John Koeppen and Barbara Corning
Recorded
August 24, 2020
39:27 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv000128
Description
John Koeppen (70) talks with his wife, Barbara "Barb" Corning (69), about his decision to enlist in the Army, his experience in Vietnam, and what life was like coming home. John and Barb also talk about their relationship and some of their travels.Subject Log / Time Code
John Koeppen (70) says he graduated in the lower 10% of his high school class. He says he enlisted in the Army in 1969 and was sent to basic training in Louisiana.
John remembers having 10 days to go home before shipping out to Vietnam. He says his father did not want him to go.
John talks about the wet, insect infested conditions along the Cambodian border. He says the casualty rate was always 30-40%. John says he was in Vietnam for 401 days before his line number came up and he was sent home.
John talks about working a series of blue collar jobs. He says he partied and played softball and rugby. John says he had a bar until it was robbed and burned down in 1989.
John talks about attending his 20th High School Reunion and connecting with his former classmate Barbara "Barb" Corning (69). Barb says they have been together for 31 years, and she has no regrets.
Barb talks about returning to Vietnam with John. She talks about the impact of the tunnels of Cu Chi, visiting the museum of reconciliation, and watching John throw a challenge coin off of a bridge.
John says returning to Vietnam took away some of his guilt. He thanks Barb for sticking with him. He says he was able to go back to college and get his health taken care of through the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs).
John says since 9/11 happened, people show more respect to veterans. He says people thank him for his service. He says being a veteran is now a badge of honor instead of shame.
John talks about having some of the letters he wrote to his mother from Vietnam included in the book "Voices from Vietnam."
Barb says she is proud to be the wife of a Vietnam Veteran.
Participants
- John Koeppen
- Barbara Corning