John Pieper and Kathy Pieper
Recorded
May 22, 2010
38:13 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
DDA000856
Description
John P. Pieper (54) talks to his wife Kathy Pieper (57) about enrolling in the U.S. Navy, his time serving in Vietnam, and how being in the military changed him.Subject Log / Time Code
John enlisted in the Navy in 6/17/1973. He was 17 years old and enlisted with a special permission from his parents. He enlisted with 5 classmates and went through boot camp together.
John’s memories of leaving the United States.
John remembers war as being surreal but also part of his job. He put most of the images away, so as not to deal with them at the moment.
John worked closely with the refugees that were leaving South Vietnam. They experience was very personal and very real to him.
John has good memories too - getting to know his detachment, getting close with other crew members.
John remembers feeling angry at people’s comments and reactions about the war.
Participants
- John Pieper
- Kathy Pieper
Venue / Recording Kit
Tier
Partnership
Partnership Type
Fee for ServiceKeywords
- 6/17/1973
- Afghan Veterans
- Air America
- Air Force for the CIA
- anecdotes (humorous but true stories)
- anti-war protests
- Band of Brothers
- Black Hawk
- cohorts (groups of friends)
- combat
- Eharmony
- expectations
- family heroes
- Fire Control Radar
- flashback
- Good memories
- helicopter
- Helping others
- historical events/people
- Iraqi Veterans
- local newspaper
- memories of former times
- memories that stand out
- Oskosh
- personal experiences
- Philippines
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Refugees
- South China Sea
- South Vietnam
- Sweats
- Tansanat Base
- U.S. NAVY
- Veterans
- vietnam
- War
- West Pacific Tour