Vietnam Veteran Ernest never expected to end up in the war that would shape the rest of his life. In fact, he spent nearly two years trying to avoid the draft with the help of a family doctor who coached him on how to fail his … Continue readingASK A VET EP 30: What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Door Gunner in Vietnam
John Llewellyn’s story is a powerful reminder that history isn’t just made in headlines, it’s lived in the day-to-day experiences of ordinary people placed in extraordinary situations. At just 18 years old, growing up in Utah, John joined the Navy during the Korean War largely … Continue readingASK A VET EP 29: What They Don’t Tell You About Serving on a Navy Destroyer During the Korean War
Mike’s journey to Vietnam didn’t begin on a battlefield— it started in a turbulent childhood in Detroit, shaped by struggle and a deep family history of military service. Determined to carve his own path, he volunteered for the draft during a time when many were … Continue readingASK A VET EP 28: What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Pathfinder in Vietnam
When Diane Thornal volunteered to serve in Vietnam in 1969, she was just 22 years old and fresh out of college. Motivated by years of Red Cross involvement and a desire to support American troops, she joined the American Red Cross Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas … Continue readingEP 27: What It Was Really Like Being a Donut Dollie in Vietnam
In 1967, Tom Hall was just another college student when a letter from his local draft board changed everything. His student deferment had been canceled, and within weeks he was headed into the U.S. Army. Rather than serve on the ground, Tom joined the … Continue readingASK A VET EP 26: What They Didn’t Tell Me About Being a Dustoff Pilot in Vietnam
When Randy joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, he didn’t know exactly what lay ahead. After basic training, he attended Air Police school and was assigned a role that carried enormous responsibility: guarding aircraft, securing base perimeters, and standing ready with … Continue readingASK A VET EP 25: What They Don’t Tell You About Being Under Fire on Pleiku AirBase
At just 17 years old, Josh Cruze left his Brooklyn neighborhood and stepped into a war that would change him forever. Drafted into the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, Josh trained as an infantryman and was eventually assigned as an M60 machine … Continue readingASK A VET EP 24: What They Don’t Tell You About Going to War at 17 as a Machine Gunner
When Paul Henderson volunteered for the draft in 1968, he had no idea how deeply Vietnam would shape the rest of his life. As a young artillery sergeant, Paul found himself leading a 105mm howitzer crew on remote mountain firebases, firing night after night in … Continue readingASK A VET EP 22: What They Don’t Tell You About Being an Artillery Sergeant in Vietnam
When Ben Thornal received his draft notice, he wasn’t even living in the United States. He was in Mexico, building a life he loved, when a telegram arrived that forced a reckoning. Rather than avoid service, Ben made a decision that would define the rest … Continue readingASK A VET EP 21: They Don’t Tell You About Flying Loaches in Vietnam
When people talk about Vietnam, they often talk about dates, battles, or politics. What they rarely talk about are the quiet details: the responsibility placed on teenagers, the fear that arrives without warning, and the memories that follow veterans home long after the war ends. In … Continue readingASK A VET EP 20: What They Don’t Tell You About Being an Armorer in Vietnam
