Vietnam War Interview Forum

Guest

>1. What is your name and position in the war?

Dave Wright, combat infantry. point man most of the time.

>2. What made you join the army?

I volunteered for the draft, that kept my active duty obligation down to two years active duty.

>3. Were you opposed to the war protesters? Why or why not?

From my point of view they were young idealists who were easily used by those who wanted to hurt our nation.  They had no idea of what the war was like for us.  They gave encouragement to our enemy and probably prolonged the war.  What the protestors did had absolutely no effect on my situation, the enemy was trying to kill me the whole time inspite of the protests.

>4. How did your family reacted when you decided to join the army?

They were afraid for me and really wanted me to stay in college.

>5. What was your typical day like in Vietnam?

Most of the time was spent in the jungle trying to make contact with the enemy and inwardly hoping we wouldn't.  We walked all day from one suspected position to another, ate C rations, slept on the ground rain or shine, fought billians of mosquitos, fire ants, leaches, ten inch centipedes, malaria, jungle rot, bordom and terror, plus those other people out in the jungle who were trying their best to send us home in a body bag.

>6. What were the people in your group like?

From every ethnic group, poor to rich, high school drop outs to college grads.  We probably wouldn't have picked one another for friends outside of the war.  We all had one thing in common that drew us incredibly close - survival.

>7. How did the people of Vietnam treat you?

Most were polite and gracious - that was their culture.  We never knew who was smilling at us during the day time and hunting during the night.

>8. What is the scariest moment you encountered in Vietnam?

Walking point ment that about every third day I would lead the column through the jungle and rice paddies.  There were many times that God supernaturally protected me from becoming a casualty.  Lots of friends were killed or wounded along with five other point men.  I was scared during my entire 365 day tour.

>9. When you got home, what were some of the reactions you received?

We didn't leave or come home in large units and most people didn't notice our arrival back home.  There were a few protestors but I avoided them.  Of course my family was ellsted to see me.

>10. How did the war alter your life?

Most of what I learned growing up had no value in Vietnam - life wasn't precious or sacred, or even fair.  The few good things I learned in Vietnam were worthless back home - suffering together and learning to support one another and self sacrifice were useless in the persuit of the American Dream where it was every man for himself.

I was disappointed and disillusioned for years.  Why couldn't mankind (and myself) do better than Vietnam?  Why didn't people back home care what the war was like for those who were doing what their nation asked them to?  How could I stoop to some of the things that I did in Vietnam?

All the darkness drove me to find all that is good and right.  I found a relationship with Jesus Christ that could never have happened without going through the war.  


>Please respond by November 5.
>Thank you for your time
>