"I really liked the 'yards, great fighters but uncontrollable in battle. Even with SF training and leadership".
Captain - Not so. The Hmong I fought with and led, meaning under my SF Command and leadership, fought like seasoned Infantry (US Army Infantry that is) and followed orders like professional soldiers, not like a bunch of out of control trainees with attitude problems. There were of course individuals who felt like they should always be in charge, sort of like Marines ya know, but when it came to major engagements they fought like professionals. When they were on their own and out head hunting we really didn't care how they acted as long as they got results.
And I was told once, early on, that I should never (never, ever, never) refuse a gift offered by a Mountainyard Elder or Chieftan, especially if it was his teenage daughter (who was usually given over complete with battle gear and her own AK). if I/we wanted to leave that village alive.
And btw, Water Buffalo has to be tenderized, as in beaten with a stick or rock until it is soft enough to chew before cooking, then you can cook it.
And JeffG - do not ever eat those 'minnows'. They ain't 'minnows', they are Cau Dai, which means 'crap fish' ()or rather, that's how it was interpreted to me...) - they are the ones inhabiting the village ponds the villagers 'poo' into. Do you remember seeing those 'bridges' over the village ponds that had the 'chair' on them - yep, you got it..... even Nuc Mam can't make those fish taste any better.....
