A Minnesota PBS Initiative
We were Young Once.
Can anyone tell me what we were fighting for. War is hell and I've been there and back. I was drafted in 1969 and didn't know anything about Vietnam. Didn't know where it was or how stinking hot it was there.
I was a 20 yr old kid with a factory job and a 62 Chevrolet with a 327 and a 4speed on the floor. A gorgeous gf and whole life in front of me. Then in the next year lost my gf to a Dear John letter.
Lost Several good friends. Seen the hell of war for the whole year I was there. Then they send you back to the real world and tell you blend back in to your life. Never mind what you saw and did over there.
It didn't happen right. Nobody cares that I was awarded 3 bronze stars and 3 Air medals for jumping out of Helicopter's. No Purple hearts thank goodness. Just lost my innocent life and love of man kind. Nobody ever said Thank You.
Seen the hell of war for the whole year I was there. Then they send you back to the real world and tell you blend back in to your life. Never mind what you saw and did over there.
Biographical Details
Submitted From: Brooklyn Park, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Cu Chi, Vietnam 
Story Subject: Military Service
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Dates of Service: 1969 - 1971
Veteran Organization: VFW and American Legion
Unit: 25th infantry Recon platoon
Specialty: 11 Bravo and 11 Hotel
Story Themes: 1969, 1970, 1971, 25th Infantry Division, American Legion, Army, Bronze Star, Brooklyn Park, Coming Home, Commendation, Cu Chi, Dear John, Death and Loss, Growing Up, Look, Marlin Herbst, Medals of Honor, News Coverage, VFW