Texas Tech University

Photograph

Photograph Item Number: VA042674
Pages
1
Media Type
Photograph
Physical Location
Stacks
Language(s)
English
Dates
Existence: May 1970
General Note
Medical corpsman Priest, 1/77 Armored Battalion, 1/5 Brigade [Mechanized]. Priest was a conscientious objector. One evening in spring 1970 when he was pulling charge of quarters [CQ] in Company C, an unknown person rolled a grenade into the office. This was apparently an attempt to maim or kill the company commander. Priest was severely wounded, immediately transferred to the 18th Surgery Hospital in Quang Tri and then evacuated out of country. I have a photo of the remains of the neck of Priest's guitar, bearing witness to the severity of the attack. Fragging in this battalion happened about once a month; typically this was an attempt to kill or maim lifers. Near battalion aid station Quang Tri, Vietnam

Perma Link
https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=VA042674

Citation
Photograph, VA042674. May 1970, James Evans Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=VA042674, Accessed 15 Feb 2026.

Pub Credit Line
VA042674, James Evans Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University

Added: 25 Oct 2005 [Updated: 14 Feb 2020]