All Could Have Been Me Down There
Jack Fink served with Range Platoon in 1971 but was stationed on Relay Mountain, apart from the platoon, at the time of the April 20 contact — likely on a communications relay position. The strikethrough text below reproduces words Fink himself wrote and then crossed out in the original diary; it is preserved here because it shows, in real time, how incomplete and mistaken word from the battlefield reached the rear and was later corrected. One detail in particular — who, exactly, had died of his wounds — was wrong in the moment and is addressed in the archive notes rather than corrected here, in keeping with preserving the diary as written.
Tuesday, April 20
I feel pretty good this morning. It's now afternoon & I just heard that Range PLT. got into a bad contact. They humped into a bunker complex which was waiting in ambush. Results: 3-4 men dead & 8 wounded. Med is working out & there are 2 air strikes going on. I'm watching it all from the top of Relay Mountain. All it could have been me down there if I wasn't called up here.
Pages 56–57
Wednesday, April 21
It's hard to believe that buddies who I've been with for a long time are dead & wounded. Alpha Company was rushed into the area. And I'm getting my stuff ready in case I have to leave Relay Mountain to be with Range PLT. again. The gooks are still in the area. Range is unable to recover the 3 dead men or their heavies. There was another air strike.
Thursday, April 22
Range cut a log pad to get resupplied. Range recovered the 3 bodies & the rucksacks. Just found out one more man died of wounds. I'm still on Relay Mountain & haven't been called down yet. Note: Man did not die of wounds. Stan Dillion is still in critical condition. Delta Company is still humping, the mission must continue no matter what.
Friday, April 23
Last night everyone on Relay Mountain had a mad minute firing their M-16's. This morning 2 red cross donut dollies dropped by & entertained us. We got resupplied with clothes & hot food. It's hot today & I'm just soaking up the sun & writing some letters. I've been taking a shower every day. No word today about Range Platoon.
