Vietnam War Interview Forum

Guest

Dave Wright, Army, Private to Sergant, between Saigon and Cambodia.

>Were you drafted or did you enlist?

I volunteered for the draft to get my obligation over with and keep my active duty commitment down to two years.

>Do you recall your first days of service? What did they feel like?

It was chaos, Drill Sergants yelled at us continually, we couldn't do anything right and it was exhausting.

>What were some things that you had to carry?

An M-16, ammo, claymore mine, grenades, some ammo for the M-60, C rations, water and a light poncho liner to sleep in.

>Did you have any good luck charms?

No, I tried to rely on God but wasn't real good at it, I was terrified the whole time.

>Did you keep a diary or write letters?

I wrote one or two letters a week but kept no diary.

>Did you have any memorable experiences?

I walked point (lead the column) about every third day we were in the jungle.  God supernaturally protected me several times.  I saw five other point men become casualties, lost my squad twice and 50% of our company was medivaced to the hospital after one ambush I walked into.

>Do you recall the day your service ended?

I was finishing my two year obligation in Ft. Hood, Texas when our First Sergant cut my discharge orders.

>What were your feelings the few days or weeks afterwards?

It was a very confusing time for me.  All that I learned growing up had little value in Vietnam.  The few good things we learned in Vietnam like supporting one another while suffering together and self sacrifice weren't needed in persuing the American Dream back home.  It took years to fimd a true relationship with the God who saved me.

>Did you continue close friendships with fellow veterans?

We will always be brothers but getting together means reliving many of the memories we would rather forget.  I just started going to reunions a few years ago.  It was hard but good at the same time.