET FACTORY ------------------------------Forward headquarters of 199th in southern part of Saigon
FIVE TON ------------------------------ Largest truck
FLAK JACKET ------------------------------Armored vests worn by infantry soldiers
FLESHETTE ROUND ------------------------------Also called beehive round, employing steel darts
FLOPPY HAT ------------------------------ Common headgear worn in base areas.
FNG ------------------------------ F...ing New Guy, derogatory term to describe newly arrived soldiers
FO ------------------------------ Forward Observer to direct artillery or air support
FOUR DEUCE ------------------------------ 4.2 Inch Mortar
FRAG ------------------------------ Fragmentation Grenade
FREE ------------------------------ Written in upper right corner of envelope for free postage
FREEDOM BIRD ------------------------------The plane that returns the soldier home
FREQUENCY ------------------------------ The radio setting to be used by the unit.
FSB ------------------------------ Fire Support Base
FSB BARBARA ------------------------------Base in the Center of the Pineapple Region
FSB CHRIS ------------------------------ Base near the town of Binh Chanh
FSB CLAUDETTE ------------------------------ Base near the northeastern border of the Pineapple Region
FSB DART ------------------------------ Base near the Fishnet Factory in southern Saigon
FSB LIBBY ------------------------------ Base northwest of Xuan Loc
FSB STEPHANIE ------------------------------ Base close to Saigon, on southwest side
GI ------------------------------ Government Issue
GRAPPLING HOOK ------------------------------When attached to a rope and thrown out, used to set off booby traps remotely
GRID ------------------------------ One kilometer block of terrain on a map
GRUNT ------------------------------ An infantryman
GUARD ------------------------------ Person responsible for being alert while others rest.
GUNSHIP ------------------------------ Heavily armed attack helicopter.
HAMMER AND ANVIL ------------------------------An infantry tactic of driving the enemy toward another unit.
HAMMOCK ------------------------------ A poor substitute for a bed, but better than the ground
HE ------------------------------ High Explosive
HEAT TAB ------------------------------ Chemical tablet, that when ignited, is used to heat cans of food
HEAVY LEFT ------------------------------ A formation of helicopters in flight
HEAVY RIGHT ------------------------------ A formation of helicopters in flight
HO CHI MINH ------------------------------The leader of Communist North Vietnam
HO CHI MINH TRAIL ------------------------------ Network of trails, roads, waterways delivering enemy troops to South Vietnam.
HO NAI ------------------------------ Large village just outside the Brigade's Long Binh perimeter
HOOTCH ------------------------------ A small thatch building
HORSESHOE BEND------------------------------ An area along the Vam Co Dong River
HOSE DOWN ------------------------------ To saturate with gun fire
HUEY ------------------------------ The term used for the UH-1 helicopter
HUMP ------------------------------ To travel in the field, carrying rucksacks
II-FIELD FORCE ------------------------------ A high level command HQ in Long Binh
III-CORPS ------------------------------ Area surrounding Saigon
IMMERSION FOOT ------------------------------ Cracked, inflamed skin due to immersion in water for long periods
IN LINE ------------------------------ A helicopter formation in flight
IN TRAIL ------------------------------ A helicopter formation in flight
INCOMING ------------------------------ Enemy rounds or shells being fired at your location
IN-COUNTRY ------------------------------ Amount of time actually in Vietnam
INDIRECT FIRE ------------------------------ Firing at an unseen target with weapons like artillery or mortars
INDUCTEE ------------------------------ Another term for a draftee
INSTANT NCO ------------------------------Term for Sergeants graduating from Ft. Benning's NCOC program
IODINE TABLET ------------------------------ Used to purify water collected in the field.
JAG ------------------------------ Judge Advocate General
JOLLY GREEN GIANT ------------------------------Rescue helicopter for downed pilots
JUNGLE BOOTS ------------------------------Boots specially made for tropical zones, contain brass outlets to expel water
JUNGLE HAT ------------------------------ Floppy hat worn in secure areas.
