"The Fortunate Year "

Christmas 1970

        Every Christmas, the USO Show came to Long Binh and the 720th Battalion would be called upon to provide the reactionary force – a rapid response force in waiting in case there was an enemy attempt to disrupt the show. I spent Christmas in Long Binh in both 1969 and 1970 and the experiences were quite different.

SP/4 Wellock

In 1969, Bob Hope and the USO tour entertained the troops and we in A Company, 720th MP Battalion were called upon to be in full gear with weapons and our V-100’s / Jeeps in a location where we could respond to any potential threat during the USO show. As I remember it, we sat in the hot sun with flak jackets and helmets on in our stationary vehicles until there was no further potential threat and then we were dismissed back to our Company areas.         It was a very hot and uncomfortable day and we were prevented from going to the USO show because of the duty assignment that we pulled for the day. Not one of the most memorable Christmas days in recollection but we were glad that it was over without incident.

        In 1970, Bob Hope and the USO tour was again back at Long Binh and, as with the previous year, we had the same reaction force duty. I once again found myself in full battle gear in the sun on a parade field waiting for any potential threats. But this year was destined to be quite different from 1969. After sitting in my vehicle for about an hour, my platoon leader tapped me on the shoulder and told me to me to go back to my hooch and change into my best fatigues. I was randomly selected to join the Bob Hope and the USO entertainers at dinner at the Headquarters Officers’ Club.

        At the Officers’ Club, I was fortunate to be seated between Miss World (Jennifer Hosten) and Johnny Bench with two of the Gold Diggers rounding out the celebrities at the table. There were four GIs at each table and we had a great meal, conversation, dancing and entertainment. During dinner, Bob Hope stopped at the table and joined in the conversation. It was a great time and a once in a lifetime experience.

SP/4 George Wellock, A Company, 720th MP battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, December 1969 to February 1971.