SGT Robert Pryor, U.S. Army (1967-1969)

In the early morning hours of 20 June 1969, my life was drawing to a close. Part of my skull had been shot away, with brain matter protruding from the void. My outer right forearm was torn free and dangling from the wrist. Because I had been shot in both knees, I found myself unable to walk or crawl. My rifle had been destroyed, along with my radio. I was quite disheartened. The only people aware of my location were those intent on killing me. With death knocking at my door, I heard the din of a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog heading my way in the darkness. With no way to communicate, I believed the Forward Air Control (FAC) aircraft pilot wasted his time trying to come to my aid. Yet it gave me a little satisfaction to know, somehow or other, the US Air Force might exact retribution on those who killed me.

Then came the screaming sound of warbirds under the FAC’s direction. They illuminated my area, which I didn’t like because darkness had been my only friend. Using his best judgment, the FAC directed fire from the AC-47 Spooky gunships into a screening pattern. With 3,000 to 9,000 rounds per minute impacting as close as six feet away from my position, they drove the enemy back. Then came other aircraft to finish them off. It bought enough time for my Together We Served Battle Buddy, Charles Hinson, to find and rescue me.

Years later, I read a story about the ‘Battle of Camp Bunard.’ A comment posted to that story from USAF CAPT Richard Gerry caught my eye. He mentioned being Rod 11, the FAC flying overhead during the battle, and a member of Together We Served. A quick search of members and Dick and I have become fast friends as well as Together We Served Battle Buddies. He sent me an excerpt from his diary entry about the battle. It states in part: “This morning I was awakened to find out that Bunard was being overrun. I took off at 0250 and put in 3 Spookys, a Shadow, 3 Light Fire teams, and 1 set of fighters before daylight. Friendlies took many casualties. One US was seriously wounded. Charlie did not take the camp. How anyone survived that attack is a true miracle!”

My miracle came in the form of CAPT Gerry and his fellow airmen. Another miracle happened when we linked up through Together We Served 53 years later. The difficult we did with ease. The impossible sometimes takes a little longer. Through Dick, I also connected with LTC Dave Gauntlett (retired). He was the USAF Sergeant who dispatched all the air assets involved in saving those of us on the ground at Bunard on 20 June 1969.

Below is CAPT Richard Gerry during his tour of duty. Also pictured is the actual O-1 Bird Dog he flew while saving my life.

Read the Military Memories of our Runner-Ups.