JUNGLE ROT ------------------------------ Another term for immersion foot
K-54 ------------------------------ Pistol used by Communist officers
KIA ------------------------------ Killed in Action
KIT CARSON SCOUT ------------------------------Former Vietcong who rallied to the Saigon government, hired as scouts or aides
KLICK ------------------------------ One thousand meters
KOREAN ROAD ------------------------------ A road southwest of Saigon built by Korean troops
LAND NAVIGATION ------------------------------The art of moving from point to point using map and compass.
LATRINE ------------------------------ An outdoor toilet
LAW ------------------------------ Light Anti-tank Weapon
LBJ ------------------------------ Long Binh Jail
LCM ------------------------------ Landing Craft (Marine)
LIGHT FIRE TEAM ------------------------------ Team of helicopters, one spotting, one firing
LIGHT, SWIFT, AND ACCURATE ------------------------------Motto of 199th Light Infantry
LISTER BAG ------------------------------ A canvas bag designed to hold drinking water
LITTER ------------------------------ A small cot used to carry injured troops.
LOH ------------------------------ Light Observation Helicopter
LONG BINH ------------------------------ Large U.S. Base about 15 miles North of Saigon
LOW TIDE SEARCH ------------------------------ Searching along waterways, during low tide, looking for buried weapons under the water line.
LP ------------------------------ Listening Post
LRRP ------------------------------ Long Range Recon Patrol
LRRP RATION ------------------------------ Light weight freeze dried rations
LSA ------------------------------ Lubricating oil for M-16 rifles and other weapons
LT ------------------------------ Lieutenant
LZ ------------------------------ Landing Zone for helicopters
M-14 ------------------------------ A U.S. made infantry rifle (was the standard weapon prior to the M-16)
M-16 ------------------------------ The standard U.S. infantry weapon
M-60 ------------------------------ U.S. light machine gun
M-72 ------------------------------ Also known as the LAW (Light Anti-tank Weapon)
M-79 ------------------------------ A grenade launcher resembling a sawed off shotgun
MACHETE ------------------------------ A long bladed tool for chopping trails through the jungle
MACV ------------------------------ Military Assistance Command Vietnam
MAGAZINE ------------------------------ The part of a rifle that holds the ammunition
MALARIA TABLETS ------------------------------Two types employed, daily and weekly
MALAYAN FAN ------------------------------ A patrol technique used to thoroughly search an area
MAMA SAN ------------------------------GI term for a Vietnamese woman.
MAP COORDINATES------------------------------ Code to identify an exact point on the map.
MARKING ROUND ------------------------------ Explosion of a white phosphorus artillery round (in the air) to help units verify their location.
MEDCAP ------------------------------ Medical Civilian Assistance Program
MEDIC ------------------------------ Non-combatant whose job is to give first aid to wounded soldiers
MEKONG RIVER ------------------------------Large river south of Saigon
METER ------------------------------ Roughly 39 inches
MI ------------------------------ Military Intelligence
MIA ------------------------------ Missing in Action
MILLION DOLLAR WOUND------------------------------ A wound, not life threatening, but severe enough to end one's time in Vietnam
MINI GUN ------------------------------ Multi-barrel machine gun
MONSOON------------------------------ Rainy season lasting roughly six months in the Saigon area
MORPHINE ------------------------------ Drug used to lessen pain for injured soldiers.
MORTAR ------------------------------ A tube-like weapon used to fire shells at a high trajectory
MOS ------------------------------ Military Occupational Specialty
MOSQUITO NET ------------------------------Used to cover a person's sleeping quarters, to seal out mosquitoes
MP ------------------------------ Military Police
MPC ------------------------------ Military Payment Certificates (substitute for money)
MR. TWO STEP ------------------------------Reference to the Bamboo Viper
NAPALM ------------------------------ Jellied Gasoline used in bombs
NCO ------------------------------ Non-commissioned officer (Sergeants)
NCO CLUB ------------------------------ A club for Sergeants
NCOC ------------------------------Non-commissioned officers candidate (school for squad leaders)
NDP ------------------------------ Night Defensive Position
NEWBIE ------------------------------ Another term for a new guy
NGUYEN CAO KY ------------------------------Vice-president and former President of South Vietnam.
