Stephen H. Randall

US Army Combat Artist Team VII

At My Shoulder

August 29, 1968

C Co., 2nd Battalion, 1st Platoon, the 199th.

The ammo bearer for the machine gun had gone forward to recover wounded. The gunner was working hard to fire and keep his ammo belt straight at the same time so I grabbed the bag and started pulling the belt out and handing it over. They brought back three wounded in ponchos. One of them was the photographer. The Lt. called in artillery and air strikes. Cobras came in from behind us and fired across our position. I tried to crawl inside my helmet.