There were probably three well recognized descriptions of the South Vietnamese peoples 1) Gooks; 2) Dinks; 3) V.C. Those in groups 1 & 2 are the indigenous population while group 3 would be the Viet Cong, the VC, or sometimes slyly called Victor Charlie.
Most recognize the term ‘gook’ as a common jargon slang to mean most (if not all) Oriental or Asian peoples. The term ‘dink’ was used primarily in the northern areas of South Vietnam to also refer to Vietnamese people – ‘dink’ probably referred to the small or diminutive physical stature of them (gooks). Both references are obviously derogatory but, soldiers could care less. Especially soldiers believing themselves to be superior to lesser people.
Groups 1 & 2 were mostly the common population of South Vietnam. The rice paddy workers, farmers, small-town shop proprietors, business managers, and local government operatives. Most lived in rural settings, small villages, and hamlets outside larger city-like areas. Some lived along major roadways such as Highway 1 or other roads connecting local villages.
The major urban centers (Saigon, Danang, etc.) had typical home residents, business owners, schoolteachers, municipal workers, and the ubiquitous business girls seeking fortune from lonely GIs. The law enforcement apparatus was known as the ‘White Mice’ so named for their white peaked cap hats and white shirts. They sometimes wore a white pith helmet for traffic or other outside duty – – – still the white mice. And at times, nasty, vicious, and belligerent.
Group 3 – the VC, the invisible civilian enemy militia. Invisible because they wore no signifying uniforms and whose members almost always came from Groups 1 & 2. Invisible because they were not easily identifiable and blended with the local indigenous population. Conversely, the NVA was a regular army cadre from the North who used the VC as spies and agitators against the American personnel.
The VC were the ‘village people’ – civilian community terrorists
The American presence in South Vietnam relied largely on the indigenous people to provide unskilled and semi-skilled labor and other tasks. Examples were hootch maids who cleaned and maintained living areas, personal barbering and laundry services, and facilities work. Most of these workers were probably the invisible VC. The 71st ‘laundry services’ and club manager was a lady named Mary (Americanized name certainly). Mary was the usual VC suspect ed spy in the company area along with other local laborers who could be seen ‘stepping off’ distances between the motor pool, orderly room, etc. for future incoming rocket and mortar delivery.
As the ‘O’ club bartender and manager she no doubt fed lots of intel back through the village VC. Most of the intel was after missions bar talk – but still valuable. Mary always claimed she was ‘no VC,’ but was always suspicious otherwise.
Tu was the Firebirds hootch maid. She was less than five feet tall and probably weighed no more than 75 lbs. Her morning routine would begin with ten minutes of crying while observing the prior nights drinking detritus in the Firebirds party room. She swept and cleaned before the in-house ‘Birds awakened (the other ‘Birds were usually between Baldy crew rotations).
Once the room was cleaned for the day – she cooked her smelly recipe of local fare for lunch. She was threatened several times with eviction – but she was too good to let go. Tu was virtuous and never a thief – if money or other valuable were laying in the open, she would let you know. Never spoke English – but could always communicate.
The NVA Regulars could be some bad dudes. Many were Northerners who walked the Ho Chi Minh trail south to fight the American invaders. Well disciplined and trained – a regular fighting force. Their country cousins – the Viet Cong – were a militia type group. The NVA were tough hombres.
(c) Copyright – 2023 Vic Bandini