Remembrances of a Good Friend

Airman Third Class Armando Salinas, Bien Hoa, RVN, Det. 6, 600th Photo Sq.

by Armando Salinas

It was the summer of 1966. Along with dozens of other eager, fresh-faced 3rd Class Airmen right out of basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, we were attending Basic Motion Picture School at Orlando AFB, FL. As a Mexican-American growing up in the west side of San Antonio, I had very limited contact with whites or blacks.

Basic training was the first time I had experienced close continuous contact to other races. That was probably true of many of the others as well. The 60s were still a time of segregation in certain parts of the country. Suddenly, young men of differing races, cultures, religions and values were thrust together to become trained cameramen who the Air Force urgently needed. Unless you had experienced those times, it is difficult to comprehend that there were still vestiges of subtle discrimination around. After a few weeks of training, a young white Airman approached me to talk. We had seen each other numerous times as our classes were not so large, but we hadn’t yet exchanged any pleasantries. The Airman was Robert Saucier from Pine Bluff, AR, and from his voice I could tell that he was from the deep South. He came up to me and said, ” I’ve never met a Mexican before.”

I was a little bit taken back and responded, “Well I’ve never met a hillbilly before.” For a second we looked at each other rather apprehensively, and suddenly we burst out laughing. Right there and then we became good friends. Over the summer we talked about our families, our lives and our futures. Robert was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan, and being from Texas, I was an avid Texas Longhorn fan. Numerous discussions followed regarding which was the best football team in the country. In those days, Texas and Arkansas were always in the top five, so bragging rights were at stake.

As the summer wore on and training was ending we eagerly awaited our next assignment. Soon we knew. Robert, myself, Dennis Bashor from Colorado, and Robert White from Washington or Oregon were headed for Vietnam. In October we reported to Hamilton AFB, CA, for a couple of days of firearms training and aircraft emergency evacuation. The simulator ejection-seat ride was quite a thrill. About the middle of October we boarded a flight at Travis AFB, CA, for the long flight to Ton Soh Nut Ir Base in Saigon. I still remember the welcome-to-Vietnam speech and what terrible venereal calamities awaited any reckless enjoyment. The next morning we were awakened to mama sans scurrying about cleaning up the barracks. We all had a good laugh as this was another brand new experience for us all. That afternoon we got our final assignments. I was headed for Bien Hoa, Robert Saucier was headed for Phan Rang. I do not remember where Robert White or Dennis went. We all went our separate ways, but before we departed Robert Saucier and I decided that after our Vietnam tours we were going to attend a Texas vs. Arkansas football game together. Sadly, that would be our last conversation.

In early July 1967, I was in the IV Corps area shooting stories about River Boat patrols searching for VN forces conducting operations. I learned that Robert had been killed in an F-100 crash at Bien Hoa The plane was making an emergency landing and skidded off the runway resulting in Robert’s death.

It has been 46 years since Robert lost his life. I lost a great friend, and his family lost a wonderful son. I have never forgotten him. I can still hear his distinctive Arkansas twang, and his contagious laughter. I’ll always remember our awkward introduction. Little did I anticipate what a great friend he would become. Few have come that close to me.