. . Air Force pilot Joe Zalar knew how dangerous it was to fly in Vietnam. After more than 220 missions, he became a flight instructor, sending hundreds of young men into combat. How many never came home? He wonders. The sadness is overwhelming. It's really tough to think about. This
. . Despite having lived all over the world during his long Air Force career, you can still hear the Texas in Ben Wright’s voice. He grew up in Big Bend Country, as far west in West Texas as you can get. Now Ben and his wife live in Beaver, Pennsylvania,
. . Ron Worstell was drafted into the Army after dropping out of college in March 1968. He was shipped to Vietnam in September 1968. After several patrols, he asked for the job of radio operator, which required him to haul a 26-pound radio pack on missions with the First Infantry
. . Ken Thomas is from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and he’s a very good friend of Barry Campbell, both drafted during Vietnam. In fact, both of their wives were pregnant with their first children at the time. There is a bond there that goes deep. Ken tries not to dwell on
. . John Schweich of Beaver, Pennsylvania served in Vietnam as an army intelligence officer. He later served with the CIA as a civilian and retired from the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. One of the most profound problems we faced in Vietnam, John recalls, is that military and political
. . Gary Schisler of Moon Township, Pennsylvania served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1999. Lt. Col. Schisler flew C-130 air transports throughout his career while on active duty and as a reserve pilot from 1982-1999. Growing up in a military family (Gary’s dad was a
. . Bob Rupert of Clinton, Pennsylvania was working as an aircraft mechanic for a major airline when he was called up during the Vietnam War. It was a good job. He was a well trained technician. But the army needed infantrymen in 1968. Not long after landing in Vietnam and
. . During the Vietnam War in the mid 1960s, Jonathan B. Robison was a self-described conscientious objector and peace activist. But he joined the Army National Guard anyway, serving in the Reserves for over six years but never on active duty. Despite serving honorably and at the ready should the
. . Chad Rittle served as an officer in the US Navy during Vietnam.
. . Stan Papst served in the US Navy from 1969 to 1972.
. . When Andy Nigut first saw his face after the wounding, he was horrified. A Vietnamese rocket propelled grenade had removed nearly 80% of his jaw and most of his teeth. He breathed through his neck, and his tongue was stitched down. He couldn’t scream, even if he wanted to.
. . M*A*S*H fans will feel like they are listening to another episode, this one starring Joseph Morgan, U S Army 1961-1970. He was just 17 when he enlisted. While living at Kimpo Air Base, Joe experienced Korea’s bitter cold and hellish heat as depicted in the popular TV series. Furnishing communications
. . Although he was an only child and married with a child on the way, George Metz was drafted in March 1968. By May, he was in basic training. In October, he went to Vietnam with a quartermaster company. He didn’t like his company and requested a transfer to become
. . Ron McKeon of Ambridge, Pennsylvania served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 1980. He was attached to the 3rd and 1st Marine Divisions, Twentynine Palms, California, and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Ron also attended the Armed Forces School of Music in
. . T. J. McGarvey entered the Marine Corps in 1966 and served in Vietnam from March 1967-April 1968. He fought with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam. During his time in Vietnam, his battalion earned the nickname “The Walking Dead” for the casualties they suffered, which were
. . Sager McDill was drafted into the US Army at age 23, even though he was married and was an only child. “It seemed like they took our whole class from Westinghouse High School,” he recalls. After basic training he was assigned to the 9th Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, an
. . Barry Martin of Mechanicsburg, PA served in Europe during the Vietnam War.
. . Bill Marshall served with the US Army during Vietnam.
. . Don Maloney grew up in New York City. During WWII he was drafted into the army. As the war in Europe was drawing to a conclusion in late 1944-1945, but certainly not over, Don was sent to France with other replacement troops. He recalls watching the Germans surrender with
. . Tom Lutz was a member of the US Army from 1970 to 1976 and served as a communications chief in Germany.