Vietnam War Interview Forum

Guest

>were there animals brought into war that you saw or know of? (for instance in the first world war they have horses near the trenches?

There were guard dogs with handlers.  We had a couple come out to the jungle with us but the dog didn't find anything.

There were a few pet dogs kept by those who didn't have to walk the jungle.

Apperantly there were a lot of rats back in the base camp bunkers.  I hear they were trained by the VC to keep our guys awake at night - just kidding.  

>how did you feel before and during your leave?

Excited about going on leave and not having to worry about people shooting at me.  I had two R&R's, one to Hong Kong and one to Hawaii where I caught a plane home for a few days with my fiancee.  I couldn't leave the war behind for those few days.  I knew klds were in constant danger and fighting for their lives while I was supposed to be having a good time.  

Going back to Vietnam was like stepping back into hell after being free, but I couldn't let the other kids down.


>did you think you became weaker because of the leave?

Not weaker, more aware of the difference between normal life and the war.  


>did it take you long to get back into the mindset of war again after leave?

The war didn't stop while I was gone and there was no time for mental preparation when I got back.  You had to do what you had to do.


>after the war were you provided with help to go through the transition back into society?

None.  I didn't know I needed help, I lived through hell, the rest of life should be a piece of cake.  Our culture expected that we should just get on with life, be men, buck up and handle it.


>were you conscripted, were you already apart of the army services or did you volunteer?

I volunteered for the draft to get my military obligation out of the way.


>after going through you experiences at war, how did you respond to the war outbreak in Afghanistan?

My heart goes out to all the kids in Iraq and Afgahnistan.  They are going through some of the same anquish and confusion as we did.


>how did war effect you as an individual?

It forced me to search for all that is right and good.  


>how did war effect your family?

Nobody knew what I had gone through until my wife encouraged me to write down all those things about Vietnam I couldn't verbalize.  


>any other comments that may relate....

I think the biggest difference between Vietnam and WW1 was the fact that we didn't have to stay in the fight until the war was over.  We only had to serve a one year tour in Vietnam and if we survived, we got to come home.  I would have been much crazier than I am if I had to stay in Vietnam until the war over.
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>thank you in advance for your response. any and all help is useful.