One of our other functions at Ca Lu was providing a medical civilian action program, known as MEDCAP. A squad of marines and I would go out to the villages and offer to treat cuts and scratches and other minor things. I had a Polaroid camera which I would give to a Marine to shoot photos of me taking care of the folks. Photographers were either CPL LBJ or CPL Tony WILLIAMS.

The Montagnards are darker skinned, and have different customs and language than the Vietnamese. They are also known as Bru and occupy the mountainous areas near to and in Laos. Even though they were discriminated against by the Vietnamese they exhibited more pride and self esteem.

Fortunately one of the inhabitants of the village was a young man who told me he had gone to school in Hue, but had recently returned to his family. He spoke Vietnamese, French, and a little English. He was very happy to act as our interpreter.

From Rus Jewett collection, photographer unknown

This picture and the ones to follow were taken in the Montagnard village of LonCaht. The villagers were receptive and gathered around, but did not crowd. They were very interested in what I was doing.  Here I am examining an infected finger.

The villagers were also intrigued with the instant pictures produced by the camera. The interpreter was so excited when he saw himself in the picture he accidentally scratched it with his fingernail when he pointed to himself before the photo was coated. (In the 1960's polaroid photos had to be coated with a substance which would fix the picture, otherwise the turned brown and faded as seen in the upper left corner where the coating did not cover sufficiently).

Here I am posing with a couple of young girls who stated they were 14 years old. They look very serious here, but as soon as the picture was snapped, they ran off giggling and laughing like any other embarrassed teenagers.  Standing behind me is the interpreter.

From Rus Jewett collection, photographer unknown

I much preferred the Montagnards to the Vietnamese. When we got to their village we felt comfortable enough to just drop all our equipment on the ground.  In a Vietnamese village we could not be as casual or as soon as we turned our heads all of our equipment would have been stolen. The Montagnard kids were well behaved and respectful, where the Vietnamese kids were constantly trying to pick your pockets.

From Rus Jewett collection, photographer unknown

I was goofing around making faces to cheer up this kid while I bandaged an infected cut on his arm. He seemed to be enjoying my act.  This shot also shows how flat footed the people are from going barefoot.  A rifle and my medical kit are on the ground. Someone's helmet is seen also.

Again, working with the kids in the village. This shy little boy had just been brought forward by his father complaining that his stomach hurt. The two embarrassed teenage girls that I posed with earlier had returned and are now standing in the back.

From Rus Jewett collection, photographer unknown