Sergeant of the Guard, the Claymore Mine and Me

I was watching a program involving Prison's and, of course, it brought back an awful memory.

It was 7:00 a.m. and I was just getting off duty at the 24th when a member of the Army staff who investigates crimes came to get me. I was told nothing except that I was to go with him, which I did. We reached their site on base. Once inside I was told the following: That an attempt to frag the Sergeant of the Guard occurred. Apparently he saw the tripwire when opening the door to his hooch. He saw it before opening the door all the way. The tripwire was connected to a Claymore Mine. The people doing the investigation believed that the Claymore Mine was taken from the Arms Room located just outside the ER. (Part of our jobs was to secure all weapons from the incoming patients and secure it in that small Arms Room that was padlocked.)

I barely knew the Sergeant other than knowing he was new and I believe new In Country as well. I had guard duty only once with him as the Sergeant of the Guard. What little I knew was that he was hardcore and pushed to make sure everyone followed the rules - no leeway. If memory serves correctly, that didn't sit very well with those who had been In Country. Just a new guy who thought he knew everything and fuck the rest.

At this point in time I was scared. I was on duty every night for a minimum 12 shift and had access. I didn't know if they just picked me up or had they interrogated any others. All I could think of is that I was going to LBJ (Long Binh Jail - the stockade/prison for military personnel). I didn't know what to do. My mind was racing. What if they dont' believe me? Can they take fingerprints? My fingerprints were are lots of weapons in the Arms Room. There was no mention of my rights, an attorney, nothing except lots of questions coming my way. There was nothing I could do except answer those questions as they were asked. I could only hope that they would believe me and that I was truthful. After some time I was taken back to the 24th. I dont' remember if I was told I was cleared or what. I was just happy to be free. And what happened to the Sergeant of the Guard? I don't ever remember seeing him again and suspect that he was moved to another duty station for fear it could happen again.

That's it as I remember and it gets my mind and heart racing every time I think of it. Did I attempt to frag him? No way. I saw GI's who had been fragged and it was horrific. I was constantly surrounded by wounded and dead and no way would I ever think of doing that. And I am just so thankful that the truth prevailed.