“INTERVIEW WITH A SOLDIER”
US Lieutenant, John Morgan, sat at the table legs crossed, wincing as he spoke. I noticed most soldiers would fidget or shudder while recalling their involvement in the Vietnam War, here by referred to as Nam by most.
John’s recollection1965 – 1973:
Nam was a beautiful place with white sandy beaches. The sky, a robin’s egg blue, was adorned with white billowy clouds. I drove the General to meet and give instructions to the troops from all transport.
Quickly, we made our way to beaches and clearings many times as the troops landed by boats, parachutes and choppers. As we were gathering the men into trucks or on foot, rapid fire could be heard. Vietcong everywhere. Medics were scurrying about with stretchers as men were taken down. Some men were gathered onto backs as the men ran to the choppers. Many wounded were lifted into choppers during a change of troops taking place. Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Our Soldiers!
A convoy of Men dressed in camouflage with painted faces were ready as we entered forested areas. While in the forest, at times, you almost could hear a pin drop, it was so quiet. It seemed as if the birds and animals stood perfectly still. No movement. Waiting! to hear footsteps, not knowing if it was our troops or the enemy, was maddening.
Quickly, we made it to trucks or ran with the purpose of getting to our camps. If it became dark, we held fast in a makeshift camp. When we could, we resumed our journey between canopies of trees. There were small openings allowing us to travel by the light of the moon and stars. No one used their flashlights or radios as they could be seen or heard.
A hand went up. The General ordered, “Stop!”
“Footsteps, “Vietcong!” Green Beret strategically positioned themselves
“Knives so only a moan would be heard”. “Shots could give our position away”. “If you can sneak up from behind, put your hand over their mouth as you stabbed deep, is best”. The order has been given. Our only hope is that we were not outnumbered.
The worst part of it, he said, was that the Vietnamese didn’t welcome them. They were afraid of the Vietcong killing them just because the US and other troops were interfering. There was mass slaughter everywhere. John’s demeanor would go from fidgeting to shuddering. It wasn’t easy for him to talk about it.
“We just passed a Detail armed with sprayers, Agent Orange, The General said.”
John reflected more about Agent Orange: Agent Orange, herbicides, Dioxin, was sprayed to defoliate the jungle, Ho Chi Minh Trail; Agent Orange would strip the trees of their leaves to expose the Vietcong. This made it easier for the enemy to be detected.
Also, it was sprayed on peasant farms to destroy crops that the Vietnamese were growing to feed the Vietcong.
Agent Orange-continued: Starvation tactics hurt the enemy and the communities. They had hoped to force peasants to rural areas to be controlled, not to be controlled by the Vietcong.
The problems with Agent Orange use was unfortunate as the exposure of Dioxin to humans caused a higher rate of cancer, skin disease (chloracne), and severe birth defects among both Vietnamese civilian and US veterans.
Environmental Damage: if caused “ecological suicide” in some regions, destroying mangrove forests and contaminating the soil and food chain for decades.
……….
John took a deep breath and with a deep sigh continued. He mentioned of the times that he didn’t think he would make it back to the main camp with the General.
But now, he sat here at the table and tried to think. He had been through this conflict for many years. He was even shipped to Japan for R and R (rest and relaxation). Many soldiers, after a year or 2 of fighting went, hoping the war would be over before they had to face it again.
Nightmares would still wake him periodically at night. He allowed the interview as he thought maybe talking about it would help diminish the dreams. There was a lot of memories he was sure he could tell us….
