Bearcat, South Vietnam

Ch. Sams' first assignment in Vietnam was as Division Chaplain for the Ninth Infantry Division stationed here at Bearcat, a large Army base a few miles southwest of Saigon. From here, he flew by helicopter several times a week to conduct services for field units up to 200 miles away, and to visit the wounded at the Army hospital in Saigon.

Bob Hope held one of his famous USO tours here at Bearcat the month Ch. Sams arrived (Dec. 1967), but the chaplain was in the field during the concert so was not able to attend.