Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

SEARCH RESULTS

my selections

10,581
Videos
49
Photos
148
Docs

Search Again

advanced search

Dick Sklar

Vietnam | 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division

Dick Sklar remembers his time spent over Cambodia with his airborne division. Here, they had to set up a base for American troops out of absolutely nothing. (4:53)
At one point, Dick Sklar had to make a difficult decision regarding his fellow commander that ultimately ended up alright for him and his company. (3:23)
On one specific day on the border of Cambodia and Vietnam, Sklar and his division had a particularly successful day capturing supplies and resources. (3:51)
After returning to the States, Sklar attended for the Commander General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and then headed off to Training and Doctorate Command at Fort Monroe, Virginia. (3:49)
Dick Whitaker

WWII | 29th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division

He tried to enlist at seventeen but his folks weren't having it. Dick Whitaker had already talked to the Marine recruiter and, when he came back after graduating high school, the sergeant recognized him. He was off to Parris Island to get the DI treatment and it wasn't long before he boarded a troop ship headed west. (7:05)
Dick Whitaker joined the 29th Marine Regiment as it formed up on Guadalcanal in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa. He was surprised and grateful when they landed with no opposition. (5:03)
The first thing Dick Whitaker did after he waded ashore at Okinawa was ditch a whole lot of unnecessary gear. Gas mask, blanket, an extra backpack, it was all weighing him down without much use there. (3:08)
Some invasion. For three weeks, Dick Whitaker unloaded ships on the beach at Okinawa. Finally, he was sent upcountry to join a rifle company as an ammo bearer for the machine guns. There wasn't much action up there. Almost all the Japanese were in the south and they gave his company a loud welcome when they were moved to that front. (4:59)
The hill had been assaulted eleven times before with no result. When it came time for Fox Company to give it a go, Dick Whitaker was among the Marines who tried and failed once again. On his way back down the hill he found a wounded buddy and helped make sure he was evacuated. (4:43)
The platoon was scattered after the disastrous attack on Sugar Loaf Hill. Dick Whitaker and his buddy found a foxhole and proceeded to make it deeper. When he stopped and leaned over to light a cigarette, that's when the Japanese sniper took his shot. (6:59)