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WCSU Archives - Student Exhibition Space - WestD

Ed Hagan

Interview with Dr. Ed Hagan

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Hagan, 2015. Courtesy of Western Connecticut State University 

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 Dr. Ed Hagan's memior, To Vietnam In Vain.

                                     

     Dr. Edward Hagen is a Vietnam Veteran who served from 1969-1970. He is the Distinguished Professor of Writing, Linguistics and Creative Process at Western Connecticut State University. Hagan was in ROTC at Fordham University, and was brought into the war as an intelligence officer. He was assigned to the S-2 advisors office in Phong Dinh Province on October 29th 1969, where he went to work for the pacification effort in Can Tho City. He was a member of a team of about 150 army and civilian intelligence advisors. Hagan discusses how “preposterous” the idea was of a 22 year old man advising people that were twice his age.

     His duties were to read and draft intelligence reports, go on scouting missions by helicopter to spot enemy forces, and to advise the South Vietnamese in military efforts. Hagan also discusses the lack of a coherent strategy for the United States to achieve military success  in Vietnam. He talks specifically about the failures of pacification programs.  Hagan elaborates on his experience of being in a low-flying helicopter that was shot down by National Liberation Front soldiers. The co-pilot was killed in this incident; remarkably, everyone else survived.

     Hagan explains why he believes the United States should have stayed out of Vietnam. He gives his opinion on “fighting godless communism” and the domino theory. He also shares his thoughts on staying quiet about the war, and what compelled him to write his memoir.