Recently, the Redstone Rocket profiled a veteran of the Vietnam War. Ivory Whitaker joined the Army in 1965 and he details some of his experiences in a recent article titled “Infantry veteran remembers Vietnam firefights.”

Skip Vaughn of the Redstone Rocket writes, “Also during that first tour, Whitaker was wounded by shrapnel from an enemy hand grenade. The December 1966 night after his unit did an air assault into Valley 506, his platoon sergeant called the four squad leaders into a huddle for a briefing. A Viet Cong fighter hiding in a nearby tree threw a concussion grenade into the Soldiers’ circle. All five, including Whitaker, were wounded. Fortunately it was an older hand grenade so no one was killed. He was also involved in a major battle on Christmas Day 1966 on LZ Bird. His unit and an artillery battery were guarding the perimeter of the landing zone which had about 150 Soldiers. That night about 1,200 Viet Cong surrounded them and tried to overrun the landing zone. But the Soldiers were able to hold them off. Whitaker’s second tour in country was from September 1969 to June 1971 in Phu Loi, South Vietnam, as an avionics maintenance supervisor with the 213th Assault Support Helicopter Company or the ‘Blackcats.’ The Albany, Georgia, native returned to the states and was greeted by anti-war protesters, who called the Soldiers ‘baby killers.’ ‘A lot of them were college kids that were pretty much exempt from going to the war,’ Whitaker said. “I really didn’t appreciate that (reception). We weren’t received like you see Soldiers today from Afghanistan and Iraq. ‘I really appreciate the way we receive them back into the fold as opposed to the way we were treated. It helps with the healing process,’ he said.”

When it comes to engaging with this history, specifically the concussion grenades, Armory Replicas has you covered. For example, consider our Concussion Grenade Neck Knife. Our pendant consists of a trio of items, with the main one being a pineapple grenade, also known as an MK 2 grenade. Also, the cap above the pin can be pulled to release a small stainless steel blade which could be used for all sorts of handy situations. Furthermore, the grenade neck knife is flanked by a soldier's battle rifle on one side and a soldier's helmet on the other, creating a trio of impressive military pieces that are perfect for celebrating a soldier or creating a military style. Our necklace comes on a simple, break-away ball lanyard that allows for the wearer to easily tug the necklace free, if need-be. Lastly, the neck knife measures approximately 3 inches long. All of the pieces are created from cast metal and fit perfectly around any size neck.

Whatever replica armory needs you might have, look no further than Armory Replicas!