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Dave Powell's Photo Album

David Louis "Dave" Powell

Unlikely Combat Photographer Documents War's Toll

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When exhausted you don't need comfort to sleep, but always have the flack jacket close by.
When exhausted you don't need comfort to sleep, but always have the flack jacket close by.
Radioman running for cover across "hot zone" on India's hill.  Probably just heard the awful word "INCOMING!".  Probably a Helicopter Support Team (HST) radioman.
Radioman running for cover across "hot zone" on India's hill. Probably just heard the awful word "INCOMING!". Probably a Helicopter Support Team (HST) radioman.
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Fake antenna - spoof, really, on AFVN's "Chicken Man", who had the famous "Good Morning, Vietnam" call made famous in the movie.  Note the chicken.
Fake antenna - spoof, really, on AFVN's "Chicken Man", who had the famous "Good Morning, Vietnam" call made famous in the movie. Note the chicken.
The saddle between India and Mike Company.
The antenna on India's COC can be seen top left.
The saddle between India and Mike Company. The antenna on India's COC can be seen top left.
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An NVA bunker left over from spring '67 hill fights.  Many on Hill 881, some used by current residents.  Most however contained decomposed NVA bodies.  Smell was bad when they were broken into while digging bunkers and trench lines.
An NVA bunker left over from spring '67 hill fights. Many on Hill 881, some used by current residents. Most however contained decomposed NVA bodies. Smell was bad when they were broken into while digging bunkers and trench lines.
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Incoming from the NVA have torn this one to shreds, it will not be sent back to the USA.
Incoming from the NVA have torn this one to shreds, it will not be sent back to the USA.
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Can you identify this Marine?
Can you identify this Marine?
From left, Lt. Richard Foley (XO I/3/26), Capt. William Dabney (CO I/3/26), Lt. Thomas Esslinger (CO M/3/26) and Lt. Charles Schneider (Artillery Forward Observer C/1/13).  The flag had been flown this day, drying out to be folded and mailed to next-of-kin of Warrior who had been killed on the hill.  They had an ample supply of flags donated by folks back in the States.
From left, Lt. Richard Foley (XO I/3/26), Capt. William Dabney (CO I/3/26), Lt. Thomas Esslinger (CO M/3/26) and Lt. Charles Schneider (Artillery Forward Observer C/1/13). The flag had been flown this day, drying out to be folded and mailed to next-of-kin of Warrior who had been killed on the hill. They had an ample supply of flags donated by folks back in the States.
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Some were sustained by the faith in their God.
Some were sustained by the faith in their God.
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Upper body hidden behind poncho to keep the light out.  You make the best of what you have!
Upper body hidden behind poncho to keep the light out. You make the best of what you have!
Those assigned to guard the perimeter of the hill were on high alert all night long slept during the day (mortar, rocket, artillery and helo noise permitting.
Those assigned to guard the perimeter of the hill were on high alert all night long slept during the day (mortar, rocket, artillery and helo noise permitting.
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From Mike's position looking across saddle to the trench lines of India.  The two dots (center on horizon) are the flags near the Combat Operations Center (COC).  The gate is to keep NVA pigs out.
From Mike's position looking across saddle to the trench lines of India. The two dots (center on horizon) are the flags near the Combat Operations Center (COC). The gate is to keep NVA pigs out.
Some sleep while another savors a C-ration delicacy.
Some sleep while another savors a C-ration delicacy.
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COC bunker on the left.  Capt. Dabney and the Company Gunnery Sergeant, Robert L. DeArmond,had hidden emergency c-rations under the sandbags in the event of total isolation and/or possibility of having to abandon the hill under adverse conditions.  The troops did not know it was there.  Ammo bunkers on right.
COC bunker on the left. Capt. Dabney and the Company Gunnery Sergeant, Robert L. DeArmond,had hidden emergency c-rations under the sandbags in the event of total isolation and/or possibility of having to abandon the hill under adverse conditions. The troops did not know it was there. Ammo bunkers on right.
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India's end looking north past artillery ammunition bunkers and  remnants of smoke screen laid down in preparation for the arriving resupply helos.
India's end looking north past artillery ammunition bunkers and remnants of smoke screen laid down in preparation for the arriving resupply helos.
Mike Company's area of responsibility.
Mike Company's area of responsibility.
India's end looking across the saddle to Mike's location and then into Laos on the distant horizon.
India's end looking across the saddle to Mike's location and then into Laos on the distant horizon.
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Dave was introduced to Capt. Dabney, on left, who briefed him on the rules for staying alive and healthy while visiting 881S and assigned him a berth, otherwise known as a "Bunny hole."
Dave was introduced to Capt. Dabney, on left, who briefed him on the rules for staying alive and healthy while visiting 881S and assigned him a berth, otherwise known as a "Bunny hole."
The Warriors endured 113 days devoid of any living or sleeping areas above ground.  They dug holes into the rear of their trenches, reinforced the top with anything available, and lived in what became known as 'bunny holes.'
The Warriors endured 113 days devoid of any living or sleeping areas above ground. They dug holes into the rear of their trenches, reinforced the top with anything available, and lived in what became known as 'bunny holes.'
The "Evil Eyes" on this helo identifies it as one belonging to HMM-163.  It lost its anti torque tail rotor due to enemy action early during the hill siege and remained parked on the "front porch" of the hill for a long time.
The "Evil Eyes" on this helo identifies it as one belonging to HMM-163. It lost its anti torque tail rotor due to enemy action early during the hill siege and remained parked on the "front porch" of the hill for a long time.
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India's end looking north past artillery ammunition bunkers and  remnants of smoke screen laid down in preparation for the arriving resupply helos.
India's end looking north past artillery ammunition bunkers and remnants of smoke screen laid down in preparation for the arriving resupply helos.
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South side of 881S which dropped off steeply, beyond the near ridge, to a valley floor approximately 1,000 feet lower.
South side of 881S which dropped off steeply, beyond the near ridge, to a valley floor approximately 1,000 feet lower.
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