How many times have you come close to dying? Or thought you were?

Only once really. We had a lousy 5 and a half weeks left to go in Vietnam when I was struck by mortar fire, which all but blew off my left shoulder. I thought for sure that I was going to meet my maker. Had it not been for the quick actions of our Medics, I am sure that I would have bled out right there on the battlefield. Once the Medics had me stabilized, I was flown out to sea and onto the hospital ship U.S.S. Sanctuary, which had just arrived a few weeks earlier. From there, I was flown to Okinawa where I spent another 9 weeks in the hospital before being sent back to the states. My shoulder is all but perfect. I just can't lift weights with it over 30 pounds, which is pretty incredible, I think.
 

Last trip to town
Bobtail flatbed comin’ the other way ‘round a corner
Top heavy
Lost it
Their back end goin’ over, comin’ right at us
Nowhere to go
They regained control inches before fulcrum
My lady was goin’ on about something important in regard to alpaca fleece vs llama, while looking down, knitting what she’d spun the previous evening

After things settled, and my eyes went back into their sockets, I said ‘sorry, you were saying?’

Wonder how many times any of us has missed a close one, but didn’t know it
 
I believe I almost did the other morning. I woke up unable to breath at all..don't know why...then all of a sudden I was able to take a deep breath. That was scary.

Also many times over the years. One when I was in a car accident..I thought-"This is it! I'm gonna die now" but I just slammed my head on the steering wheel about 4 times. Had a concussion but am still alive.
 

I was also on the Sanctuary, when I was flying out to it after being wounded , I looked at the ship, at first I thought it said mortuary, ( May 4th 1968)
 
OH, Many times! While flying bombing missions, we used to say, "The flak was so thick we could walk on it."

(Flack = Anti Aircraft Fire.) Two airplanes (One on each side of me .) went down in flames and I landed safely with

35 holes in my airplane. I didn't get a scratch. (PTL)

You asked how many times; That was one of them.
 
Falcon said:
OH, Many times! While flying bombing missions, we used to say, "The flak was so thick we could walk on it."

(Flack = Anti Aircraft Fire.) Two airplanes (One on each side of me .) went down in flames and I landed safely with

35 holes in my airplane. I didn't get a scratch. (PTL)

You asked how many times; That was one of them.
Click to expand...
Which plane did you fly John?
 
Jim, They were B-26 Martin Marauders. Twin engine Pratt (& Whitney radial engines.

(Faster than B-25s.) Google them; lots of pics & specs. With a full load of bombs, it took a MILE of runway to get the

"Frickin'" thing air borne ! Check my profile.
 

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