Kenneth Lige Fulton

Doc Fulton Cared about the men in Co B, 588th Engreer Battalion, 79th Group, 20th Bde.  In 1967-1968 Doc (SP5 Kenneth L.) Fulton served a our Company Medic.  Anytime we had a mine sweep mission, it was "Hey Doc saddle up."  He had no training in mine detection, so he rode in my jeep as we swept for mines.  I ordered him to stay down and we would bring the wounded to him if something happened.  He just looked at me and smiled.  The Sweep Teams did an EXCELLENT job of detecting and disarming ChiCom mines but we did have some problems with booby traps.  Like a fishing line stretched across a road and attached to a hand grenade.  If the line was tripped over, out came the grenade and Boom.  And Doc always came running to the injured men.  So much for my orders.

One day, I asked Doc Fulton if he would fire the M-60 machine gun mounted in the center of the Jeep.  "If we stir up some Viet Cong, I want you to fire in their direction until I can get back to the jeep and take over".  I only carried a 45 pistol when I was out of the jeep.   I proceeded to explain the loading and firing of the machine gun.  "Now it your turn, Doc".  He did everything right and now the MG was loaded.  I said "Go ahead and squeeze off some rounds, Doc".  He said "where?"  I said "In the jungle to the left".  I had forgotten one thing.  Where do the spent, hot, very hot, cassings go as the MG is fired?  All in my direction, down my flax jacket and in my lap.  The whole sweep team and Doc broke into laughter as I windmilled and screamed.  Much later, at his grave site, his wife told me Ken was a Conscientious Objector, who is somebody who, for moral or religious reasons, believes it is wrong to kill and refuses to carry a rifle.  That was why he was a medic.  I am glad he never had to fire to kill while in Vietnam.

You were the BEST Doc.  Rest in Peace, my friend.  God Bless your Wife and Daughter and your Brother.

Timothy Richards, CPT CE (Ret.)                                             

Commanding Officer, Bravo Company, 588th Engineer Battalion

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