Cheating Death in the Jungles of Vietnam | Full Interview

Summary

This powerful transcript recounts the firsthand experience of a Vietnam War veteran who navigated the harrowing realities of combat. From flying missions and calling in airstrikes to surviving a devastating mine explosion and dealing with the aftermath of burns, the narrative provides an intimate look at the brutalities of war. The veteran's journey continues through intense medical treatment, recovery, and personal reflection. His story illustrates the resilience of soldiers, the emotional toll of war, and the camaraderie among fellow servicemen. Ultimately, it's a tale of survival, sacrifice, and the strength to rebuild after trauma.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker flew approximately 70 missions over six months, initially working as a Forward Air Controller (FAC), calling in air strikes during combat.
• 😀 The role of a Forward Air Controller (FAC) was to coordinate air strikes while being embedded with ground troops, who initially looked down on the FACs due to their perceived lack of combat experience.
• 😀 On their first combat mission, the speaker learned quickly that war is a harsh on-the-job training experience, as they adjusted to real combat situations and learned from more seasoned personnel.
• 😀 The speaker's first experience with calling in an air strike involved a lesson in humility when they almost made a dangerous mistake by wearing a fluorescent cloth to signal aircraft, which was advised against by a more experienced team member.
• 😀 One of the most impactful moments involved the use of napalm to neutralize enemy positions, which left the speaker with mixed emotions, as napalm was seen as both a powerful tool and a weapon that caused horrific death.
• 😀 The speaker experienced firsthand the tragic reality of war when a new engineer accidentally triggered a mine, resulting in his death. This illustrated the risks faced by newcomers who were often sent to disarm mines.
• 😀 During a resupply mission, the speaker’s team was ambushed by snipers and later hit a plastic command-detonated mine, resulting in severe burns to the speaker and many others on the Amtrak.
• 😀 Despite the injuries, the speaker and their team were able to survive due to quick intervention by the medics, who were Navy personnel but were considered as lifesavers by the troops.
• 😀 After being transported to a field hospital and later a burn center in Japan, the speaker underwent extensive treatment, dealing with excruciating pain and a lengthy recovery process.
• 😀 The speaker's stay in a burn ward showed the grim humor used by medical staff to cope with the horrific injuries they saw, with patients jokingly referred to as 'crispy critters.'
• 😀 Following recovery, the speaker faced a long rehabilitation period, eventually returning to civilian life after being discharged with a disability, leaving with a new sense of gratitude for life and the resilience of fellow soldiers.

Q & A

What was the narrator's role after being transferred to the field?

After being transferred to the field, the narrator became a Forward Air Controller (FAC), a role that involved working with ground troops to call in air strikes during firefights and ensuring that bombs were accurately dropped without harming friendly forces.

What did the narrator learn in FAC school?

In FAC school, the narrator learned how to call in air strikes and drop bombs accurately, ensuring that they did not hit friendly troops during combat situations.

How did the narrator feel about the ground troops' perception of him?

The narrator felt that the ground troops initially looked down on him, as they saw him as a second lieutenant with little combat experience. He wanted to prove himself by demonstrating his ability to call in air strikes effectively.

What was the significance of the first combat mission the narrator participated in?

The first combat mission was crucial for the narrator's growth and understanding of war. During a resupply mission, they came under sniper fire, and the narrator learned firsthand how air strikes, such as those involving napalm, were vital to combat survival.

How did the narrator react when he suggested using a fluorescent cloth to signal air support?

The narrator initially thought it was a good idea to use a fluorescent cloth to signal aircraft for air support, but when one of his seasoned team members questioned it, the narrator realized it was a dangerous move and reconsidered his plan.

What role did napalm play in the narrator's combat experience?

Napalm became a vital tool for the narrator's team during combat. It was used to clear enemy positions and provide support in dangerous situations. Despite its horrifying effects, napalm was seen as an essential weapon for the troops.

How did the narrator's first-hand experience with a mine explosion affect him?

The narrator was severely injured when an enemy command-detonated mine exploded, causing a fireball that engulfed the vehicle he was in. This incident resulted in serious burns, and the narrator was later medevacked to a burn center in Japan for treatment.

What was the narrator's condition after being injured in the mine explosion?

After the mine explosion, the narrator sustained severe burns, and many of his fellow soldiers died from the injuries. Despite the severity of his injuries, the narrator's burns were not life-threatening, but the pain and trauma were overwhelming.

How did the narrator cope with the pain after his burns?

The narrator coped with the pain by using morphine initially. However, after being told he needed to be off pain medication before being sent home, he substituted it with Jack Daniels to manage the pain, which allowed him to leave the hospital earlier.

What did the narrator learn from his time recovering in the hospital?

During his recovery at the Oakland Naval Hospital, the narrator learned the importance of perseverance and resilience. He was surrounded by other injured soldiers who demonstrated incredible strength and determination, which became an inspiration for him throughout his life.