NGUYEN VAN THIEU------------------------------ President of South Vietnam.
NORTH VIETNAM ------------------------------Our enemy
NUMBAH ONE ------------------------------ Vietnamese way of expressing pleasure
NUMBAH TEN ------------------------------Vietnamese way of expressing displeasure
NUOC ------------------------------ Water
NUOC MAM ------------------------------ A fish sauce used on food by the Vietnamese.
NVA ------------------------------ North Vietnamese Army
OCS ------------------------------ Officers Candidate School
OVERHEAD COVER ------------------------------ Timbers covered with earth to protect bunkers from artillery and bombs
P-38 ------------------------------ A small can opener issued with C-rations
PAGODA ------------------------------ A Buddhist church.
PAIRS IN TRAIL ------------------------------ A helicopter formation in flight
PAPA SAN ------------------------------ G.I. term for a Vietnamese man
PARIS PEACE TALKS ------------------------------They didn't talk and didn't bring peace
PARROT'S BEAK ------------------------------ Border between Cambodian/Vietnam resembling a parrot's beak (west of Saigon)
PATROL ------------------------------ Traveling a planned route searching for the enemy.
PATROL LEADER ------------------------------ The patrol commander, regardless of rank.
PATROL ORDER ------------------------------Briefing before going on a mission.
PBR ------------------------------ Patrol Boat (River)
PEOPLE SNIFFER ------------------------------A scientific device used by helicopter crews to detect the presence of hidden enemy troops on the ground
PERIMETER ------------------------------ The outside boundary of a base camp or unit in the field
PF ------------------------------ Popular Forces (local Vietnamese units)
PFC ------------------------------ Private First Class
PHANTOM ------------------------------ Nickname for the F-4 Fighter Bomber
PHOENETIC ALPHABET ------------------------------A word for each letter of the alphabet, purpose is clarity over the radio (A=Alpha B=Bravo C=Charlie, etc.)
PHOENIX PROGRAM ------------------------------A program to destroy the Vietcong political infrastructure.
PHU THO RACE TRACK------------------------------ VC base area during the Tet 68 attacks
PIASTERS ------------------------------ Vietnamese money.
PINEAPPLE REGION ------------------------------Area West and Southwest of Saigon used as a base area by the VC
PL ------------------------------ Platoon Leader (Lieutenant)
PLAIN OF REEDS ------------------------------ Large marsh southwest of Saigon bordering Cambodia
PLATOON ------------------------------ Roughly 40 infantry soldiers
POINT ------------------------------ The lead element while on the move.
POINT MAN ------------------------------ The first man in line of a unit on the move.
PONCHO ------------------------------ A plastic/rubber garment used as a raincoat and ground cloth
PONCHO LINER ------------------------------A green, camouflage patterned, quilted, blanket substitute
PONCHO LITTER ------------------------------ Field litter made from a poncho and wooden poles
POTATO MASHER ------------------------------ A wooden handled grenade resembling those used by the Germans in World War II.
POW ------------------------------ Prisoner of War
PRC-25 ------------------------------ The field radio used by infantry platoons
PREP ------------------------------ Softening up an area before a helicopter assault. By artillery, etc.
PRESSURE RELEASE ------------------------------A type of triggering device for a booby trap.
PSG ------------------------------ Platoon Sergeant
PSY-OPS ------------------------------ Psychological Operations (head games)
PUNJI PIT ------------------------------ A camouflaged booby trap pit lined with sharpened strips of bamboo
PUNJI STICK ------------------------------Sharpened bamboo tipped with waste to invoke infection in the injured soldier.
PVT ------------------------------ Private
PX ------------------------------ Post Exchange (a store)
PYTHON ------------------------------ A large non-poisonous snake native to Vietnam.
