Subject: Why Become A Soldier In 1968



Subject: Why Become A Soldier In 1968?

It's a tough question for me and for any person considering military service.  I'm sure these words will be inadequate but I'll list my foremost thoughts on why I went to the Vietnam War with my 319th Transportation Company members. 

When I enlisted directly into the Army Reserves in July 1964, reservists were not being called for war.  The mood then was that reservists would complete their 6 year active duty and active reserve committment without having to go to war, although we knew activation for war would be a possibility.  The country did have a military draft then.  If I had not joined the reserves I probably would have been drafted.  I was not in college, not married, had no children, had no job critical to the country's defense, and was in decent health.  My Christian upbringing taught me to support our government.  I was already doing so by having paid income tax and Social Security contributions for about 6 years by age 21 in late 1964.  I had confidence in our government.  Some of my family members were Veterans.  I worked with many Veterans of World War II and Korea.  But I really did not understand military service, the growing Vietnam trouble or how I would react to war. 

I wondered why our powerful country was getting involved in a war in such a tiny, far-away country most of us had never heard of.  I did find an answer in a military training film (possibly part of the "Why We Fight" series).  The short black and white film simply told us that the Vietnamese people were being "cut to pieces" by the communists.  I then believed that our country was doing the right thing by helping these people.  I believe that to this day.  We made some terrible mistakes in Vietnam but our initial intent was needed and in good faith.   

Nearly two-thirds of my six year committment had passed when our unit was called to active duty.  I was told that only our transportation company and a small postal unit from the Atlanta area were activated at that time in Georgia.  At that stage of my life I did not feel like I had won the lottery! 

The government officially used the "Domino Theory" in its press releases.  This theory said if Vietnam fell to communism, many other countries would follow.  Our country could not let this happen. 

A few units activated in our country would not accept the orders and legally questioned their authority.  I never heard the court cases' outcome but expect only some delay was the result.

The 319th Transportation Company did not fight the order.  We served honorably, won our medals and commendations and came home.  We did the right thing.  I am today proud to have been part of the effort. 

 

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