The Tet Offensive 1968

50 Years Ago

In late January 1968 during the lunar new year ("Tet") the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a coordinated attack against South Vietnamese and U.S. Troops. After this the call for young men picked up dramatically.

Like many other young men, I was required to register for the draft when I turned 18. During the 1960s I watched as the Vietnam War developed. First "advisors" then troops. I remember going to a Teach-in at the University of Connecticut which featured Senator J. William Fulbright making  a case against our involvement in Vietnam. However in spite of protests and demonstrations the number of draftees increased. I was opposed to the war but not the men being drafted.

In 1968 I graduated from the Norwalk State Technical College with an Associate Degree in Electronics. This left me without an educational deferment just as the draft call increased dramatically. In July I reported for a physical and was classified 1-A. Right after the physical I visited the Yale Antiwar folks but had no desire to flee to Canada. At that time there was no lottery so a 1-A status meant you were going. They were drafting for both the Army and Marines, and they took everyone that had a pulse and no bone spurs.

I scrambled around looking for alternatives, there was no chance for the reserves, that was something only for a  fortunate son. No room in the Coast Guard so I chose the Navy where I discovered how useful having an electronics education could be. I went to avionics school in Tennessee for a year before being assigned to a helicopter squadron working on radios and navigation equipment.

I've lost friends in that horrible war and seen the physical and mental scars inflicted on my fellow vets. I was lucky, but  others were not.

Antiwar Protest Boston Common 1968

Boston Common Antiwar Protest 1968

I received this draft card after serving  4 years in the Navy. At this point I was classified as 1-D meaning I could be called up for an additional 2 years of reserve duty. Thankfully by then they didn't need me.

July 1968 Boot Camp Graduation
Amazing how young we looked with those shaved heads. I remember how hot and sweaty it was in that hall.