R & R ------------------------------ Rest and Recreation
RA ------------------------------ RA (regular army)...service number prefix of volunteers
RAG BOAT ------------------------------ River Assault Group (shallow draft boats with drop down ramps)
RAPELLING ------------------------------ Mountaineering technique used to insert troops into an area when no landing zone is available.
REAR ECHELON ------------------------------Soldiers serving in rear areas
RECON ------------------------------ Observing an area, attempting to locate the enemy.
RECON BY FIRE ------------------------------ Firing on a treeline, for example, to bait the enemy into revealing his presence.
RED ANTS ------------------------------ Living in nests of leaves, common in the Pineapple region
REDCATCHER ------------------------------ Nickname for soldiers of the 199th Infantry Brigade
REMF ------------------------------ Derogatory term for those in the rear areas (Rear Echelon M---er F---ers)
RESUPPLY ------------------------------ Delivery of food, mail, etc. to troops in the field.
RF ------------------------------ Regional Forces (South Vietnamese unit)
RIF ------------------------------ Recon in force (a sweep)
ROCK N ROLL ------------------------------ To set a weapon's safety on "fully automatic".
ROCKET BELT ------------------------------From a base, the radius extending to the maximum range of enemy rockets.
ROK ------------------------------ Soldiers from the Republic of Korea
ROLLING THUNDER ------------------------------U.S. bombing campaign against North Vietnam
ROTC ------------------------------ Reserve Officers Training corps
RPG ------------------------------ Rocket Propelled Grenade employed by communist forces
RTO ------------------------------ Radio Telephone Operator (operator of the field radio)
RUBBER PLANTATION ------------------------------Area of rubber trees for harvesting of latex for commercial use
RUCK SACK ------------------------------ A back pack used by infantry for carrying supplies in the field
RUNG SAT ------------------------------ A swampy jungle generally east of Saigon
RVN ------------------------------Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam, our allies)
SAIGON ------------------------------ Capital of RVN
SAIGON COWBOY ------------------------------ A young motorbike riding Vietnamese. Not in the military.
SAIGON RIVER ------------------------------Running generally northwest to southeast along the northern part of Saigon
SAIGON TEA ------------------------------ Beverage purchased by US soldiers for young Vietnamese women at outrageous prices.
SAMPAN ------------------------------ Generally referring to a small wooden boats
SANDBAG ------------------------------ A plastic or cloth bag, filled with sand, used to fortify bunkers.
SAPPER ------------------------------ A Vietcong commando, specializing in sabotage.
SCOPE IT OUT ------------------------------To check it out...to look into it.
SCORPION ------------------------------ An arachnid growing to 8-inches in length, with pinching claws, and a poisonous stinger at the tail.
SEARCH AND DESTROY ------------------------------Large unit tactic to locate and destroy the enemy in the jungle.
SELF PROPELLED 155 ------------------------------155mm Howitzer mounted on a tank-like chassis.
SGT ------------------------------ Sergeant
SHAKE AND BAKE ------------------------------ Term for NCO's trained at Ft. Benning's NCOC course
SHAPE CHARGE------------------------------ A demolition charge fashioned for a specific purpose
SHORT ------------------------------ Having only a short time remaining to serve in Vietnam
SHRAPNEL------------------------------ Fragments from an exploding projectile or booby trap.
SIKORSKY ------------------------------ A company who produced Heavy Lift helicopters
SKS ------------------------------ A semi-automatic rifle used by the VC
SLAP FLARE ------------------------------ A small aerial flare carried by infantry soldiers
SLICK ------------------------------ A troop carrying helicopter
SLING LOAD ------------------------------Cargo loads carried under helicopters in flight, attached by nylon straps
SNIPER ------------------------------ A concealed rifleman whose function is to attack from long range.
SNOOPY ------------------------------ A plane heavily armed as a weapons platform for nightime firing
SOUTH VIETNAM ------------------------------ The Republic of Vietnam
SP PACK ------------------------------ Supplementary Pack for C-rations (contains cigarettes, writing paper, etc)
SPEC-4 ------------------------------ Specialist-4 (ranked one grade above PFC and one below a Sergeant E-5)
SPIDER HOLE ------------------------------ A one man position (foxhole)
SQUAD ------------------------------ Roughly 10 soldiers
STAND DOWN ------------------------------ A period of rest and reorganization.
