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There was a Vietnamese village in the Gabriel demonstration area. I don't knoe if the Gabriel area even exists today.
I don't recall the driver but is it possible he was a Pfc E-3. Stripes were different then. In addition while I was in Germany we had a Pfc George Allen in the Company. He also had a CMB and had held every rank up to and including SFC. The Col once said that if he could keep George in the field he would be a sergeant major. Promotions weren't as restrictive and structured in the early sisties. In addition, I was a Pfc when I graduated in Training Group. We didn't get any promotions in Training Group higher than Pfc E-3. I think the medics may have received one stripe upon promotion. I didn't make SP4 until I had been in the 10th SFG for several months.
It was entirely possible and even probable that a Pfc would be the CO's driver. If he did well a stripe usually resulted.
Things were different. We had just returned from a Joint FCX with the British SAS. When we returned, LYT Faistenheimer was in our team room and congratulating me on a job well done. The team sergeant, MSG Valenzuela told the Col: "If you think he is that good, don't shake his hand, promote him." Within the week I was promoted to SSG.
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