Oral+History

 Oral History Project

**Topic** - What was it like during the Vietnam war at war and on the homefront?
 * Interview Subject -** Michelle's grandpa (John Miller), and Michelle's mom (Mari Miller-Bal)

**Background Info:

** During WWII the U.S. Sought to end Japanese occupation of Southeast Asia and Vietnam. This desire led to the United States aiding the gorilla fighters also known as the Vietminh led by Ho Chi Minh. Ho Chi Minh believed in communism but at the same time admired the U.S. Later, when Japan lost WWII and left Vietnam Ho Chi Minh believed it was a chance to drive out the French. The French had previously held colonial power over Vietnam for 100 years.

President Truman thought the U.S.'s job was to stop communism from spreading. France, the United State's allies, thought the same thing. Because France and the United States were allies President Truman refused to respond to letters from Ho Chi Minh asking for help against the French. Instead Ho Chi Minh got communist China and the Soviet Union on his side. Therefore, throughout the duration of the Vietnam war the United States fought with the French against the Soviet Union, China, and Ho Chi Minh's soldiers.  The United States Air Force became a large part in the Vietnam war. In South Vietnam, they were often attacked at night, so in response the USAF created night tactics to drop flares. Although they gave a huge effort, the US still did not win the Vietnam War. [|Great Video With Pictures of Air Force in War]

Because of the Draft, which would randomly have young Americans be chosen to go to war many people apposed this war. Here is a picture of a draft card- [|Link to Facts About the Draft!!!!] Cites used: -http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/history/index.html -http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1961.html -http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/modules/vietnam/index.cfm

 Questions:  **We sent the questions to Michelle's Grandpa, and this is what he wrote back.** Describe what you remember from the Vietnam War?  **I had been a Colonel in the United States Air Force and stationed at the Pentagon when I was asked to serve in Vietnam. My first contact with Vietnam was arriving at U.S. Air Force Headquarters at Tan Son Nhuet Air Base. This base was served by the U.S. and Vietnam forces fighting the Viet Cong. I found at most all levels the Vietnamese people were very appreciative of American aid. Much of their appreciation was shown by extending friendship, respect, and an exchange of views.**

What role did you play during the time of the Vietnam War?  **I was Staff member of Deputy Chief of Staff/Logistics for the 7****th** **Air Force in support of the A.F. missions to Vietnam. My responsibilities were varied: the construction of air fields, barracks, contractors, and the welfare of my personnel.**

What is your most vivid memory from the Vietnam War time?  **My most vivid memory was the safety and care of our people and the Vietnamese who worked and supported our mission. I particularly was concerned regarding the effects of “Agent Orange” and other herbicides used in cleaning vegetation. It was later determined it not only killed vegetation but affected humans with all types of life threatening illnesses. I was diagnosed with leukemia and other maladies and am now on the “Agent Orange and Tumor Registry”.** Can you describe what it was like being there fighting, and what you were doing and where? (just for Michelle's grandpa) **On an inspection trip up country, my Sergeant and a small group of armed specvialists flew by a chopper to ascertain the condition of special A.F. equipment. Our efforts were unsuccessful. We had bad weather and the chopper couldn’t return so we used an abandoned hut for cover until morning. Just before dawn, rockets impacted our area. Our chopper moments after arrived to return us to Headquarters. We were left with only a small amount of the equipment. The remainder would be used later for the outpost.** How did the Vietnam War affect you personally on the home front? (Michelle's Grandma) **I missed your grandfather very much and prayed he would be safe every day. I read a great deal about the history of Vietnam and Asia. I also tried to be a good parent to our daughter and son so that my husband would have no worries at home.** What three words would you use to describe the war? **I would say….. unnecessary, sad, unconscionable.** Do you still see an impact from the war today? **I believe our country became wiser and developed a broader perspective as related to other countries.** **Key example: meaningful commerce.**

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> **<span style="font-size: 160%; color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Interview with Michelle's Mom: ** <span style="font-size: 160%; color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"> media type="custom" key="3900325"

<span style="font-size: 203%; color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">**Reflection:**

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It's amazing after studying all the facts how you never really have the same understanding as when you find out a first hand account from the time period. Until this we didn't have much knowledge at all about Agent Orange, or about what life was like for children of people in Vietnam. It's hard to imagine what it was like in that time period because it's so different than anything we have experienced in our lives. It's hard not to blame people for protesting, but that can promote family issues because the fathers of people were there to support the war, but then the sons were the ones actually getting drafted. Also, I hadn't realized that the whole peace, love stuff was so crucial in this time.

After hearing from an Air Force colonial's point of view, I definitely have realized how it's a no win situation. You go out there because your country is telling you that it's what's best for the country, and you are fighting these evil people, but then you're finding all this violence against innocent civilians. Also, on the home front since many people apposed the war there wasn't as much support as there was with previous wars. It has become obvious that to many people this war seems unnecessary, even to the people who were in Vietnam. There's not much we can change about that past, but what I can tell is that Vietnam has become something that the military has been able to learn from to help them now and in the future. <span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128); font-size: 26px; line-height: 39px;">