Vietnam War Interview Forum

Guest

Dave Wright

>2. Did you have a wife or children when you were drafted?

I was engaged, we decided not to get married until I got back from Vietnam in case anything might have happened.

>3. Did you go to war because you were a volunteer or you were drafted?

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

>4. At what age did you go to war?

23-24

>5. What was the impact for you and your family when you knew you had to go to war?

I was scared of all the unknowns in myself and the lack of control for things around me.  My family was stoic and tried not to show their fear for my sake.

>6. What was your role in the war?

I was in a combat infantry unit and had the job of point man whick ment that I'd lead the column about every third day.

>7. What was a normal life in the war?(What did you have to do everyday?)

Mormal life became a matter of survival.  We were out in the jungle most of the time and moved around trying to find and engage the enemy.  There were booby traps, hidden tunnels and firing positions to ambush us from, and the enemy was willing to take huge losses (10 to 1) for their cause.  There was no place safe, night or day.

>8. What were some conditions of living during the war?

We carried everything we'd need for several days, ate C rations, didn't talk above a whispoer, slept on the ground come rain or shine and delt with leaches, billions of mosquitos, ten inch centipedes, agressive fire ants and poisonous snakes.

             (I'll finish later)

>9. What was the impact of seeing some of your mates dying next to you?
>10. When you came back was it hard adjusting to your normal life before the war?
>11. How do you think you might have been affected by the impact of the war?
>12. What are some goals you had after the war? Did you accomplish them?

>                           Thanks for your time.
>               e-mail anwers at: jans_teen@hotamil.com
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