1SG Anselmo
Braffith knew me stateside at Fort Lewis, Washington before I
went to Vietnam. I was assigned to Delta Company at Fort Lewis, and he was the
1SG of Charlie Company right next door to us. When I came
in-country I was at the "Repo Depot" at Long Binh in the south,
just outside Saigon, I believe. When I got orders, I was
assigned to the 1st Brigade. of the 5th Infantry Division
(mech.) all the way in the far north of Vietnam. I was the only
one on the roster that was sent to the northern part of the
country.
When I arrived at
Quang Tri Combat Base I was sitting on my duffle bag outside the
head shed for either Brigade or 1/11th, I don't remember which
one, and out walked 1SG Braffith. He took a quick look at me and
said; "Sergeant Gumbrell, what happened to you?" I had been
busted down one stripe just before I left my old outfit
stateside. I was speechless. He said sternly, "Got drunk, didn't
you?" Then Top Braffith said, ". . . never mind, I will see if
you are assigned to my company." Then he whirled around and went
back in. He came out a minute later, and said; "Come with me,
you are assigned to my company." This is how I got on the roster
of Alpha Company 1/11th -- Divine Providence, I guess.
