Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Vietnam

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2017-08-23

Duration: 00:11:16

Subjects: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 | United States. Army | Veterans | Military

Contributors:

• Dawson, Howard Interviewee

An oral history interview conducted on August 23, 2017, with Howard Dawson of Picayune, Mississippi. Dawson, a native of Mer Rouge, Louisiana, served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He discusses: his decision to enlist in the military; his role as a maintenance worker for wheel vehicles for the 1st Infantry Division; his unit’s travels around Vietnam; his scariest moment of the war; his uncle being shot down over Laos; the military’s continuing search for his uncle’s remains; the protestors throwing eggs and tomatoes at the airport when he returned home; the lack of respect for Vietnam veterans for many years; and his advice for young people interested in joining the military.