Story from Larry E Gonzales 1971 - 1973

In 1971, I flew to Bangkok first and stayed there for two weeks and I felt I was in heaven. I was then informed that I would be stationed at the 7th RRFS and from there would  set up my permanent duty station. I landed in Udorn AFB in the afternoon and then the driver said he would show us Udorn before going the opposite direction to Ramasun. It was all dirt roads with crators and at first it was sad coming from Bangkok first and getting stuck in a splinter village. We cruised three circles which was the old Udorn filled with Massage parlors and bars and a few hotels and theaters.

It was also raining when we arrived so sadness poured over our whole group. The bus then headed south and we drove about 30 kilometers past rice fields on both sides until we all saw the Flare 9 antennae which everyone called the Elephant cage. As we entered the 7th RRFS, we saw a whole different world. New barracks, NCO club, swimming pool, Radio station, PX, paved roads and we all sighed relief. We were greeted by Col. JJ Mcfadden and given a welcome brief of what was expected of us while we were there.

I was an 05KH2 which meant Teletype Intercept operator with non morse capabilities and I worked in the box as it was called back then. After a few weeks, I moved off post and got paid separate rations and housing allowance. I got my clothes from Will’s tailors across the street from the main gate in Non Soong.  I picked up Thai pretty quick and was able to go anywhere without any problems.

My boss Takeda was leaving soon so he took all of us downtown to Udorn to celebrate at one on the clubs. While we were drinking some vendor came by and was selling balls of meat on a stick for 1 baht for 2 sticks so we all started eating them while drinking beer. I asked Takeda what they were and he said monkey balls and a couple of the guys spit them out quickly. He started laughing and said they called them that but in actuality, it was water buffalo meat made in balls. It was very tasty.

Udorn improved pretty quick from then on due to the Army Corps of Engineers. Streets were getting paved, Hotels were getting put up, businesses were coming in and a village turned into a city. I saw these changes take place within 18 months of being stationed there as a soldier and then returning there and working for the government.

I came to love Udorn and everyone who lived there. I loved my job at the 7th RRFS and saw how important it was to all the troops fighting in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. I also saw how the 05H mill monkeys went on strike over stupid things and a general had to come in and bargain with them to get them back to work. I saw mortars placed around the 7th from weapons stole by employees from the weapons depot down the way (the pepper grinder) and how they caught all of the perpetrators before they were able to use them.

It was a great tour and I was sad to see it go away. I continued with DOD and was in Laos when it fell, Cambodia when it fell. And Vietnam in 75 when I called it quits. I went back active and at that time, there was ASA being absorbed with MI and changed to INSCOM which was not the same. A toast to the 7th RRFS and all the ASA soldiers who served their country and also to the locals who tolerated us and became friends.

 
Richard W Jaslovsky WebMaster