We just lost private Dietzel!

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

The spring of 1975 found me sitting in a web seat on a C 130 in the Alaskan skies. It was a company jump and the day was crisp and clear when suddenly the jumpmaster yelled 5 minutes. I was still partially numb as I had a tendency to fall asleep as soon as I get on an airplane or helicopter.

Jumpmasters have a way of getting your attention and I soon was completely aware of what I was about to do. Stand up, hook up, check equipment came the cry. Sound off for equipment check, just then the plane hit a large pocket of turbulence and the entire complement of jumpers were forced to take a knee or two! About that time the doors were opened which always let in a bunch of fresh air which I always found relieving. Trying to stand up again was a problem and we were knocked down a few more times and everyone just wanted to get out of that damned plane.

At some point someone vomited and the smell began to circulate throughout the fuselage, this made some one else vomit and it began to trickle around the floor, there is just something about the smell of vomit mixed with plane engine exhaust that makes it hard to keep your breakfast in. By the time the jumpmaster told the first jumper to stand in the door, several of us were covered in vomit by being bounced off of the floor and or rolling in it. About this time I looked up at the jump door where private Dietzel had taken up the customary door position and was waiting for the green light. His helmet was adorned with the customary white undershirt that had been covered in painted on red cherries, along with several profanities that I am sure I had nothing to do with.

While looking out the windows at the ground below the plane made a wild bank to the right on the jump side of our door. I happened to look up and saw private Dietzel just fall out of the door.

Holy Sht I thought where did he go, everyone just looked at each other in dismay and the jumpmaster appeared to be panicking too! Well a few moments later we got the green light and out the door we went, It was a great PLF as we landed on about 3 feet of moss and blueberries. Two days later private Dietzel returned to us, the first sgt sent a slick to look for him and they found him sitting under a tree with a fire that he had made. His hands and mouth were all blue from stuffing his face with blueberries. This had to be one of the most comedic experiences of my military service. Jeff

[Ches-Gen-4]

Great story, well written. Made me feel like I was there. Bob

[Terry K.]

That sure brought back many memories.

I had to tell my son who was a medic in the 101st. We both had a good chuckle over it.

 

Thanks,

Terry

[m151mp]

now that's a good story, even for a leg.

[David D]

Great story.

 

-Dave

[sgtdorango]

thats a great story!....i wonder if pvt dietzel is somewhere right now telling his story to someone around a campfire....."i remember that time i fell out of the plane...."