- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Douglas William Edwards
- Creator:
- Galloway, Joseph L.
Edwards, Douglas William, 1947- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2020-02-28
- Subject:
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C.)
Corruption
United States. Navy. Supply Corps
United States. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - People:
- Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973
- Location:
- United States, 39.76, -98.5
- Medium:
- oral histories (literary genre)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Doug Edwards recalls his experiences serving in the United States Navy in Vietnam. He describes his early years growing up in a small town in New York and tells several stories about his father, including how his father grew up in an orphanage and later served in the Army during World War II when his Pennsylvania National Guard unit was activated for service. He explains why and how he chose the Navy after graduating college and describes his training and how he ended up with orders to Vietnam. His unit was tasked with determining how best to support remaining Navy advisors after the bulk of U. S. naval forces left Vietnam. He recalls the obstacles they faced in fulfilling that mission and how his Navy colleagues became his mentors and friends. He describes their living conditions
working hours
off-duty activities
and how much they appreciated and valued the Chinese "mamasan" who took care of them. He comments on the Navy leaders with whom he worked and how often those leaders were not adequately informed of local conditions in order to make good decisions. He remembers a Vietnamese woman who married one of his unit's yeomen and how the sailor abandoned her and their child. He recalls his experiences with the Korean military and the South Vietnamese Navy. He remembers returning home, marrying his wife, and reflects on his military service and the corruption that he saw in both the South Vietnamese and the United States military.
Naval Advisory Group, Vietnam
Tết (Vietnamese holiday celebration)
Five Oceans BOQ
mamasan
dragon oil
SERE School (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School)
Al Burn
Bob Shepherd
Ron McManus
Vietnam War 50th Commemoration
Doug Edwards served in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War. - External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/895
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-