- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Robert O. Babcock
- Creator:
- Galloway, Joseph L.
Babcock, Robert O., 1943- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2020-02-26
- Subject:
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C.)
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 4th
United States. Army. Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Fourth Infantry (Ivy) Division Association - People:
- Mendez, David, 1945-1966
Odierno, Raymond T., 1954-2021 - Location:
- United States, 39.76, -98.5
- Medium:
- oral histories (literary genre)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Bob Babcock recalls his experiences serving in the United States Army infantry during the Vietnam War. He describes his growing up years in Oklahoma, his education, and how and why he volunteered for the infantry. He remembers his training and how his unit traveled to Vietnam together by ship. He reflects on how diverse his unit was, how their intensive training at Fort Lewis provided the men the opportunity to learn and understand each other's strengths, and how that process made a difference in how successful they were in the field. He describes his first days in Vietnam and reflects on the men with whom he served and their leadership. He recalls in detail how the best rifleman in their company came to be a conscientious objector and the outstanding job he later did as their radio operator. He describes combat operations in which he took part
comrades who were injured and killed in combat
living conditions in the field and in rear areas
the letters he received from his wife and his mother
and experiences he had while in Saigon. He reflects on the South Korean soldiers of the White Horse Division and describes the extreme differences in punishment between Korean and United States forces. He describes his journey home
his post-military careers
his second marriage
and his service with various veterans organizations including the National 4th Infantry Division Association. He recalls his visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and reflects on how important the Veterans History Project is in documenting and preserving veterans' stories.
Len Morley
Frank Roth
Willie Cheatham
Sandy Fiacco
Walt Ferguson
Stanley Cameron
“Benning School for Boys”
Airborne School
napalm
Camp Enari
C-130
monsoon
slit trench
Combat Infantry Badge
CIB
Operation Paul Revere IV
fire base
4th Engineer Battalion
conscientious objector
Lightning Ambush Academy
Brink Officers Club
White Horse Division
ROK
sexual assault
rape
discipline
Kansas State College
Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
22nd Infantry Regiment Society
Veterans History Project
Bob Babcock served in the United States Army infantry in the Vietnam War. - External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/898
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
