"Rice Paddy Grunt"
by Craig L. White
This carving depicts an U.S. soldier, circa 1967, dressed as an infantryman of the First Infantry Division (The Big Red One) in the Republic of Vietnam.
His uniform consists of" cotton jungle fatigues and canvas and leather with nylon ankle reinforced jungle boots. (This particular pair is soled with VIBRAM style soles) His web gear is typically that for a short recon patrol in the III corps area of operation (AO): plenty of water in three (3) canteens, lots of 5.56 caliber ammunition magazines instead of a canteen. All suspended on a pistol belt and combat harness. His M8 bayonet/knife is located on his left side while for (4) M-12 (lemon) hand grenades are affixed to two of his ammo pouches. On one side of his harness suspenders is his first aid pouch and on the other side a ‘D’ ring (used in rappelling and river crossing.) In his right hand is the original version of the AR 16 (automatic rifle Model 16) which weighed in at a bit over six (6) pounds.
The only liberty taken in this carving is the "Boony" or bush hat. In the Big Red One of 1966-1968 this was forbidden headgear while in Indian Country. A steel pot with a camo cover would have been the norm.
The base is painted a reddish brown color to closely imitate the earth known as laterite; the hardest substance on earth in the dry season and the nastiest gumbo during the monsoons.
