PHOTO #1 - Most of the structures at FSB Moore were fortified bunkers. Heavy VC activity in the area earlier experienced by the 2/60 Infantry at predecessor installations FSB Fells, Fort Dent, and Camp Mohawk demanded hardened construction at FSB Moore that could withstand incoming Rocket Propelled Grenades, mortars, and machine gun fire to protect troops.  PHOTO #2 - Troops of D Company gather after breakfast near their billet area. Across the street is the battalion aid station.  PHOTO #3 - Once fully mustered and the roll called, all equipment is checked and rechecked.  PHOTO #3 -  After D Company is ready, the command to move out is given. Troops walk to the helicopter pads, which are outside the perimeter near the front gate.  PHOTO #4 - Once at the pads, troops attempt to relax while waiting for their rides. Although it is early morning, these soldiers have leaned that prudence dictates seizing every opportunity to snooze. The heat, humidity, weight of equipment, and the gravity of their activity erodes their energy and morale. In combat they perform well, in between, they snooze.  PHOTO #5 - An ominous sign.  A MEDIVAC lands with a patient for the aid station. This soldier is fortunate, had his wounds been serious, the air ambulance would have flown to the 3rd Surgical Hospital at Dong Tam.  PHOTO #6 - Eagle Flight coming in!  PHOTO #7 - The time to relax is over. D Company boards the birds that will transport them to their operational area.  PHOTO #8 - Far above the Delta and rifle shots, the Slicks whump-whump their way to the landing site. Below are ships of the Mobile Riverine Force.

PHOTO #9 - Inside the helicopter each soldier deals with his own apprehension and fear. The noise and vibration of the rotors overwhelms concentration. The enemy, undoubtedly, hears them coming. Landing under fire is not a welcomed thought. The Slick crews are the best America offers. If enemy fire is encountered they will not withdraw. They will remain on site, raking enemy positions with their door machine guns. Helicopter pilots don't leave troops in harm's way on the ground. Every troop in D Company know this. If it becomes necessary, the helicopters will land under fire to extract D Company. They are infantry borne on wings, angels to troops on the ground and death dealers to the enemy.  PHOTO #10 - Prior to landing the escort gun ships lay a thick cover of smoke to conceal the landing site.  PHOTO #11 - Fortunately the LZ is not hot. D Company gets off the barely hovering helicopters and forms into squads.  PHOTO #12 - After it is certain that the landing site has been secured, the helicopters depart. D Company is now on its own.  PHOTO #13 - D Company moves out after one last glance at the fading helicopters on the horizon.  PHOTO #14 & #15 - Today a section of rural farm county will be swept for VC contraband in the form of weapons, food, medicine, and other supplies. Every civilian hootch will be carefully checked.  PHOTO #16 - Anti-US propaganda pamphlets and old French weapons from colonial days are discovered in this hootch. It is burned to the ground.

PHOTO #17 - Two VC suspects are discovered lurking in a nearby outbuilding. They are taken prisoner for interrogation by the US and South Vietnamese Army.  PHOTO #18 - The lieutenant informs battalion of the capture.  PHOTO #19 - The squad carefully crosses a Vietnamese footbridge, ever vigilant for booby traps.  PHOTO #20 - It is mid-day and troops are beginning to tire in the 115 degree heat. Fatigue affects judgment. They dangerously forsake the safety of the rice paddy muck for easier walking along the top of the dikes. PHOTO #21 - Another farm hootch is checked and another footbridge crossed. The soldiers of D Company are strung out with point squad well in advance of the main body. Maintaining a wide interval between troops is standard formation in order to maintain squad security in the face of booby traps and enemy fire. It creates a long, green, snaking line of soldiers.  PHOTO #22 - D Company must wade across a canal. A Vietnamese child is given a ride across the canal by a friendly GI. His buddy watches his rifle, which is laying at his feet on the canal bank.  PHOTO #23 - Sanitation is unheard of in the Delta. The Vietnamese built their latrines over rice paddies. Human waste has been used for centuries by farmers and adds to the already sickly sweet stench of the boonies.  PHOTO #24 - Water buffalos are the peasant's most prized possession. They pull the plows that till Vietnamese soil. US soldier's are under strict orders not to shoot water buffalos. If a water buffalo is unavoidably killed by US troops, the Army reimburses the farmer.

PHOTO #25 - Each squad's machine gunner is the enemy's prime target. Machine gunners were, typically, fellows large and strong enough to wield the weight of the gun. Although the weapon was designed to be fired by a crew of two from a prone position, in Vietnam it is carried at the ready slung from a shoulder strap. The gunner wears an asbestos glove to protect his hand from the heat of he barrel. The assistant gunner carries extra belts of machine gun ammunition, as does the rest of the squad. The belts were typically carried Poncho Villa style, crisscrossed around the upper torso, or slung around the waist.  PHOTO #26 - ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE! The job of point man, in addition to being vigilant of his surroundings, is also to keep a sharp eye out for booby traps and land mines. Walking point is a frighteningly dangerous job.  PHOTO #27 -  This view of D Company crossing a rice field graphically illustrates the spaced formation of the combat patrol.  PHOTO #28 - Infantryman and photographer, Jerry Lariviere, understands both the apprehension and loneliness of walking patrol. He has been on many patrols with both the 3/39 and the 3/60. This is just another day and another check off on his short timer's countdown calendar back to the World.  PHOTO #29 -  Slicks coming in!  A welcomed sight.  PHOTO #30 - Far above the Delta, the Slicks whump-whump their way back to FSB Moore. It has been just another mission in a continuum of unending missions. Today D Company had been lucky. No one was hurt. Tomorrow might be different.