SKIPPED SUPPER
We came down on a mission one day to fly up to Qui Nhon Mountain and find a civilian air crash site. The mountain had been "socked in" for 3 days prior, so we were the first aircraft to attempt the find. After searching in an upward mountain pattern, we found the crash site, about 100 meters below the top of the mountain.
Now this civilian aircraft had about – I don't know – 50 to 75 souls on board. We first spotted the crash site by the vertical stabilizer sticking up in the air. Nothing was left but that and the wing tips. There weren't any bodies at the crash site, not a one, just a blackened, burnt, area.
We edged a little farther up hill; then the bodies began. No one was left alive. They were strung out, almost like in a seating position, in a wandering line. They looked much like rags dolls some savage dog had ripped apart. None had shoes on; many were missing arms or legs, even heads. Some were black from being burned, much like blackened, crispy toast. All were just horribly mutilated – except one guy.
This guy sticks in my mind, even today. I can see him as well as I can see this computer monitor. As we approached, I was looking at him. He was remarkably intact; shoeless, like the rest, but whole and unburned. We got closer. This guy had his entire intestines ripped out, spilling across his lower body, like so many giant worms.
Anyway, we did our reports, and flew back to base for supper, as it was getting late in the day. We had spaghetti that evening... was the only day I couldn't eat due to something I had seen. I looked at my plate and saw the guy's guts.