Non Vietnam Vet

Comments

Bob - April 15, 2020

My Sister’s husband spent the entire WWII as a flight instructor training cadets to fly large 2 & 4 engine bomber’s and transport type airplanes in our country. He never had to leave. But, we considered him a WWII veteran. His job was essential to the war effort as far as we were concerned.

Robert Allen McDonald L/CPL - April 15, 2020

Ijoined the corp in 1961 until 1965,and for all that time I was told that my prinary mos was 0311 grunt but some of us went to other units, mine was motor transport,and Iwent to ok.3rd.motort.and after that Iwent on flot for about 3 mounths to the phipiens and back out to sea during which we were just off the coast of china,and we could have been called too vn. at any time as were intheir starting in61 until 75 ,my point is we go where we are sent.Iwas then ordered back to the us and sent to Quantico verginaia in63 stated there till I was discharged,but before I got out in may of that because I was driving a staff car I got to meet the one and only Lt.Generial chesty puller who Ipicked up at his invirginia and took Quantico HQ.and back to his residence think about that I do every day. And I still am a v.nam.vet time wise not land wise.look at how many ran off to canada and very little said about them.

Carl Conkling - April 15, 2020

I went to Boot at MCRDSD in June of 1968 and ITR shortly after that. Upon completion of ITR, I received orders to report to Quantico, VA for school. There I learned how to be a 2111 small arms repairman. I honestly thought that my next duty would send me to Na-m, but instead, I was sent to 29 Palms. My next duty was Marine Barracks Panama from January 70 to March 71. Back to Quantico until June 72. Got out until March 73 at which time i re-enlisted. Was sent to MCAS ElToro until April 75. Never got anywhere near Vietnam but would have gone with no question. Joined a local American Legion Post in 2009 and was also asked to join the Vietnam Veterans of America. Was told that it didn’t matter that I hadn’t gone to Nam, just that I had served during the war. I am now a lifetime member, but my Legion post disbanded in 2015 and no other post nearby. I too am a “non combat veteran”, but I served proudly and would have done so again if I could. Don’t feel bad that you didn’t serve in combat, just remember, you served our nation at a time when it wasn’t popular to be a GI no matter what branch of service we were in. Even those of that served “stateside” were not treaded as well as coulld be expected. Thank you for your service everyone. Semper Fi.

John T McAniff III - April 15, 2020

While U did not serve in Vietnam, U still served during that time. Therefore U R a Vietnam Era Vet & can call yourself that. U served where the MC wanted U to serve. Semper Fi

Randy - April 15, 2020

I was in the same boat as Jack. Had orders for RVN ground forces, but when I checked into Staging in 1969 they stamped my orders with a 3, and said I was going to Okinawa instead because the 3rd Mar Div was withdrawing. Of course trying to get the 3 changed was useless. A month before I rotated, a few quotas for Viet Nam came in, but because I was a short timer, I was told I would probably have to re enlist to get one of the quotas. I decided against the re enlistment. I ended up at Camp Lejeune and eventually re-upped for a 2 year “vacation” at Subic Bay. Best 2 years of my life. I must admit that I still regret that I made the team but never got in the game, although I have never had another Marine tell me that I missed anything by not being sent there.

Jack - April 15, 2020

I had orders to Nam in 1967 and left for two weeks staging at Pendleton when my only child was 10 days old. Just before I left Pendleton for Nam, my orders were changed to Okinawa. For the last 50+ years, the only thing I call myself is a Marine.

Green C.E. 2211407 Sgt FMF 66-68 - April 15, 2020

Went into the Marines in Feb 66 boot camp MCRD and then Pendleton for ITR and the Artillery school,,then boot leave. Next stop Camp Lejeune for about 45 days and then was transferred to MCB 29 Palms for training and then to Viet Nam. Arrived at the Stumps on 20Sept 66 and was stationed there until I was discharged in Feb68,,first thing the M55 8″ Howitzer was declare obsolete for over seas duty so we were in sort of limbo, I was sent TAD to training 6 month reservist until we were officially equipped which never happened and a bunch of Marines spent there enlistment going to the field training and doing MCI courses (I completed 9) I enjoyed my enlistment made a lot of friends and was discharged a Sergeant E-5,, I tell people I am a Viet Nam era Marine…

Jesse Howard Pippin - April 15, 2020

I served in the Marine Corp from July 61 to April 65. Was in during the Cuban Crisis and went to Cuba at that time. When we returned to Pendleton. I to was transferred to Keneohe Bay M. C. A. S. Military Police for my last 2 years Those of us that did not go to Vietnam served a role in supporting those that did. Without the support that they received from all of us. Things would have been a lot worse over there. I personally have never heard one of my fellow veterans that were in country say anything derogatory about those who weren’t. My son is a retired Master Chief and he was addressing a group of Recruiters and was ask what good they were doing to help those that were in Afghanistan. He replied the you might be the one the enlisted the sailor that had his fellow sailors back and saved his life. Or saw and prevented an ambush. So believe me we all knowing or not knowing made a difference in some way.

Cpl Bob Korea Assignment 1st Marine Division 1951 - April 15, 2020

You served and did your job, that’s the main thing. You had no control about the bases you were assigned to. Semper Fi, Jim

Jim - April 15, 2020

I can’t believe I read this….. WW1 era vet ? WW2 era vet ? Korea era vet ???? You apparently served during Vietnam, and you SERVED A PURPOSE in support of our country during the Vietnam War…. Please refer to Vietnam Veterans of America….