A Soldier’s Perspective On Service In Vietnam And Cambodia With The First Cavalry Division

“Hogie” Hogevoll grew up in Newberg, Oregon, with his father and step-mother. He studied forestry at community college before he was drafted. One of his Drill Sergeants, DS Cruz, was a Cuban refugee. He completed both Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Deploying to Vietnam, he was initially assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, where he volunteered to walk point, before being redirected to D/1-5 Cavalry in the 1st Cavalry Division. He recalls that patrols generally involved being off camp for three days, followed by one day on the base camp to refit before going out of the wire again. He discusses capturing a large rice cache on one patrol. He participated in the Cambodian operation, and occupied Fire Support Base David. He describes the above-ground bunkers at David, the large number of helicopters involved in the operation, and the presence of news crews. He remembers the night that FSB David was attacked, and describes the wounded North Vietnamese Soldier who hid behind the fougasse container. He continues to participate in unit reunions, and states that they mean a lot to him as he reconnects with his comrades.