Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Walter James Dexter Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
- Location of Service: Pleiku, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: E-4
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/80420
In 1966, Walter James Dexter was a 17-year-old high school dropout looking for a fresh start and to escape a difficult family situation. Enlisting in the Army, he had no idea what to expect. Basic training, and then service in a combat battalion in Vietnam, came as a shock. Slowly he adjusted to the close calls and extreme conditions that made up life in the jungle as a member of a platoon. Eventually, he became so acclimated to the routine of search and destroy missions and combat assaults that he chose to serve a second tour in Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayNo political agenda when he joined the military; didn't have much knowledge of the political situation in Vietnam. 00:14:27.0 - 00:15:21.5
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PlayBeing nicknamed "Cherry" because he was new; yearning to see action so that he could get rid of the nickname. 00:17:03.3 - 00:17:42.4
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PlayPerspective he gained from enduring poor conditions in the field. 00:24:23.7 - 00:25:37.7
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PlayClose call during firefight; acquiring a bullet hole in his helmet. 00:31:29.0 - 00:34:45.6
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PlayWitnessing a booby trap casualty. 00:39:02.2 - 00:40:59.5
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PlayTransfer to Germany; having a hard time adjusting there; going back to Vietnam for a second tour. 00:56:31.8 - 01:01:00.31
About this Item
Title
- Walter James Dexter Collection
Names
- Dexter, Walter James
- Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Macomb
- Siemaszko, Susan M.
- Brusseau, David
Home State
- Michigan
Headings
- - Dexter, Walter James
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
- Location of Service: Pleiku, Vietnam
- Highest Rank: E-4
- Dates of Service: 1966-1969
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2011-01-10; 2011-01-10)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2011-01-10)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of photograph (collected 2011-01-15)
- Photograph: Digital print [21 items] -- Photograph (collected 1968-1969)
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2011-01-10; 2013-10-24)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/80420
Cite as
- Walter James Dexter Collection (AFC/2001/001/80420), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video