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How old were you? What do you remember about what was going on in the country and your community when you were growing up during the 1950s and 1960s?

The Vietnam War begun during the Cold War. The politicians on TV told us we were preventing the spread of communism. At the beginning most people were for the war effort with a few exceptions of hippies. I was 17 at the time the escalation period started, which put me in prime drafting age.  The ideals were largely anti communist and people feared it like the plague. We thought it was going to spread everywhere and eventually America if we didn't do something soon.

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Why do you think the US was involved in Vietnam and Southeast Asia

The whole thing was about containing communism and protecting America through stopping communists before more countries fell. The whole concept was called the domino effect. We weren't successful in doing it, but we tried.

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How did your family respond to your decision to enlist or to you being drafted?  Were you married when you went to Vietnam? If so how did your wife react to your decision?

I wasn’t married at the time of the draft, but my family was pretty unhappy with the draft. My mom was furious and said it was unfair while my dad and siblings were more optimistic and didn't see it as so much of a death sentence.

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Did you join the military and go to the Vietnam War? Were you drafted or did you enlist voluntarily? What was the date of your enlistment or the date you were drafted? How old were you? How long were you in the military?

I was drafted in the 1969 lottery. I planned to work with my dad in my hometown before I got drafted, and I did not particularly want to go to Vietnam and fight.  The lottery selection was done on December 1st, 1969, but my birthday was not called at the beginning, so I had some time before I got called for duty.  I was 18 at the time of my drafting. My tour was slightly longer than most. I was there for two years, and was honorably discharged when I got back home.

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In what ways, if any, did the Vietnam War touch your life when the conflict was going on? Did you feel distanced from it or did you feel as it had a strong presence in your life?

I was drafted when I was 18 during the escalation phase with so many other young men at the time. The war was most definitely affecting my life. I was part of it. It was my life at the time. I lived in Vietnam and fought the war.  I was in Vietnam during the Tet offensive.  For a while after the end of the war it was hard to adjust back to life as a normal citizen. In Nam we always had the fear of being attacked, and that wasn't really normal back home. Long term, I still have issues such as my leg.

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What do you recall about the time when the Vietnam War started?

I was drafted when I was 18 during the escalation phase with so many other young men at the time. The war was most definitely affecting my life. I was part of it. It was my life at the time. I lived in Vietnam and fought the war.  I was in Vietnam during the Tet offensive.  For a while after the end of the war it was hard to adjust back to life as a normal citizen. In Nam we always had the fear of being attacked, and that wasn't really normal back home. Long term, I didn't have any major issues.

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What role do you believe the media had in fueling the anti-war demonstrations because of increased press coverage of the war?
I believe that media played an important role because it recorded the true scenes during the war and stimulated people to protest for soldiers’ predicaments.

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Do you believe the media was an advantage or a hindrance to the war effort?

I believe the media was an advantage. Because the war lasted too long and it cost tremendous war fees for United States. Since we already offered help to our greatest extent, the war lost its value and media influenced public opinions to accelerate the end of war.

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Where were you when the Tet Offensive happened? How did you feel about this?

I was at the base I was stationed at which was a hundred miles give or take from Saigon.  My base was missed by them but many nearby were hit hard. It was such a surprise to all of us, and unlike anything we had seen before in the war. It was worrying that they could launch such a large attack on such short notice, but it was good to see we were able to beat them back.

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How did you feel about the anti-war demonstrations back in the United States? Did any of your family members participate in the demonstrations?

I didn't particularly like them because they often went after us GIs when we had returned home. Like I said before, many of us were drafted. Many of us joined with the goal of serving our country. Many of us had friends that died. I think that going after the GIs was not the the right way to protest. I was mostly indifferent to the protests against the politics behind the war. They were over our heads and didn't influence us.

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How did you feel about fighting against communism and the communists? Did you feel they were a big threat to the United States? What did the military say about them?

I don’t think it was worth it fight them. The experience was good, and I don’t regret going there and doing what I did, but I don’t think that the communist government in Vietnam would have harmed America very much if we left it alone. At the time we all thought it was the right thing to do, but in hindsight, I think it was a futile attempt. We were told by our superiors that we were protecting America and that they posed a real threat.

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What was a typical day like for you in Vietnam? Describe the base in which you lived. What were your living conditions like? Housing, food, etc. Was there anything you missed about home? What did you miss the most?

A typical day in Vietnam was hot and humid. The place was a jungle exactly how you would think of a jungle. My base was near a small village in South Vietnam. Living conditions were pretty poor. I missed ice water the most. Everything was always so hot in Vietnam.  We woke up early, or if we had night watch, went to bed late. There was always the fear of our small base being attacked. Living conditions were basic and our buildings were temporary. We were pretty much a few guys in a forest full of Viet Congs

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Have you ever been involved in an anti-war demonstration? When, where, and why?

I was not in any because so many of us were called out and patronized by people who didn't fully understand what they were talking about. Most protestors didn't understand why the GIs did what they did and how it was for them

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How did the war affect your life?

Like I said, loss of my leg bring too much inconvenience and I tried so hard to adapt to life in US.

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How were you treated by the community and your family when you returned to the US?

I was treated with respect and I got a lot of social welfare program. I was invited to events sometimes. However, I felt that both the society and my family have changed. It seems like I needed a transition. There were protestors that went after GIs returning home during the war however, and that was irritating.

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What do you think and feel about US involvement in the Vietnam War? In other countries?

I follow and respect my country’s order. But sometimes I doubted why we should get involved and stir up the war even more. Entangling in other countries’ war not only cost money but also cost many good men’s lives. If it is politics of other countries why should we be in their war?

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Do you suffer any disabilities because of the Vietnam War?

Yes, I lost my right leg. Disability besets my life once but I get used to it.

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Have you ever been diagnosed or treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? How are you coping? How did your family feel about your condition?

I had nightmares of the war scenes and can’t fall asleep sometimes because I was adapted to life mode during war. I have been treated twice. My family worried about me but I overcame it.

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Was it difficult for you to adjust to life in the US when you came back? Please explain.

Yes it was very difficult. But I persisted to adapt because of my family. There were so many things that differentiate from before. People’s thoughts, the overall environment, economy, etc.

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If you had a second chance, would you change anything about your Vietnam experience?

Be careful on the battle field.

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From your real-life experience, is there a story about the war that hasn’t been told or that hasn’t been told accurately? How do you think your experience differs from veterans of World War II and the Korean War?

US soldiers raped Vietnam girls. It is not exposed on media but it is true. I think my experience is different because the Vietnam War lasted 20 years, which is much longer than the other two wars.