A Minnesota PBS Initiative
Leo's War
Combat veteran Leo Lisovskis was born in a refugee camp in Germany after WWII. In the mid-50's, his family moved to St. Paul, MN where he went to school, learned English and worked at a post office.
When he received a draft notice from the U.S. Army, he decided to put in a request for aviation school. He shared, “I didn’t realize that Vietnam was going to be known as the Helicopter War.”
Leo was interviewed in April of 2018 by his friends David Geister and Patricia Bauer.
Leo served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief and door gunner
I didn’t realize that Vietnam was going to be known as the Helicopter War.
Leo served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter door gunner from the end of '67 until the end of '69. He spent his time with Troop D Air 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, aka "The Big Red One."
About the Vietnamese people and Vietnam as a country he shared, "I enjoyed the people a lot. The country itself was fantastically beautiful, I thought. Flying early morning, watching the sun come up and fog banks over the mountains... Just really, really beautiful. I wouldn’t mind going back."
Leopold "Leo" Lisovskis
March 19, 1947 - February 11, 2019
Biographical Details
Submitted From: St. Paul, MN
Story Subject: Military Service
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Dates of Service: 1967 - 1969
Unit: Troop D Air 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division - The Big Red One
Specialty: Helicopter Crew Chief and Door Gunner
"The Wall That Heals" oil painting by David Geister and Friends
This painting features Leo, the man in the hat and vest walking with the little girl towards The Wall That Heals.
Story Themes: Agent Orange, Door Gunner, Helicopter, Huey, The Big Red One, Video
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