TRIBUTE TO THE MEN OF THE 35TH
I miss the 35th guys. (Lt) Bill Burdick (deceased) was recon Platoon leader when
I was with C/2/35. Bill and his Recon guys got us out of a couple of tough
situations. Sgt Joe Henderson (deceased) was the TOC NCO while I was with C/2/35 and
Terry Savely was a member of the TOC with Joe. Burdick was B/2/35 CO when
I went back to B/2/9 as FDO. Their FO was Lt. William Wallin. We were in the Chu Pa
and B/2/35 got in a tight spot one night. Lt. Wallin asked if I would
shoot a Firecracker round "Danger Close" to help them out. We had only
fired those rounds for area coverage until then. I had no idea if I would
be allowed to fire it, so I didn't ask. We worked up the mission and I gave the
gun a pep talk about making sure the bubbles were level and they did a good job
lining up on the aiming stakes. We fired the round and I said major
prayers until I heard Wallin come back on the radio.
Apparently we did major damage to the bad guys and they left B company alone for the rest of the night. Wallin was at the 2000 reunion and mentioned the mission. When the B Company guys found out I was the Arty Guy that fired for them, they insisted I have my picture made with them. They're convinced we saved their behinds. I don't know about that but they certainly made me feel good about it. I had a lot of faith in Lt Wallin and he deserves the credit for any good that came of the mission.
Lt Don Blankin
(deceased)