Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

SEARCH RESULTS

my selections

10,765
Videos
49
Photos
148
Docs

Search Again

advanced search

John Reed

Vietnam | 101st Airborne Division

Upon going into battle, Reed and the rest of the men from his division were told to expect many casualties. Luckily they had been to this very same river spot beforehand and at least knew the terrain somewhat, but were still prompted to write letters to loved ones back home. Part 1 of 4. (7:47)
After running low on men and ammunition during his mission by the river, Reed and his men were in a very bad place. In addition, the VC had just blown up a bridge, and soon after Reed was caught in the explosion of another bomb from a jet. Immediately, he took shelter as best he could, but was still ultimately affected by the blast. He also recalls a time when he rescued one of his own men, named Robinson, from death. Part 2 of 4. (11:47)
After saving him, Reed remembers that Robinson said he would name his son after him if he ever had one. Because of this, he's always looking to see if he's at any of the veteran reunions. He also remembers another casualty he was directly involved in that took place in a grenade pit. Part 3 of 4. (7:32)
One of the men that Reed was with had a .45 Auto handgun, which was one of the only guns left that had any ammunition in it. Reed remembers that he had to know how to use his gun like it was second nature, and how that helped him in his Viet Cong approach. Part 4 of 4. (5:57)
To conclude, John Reed gives advice to future generations and to the public regarding the Vietnam war and future wars. He also speaks to present day veterans and soldiers in the military. (3:36)
John Reitz

WWII | 262nd Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Division

He heard the pitch at 17 years old. Join the Army reserve, spend two years at college and get your bars. That sounded great to John Reitz, but after only two months, he was activated. The trumpet player had secured a spot in an Air Force band, but in classic Army style, he wound up in an infantry unit headed for Europe. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (6:48)
John Reitz discusses the communications equipment used in his infantry unit and his responsibilities. He'd received that training and was headed across the Atlantic in the fall of 1944 to join the European campaign. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (5:08)
During his short stay in England, John Reitz had more training and his infantry unit received new weapons. It was two miles to the pub, but that was just a short stroll to infantrymen. Their machine guns were late, which prompted a little ingenuity to get the packing grease cleaned off in time to ship out. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (3:32)
They were late to the ship, having tended to the equipment, so John Reitz and his sergeant were put in a different part of the SS Leopoldville from their unit. His spot was just above the water line, which was to mean a lot to him once they were a few miles from Cherbourg. Part 1 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (6:31)
John Reitz had made it out of the flooding lower decks and was at the rail on the top deck of the SS Leopoldville. The crew had fled. The ship was slowly sinking and his options were narrowed to one. He slid down the rising angle of the deck into the water. Part 2 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (5:46)