STARLIGHT SCOPE ------------------------------A night vision device
STEEL POT ------------------------------ A helmet
STRAFE ------------------------------ Firing at ground targets from a plane or helicopter
STROBE LIGHT ------------------------------A brightly flashing light for guiding helicopters to a unit at night
SUPER SABRE ------------------------------ The F-100 fighter bomber
SUPPLY ------------------------------ Group of people responsible for keeping a unit equipped.
SWEEP ------------------------------ A patrol.
SWIFT BOAT ------------------------------Another term for a Navy Patrol Boat.
TAN AN ------------------------------ A town south of Saigon
TAN SON NHUT ------------------------------The major airport / airbase in Saigon
TET ------------------------------ The lunar new year celebration when a major offensive was launched by the VC
TIGER ------------------------------ Large cat found in some jungle areas of Southeast Asia.
TIGER ALPHA ------------------------------Tactical Ambush
TIME FUSE ------------------------------ Slowly burning material used to trigger a blasting cap and then a demo charge.
TNT ------------------------------ Explosive material
TOC ------------------------------ Tactical Operations Center
TOE POPPER ------------------------------ A simple booby trap
TOP ------------------------------ A nickname for the Company First Sergeant
TRACER ------------------------------ A fired bullet that one can view in flight, allowing the gunner to easily adjust aim..
TRACK ------------------------------ An Armored Personnel Carrier or Armored Cavalry vehicle
TRACKER TEAM ------------------------------Soldiers using tracker dogs to follow a hot trail of enemy soldiers
TRIANGULATE ------------------------------ To pinpoint one's current location by drawing a back azimuth from two known locations.
TRIP FLARE ------------------------------ A small device, similar to a grenade, used to light a small area at night.
TRIP WIRE ------------------------------ In a booby trap, a wire attached to the pin of a grenade, that when tightened, removes the pin and activates the device.
TRIPLE CANOPY JUNGLE ------------------------------Three distinct layers of vegetation in a jungle
TU DIA ------------------------------ A danger sign sometimes employed by VC to warn their own comrades of booby traps
TUNNEL RATS ------------------------------ Soldiers who voluntarily entered tunnels.
UCMJ ------------------------------ Uniform Code of Military Justice
UH-1 ------------------------------ The most commonly used helicopter in Vietnam
US ------------------------------ Service number prefix for draftees
US AID ------------------------------ U.S. Agency for Industrial Development
VAM CO DONG RIVER ------------------------------A large river southwest of Saigon
VAM CO TAY RIVER ------------------------------A large river southwest of Saigon
VC ------------------------------ Vietcong (Victor Charlie...from phoenetic alphabet)
VICTOR CHARLIE ------------------------------ From the letters V and C in the phoenetic alphabet)
VUNG TAU ------------------------------ A town on the South China Sea, at the entrance to the port of Saigon
WATCH ------------------------------ A soldier or soldiers acting as security for the group at night...allowing others to sleep.
WATER BUFFALO ------------------------------ A large animal used for plowing rice paddies
WATER BUFFALO (2) ------------------------------A large tank of water, sling loaded by helicopter to serve troops in Fire Support Bases
WHITE PHOSPHORUS ------------------------------A hotly burning material in artillery shells and hand grenades to trigger fires.
WIA ------------------------------ Wounded in Action
WIDOW MAKER ------------------------------Slang for the M-16 rifle.
WILLY PETER ------------------------------ Nickname for White Phosphorus
WORLD ------------------------------ Nickname for the U.S. by soldiers in Vietnam
XUAN LOC ------------------------------ Town about 60 miles northeast of Saigon
XO ------------------------------ Executive Officer
Y-BRIDGE ------------------------------ Site of heavy fighting in May 68 in southern part of Saigon
ZAP ------------------------------ To kill