Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
4:45 | After his basic training, Richard Hauner shipped off to Alaska and had to face the elements there. After arriving in Dong Tam, Richard Hauner was immersed quickly into the Vietnam lifestyle.
Keywords : Dong Tam Vietnam Alaska daylight difficult shipping Vietnam adjusting mission first mission camp
Richard Hauner remembers growing up in a small town and his interest in history at an early age that eventually led him to want to join the service.
Being drafted to go to Vietnam meant that Hauner had to get accustomed to training and the military lifestyle quickly. One particular encounter with some fellow soldiers at basic training left him rattled.
Richard Hauner realized quickly how much of a learning process being in Vietnam was. The many challenges that they had to face were quickly surmountable with smarts and a good bit of luck.
Daily life at camp and during warfare always came with complications for Hauner and his division. Though his division wasn't explicitly an infantry division, they did a lot of the same tasks that infantry did, making them learn quickly.
When reporters and entertainers came to Vietnam, they were often kept away from the actual elements of war. Richard Hauner had some funny stories from interactions he had when they came to experience real war.
Richard Hauner tells of his experience with the Tet Offensive, facing mortar fire and having to coordinate troop positioning. He managed to get on an aircraft to Bearcat where he cleared his post.
After leaving Vietnam, Hauner and his division felt euphoric to make it home safely. For a few years after, he had some problems with PTSD that started to go away with the help of a psychiatrist.
Richard Hauner gives his insight into the consequences of war. He tells leaders to make war the last result because it is so draining on a country.
