MENU

A Minnesota PBS Initiative

Deep, Deep, Deep Trouble at the Battle of Ripcord

The end of Bill Cochrane's tour was marked by severe injuries inflicted during the Battle of Ripcord. Though he was offered a medical discharge, he turned it down to avoid any stigma while he looked for a job. Within 48 hours of getting discharged from the hospital and the Army, Bill started a new job at the Ford Motor Company, got a new car, and got married. He counts many blessings in his life.

They found a communications wire - and they had a scout and he could interpret. That was a realization that we were in deep, deep, deep trouble.

Bill's story was captured with the help of TPT's Minnesota Remembers Vietnam team. 

Biographical Details

Primary Location During Vietnam: Ripcord, Vietnam Vietnam location marker

Story Subject: Military Service

Military Branch: U.S. Army

Dates of Service: 1968 - 1975

Veteran Organization: DAV, VFW, V4, MOPH

Unit: 101st Airborne, 82nd Airborne

Specialty: Engineer conscripted to artillery

Story Themes: 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, Battle of Ripcord, Bill Cochrane, Combat, DAV, Disabled American Veterans, Giving Back, Ken Burns Screener TPT, Purple Heart, Return Trip, Saint Paul, St Paul, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Watch, WIA, Wounded in Action

Previous Story
The Story Wall
Next Story
Return To Top