The following story is based on a true experience of Tim Healy while he served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Healy served in the Army infantry from July 1969 to December 1970. While in the Army, he received two service medals; the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star. He was also wounded and received a Purple Heart. When he was drafted into the service he lived in Seattle, Washington. Today he lives in Canton, Connecticut and works as an Electronic Business Program Manager.

The Ambush

Army Sgt. Tim Healy and several older men in his patrol group sauntered down the side of the mountain from the firebase where they were stationed, west of Chulai, Vietnam. They surveyed the area briefly and set themselves up in the dense jungle and thick bamboo next to the narrow dirt path slithering its way up the mountain. Hidden well by the large foliage and brush of the jungle, the men set to work erecting two machine guns; one at the uphill end of the trail, and one at the downhill end of the trail. They went about setting up trick flares along the trail to alert them when someone approached.

After the men were set up for the ambush, they waited quietly in the jungle, taking turns at guard. Soon enough, it was Sgt. Healy’s turn. He assumed position behind the uphill machine gun. The night was quiet and still, and the men seemed to be at rest.

Healy sat behind the gun for several minutes waiting to see if anything was going to happen. All of a sudden, he heard a noise in the distance. He listened intently to make sure it was not some figment of his imagination. He could distinctly make out the sound of footsteps moving up the trail. “Isn’t this my lucky day?” Healy thought to himself sarcastically.

Alarmed by the noise and preparing for trouble, Healy awoke several of the men around him. He listened to the approaching noise, becoming more tense and more tense. His hands gripped the gun tightly and sweat began to run down his forehead. As he listened to the approaching footsteps, he thought to himself, “These guys aren’t that disciplined. They must be Vietcong or possibly even kids.”

The intruders kept coming nearer. Healy gripped the trigger preparing to open fire as soon as the trick flares sent their warning. All of a sudden the ruffle of footsteps stopped and Healy heard a loud snort. “What is this?” Healy thought to himself, a perplexed look on his face. It was then that Healy caught a glimpse of the intruders. A pack of monkeys! When they realized there wasn’t any trouble, the men let out a tremendous sigh of relief and had themselves a good laugh.