Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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Jon Keen

Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) | 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade

There was one last big action just before his tour was over and then Jon Keen could look forward to returning home. The replacement unit that moved into his position in Afghanistan began taking casualties right away, so nothing had changed. He reflects on the challenges he faced there and how the attack on September 11, 2001 shaped his life. (4:30)
The transition from military to civilian life is never easy, but Jon Keen credits Deloitte with making incredible efforts to help him and other veterans who are undergoing this change of life. (2:57)
Jon Wallenius

Vietnam | 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment

Many men in his family had served so it was not unusual when Jon Wallenius enlisted in the Army in 1963. He was lucky when a friend was made acting Platoon Sergeant in basic training because he was picked as an acting squad leader. This made life easy for him right up until he got to Airborne training. (5:02)
Jon Wallenius broke his leg on his last jump at Airborne School. Because of this he waited around on a temporary assignment there at Fort Benning until it healed. He was pleased to go to the 7th Cavalry Regiment, a storied unit with which he was familiar. They were trained and prepped for Cold War Germany but it was Vietnam that was in their future. (4:22)
The 2nd of the 7th Cav went to Vietnam by ship and Jon Wallenius was having a good trip. First there was the blonde in the Corvette, then there were the jackpots from the card games. Eventually, he had to get there, though, and life got a little tougher. (5:33)
During his first operation in Vietnam, forward observer Jon Wallenius and his mortar crew were asked to hold a North Vietnamese prisoner until he was picked up. When it was time for chow, he felt sorry for the guy and untied him and gave him some C-rations. What he didn't know is that he was hiding a secret. (4:41)
Jon Wallenius was near the Ho Chi Minh Trail looking for North Vietnamese when his unit got a call. They had to leave immediately to reinforce a place called LZ X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. It was the beginning of the first major battle of the war. On the second day, he spotted some guys in pith helmets. Were they the Australians? (6:38)
At LZ X-Ray, his mortar platoon never fired a round. Jon Wallenius did fire his rifle, though, when he spotted an enemy soldier poking his head up in the crook of a tree. He fired a quick shot. In a little while, there was a second. He fired again. He emptied a clip toward that tree and it really paid off. (3:51)
When forward observer Jon Wallenius got off the chopper at LZ Albany, he was under fire and had to quickly get to cover. Eventually, he scrounged up a mortar and a few rounds and got ready. That night, he witnessed an enormous napalm drop that quieted the enemy. The next day, he was witness to the gruesome aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang. (8:32)
Morale was good as Thanksgiving approached. It was pouring rain and Jon Wallenius had just got his turkey and fixings when somebody yelled for attention. General Westmoreland wanted to address the troops. (4:15)