NEW VIDEOS

Jesse Groves

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As his sister drove him to the airport to leave for Vietnam, a morbid thought came over Jesse Groves. He forgot about it when he got there and stepped off the plane into what seemed like hell itself. (Caution: strong language.) (4:07)

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Jesse Groves had a tough upbringing until he went to live on a dairy farm, where he thrived. Drafted into the Army, he was about to find out about that war in Vietnam, of which he was only vaguely aware. (6:05)

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Getting shot at was bad enough but not being able to take a shower really got to Jesse Groves when he had to stay in the field for weeks at a time. He had a new family, the men in his platoon, and they all smelled just as bad as he did. (Caution: strong language.) (6:10)

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When his unit moved to the A Shau Valley and got new leadership, Jesse Groves noticed a marked improvement. The action there was hot but the company was functioning at a high level. He especially appreciated the gutsy new 1st Sergeant. (7:21)

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Jesse Groves knew he might get shot by the same guy who shot the man lying out there by the VC bunker. He considered it, then headed out. This occurred during a long series of firefights which would decimate the company. (3:06)

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Mail call was a really big deal to Jesse Groves. There was very little contact with the outside world in the jungles of Vietnam. He was vaguely aware of the anti-war movement, but a man getting shot at has no time to ponder such things. (2:02)

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Coming home from Vietnam was a difficult experience. Jesse Groves was perplexed by the apathy and outright abuse. He suppressed his memories and moved on. Once later wars made service respectable again, and once he began to reconnect with his comrades, he could feel proud of his service. (7:45)

Jerry Gast

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Jerry Gast has some observations about the Vietnam War and then recommends some good music and a good book. (3:46)

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The first volunteers at basic training went to a sponsored event at a resort, but the second round of volunteers got KP. That's how Jerry Gast learned not to volunteer. He impressed his superiors enough, though, that he was sent to NCO school. (4:46)

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Vietnam was amazing. The heat and the weather were overwhelming. That, and the lack of plumbing at the forward base, was an extreme culture shock to the American teenagers. Jerry Gast was initially at the beach, where he could go swimming and was ferried to the mess hall, but that would soon change to friendly fire and booby traps. (5:04)