Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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John Andres

Vietnam | 173rd Airborne Brigade

Don't volunteer for anything! That's the advice his dad gave John Andres when he was drafted in 1968. The old man had served in World War II and knew his way around the Army. Unfortunately, neither of them could do anything about the name beginning with "A." That meant you got volunteered regardless. (5:20)
After basic training, draftee John Andres received an infantry MOS and went to Fort Polk and Tigerland. The weather was miserable, worse than Vietnam. Then he volunteered for jump school and, to delay his tour even more, he signed up for NCO school to be a Shake and Bake. That whole concept didn't sit well with old NCO's who'd spent years achieving rank. (Caution: strong language) (7:44)
The heat and the smell were overwhelming when John Andres stepped off the plane in Bien Hoa. He was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and he'd never heard of that outfit. When he finally got to his battalion in the field, the first face he saw was a familiar one. (5:15)
John Andres was a new sergeant, a graduate of NCO school. He was very green so when he met the squad he would be leading, the acting squad leader took him under his wing and showed him the ropes. They became very good friends. Right away he experienced the confusion and uncertainty that was so prevalent in Vietnam. (Caution: strong language) (4:22)
John Andres felt lucky in one respect. He'd been sent to Vietnam but at least he was in an Airborne unit so he was surrounded by guys who were well trained and knew what they were doing. He was a squad leader and led his men on patrols and ambushes. He hated ambushes. (Caution: strong language) (5:39)
There was an old papa-san on the other side of the gully just watching John Andres and his squad. He knew there had to be a booby trap down there and he halted to check it out. But the platoon sergeant said move and, sure enough, boom! That one just missed him and, then, on another patrol, he came face to face with an NVA with an AK-47 pointed right at him. (6:17)
John Andres saw some disturbing behavior on the part of some of the other soldiers and it caused him to seek out the chaplain. Death was all around you and two deadly encounters with the NVA really messed up his head. (Caution: strong language) (8:13)
John Andres recalls fondly the buddy he had in Vietnam who didn't make it back alive. His return from the war was low key. No protestors and no fanfare. Then he discovered that no one, not even other vets, wanted to talk about it. (Caution: strong language) (4:40)
At first, John Andres didn't want to talk about his experience in Vietnam. But a friend who was also a vet talked him into going to see the Moving Wall and a parade in 1986. That began his years of involvement with veterans and their causes. (Caution: strong language) (9:25)
Vietnam was a waste. John Andres vents about the absurdities of that war, the lack of coherent leadership and the lingering health effects. As he sat there in the jungle he made a deal with the devil. Just let me live until 40. Looks like it worked. (Caution: strong language) (4:19)