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Catalog number: VIS 201.0790
In this interview, Jim Carmichael recalls his experiences serving in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War. He remembers his father's service in the Marine Corps and explains his own decision to enlist, citing actor John Wayne's movie portrayal as a factor. He describes some of the conditions he experienced living in the bush and comments on the good leadership he saw, both in NCOs and in the officer ranks. He recalls several experiences he had during the battles at Khe Sanh, beginning in February of 1967 including the serious wounding of a fellow Marine who had just replaced him on guard duty. He remembers the letters and reel to reel tapes that he and his family exchanged and his return home. He experienced difficulty re-adjusting to civilian life and speaks candidly about his PTSD and how his religious beliefs have helped him thrive. He reflects on the Vietnam War and his service and comments on how the veterans of the more recent conflicts from Desert Storm through the Global War on Terror have been influenced by lessons learned in Vietnam.