Vietnam veteran Joe Schaler shares consequences of the Vietnam War

[March 21, 2018] 

LINCOLN

The Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society welcomed Joe Schaler to their monthly meeting Monday evening as the guest speaker. Mr. Schaler’s subject was his experience as a Vietnam War veteran, and the consequences of that conflict for the United States.

Joe Schaler served in Vietnam as a radio operator when he was eighteen years old. While his age may seem very young, he said that it was not unusual for someone just out of high school to be in a combat situation there. “The age of United States military forces has been going down since World War II when the average age was twenty-six. In Vietnam, it was just over eighteen,” he said.

The Vietnam War for the United States was a continuation of conflict in Southeast Asia that had been going on for many years. The first United States combat mission was in January of 1962, and the resulting war raged on for another eleven years. “The Vietnam war left many scars on those who fought there, many visible but many invisible,” he said. Add to that the sometimes outright hostility of the American public to those who fought there, and the stress of the military combat experience produced serious issues in the veterans.

“In many ways, Vietnam was just a continuance of a series of three wars that were fought during that era of U.S. History, World War II and Korea being the first two,” Joe Schaler said. But Vietnam was a unique war in many ways, much different from its predecessors. The troops were better educated than those from World War II and Korea.

The troops in Vietnam had to endure more combat time than the soldiers of the previous wars even though they were only in the country for a year deployment. It was the first experience with guerilla tactics that the United States faced. “Our enemies were farmers during the day and soldiers at night. When we entered a village, we never knew who members of the Viet Cong were, who was spying on us,” he said.

Vietnam produced more wounds of the lower extremities because of the number of land mines used than in previous wars. “There were 300% more amputations during Vietnam than World War II,” said Schaler.

The use of helicopters for evacuation of wounded soldiers was also a first, leading to a dramatic increase in the survival rate of those wounded.

“The unintended consequences of the Vietnam War were many, but two that may have had the greatest effects after our soldiers returned home were the use of Agent Orange to defoliate the countryside and post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD,” said Schaler. Agent Orange was used in a very high dosage over 13% or the country and has lead to terrible illnesses in our veterans years after their military service. “The Veterans Administration has been slow to recognize the terrible consequences of Agent Orange, and slow to help the suffering of our troops. Agent Orange is a deadly enemy that is still in our troops,” he said.

Joe Schaler at the first local “Purple Heart Celebration and Remembrance” in Logan County, Monday, August 7, 2017

The high prevalence of PTSD is another unintended consequence of the Vietnam War. Why is it a more common illness that in previous wars? “During World War II, troops served for many years but were only involved in actually combat for 40 days. In Vietnam, soldiers usually served for one year in the battle zone but were exposed to 240 days of combat. The relative youth of the troops also lead to their suffering in greater numbers from PTSD,” he said. Troops who served in Vietnam are six times more likely to suffer from dementia in later life that those soldiers from earlier wars.

Joe Schaler had two final thoughts on the Vietnam War. The first is that that nation has finally recognized the courage and patriotism of those who fought in the war.

The last American troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973. March 29 has been declared as Vietnam Veterans Day and designated a Federal holiday in 2012 by the country that they served with honor.

Joe Schaler also wanted to talk about Logan County and the eleven soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War from the county. Mr. Schaler read the soldiers names to honor their service. It was a very moving moment during his presentation.

Honoring Logan County men who gave their lives in Vietnam:

Jon D. Baker
James A. Collins
David L. Jones
Ronnie R. Landers
Andrew G. Richard
Michael T. Scroggin
Carson G. Culleton
Raymond L. Gee Jr.
Charles E. Halford
Marshall E. Naffziger
George J. Orr

"I am so proud of Logan County. Every war and veteran has a story. We need to learn from them, honor them, and welcome them home,” he said.

Joe Schaler has a story to tell of his time in Vietnam, and the audience hung on every word during his often emotional, moving reminiscence.

Welcome home, Joe Schaler!

The Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society meets monthly on the third Monday at their research office at 6:30 p.m.. They always have a fascinating speaker and the public is always welcome.

[Curtis Fox]