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 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.
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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]
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