Cambodia, Mekong River DeltaCambodia, Phnom Penh, 11.568271, 104.9224426Germany, 51.5, 10.5Japan, 35.68536, 139.75309Saudi Arabia, 23.885942, 45.079162United States, Georgia, Muscogee County, Fort Benning, 32.43487, -84.93382United States, Oklahoma, Comanche County, Fort Sill, 34.6809319, -98.5708846797856Vietnam, Cần Thơ, 10.0375517, 105.7809605Vietnam, Lào Cai, 22.48556, 103.97066Vietnam, Mekong River DeltaVietnam, Quảng Ngãi Province, An Lợi, 14.81667, 108.9Vietnam, Quảng Trị, 16.8581352, 106.8588935Vietnam, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, 10.81831885, 106.65812173979Vietnam, Vĩnh Long, 10.10669085, 105.986624433846Bruckner, William Joseph, 1944-Bell, Skip, III (Carl H.), 1945-2021-06-17In 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.video/mp4Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Centerhttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/Veterans History Project oral history recordingsVeterans History Project collection, MSS 1010, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History CenterVietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, AmericanVietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, AmericanOperation Desert Shield, 1990-1991M113 (Armored personnel carrier)Agent OrangeMontagnards (Vietnamese people)United States. Army. Air Cavalry Regiment, 17thUnited States. Army. Infantry Division, 1stOral history interview of Carl H. "Skip" Bell III, part 1 of 2MovingImage