RAYMOND CARLEY REMEMBERED

by Ranger Jerry Conners,

Chinese Bandit Recon 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav, 1965-66

face down crawling

the pain does not matter anymore
they can not help me,
Don't try he yells
to those nearby
must it end

the ground is warm,

the smell of the earth
the fallen leaves in hand
engulfed in the sounds of withering fire
touched twice again
he grimaces and smiles
through gritted teeth
alone without strength
must it end,

colder now
shaking
unable to breathe
or tear the collar too close
about his neck,
struggling frantically
to hold on
numb now,
through squinted eyes some light,
soaked in blood
fingers slowly grasping emptiness,
swaying in the arms of death
let there be more

Note: Raymond Carley [ http://thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=7869 ] was killed

leading the attack on June 23, 1966 during the Battle of Trung Luong where the
Chinese Bandits were awarded their 2d Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary
heroism during the period 1965-66…the first was awarded for participation in the
Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965. More information on the Chinese Bandits can
be obtained at http://www.chinesebandits.org