Skeeter was an Australian classmate of mine at OCS Portsea.     He was killed in Vietnam when he stepped on a mine at the precise minute that that news came over the Platoon radio that man had landed on the Moon.     His death was ever more tragic given that the mine was one of our own that the VC had lifted from the ill fated ‘Light Green’ minefield.  

That minefield was a major cause of friendly causalities over the years.   It was a disaster waiting to happen because in laying it they (the Australians) forgot one of the basic rules of mine warfare … any minefield has to be covered by fire to prevent the enemy doing what they did here.    They relied on supposedly friendly village militia to do this … they didn’t.

Skeeter’s story featured in the Canberra Times earlier this week here.

For my many sins I was made an Honorary Life Member of the Wangi Wangi RSL.   I know Norma well.  She never re-married but instead has dedicated her life to assisting the veteran (especially the V-vet) community.

Remembering Skeeter.