My Grandpa Oldham flew F-4s over Vietnam during the war. I asked him the following questions on May 15, 2011. The answers are in bold.
- What is your opinion of the My Lai Massacre?
It was a violation of USA standards on noncombatant civilians. It is comparable to the mountain meadows massacre.
- How did you feel about the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution of Aug. 7, 1964?
I believe it was a phony, trumped up charge. It allowed American intervention based on non-real things.
- How were you involved in the Tet offensive?
I wasn’t involved in the Tet Offensive.
- What was your opinion on the American war protests?
They undermined the position of agreement from USA. They lost sight of the fact that injustice had been done. I have no respect for these protestors.
- What was your most dangerous mission in Vietnam?
My first mission when I was flying my F-4 in Laos over the Ho-Chi- Minh Trail. A 37 millimeter bullet when over my canopy, it was so close I could have touched it.
Learning about the Vietnam War in my Geography class has opened my eyes to a conflict that I usually don't think much about. I think it is sad that I can forget about such a sad thing happening. I am grateful to come to knowledge about the many brave men that fought and sometimes died to help another nation. I am also very blessed to have my grandpa survive such a war unscathed and come home to raise my father.
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