Here piggy...
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
September 1969
The pig on his right shoulder twisted his neck to the left and the rucksack holding all his worldly possessions kept his back humped forward. When he walked or even moved he sometimes made the sound he was known by: grunt.
Mud washed off the top and down the sides of his helmet. The orange rain provided a curtain for Mac to look through. He had a three foot view to the front and he saw everything to his left through a misty screen. When he tried to look up he felt like he’d drown.
Mac had never seen rain like this and his platoon sergeant had said it wasn’t even monsoon season yet. Sergeant Fast Eddy—God and platoon daddy to them all—was good at showing Mac and the other F***in’ New Guys the ropes. The M-60 machine gun—23 pounds unloaded—was kicking his ass. No wonder they call it a pig, he thought. With a 200-round starter belt in the feed tray and the gun resting on the sweat towel next to his neck, he felt like he was carrying a baby elephant. At least out here in the rice paddy it isn’t getting caught on everything like it does in the jungle.
Fast Eddy came toward him, following the line. He leaned over and told Mac they had a small creek coming up and to hump up front and get ready to cover the crossing. Eddy was going to get the other pig gunner up on the flank to cover the other side. One step and he disappeared. F***, Mac said to himself, I need pontoons on my feet to keep on top of this mud. Magnetized mud. Stepping in the footsteps of the man ahead of him made him sink to his knees. Since he was already bent over, avoiding boot holes full of water was easy.
Mac knew they were not a full platoon. Only nineteen of them. Fast Eddy said not to count the second lieutenant because he didn’t count for shit. The platoon had been shot up a week before Mac got there and FNGs were coming in as fast as they could be gotten out of the replacement school.
Word came back, passed man to man: “Guns up.”
Slipping and sliding at the fast pace of the slowest turtle, the mud wouldn’t let go. The cold rain, running everywhere in everything didn’t help. Finally making his way to the front of the platoon, Fast Eddy was waiting for him. Shit, Mac wondered, how did he get up here already?
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
John E. McDonald’s first novel, Here, Piggy! is the story of Mac, all ordinary US Army grunt during the height of the Vietnam War-except he’s mischievous, bright, inventive, an experienced outdoorsman, and a Canadian.
He’s kicked out of his platoon by an inept lieutenant for falling into a raging river and losing his
machine gun. Alone, he makes his way through terror-filled jungle, eludes the enemy and staggers out of the boonies to a highway.
A second-string reporter finds Mac hitchhiking and stumbles onto the story that creates his reputation as well as havoc and hilarity from the jungle to MAC-V headquarters.
Other titles published by this author include:
Minnow Lake
Dinky Dau
A Salt
About the Author
Raised in
John enlisted in the Canadian Armed forces from 1965-1967 as a Recon Crewman in the 8th Canadian Hussars (same designation as Cavalry Crewman in the U.S. Army). John enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces from 1968-1971. His tour in
Since leaving the Army, John has led an interesting life, working as an armored car driver, a horse farrier, and a long haul truck driver. John now lives and shares his home of 80 acres in
John’s passion for writing has created some of the best material of our time.
As an Author, John has learned to open up his consciousness, giving life to his character’s voices and finding them living great adventures. His gift portrays areas that go beyond those of Military Fiction. Exploring the human relationships and bonds between men that go beyond daily living, and taking us along with them on their continuing journeys as they go.