A Minnesota PBS Initiative
I felt like a ticking time bomb
Please note: This interview contains sensitive content that some may find disturbing.
Stephen Brown, a 100% disabled combat vet, remembers arriving in Vietnam on Northwest Orient Airlines and how beautiful it was. “It was like Paradise.” But he also recalls haunting memories of his time on the Perfume River during the Tet Offensive at Hue City, sharing stories that bring him to tears.
“Coming back was it’s own Hell. We weren’t respected.” He experienced anger and rage, saying, “I felt like a ticking time bomb.” But, Brown dealt with his PTSD and pored himself into his work as a member of the team that created the Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Memorial in St. Paul.
Joining the Marine Corps taught me about truth and honor and respect and definitely shaped who I am today. I’ll never be ashamed of what I did during the war and what the Marine Corps made of me.
Biographical Details
Submitted From: Fridley, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Hue, Vietnam 
Story Subject: Military Service
Military Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Dates of Service: 1967 - 1970
Veteran Organization: DAV
Unit: 1st Bn 1st Marines A Co.
Specialty: 0311
This story was recorded by Twin Cities PBS for the Minnesota Remembers Story Wall at Moir Park in Bloomington, MN in July 2017.
Story Themes: Bloomington, Children, Combat, Disabled American Veterans, Disabled Veteran, Hue City, I Corps, Marines, Perfume River, Stephen Brown, Tet Offensive, Video
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