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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:

SGT Keith Bodine US Army (1965-1967)

WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?

All of my buddies were either joining the reserves or getting drafted. I decided to volunteer for the draft so I could control my personal business before I went in. It worked out very well. I'm glad I volunteered.

BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?

I was drafted in December of 1965. I was in charge of the Reception Station roster and when I reported for basic training at Fort Polk, La., I was asked to be a Squad Leader. I felt really honored I was asked. After basic I was sent to Fort Gordon, Ga. for Infantry AIT. I was asked to be a Squad Leader again and of course I accepted. I learned how to be a good leader and I liked the responsibility. After AIT I went to Fort Benning, Ga. for jump school. I got my wings and was really proud of myself for finishing Jump School. I was sent to Vietnam in June of 1966. I volunteered to be a door gunner on a UH-1D Huey helicopter. I was assigned to the 1st Cavalry/"A" Co. 229th AHB in Ankhe, up in the highlands near Cambodia and Laos. On June 11, 1966 I was promoted to PFC. On November 5, 1966 I was promoted to Spec. Four. On May 19, 1967 I was promoted to Sgt. E-5.

After Vietnam I was sent to Fort Campbell, Ky. and was assigned to B Company 3/187th Infantry.

In July of 1967 the 187th was sent to Detroit, Mich. for the racial riots. Our AO was a school gym. We patrolled the streets and helped the local police make arrests. We were there a month and when I returned to Fort Campbell the entire division was being transferred to Vietnam. They told me I hadn't been home long enough to go back to Vietnam. I would gladly have gone back to be with 101st Airborne. I was sent to "A" company 1st Bn. 505th Infantry of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, N.C. I wanted to re-enlist and stay in the Army as a recruiter but but I was E-5 under 5 years of service. I was assured I would go to Vietnam at least twice more. I had enough of war and got out in December of 1967.

DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF YES, CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHICH ONES AND HOW YOU PARTICIPATED?

I was assigned to "A" Co. 229th AHB/ 1st Cavalry (Airmoble) as a door gunner on a Huey UH-1D troop transport helicopter. We supported the infantry and took them on combat assaults and dropped them off in the boonies. We would return to pick them up after they were finished. We flew "ash & trash" missions to deliver food, water, ammo, etc. Sadly we picked up KIA's and WIA's and took them to the hospital in Plieku. I flew 575 combat assault missions and was awarded 23 Air Medals. We were shot down once, not far from the ground, and had an engine failure at 5,000 feet. The pilots were able to land the Huey and none of us were injured.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?

I was reunited with a soldier who had been shot nine times and was rescued in November 1967. All I knew was he was with the 5/7th Cavalry. I found the 5/7th website and e-mailed them asking about the guy shot nine times. They replied and asked me some more questions. I told them one of the seven wounded was their Btn. CO who's leg had been blown off below the knee. They contacted the man shot nine times and I heard from him in an e-mail. His name is Connie Mack Pearson, from Illinois. A production company had contacted me shortly after that and asked me if I would be interested in being in a documentary about the Huey Helicopter and how it had affected different lives from Vietnam. It was titled "In The Shadow Of The Blade". I told them about Connie and told them if they would connect Connie and me and, if it was OK with Connie I would do it. Connie was paralyzed from the waist down and would have to drive to Texas. He agreed and in 2001 we were reunited. Connie was flown to my church L Z in a Huey that had been in combat in Vietnam. It was a very good feeling to finally meet face to face. We still stay in touch by phone. From left is Connie, his wife Sue, My wife and two of my grand children, and me.

DID YOU RECEIVE ANY AWARDS FOR VALOR? CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED?

I was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" Device. On 16 February 1967 we were flying at night looking for trouble and we found it. An emergency message came across our radio asking for medical evacuation of several seriously wounded infantrymen from a battlefield near Bong Son, Vietnam. When we were trying to land at the directions of the RTO, we were taking heavy small arms fire. We diverted to the other side of the LZ. As soon as we landed the wounded began being brought out. I went back with them to help extract the rest of the wounded. At six loaded wounded, we were full, but there was one more wounded, shot nine times. He told me he had been passed over twice and if we left him he would die. Medvac had tried to get in but it was too hot. Another Medvac tried but was shot down and all were killed. The crew chief and I tried to raise the passenger seat but it wouldn't come loose so we took it out completely and loaded the seventh trooper and took off for the hospital in Plieku. The photo is of mine and Connie's reunion in 2001. Connie is facing me.
 
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?


The CIB. You have to be in the Infantry to get a CIB. It is not given. It is earned.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

My First Sergeant at AIT training at Fort Gordon, Ga. He showed how you can be a First Sgt. and treat people fairly, and still get his point across.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULARLY HUMOROUS STORY FROM YOUR SERVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

On one of our CA's we landed in a village and I captured a chicken. I named her Henrietta. She liked to sit on your shoulder and drink beer until she got drunk and fell off. Our CO liked her sitting on his shoulder while he drank beer. He would make jokes and laugh about her sitting on his shoulder. We would all be laughing, but not for that reason. As Henrietta would drink beer she would be pooping down his back. Now that was funny.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

I worked in a chemical plant as an operator and a shift supervisor. I am 100% disabled from PTSD and I go to the Houston VA regularly. I play at golf and am in several ministries at my church. One of them is a Military Ministry. My wife and I have a small catering business.

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY MILITARY ASSOCIATION(S)? IF SO, WHICH ASSOCIATIONS AND WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S).

I am a lifetime member of VHCMA I am a member of Helivets, DAV, and American Legion.

HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?

It made me a good leader and a responsible husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?

Do your best at all times and don't worry about the protesters. Do your thing. Like General Hal Moore said " Hate the war, love the soldier."












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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact Diane Ruth, TWS Military Heritage Director HERE.


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