A Remembrance from Robert Lively

BERLIN, GERMANY

Winter 1965

  I loaded the cases of C rats, radio batteries, and other military items, on board the chopper then climbed aboard for the short flight to Steinstucken.  I was happy to be going.

  (At this point, a short explanation is needed.  Steinstucken was a small residential neighborhood that legally was a part of the US controlled district of West Berlin.  However, because of  a geographical fluke it was entirely surrounded by East Germany.  The German residents of Steinstucken could use a narrow two lane road to travel back and forth to the main part of West Berlin.  To 'show the flag', and to provide a modicum of protection to the civilian residents the US Army kept a small detachment of soldiers in Steinstucken.  The American forces were unable to use the road and the only transportation in and out was by chopper.)

  I was happy to be assigned to the Steinstucken Detachment for a variety of reasons.  First of all, it was isolated.  Our only communication with higher headquarters was by the weekly resupply flight, and sporadic contact by radio and the very iffy phone system.  The second reason was because the man in charge of the Steinstucken Detachment was the best junior NCO in our company, Sergeant Gary Rathbun.  I was a young, very green Corporal, and I looked to Gary as a friend and mentor.

  Oh Yes, there was another benefit to be assigned to the Steinstucken Detachment.  Next door  lived a beautiful German girl who enjoyed doing her school homework on sunny afternoons while laying on a blanket in the backyard dressed in a white two-piece bathing suit.  How we schemed and daydreamed about meeting the lovely young maiden.  Alas, there was a considerable problem.  Her father.  He was the stern old fashioned sort, and had no intention of letting his daughter associate with the lustful soldiers next door.

  In the Summer of 1965, I was promoted to Sergeant and became the assistant NCOIC of the detachment.  Even though we were of equal rank, I never kidded myself that I was equal with Gary as a leader.  He was still my boss and my teacher.  In the latter part of 1965, I was selected to attend Infantry OCS, Fort Benning, GA, and said good by to Gary and the Steinstucken Detachment.

BOUN ME THUOT, RVN

Early 1967

  While waiting to catch a flight out of the Army Airfield, I encountered my old buddy Gary Rathbun.  I immediately decided to delay leaving Boun Me Thuot.  Gary and I went to the small PX, bought lot of beer, and went looking for a shady spot where we could drink beer and get caught up on old times.  One of the first things Gary said was,  "Do you remember the girl who lived next door?"  Of course I remembered.  Then Gary said, "Well, I married her."

  WHAAAT?  I sat there with my mouth open, beer dribbling down my chin, as my brain tried to process this info.  Many thoughts raced through my mind.  My first thought was that Gary was in his mid twenties.  How could he have married this young girl.  Then I realized that it had been about two years since I had seen her.  Certainly, she would have grown up a lot in that time.  My second though was, How could Gary have circumvented her very watchful father?  And, to be honest, I was also quietly wondering if Gary was pulling my leg.  In any case, Gary was having a hearty laugh at my expense.

  We talked and drank beer into the night.  Toward the end of the conversation, Gary told me that he had volunteered to handle a scout dog for the 101st Airborne, and that he was on his way to his first field operation with that dog.  Gary was obviously very pleased with this move and confident in the training of the dog.  We shook hands and agreed to meet again when he returned from the forthcoming operation.

  Of course, there was no second meeting.  A few days later Gary and the dog were killed in an ambush.

  I talked to everybody I could find, and feel that I have a good understanding of what happened that tragic day, but that is not the purpose of this letter.  I prefer to remember Gary as I last saw him.  He was a brave, self confident man, who was proud of himself and his scout dog.  Gary was happy that day in Boun Me Thuot.  That's the man I see today in my memory.

  I do not know if Gary had any children.  If he does have any descendants I want them to know that United State Army Sergeant Gary Rathbun was a good, good man.

Robert Lively