View #1 - The base road from FSB Moore traversed land that had been cultivated for centuries by Vietnamese farmers. Because they were poor and uneducated, they were known as peasants.

View #7 - Closer to the center of town the buildings were taller with some reflecting French architectural design. All Delta towns and cities were overcrowded and a hub of Vietnamese civilian activity.

View #2 - Because Vietnamese farmers could not afford commercial fertilizers, it was common to enrich fields and rice paddies with human excrement, which produced a putrid, spicy, sweet smell - the scent of the Delta.

View #8 - This US manufactured ARVN XM-706 security vehicle keeps a watchful vigil alongside the road east of downtown Cai Lay. This vehicle is fitted with a turret mounting twin .30 cal machine guns.

View #3 - The Vietnamese farmer's life was hard. They were rewarded with disease and a short life. Most peasants looked far older than their actual age. Sanitation was an unknown concept.

View #9 - Another security vehicle, this one displaying US markings, is parked in a small ARVN compound. The US military police used XM-706s for convoy escort.

View #4 - In addition to rice, rubber, bananas, and water buffalos, peasants also raised ducks. Fish, rice, and duck were staple parts of their diet. The water buffalo was a beast of burden; not a meal.

View #10 - The Vietnamese were a humble people respectful of their ancestory and proud of their heritage. This small  patriotic monument to the republic sat in one of Cai Lay's many squares.

View #5 - The South Vietnamese were either Catholics or Buddhists. This small temple was in a banana grove alongside Route QL-4 - good concealment to launch an ambush from.

View #11 - A few Vietnamese ladies check us out as we pass them by. At times like these selector levers often went off safe. The VC looked like everybody else. No telling what was in their buckets.

View #6 - Like many American cities, the outskirts of Cai Lay suffered from urban sprawl. Merchants who could not afford shops downtown set up homes and businesses along the approaches into the city.

View #12 - The population density increased downtown. There was a lot to be watchful of, especially with all of the civilian activity. Movement, cover, and concealment. - a good VC environment.