Vietnam War]]> Vargas, Gabriel]]> Vietnam War ]]> Vietnam War 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American]]> Florio, Alec ]]> Clark, Cody]]> Western Connecticut State University ]]> Sheeran, John ("Jack")]]> Vietnam War]]> Vietnam War 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American]]> Florio, Alec ]]> Clark, Cody ]]> Western Connecticut State University ]]> Vietnam War, ]]> Vietnam War 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American]]> Sheeran’s role as a U.S. military advisor was to help the local Vietnamese militias in a wide variety of ways from military actions such as coordinating ambushes and medavacs to humanitarian projects such as bridge building and village reconstruction. Sheeran as well as his five man advisory team rotated throughout South Vietnam going to places such as the Kien Hoa Province, Tan Phu Trung and Tuaduc. Sheeran’s experience in Vietnam differs from the common U.S. soldier, because he rarely saw any combat during his tour.
Once Sheeran finished his tour in Vietnam, he was never faced with any war opposition and never suffered the common after effects of war such as having nightmares or PTSD. But he uses his experiences to educate the post-Vietnam generations.
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Clark, Cody]]> Florio, Alec]]> Western Connecticut State University ]]>
Vietnam War]]> Vietnam War 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American]]> As part of a chemical platoon of the 1st Calvary Air Division, Paul worked with several different chemical agents, primarily tear gas. Spraying chemicals around the bases to prevent the growth of vegetation etc. He notes the use of Agent Orange, and many of the long term health consequences associated with these chemicals. Paul, also talks about feeling unprepared for the war in terms of the training he was given. Despite this, he was till promoted to Sergeant.
He felt as though there was a lack of a clear strategy in Vietnam. He, like many other soldiers, felt abandoned by the politicians, and blamed for the war by their peers at home. Leaving Paul, and thousands more to feel completely isolated from society. Paul discusses how relieved he was to leave Vietnam. “Happy to have survived.” He said. When he returned home, he hung up his uniform, and kept quiet about the war for over forty years. He discusses his experiences with nightmares, and battling PTSD; also how counseling has helped him deal with this.
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Florio, Alec]]> Clark, Cody]]> Western Connecticut State University]]>
Vietnam War ]]> Vietnam War 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American]]> Generally speaking, although there really is no such thing when talking about war, his duties were to read and draft intelligence reports, go on scouting missions in the helicopter to spot the VC, and to advise the South Vietnamese, in their efforts against the VC. Ed also discusses the lack of a coherent strategy for the United States in terms of bringing about victory. He talks about why pacification isn’t a winning strategy. Ed elaborates on his experience of being in a helicopter that was shot down by the VC. He said they were flying too low and as a result they were shot down. The co-pilot was killed in this incident; remarkably, everyone else survived.
Ed explains why he believes the United States should have stayed out of Vietnam. He also gives his opinion on the “fighting godless communism” and the domino theory. Ed gives his thoughts on staying quiet about the war, and what compelled him to write his memoir.
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Florio, Alec ]]> Clark, Cody]]>
Moody, Robert]]> Buchanan, George]]>