Neil Hannan's 2017 Vietnam Trip: April 24, 2017 1550 Vietnam Time Hoi An

APRIL 21, 2017-NHI HA BATTLE SITE

You'd think after four return trips to the Nhi Ha, DMZ battlefield that the overwhelming intensity of the gut-churning memories would somewhat lessen. They will never disappear, regardless of where I might be. After this many years, I am fully aware of that. But, being right there, where it all went down, is different. I stand where my hastily-dug bunker once was, with Jones Creek a short distance across the rice paddy. Then there's the May 6 memorial, just completed last year. Landmarks are everywhere. There really is no escape.

When Nhung and I stopped in to visit Mr. Ba, he was all smiles. The former area leader of the VC and resistance forces greeted us warmly. Hs wife, working the rice field directly behind the house, joined us in short order. With the benefit of Nhung's excellent interpretive skills, we interacted for about 30 minutes. A nice set of stainless-steel cookware was presented as a gift. As we departed, Mr. Ba decided to accompany us on our intended visit to the May 6, 1968 memorial.

Neil & Ba

For me, it's a sobering spot to be. My focus was to pause in honoring the many soldiers killed during the 196th Infantry-NVA engagement in May '68. But, I intended to particularly focus on Allan Barnes. a grenadier with Co A, 3rd Platoon. His squad leader was Sgt. Stone (Stoney). Allan was listed as missing following the May 6 battle and remained in MIA status for over four months. Then in September his status was changed to killed in action with a date of May 6. I and many of my comrades found the ambiguity surrounding Allan's death unsettling. What really happened? Theories were offered. Certainly, the chaos back then was undeniable. It was literally a minute to minute fight for survival that endured for 14 days straight in the face of overwhelming odds. But, last year I took it upon myself to unravel the real story regarding Allan Barnes. Working with his sister, I obtained Barnes' official military records. A review of said documents, along with input from others, served to clarify the situation. Details will be spared out of respect for Barnes' family. The important thing is that a degree of closure has been realized. Incense was lit as I held a photo of our fallen brother, Allan Barnes. It can be said that the last dust has now finally settled on Nhi Ha battlefield.