- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Carl H. "Skip" Bell III, part 1 of 2
- Creator:
- Bruckner, William Joseph, 1944-
Bell, Skip, III (Carl H.), 1945- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2021-06-17
- Subject:
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, American
Operation Desert Shield, 1990-1991
M113 (Armored personnel carrier)
Agent Orange
Montagnards (Vietnamese people)
United States. Army. Air Cavalry Regiment, 17th
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 1st - People:
- Sexton, Andrew Bowman, 1949-1969
Hibpshman, William Earl, 1948-1969
Benoit, Robert Charles, 1947-1969 - Location:
- Cambodia, Mekong River Delta
Cambodia, Phnom Penh, 11.568271, 104.9224426
Germany, 51.5, 10.5
Japan, 35.68536, 139.75309
Saudi Arabia, 23.885942, 45.079162
United States, Georgia, Muscogee County, Fort Benning, 32.43487, -84.93382
United States, Oklahoma, Comanche County, Fort Sill, 34.6809319, -98.5708846797856
Vietnam, Cần Thơ, 10.0375517, 105.7809605
Vietnam, Lào Cai, 22.48556, 103.97066
Vietnam, Mekong River Delta
Vietnam, Quảng Ngãi Province, An Lợi, 14.81667, 108.9
Vietnam, Quảng Trị, 16.8581352, 106.8588935
Vietnam, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, 10.81831885, 106.65812173979
Vietnam, Vĩnh Long, 10.10669085, 105.986624433846 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In part one of this two-part interview, Skip Bell recalls his experiences serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He describes growing up as an "Army brat;" basic training; Ranger School; and being sent to Vietnam two weeks after the birth of his first child. He recalls his first impressions of Vietnam and patrolling the "rocket belt" for a Bob Hope USO show. He describes his first combat experience providing support for a convoy; displays photographs of his armored personnel carrier; and describes their living and sleeping conditions. He recalls in detail the enemy tunnels they investigated and describes the "Rome plows" and defoliants that were used to clear the area of plant growth. He remembers the scorpions, snakes, and ants they encountered on their patrols. He recalls returning from Vietnam, teaching at Fort Benning, Georgia, and deciding he wanted to become an Army aviator. He describes that process and his second tour to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He recalls many incidents during his second tour, including flying province support missions and working with the New Zealand Army. He describes in detail his final assignment in Vietnam, flying with a variety of helicopter crews to create an "operational report lessons learned" document. The report informed later training for helicopter crews based on the kinds of enemy tactics used in various geographic areas of Vietnam. He recalls meeting and marrying his wife of 43 years, resigning his active duty commission, and serving in the reserves for the rest of his career. He describes his work setting up an Army command and control system in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield; living and working conditions there; and the Saudi culture. He reflects on his military service and his regard for all veterans.
1st Squadron, 4th Cavalty, 1st Infantry Division; 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry; 18th Corps Aviation Company; North Georgia Military College; Distinguished Military Graduate; ARVN; platoon leader; "Mini-Tet"; "rocket belt"; "Rocket City"; jump school; KIA; Highway 13; "Thunder Road"; "Rome Plow"; "The Trapezoid"; RPG; Cobra (helicopter); 12.7 mm machine gun; Dustoff; flame thrower; "Zippo track"; "tax collector squad"; "Kiwis" (New Zealand Army forces); Province Support Missions; re-arm, re-fuel; Browning high power pistol; heat-seeking missiles; Operational Report Lessons Learned; Marble Mountain; CH-46 (helicopter); "Jolly Green Giant" (HH-3E helicopter); "nap of the earth" flying tactics; MACV; "Saigon Sudden Singles Club"; Worldwide Military Command and Control System (WWMCCS); low morale; drug use; Royal Saudi Land Forces Building; Eskan Village (Saudi Arabia)
Skip Bell served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and Desert Shield. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/846
- Additional Rights Information:
- This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.
- Extent:
- 2:20:03
- Original Collection:
- Veterans History Project oral history recordings
Veterans History Project collection, MSS 1010, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center - Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
