When the bunkers needed to be manned promptly at Cam Lo, a certain signal was sounded continuously. During this time, you were to gear up & when it ended, you instantly sprinted to your appointed position on the line.
One night, the drill was on in earnest & I had all the stuff on - helmet - flak jacket... the whole outfit.
The signal ceased & out the entrance the whole squad bolted, beating feet for the line. At that time, I ran diagonally across the helo pad & dived into a bunker for the festivities. Piece of cake. If I left at a certain angle and ran a straight line, I was there.
While at a dead run, I felt a jarring thud & found myself flat on my back on the helo pad... DANG!!! I'm shot!!!
So I'm reaching around in my flak jacket trying to find a spot wet from blood but no results. I was 110% SURE I had been hit.
Until somone fired a pop-up flare & I saw I had run into the Lt's jeep as hard as I could go.
With all my stuff on, there was no damage to my hide.
I didn't have a lot of time to consider the matter, but for a split second, I was torn between relief and anger the Lt had left the jeep parked there... right in the way.
So off to the bunker I slithered, running upright not seeming the best option at the moment.
Another happy ending: the jeep was not injured, either!
SW