Interview with a Vietnam War Veteran

A detailed Summary of Interview with a Vietnam War Veteran


This interview was conducted though the internet on October 8 2002. Chuck Burns offered to share his Vietnam thoughts and experiences with us.

In 1966 I dropped college and joined the Marines under threat of the draft. I wasn't sure what I was doing, but some of my buddies were going, so who was I to stay behind. Never thought of running - conservative family roots, my country, my family, my life. Run to what, run to where?

I had no opinion. My country was fighting communism in a far off land. Better there than here. I knew nothing about a place called Nam. USA should have been involved with a different strategy, a better leadership, and greater support from the citizens.

My training consisted of two months of orientation in a branch, (boot camp), two months of basic infantry training and 1 month of staging.


Most soldiers during the Vietnam war fit into the 18 to 20 age group. We grew up with Leave it to Beaver, Gunsmoke, Sands of Iwo Jima, and either graduated or dropped out of the local high school in America. Young men in the 60's were very similar in their thinking, likes and dislikes, unlike the variance in our society today. Black, brown or white, we listened to either Motown, Jay and the Americans, or Buck Owens. Hamburger and fries, Catholic or Protestant. That made us a tight grouping regardless of where we come from.

My most vivid memories are those of combat and the images of combat from both sides. Most notably my brothers in arms. The chaos of the moment. Other than that, the personalities involved were varied and memorable. From the black brother from Chicago, to the hillbilly from Georgia. We all came together and knew each other. Ve

Some common words found in the essay are:
Chu Lai, Chuck Burns, Marine Life, Tim O'Brien, Nam USA, Iwo Jima, Catholic Protestant, Nang C-130, , Owens Hamburger,

Approximate Word count = 573
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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