Ray Rankin sent me this article from "The Sea Tiger" about a Marine named Carlos Arzate from Tucson, Arizona, who was in 2nd platoon.  I remember the incident.  We must have been some 2 weeks into Oklahoma Hills.

Sea Tiger Vol V, No.16 III Marine Amphibious Force April 18, 1969 (Page 4) MARINE KILLS 2 NVA IN 1ST WEEK IN NAM BY CPL. JERRY GOODALL DANANG - It was just getting light when a Marine stepped a few feet in front of his night ambush position to stretch his weary muscles after lying silently all night watching for enemy movement. But Pfc. Carlos E. Arzate (2545 Winchester Vista, Tucson, AZ), a machine gunner with "G" Co., 2nd, Bn., 7th Marines didn't get to finish his stretch.  He was rudely interrupted by two North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers. "When they saw me they looked at each other and started yelling something.  The first one slung his rifle around and pulled the trigger; it didn't go off!" said Arzate. He grabbed the weapon from the NVA and tried to fire it, but it wouldn't work for him either. Meanwhile the second NVA came to life and started firing point blank at the Arizona Leatherneck.  Arzate decided to use the first NVA as a shield.  Amazed at his own inaccuracy, the second NVA moved closer for a better look.  Arzate punched him in the mouth. The three men began grappling for weapons as they started sliding down the hillside.  "They were pretty easy to toss around," said Arzate.  "One managed to punch me in the chin during the fight, but I came up shooting first." Arzate killed both NVA and captured their weapons to wrap up his first week in Vietnam.

Of course, he wan't streatching, he was taking his morning dump.  He managed to kill both of them with his pants around his ankles. In early 2000 I got an email from Juan Mata who was in the same night position with Carlos when this happened.

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