MUSBACH MUESUMS MILITARY MEMORIES
AN INTERVIEW WITH A VIETNAM VETERAN: KENNY HURT
The Vietnam War was a conflict lasting 1955 to 1975. America joined the conflict in 1965 when the first US ground troops landed in Vietnam. The conflict was controversial with much of the American public protesting the war. America left the conflict in 1973. Even back in the US, many Vietnam Veterans that returned faced hate and hostility. Many suffered from PTSD and couldn’t put their life together. Wanting to draw attention to this war, I decided to interview a local Vietnam Veteran. Kenny Hurt of Scribner agreed to talk about his experiences, his job as a Recon, and his time after the war.
Kenny was drafted in 1969 at the age of 24 right out of college. Kenny had basic training in Fort Worth, California. Kenny Hurt served from February 20, 1969, to September 28, 1970. He served for 19 months and 7 days. He served in the Recon Platoon 4th Bat. 21st Inf. 11 Brig in the US Army. His job as a Recon was to go out into the jungle with a six-man team about every three days to gain information about the enemy and their territory. Every three days they would restock and go out in the field. When asked about how often he saw combat, Kenny replied “Every day.” His vivid memory was how close his team was. He was in the jungle for twelve months every day. The most important tools during the war were the radio and maps. They were used together to call artillery and medivacs to pick up wounded soldiers.
Kenny spoke about his life after the war.
Unlike some veterans who returned home to anger and hostility, Kenny felt he was not treated differently. While Kenny did take some time to regroup to normal civilian life, he did have a home and a family to support him. Many other Vietnam veterans fell into a loop of alcohol and drugs, to try and blur out their experiences. When Kenny was interviewed, he answered directly and efficiently. When I asked if he suffered from PTSD he laughed and replied, “I think I’ve beaten it.” I bring this up as many Vietnam Veterans just could not fit into society because of their PTSD. Unlike many World War II veterans who had time to regroup for a week or more on ships and were seen as heroes, Vietnam Veterans were sent back home on planes taking only 2-4 days to get back home facing an unwelcoming public.
Colton Berkland Class of 2025
Kenny was drafted in 1969 at the age of 24 right out of college. Kenny had basic training in Fort Worth, California. Kenny Hurt served from February 20, 1969, to September 28, 1970. He served for 19 months and 7 days. He served in the Recon Platoon 4th Bat. 21st Inf. 11 Brig in the US Army. His job as a Recon was to go out into the jungle with a six-man team about every three days to gain information about the enemy and their territory. Every three days they would restock and go out in the field. When asked about how often he saw combat, Kenny replied “Every day.” His vivid memory was how close his team was. He was in the jungle for twelve months every day. The most important tools during the war were the radio and maps. They were used together to call artillery and medivacs to pick up wounded soldiers.
Kenny spoke about his life after the war.
Unlike some veterans who returned home to anger and hostility, Kenny felt he was not treated differently. While Kenny did take some time to regroup to normal civilian life, he did have a home and a family to support him. Many other Vietnam veterans fell into a loop of alcohol and drugs, to try and blur out their experiences. When Kenny was interviewed, he answered directly and efficiently. When I asked if he suffered from PTSD he laughed and replied, “I think I’ve beaten it.” I bring this up as many Vietnam Veterans just could not fit into society because of their PTSD. Unlike many World War II veterans who had time to regroup for a week or more on ships and were seen as heroes, Vietnam Veterans were sent back home on planes taking only 2-4 days to get back home facing an unwelcoming public.
Colton Berkland Class of 2025
This section is devoted to our Military Veterans from Scribner and the surrounding area.
THE BUTTONS DOWN BELOW LEAD TO A LIST OF VETRANS FROM THE SCRIBNER AREA AND
IMAGES FROM THE MUSBACH MUESUEM.
THE BUTTONS DOWN BELOW LEAD TO A LIST OF VETRANS FROM THE SCRIBNER AREA AND
IMAGES FROM THE MUSBACH MUESUEM.
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