From that other thread...here's the probable answer to the original Poster's Question:
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Waist Deep in the Big Muddy (Pete Seeger)
From: Lighter - PM
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:54 PM

The song may have been partly inspired by a well publicized incident that occurred at the U.S. Marine Corps Parris Island Recruit Depot in 1956. Six trainees out of a platoon of 74 drowned as their drill instructor tried to lead them on a disciplinary march across Ribbon Creek.



AND.................



Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Waist Deep in the Big Muddy (Pete Seeger)
From: Q - PM
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 11:31 PM

Pablo, who started this thread four years ago, and John Hardley, are understandably confused by the date 1942, but McGrath is right. Seeger wrote and copyrighted it in 1967; his subject Vietnam. Lighter is right about the event that probably inspired Seeger.

I "think" I remember an earlier, similar event about the time I entered the Army in 1942, but I may be confused about that. It was a long time ago.

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Does that answer it?