Driving the General

By Wade Thompson

With our situation of the shortage of manpower, we had learned to wear multiple hats on short notice. I went from being noticed for being appointed to drive a two-star General around to having to stand listening post as security for our compound. This memory illustrates my point specifically.

General’s Visit

I settled into my role as the driver for Lieutenant Chip, our company commander. Our regiment consisted of A, B, and C Companies, alongside Headquarters Company, all part of a tight‑knit Infantry outfit. The whole Division was running lean, operating at about 70% of our Table of Organization and Equipment. We were short on seasoned officers—Captains and above—most of whom were either in Vietnam or tucked away at the Pentagon. But what we lacked in numbers, we made up for with grit and fervor.

Word came down that the General was visiting the 3rd Brigade, specifically our 1st/9th. The brass was in a near panic, scurrying around to make everything look sharp. I was in the Orderly Room, trying to read Rabbit, Run by John Updike, but I kept losing interest. Instead, I’d chat with anyone who came through — clerks, supply guys, whoever. It passed the time.

Lieutenant Chip stepped out of his office, looked at me, and said, “Thompson, you better get the Jeep washed.” I grinned and replied, “Sir, our wash is pretty fresh, but if you’ve got a date, consider it done.” He smiled back, shaking his head. “No, you have the date. You’re driving the General.”

I laughed, thinking he was joking. “Sure, I am, sir. What about the Brigade and Battalion commanders’ drivers?” He fixed me with a look. “You were chosen, Thompson. Got it?” I straightened up and assured him, “I won’t embarrass the unit, sir.” Really, I was as nervous as a three-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

When the General’s helicopter touched down, I was ready. I stood at attention, snapped a sharp salute, and said, “Where to, sir?” Ignoring the Battalion Commander he gave me a nod and said, “How about a ride through the village?”

I nodded, started the Jeep, and warned him, “Sir, keep an eye out for Mama‑san tossing dirty water on the road to keep the dust down.” Sure enough, right as I said it, a stream of filthy water splashed across the road, soaking the Commanding General.

I glanced at him, keeping my face straight, and said, “They’re a sneaky bunch, these Mama‑sans.” He burst out laughing and said, “Well done, Thompson. You did warn me.”

The rest of the tour was uneventful. We drove through the village, the General taking in the sights, and I kept the Jeep steady, avoiding any more surprises. He asked a few questions that I surprisingly knew the answers to.

When we got back to Headquarters, I parked and asked, “Any further instructions, sir?” He returned my salute, a grin on his face, and said, “Take your Jeep to the wash point and get it cleaned for your commanding officer.” I snapped back, “KEEP UP THE FIRE, SIR.” He echoed, “KEEP UP THE FIRE.” and walked off, still chuckling.

I drove to the wash point, shaking my head and smiling. The General had a sense of humor, and I hadn’t embarrassed the unit. Lieutenant Chip would be pleased, but I wasn’t about to let him know I was a little nervous driving a General through Mama‑san’s ambush territory.

Back at the hooch that night, the guys got a kick out of the story, especially the part about the dirty water. We played a few hands of cards, Buck Owens crooning in the background, and for a moment, the DMZ felt a little less heavy.

The General’s visit went off smooth as a well‑aimed shot. None of the brass got in trouble, and we slid back into the usual grind of “situation normal.” I’d driven the General around like a seasoned pro, earning some camp cred but no new stripes. My buddies kept my ego in check, teasing me and treating me like the same old grunt. That was fine by me.

Wade Thompson, originally from Meridian, Mississippi, is a U.S. Army veteran now residing in Irmo, South Carolina. He served in Korea from April 1967 to May 1968 with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division—first in the Communications Platoon and later as the Commanding Officer’s driver.