Vietnam War Interview Forum

Guest

>1.  What is your name, your service branch, rank, job title and location of service?

Dave Wright, Army, Sergeant, 11 Brovo (infantry, light weapons), operated between Saigon and Cambodia.
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>2.  Did you enlist/volunteer or were you drafted?

I volunteered to get drafted early so I could get it over with.
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>3.  What equipment/weapons did you carry? Any good luck charms or items of sentimental value?

M-16, ammo, claymore mine, grenades, C rations, water, and a light poncho liner to sleep in.
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>4.  What was your most memorable moment while serving during the war?

I lead our company into a terrible ambush.
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>5.  What was the most difficult part of your job?

Walking point, leading the column.
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>6.  While you were serving, what was your opinion on what you were being called upon to do?

It didn't matter what we were called to do, now that we were there survival over rode all other goals or ideals.
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>7.  What were your relationships like with fellow soldiers both during and after the war?

We were close enough to fully support one another without judgement.  
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>8.  When you returned from Vietnam, what was the reaction/attitude like from family, friends and acquaintances regarding America's involvement in the war?

My family and friends were pretty conventional.  The war protestors were embarrassing and unpatriotic.  No one asked what happened and I couldn't verbalize my experiences in terms they could understand.
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>9.  How were your attitudes toward the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War different from public opinion at that time?

The majority of the public were silent supporters of the war, so was I.
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>10.  Describe the positive and/or negative effects that being in the Vietnam War have had on you?

I saw and participated in the worst that men can do to one another.  It drove me to a relationship with Jesus Christ that could have never happened without all the horror and terror of the war.
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>11.  What is your opinion of the Vietnam War today (compared to when you first returned home)?

Wars are inevitable because they are a part of our human nature.  There will always be those who take what they want from others until stopped by force.  Some will stand up and fight for justice at some point while others will be ready to take advantage of both sides for personal gain.
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>12.  What is the reaction you get from people today when you tell them that you served in the Vietnam War?

More respect.

>THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!

>Drew Rens       email: dmrman4@comcast.net