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Metal whistle carried by Viet Cong to communicate in thick jungles, now owned by Jim Slade.

Vern Moulton, Special to the Daily Herald

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Wall display showing Jim Slade's many medals and commendations over his 30 years of service in the US Army.

Vern Moulton, Special to the Daily Herald

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Jim Slade showing a map of Vietnam used during the war.

Vern Moulton, Special to the Daily Herald

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Large Bowie-style knife taken off a dead Viet Cong and Jim Slade's small boot knife worn at all times by him for self-defense.

Vern Moulton, Special to the Daily Herald

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Americans everywhere owe an enormous debt to the men and women who fought for their country. To remember these brave individuals, the Daily Herald is pleased to share some of their stories.

This is the seventh article in a weekly series which will share the experiences of Jim Slade of Lehi, who served as a soldier during the Vietnam War. It was not Jim Slade’s choice to serve in that war but when he was asked, he answered the call. A loyal American who has served admirably and who loves his country, Slade tells his children and grandchildren, “Freedom is not free!”

At the time of the war, North Vietnam had its own army, the North Vietnamese Army. Americans in the South simply called those soldiers, “NVA.” Many NVA were sent into the jungles of South Vietnam to defeat the Americans.

One item of Jim Slade’s collection of artifacts obtained from the war was a simple metal whistle on a chain to be worn around the neck. NVA soldiers fighting in the South had these whistles and used them as a primitive form of communication while in the thick jungle. In some places the jungle was so thick that even friendly soldiers could not be seen, so the whistles were used to communicate. They had a system of whistle blasts similar to Morse Code to tell their men where and when to move.

When Jim and his men were in the thick jungle, they often heard these whistles signaling NVA movements. They did not always try to locate them and engage with them because they did not know the strength of the enemy forces. Needless to say, when out patrolling the sometimes impenetrable jungle, they did not like to hear the sound of those whistles. To hear them during night patrols was also quite unnerving.

On one mission Jim and his men were moving through thick jungle on a well-used trail. They spotted a force of 100 or more NVA soldiers coming down the trail toward them. Being greatly outnumbered, Jim’s men had no choice but to quickly get off the trail and hide in the jungle.

Jim and his men were always heavily camouflaged. Jim chose a large bush and crawled under to hide. Bad luck! The NVA soldiers decided to take a break on that same spot on the trail! One NVA soldier chose Jim’s bush upon which to relieve himself! Jim scrunched down, didn’t breathe and didn’t move, hoping he could not be seen. The soldier finished his job, and the NVA soldiers moved on without discovering Jim and his men.

Check back next Saturday as Slade shares another of his experiences during his time in Vietnam.