The sandy stubble on his cheek was caked in dried blood
insect bites marred his bloated skin, clothes stained by mud
Out to the highlands of South Vietnam
A young hippie lieutenant became a man
a brass bracelet from a Montagnard band
circled the wrist of his right hand
red bandana tied around the right boot
symbol to all that he really didn't give a hoot
Oh he laughed at the base camp discipline and routine
but out in the bush he became a lean mean fighting machine
He drank beer, looked slovenly, and smoked a little dope
but never refused to go out on patrol with a starlight scope
a forward observer with the ARVN infantry
he wrote a chapter of bravery in the regimental history
spring of nineteen hundred and seventy
Dak Seang became the target of the PAVN enemy
the Special Forces camp under constant attack
so we rolled out with fire support to drive them back
young Lieutenant Kelly the MACV advisors and a noble band
air assaulted into a hot Landing Zone in the war torn land
locked in mortal combat , three days of toil, sweat, and tears
battle at close quarters without repose, seemed to last for years
red bandana tied around the right boot
the poncho wrapped body silently moot
the ARVN battalion over ran
the fight became man to man
extract the survivors right after daylight
the hueys came in with all their might
wounded on board pull pitch for flight
out of the trees came a charge from the right
grabbing two M-16’s and firing from the hip
Kelly charged the enemy to save the huey ship
red bandana tied around the right boot
back to a bamboo tree, empty clips among the root
saved his comrades by his heroic act there is no doubt
cited in orders as a hero of this war finally came about
the country took the soul of one the reluctant sons
in April of 1970 he became one of the honored ones
On the wall his name does appear
a mute scratching for all to hear
Remember him well for he has a story to tell
one fights not for the politicians who posture and sell
but for the guy on his left and right you shoot
and he had a red bandana tied around the right boot

- Rex Weaver -
Dec. 1965 - Aug. 1966
S-3 Dec. 1969 - June 1970
Commanding Officer D Battery
Brigadier General (ret)

George Thomas Kelly III's Honor Flag and Commendations