Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
2:10 | There is a song that reminds Marine Michael Marshall of his time in Vietnam, but to really see him light up, ask him if he encountered any wildlife there.
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He was used to discipline, so Marine boot camp wasn't so bad for Michael Marshall. When the drill instructor asked if anyone was unhappy and wanted to go to the Army, he thought surely no one would step forward.
When he stepped off the plane in Da Nang, Michael Marshall knew this was not a place you wanted to be. It was hot and there was a strange smell. Within days, he was with his Marine unit at An Hoa, providing security for bridge building engineers. It did not take long before he saw death.
The Marines did what they could to help villagers with sanitation and health needs, but Michael Marshall could feel the chilly distance between them. His company commander was Captain Jerome Cooper, who held an important distinction.
What was it like moving through thick jungle? Michael Marshall answers that question and more as he recalls his time in Vietnam. He loved his M14 rifle, but he wasn't too crazy about the C-rations and the old grenades.
Michael Marshall was with the first group of Marines to establish the base at Con Thien, near the DMZ. As they carved a road through the countryside on the way in, he was sure the enemy would strike.
It was early in the battle when Michael Marshall pointed to the machine gunner to show him where to set up his weapon. An enemy round tore into his arm and he was knocked to the ground. The rapid response of his buddies and the evacuation team was outstanding. Back home, his employer before the war continued the good work.
Michael Marshall talks about what he learned in the Marine corps and what he thinks the legacy of Vietnam is to the nation. He laments that without ever losing a battle, the war was lost.
