Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Santos Rosas Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
- Location of Service: Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Specialist Four
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/10969
Drafted into the Army in 1969 at the age of 18, Santos Rosas was sent to Vietnam and assigned to a patrol unit based out of Pleiku. Endless patrols in the jungles offered no shortage of gut-wrenching experiences: losing close friends and sustaining injuries himself. The trials of Vietnam didn't end with his homecoming: He suffered rashes from exposure to Agent Orange and had trouble readjusting to the confines of his close-knit family. Throughout it all, though, he maintained an upbeat attitude and an appreciation for the small pleasures of everyday life.
Interview / Recording
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PlayTelling his parents he was going to Vietnam, one of the hardest things he's ever had to do; emotional journey to basic training. 00:03:23.4 - 00:05:33.0
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PlayFlying into Pleiku; bonding with two other comrades he flew in with; conditions in the field; counting his blessings every day. 00:06:25.3 - 00:09:32.3
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PlayExperience of going on patrol; being alert for booby traps; cutting their own trails; what he carried; carrying his personal effects in his ammo box. 00:09:38.9 - 00:14:30.2
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PlayInjured while on patrol; falling into a booby trap and pierced through the knee by a sharpened stick; recuperation. 00:29:19.8 - 00:33:07.5
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PlayComing home after eleven months and seven days in Vietnam; trying to buy a beer at a bar with his brother, but not old enough; reunion with his family was one of the greatest moments of his life. 00:35:52.0 - 00:38:56.9
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PlayClose calls; seeking solace from the military chaplain who was posted to his unit. 00:39:51.3 - 00:40:36.8
About this Item
Title
- Santos Rosas Collection
Names
- Cargill, Joanne
- Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum (CCVMM)
- Rosas, Santos
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Rosas, Santos
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Hispanic
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
- Location of Service: Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Specialist Four
- Dates of Service: 1969-1971
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: Digital Betacam [1 item] -- Digitized Copy (collected 2004-02-17)
- Video: Video-8 [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2004-02-17; 2004)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/10969
Online Format
- image
- video