Richard Tuten
My TC, My Teacher, My Hero
by
James Mullican
I arrived at Blackhorse Basecamp, February 1968.
I had just turned 19, a young man from Nashville, Tennessee.
Everyone was gone from 1st Squadron, they
were at the 101st Airborne Basecamp at Long Bin cleaning up left over VC from
the new year of the TET Offensive. The
First Sergeant walked me over and introduced me to a short 5 foot E5 by the name
of Tuten, a grumpy sort of guy with a long handle bar mustache, quiet at times
but loud when he needed to be. Richard
was in the process of re-equipping 49er Track with two new gunners.
I was the last. I took the right gun. Richard
Tuten, a southern boy from Georgia had a military family.
His Dad was a flier, his Mom was employed at a Military School, and
Richard was in the 11th CAV, Delta Company, 4th Platoon, Scout Section and proud
of it. Richard was a very
knowledgeable guy. When it came to fighting the VC, there was none better.
He made sure his men and machines were in top military order.
That was his job and he took it seriously. He taught me a lot of things, but mostly he taught me how to
be a man in a very short time. He
told me home was very important, duty to country was essential and to write home
when I did not. Mack he said,
"this s_ _t is real, If you want to go home, listen to me and listen
good", so I did the best I could. He
taught me discipline and respect and how to try to stay cool under pressure.
"At times like this, you need to do your best.
Our job is to take life, not to give it".
He taught me how to shoot an M60 effectively from the roadsides to long
shots or trimming grass, searching for VC.
He taught me to be a machine gunner, not a shooter, for shooters were in
the infantry and we are in the CAV. He
also taught me how to use a L.A.W's rocket and to rig claymore's and night trip
devices and to set demolitions. CAV
troopers didn't do this but Richard did. He
took me on every ambush patrol while I was in Delta Company.
He said scouts wore the CIB's and he made sure we earned them.
Richard was also a creative person.
He formed the first aerial rifle platoon that was in first squadron that
I knew of at the time. We provided
security for downed helicopters and went on several day-dismounted patrols.
While some of the other guys were drinking beer and kicking back we were
out beating the bush, Tuten style.
May 13, 1968 was to be the last day I saw Richard
Tuten. Track 49er lost all of its
crew that night on an ammo run for the special forces camp at Cu Chi.
49er was the last element and was caught in an
ambush. We were hit with RPG's and
small arms fire. We were all dusted
off, Tuten and Ron Cash went stateside to Walter Reed Army Hospital. I was treated at the 25th EVAC Hospital and sent back to
Blackhorse. I later learned after
he recuperated, he returned to Blackhorse for a second tour.
For many years I tried to locate him and make
contact. It was not until a few
years ago that my wife and I found his name on the wall.
I felt a tremendous shock and a loss that still affects me to this day.
Delta Company
4th Platoon Scouts
1/11 ACR Class of 68