You will find no mention of this military operation in any archive, completely forgotten ! a dim memory in the minds of the few who were there. As told to me by the 458th Company Commander (Pete Sellers)and one of his men whose memory is just a little bit better than some. Christmas 1967, a bunch of GIs more than a little homesick, for the majority of these young men this was their first time away from home on Christmas. As related by the CO, the very nature of the units mission with detachments scattered everywhere it was impossible for anything even resembling a company celebration. Those on patrol were the lucky ones as they had something to occupy their minds, not so lucky were those stuck in the barracks.

Here the story is just a little vague, On a whim? the CO had the company truck pull up to the barracks and he asked if anyone want to go to the local Catholic orphanage and hand out candy and perhaps make it a better day for some little kids who had no idea of what candy or Christmas was. It seems that the barracks emptied as if a USO strip show had just pulled into the company area. Everything about this story I buy, but can't help but wonder where did all the candy come from? Sounds like prior planning to me :-)

"One piece at a time we don't want any bellyaches"

Anyone know the name of this trooper?