The guy I replaced was named Ringus. He had gotten wounded in the foot. He lost one or two toes. When his stuff got back from the 71st Evac his .45 was missing. I got his helmet,flight jacket,and chicken plate. I got my .45 about a month later when a gunner Mike Ryan left. There was a gunner in the platoon,Bob Parsens I think who was the one to see if you wanted a non-issue type weapon. He could come up with anything you wanted for a price. He had a thompson sub-machine gun that was like brand new. In Nov. 1968 after I lost Gator 371 I had lost my survial knife. Of course I couldn't get a new one from supply. He got me one. Bought it at the market place in Pleiku for five dollars. Still in the wrapper with the Federal Serial Number tag on it. That was the best way to get anything. Buy or trade for it. I'm glad the guys who were in the Black Market were able to make a living at out expense. I do remember that the Platoon Leader of first flight had an air force survial vest. It was passed from one leader to another. It was like their badge of office. The first year I was in-country I had an M-14. I didn't mind it because it used the same ammo as the M-60. I didn't have to find ammo for it. I got an M-16 after I returned from leave in Feb. 1969. I did have an M-79 that I kept in the ship. Had about fifty cannister rounds for it. That made it about a 8 gauge shot gun. Finish this later.