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Ralph Bounds

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What happens when you tell a 19 year old who just learned how to drive to take a jeep down a jungle road in the middle of the night? Ralph Bounds was that young man on a dark road in New Guinea. (3:00)

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It was supposed to be fun, a day in the surf in a South Pacific paradise. But the men were unprepared for the elements and Ralph Bounds suffered for this bit of R&R. (2:03)

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The war in Europe was over and the Philippines were back in allied hands, but the war was still on and Navy Radioman Ralph Bounds was reassigned to underwater demolition duty to prepare for the invasion of Japan. After noon chow one day, as they sailed toward that dreaded task, there was a mighty sound as all guns began firing. (4:45)

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The war was over but Ralph Bounds still had two struggles to go. As he waited for reassignment in a huge receiving station, he came down with an embarrassing health problem that was shared by everyone else there. Then he was assigned to a small research vessel that was immediately caught in a huge storm. (6:11)

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After briefly serving on a survey vessel at the end of the war, during which he saw the devastation wrought by Allied bombing on Japan, Ralph Bounds was finally sailing toward home. As duty for the trip was being assigned, his name was garbled on the roster and this led to a very pleasant voyage. (6:43)

Ralph Colin

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It was quick. Ralph Colin received his basic training and then his infantry training at Fort Ord. A short leave to visit home and then he was gone to Vietnam. The first thing he noticed was the oppressive heat. And then the smell. (4:36)

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It was at Bear Cat Base that Ralph Colin was issued his rifle and received his orientation on booby traps, malaria tablets and the dangers related to the local women. His unit was working with the Riverine force, who transported them to their operations on Tango boats. (5:08)

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During his first firefight, as Viet Cong tracers streaked over his head, Ralph Colin remembered something a sergeant said to him back at Fort Ord. It rang true at that moment. There was a lot to learn. How to slog through deep mud. How to spot booby traps. And, most importantly, who not to trust. (4:15)

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Ralph Colin had been doing a good job, maybe too good, he thought. They made him point man so he was leading the way. He was working it jointly with a partner on the day they found a booby trap the hard way. (4:23)

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Soon as he had recovered from his wounds, Ralph Colin was back at point. Fortunately, the first few outings resulted in no firefights. His unit had gone from riding in Tango Boats to riding in helicopters. Even though you had to hang on for dear life, the best spot to ride was right by the door. (6:12)