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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SP 5 Frank Barone U.S. Army (1967-1970)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY?
Unlike WWII or after 911 there was no event which prompted me to want to join the military. I had no motive or desire to enlist. Watching John Wayne or Audie Murphy on a picture for a Sunday afternoon was as close as I came to playing army. As a
matter of fact, my dad was a combat infantrymen and his brother was a medic and both served in Northern Africa and Italy during the WWII. I was encouraged to stay in school and never be a grunt. All combat vets will tell you that war is not glamorous. In 1967 I was playing baseball in Florida pursing either a professional career or getting to a college in FL. In Aug I received a notice to report for a pre-induction physical. I returned to my home, Brooklyn NY, and went to FT Hamilton army base for the physical. I was told I in about six or eight weeks I would get the draft notice. During this time period the US increased it presence in Vietnam and thousands were rushed into service. I went to see a recruiter. If I signed up for an additional year I could choose a school.
The idea was to get a MOS and location where there was a pro team or army special service team and keep my self in a baseball scene. I knew most would get to be in the infantry and go to Nam if drafted.. I had no definitive opinion about why we were in Nam. Like Mohammad Ali aka Cassius Clay said, " don't have nothing against those people". I wasn't convinced that we had to stop communism in Vietnam. On the other hand if my country said I had to go , I'll go. I wasn't going to Canada. So that's why I joined; other wise I was being drafted. Not really much of a choice or a difference. Hey I was just 19 out of HS a year, had great friends. Actually I had two set of friends, one group were all getting high and another was a baseball crowd. I enjoyed both and was not getting high. I had a girlfriend in each , working part time on wall street going to school at night. What could be better. The military was not even a thought.. After saving some money I went to Florida and was doing great getting some looks and talks about a baseball future but I was there only 2 1/2 months and uncle SAM called. Reflecting back the most influential factor was the policies of our leaders which destined anyone who was not deferred by the draft board. I wasn't in college and I wasn't physically lame so like thousands of others in my boat it was only a matter of time. All I really wanted to do was play professional baseball. I joined for the extra year hoping my choice of school would put me in the arena to stay in the US and tryout for special services or local minor league teams. That is what influenced my decision to join.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I think in the first question, you can see what direction I went. I went to Ft Jackson South Carolina for basic. I actually enjoyed basic training. Liked the PT, competition and challenge. I enjoyed the DI's and have even a greater appreciation for their actions. I recall fondly the cadences and sayings only a DI could come up with. Forced marches, going through the bars or some obstacle before chow and of course guard duty and general orders all, at the time seemed kinda dumb, but I . never had a problem. My platoon Sgt asked if I would like to change my course and go "airborne:instead of going to school after basic training. I was also asked if I would like to go to NCO school? It was nice to be recognized as having some potential but it all sounded like you would be heading for the Nam in an infantry unit. No thanks I had a plan. Next stop was advanced training in Ft Lee Va. I completed my supply training course in Feb 68 and was selected to attend another school. A bonus! This course was about an automated supply system which the army was moving towards instead of the pen and pencil system in place. I thought this is great because it kept me in the states longer, spring was around the corner and tryouts for the special service team would be happening shortly. Besides, I thought the use of computers would certainly lead to a permanent position stateside.
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| Dress Right, Dress |
Before school was complete I got orders for Vietnam. LOL on me! I took my leave said good bye to family. Said bye to my friends who were in college or guys just waiting for the hammer to drop and two girls who I was fond of ; all would be partying their asses off- after all this was the 60's. Up to this point ,aside from being forced to join or get drafted, I had some plan of direction with my training but as you see it all didn't matter. Next stop Vietnam! There was no path or choice for the next 12+ months in Nam albeit I did choose to volunteer to go on med evacs or resupply missions as a door gunner. That was short lived when my platoon Sgt returned from his R&R and pulled me back and asked if I was crazy. After the first two months in Nam I fell into the routine of boredom. We were no longer on high alert. There were sprinkled moments of action on the perimeter and on the road but as was the saying" it don't mean nothing".
After being in country a few months you realized what a big waste this was and how all these young guys were tossed into this grinder. Your direction was to count down the days and hope you would get out in one piece. The next path off to FT Bragg NC. I got there in May 69 and just waiting it out until Oct 70 to get out. I actually applied and received a 90 day early out to attend college. After the year in Nam and experiencing things and seeing what was going on at home and feeling like we did something wrong I couldn't wait to leave. Also, our company at FT Bragg was mostly Viet Nam vets. Never could figure out why after serving our politicians in Nam we had to spend another year basically doing nothing. Like I said, couldn't wait to get home and get out of the army. We all thought everything would be back to the way it was but this was another ill conceived notion!
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT, PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Most significant and life changing was the accumulation of my experiences in Viet Nam. Another factor was the coming home and duty at Ft Bragg. A third factor was the attitudes of the people outside the military. These were all significant factors and each affected the way I saw
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| Stamp Presentation, 9-11 |
and felt the world. It wasn't solely the fact the you had friends killed or injured or that thousands wasted there time and lives while others got a pass by going to school. You saw the corruption in Nam. I think selling supplies, converting green backs, all the booze and drugs and financial gains by companies could be classified as corruption especially when all of us there could see this as a waste of lives. I didn't participate in this and if I did I will say it. Most who may read this know exactly what I'm talking about. The in-country factor certainly a big factor. on how you viewed the world. It also set up the basis of the "us" against "them" attitude. One can analyze this in this way, Soldiers fight for themselves and the guys with them. You don't fight for the army or the rest of the people back home. On the other hand here you have strangers from different parts of the country with different backgrounds who are forced by the reality of the situation to care and have each others back. Yet for all of that, the day its time for you to leave you are once again are by yourself. Another significant factor would be what was happening in the world and the disconnect you had with your best friends at home. The anti-war protest wasn't the worst part; it was that you the sucker who served was not well received at home. It created a feeling of not fitting in at home.
You just spent a year in a terrible situation but we all took care of each other. So you longed for getting on the "Freedom Bird" getting back home to be with friends but you were more comfortable with your army buddies. On the other hand you hated your army situation and wanted to be like your friends. So it was a constant flipping of emotions. This reinforced the "us" against "them" situation. The Vietnam climate was always fueled by drugs or drinking when you had down time. This all started in the Nam and at Ft Bragg you were in the same situation. In this next assignment at Ft Bragg the names had changed by the game was the same. We had no other purpose at the next assignment. We reverted to get high or drunk and be with your buddies. The great majority of my company at Ft Bragg were all Vietnam veterans so the attitude was a continuation of the previous year. If you went home your friends were doing the same . It was a merry go round. Over this time my view of things was distorted. My own experiences in Nam and at home and witnessing others guys experiences created a negative situation.
Bad marriages, abortions, OD's, death, changing jobs and jail were some results of decision made by all when clearly their minds and view of things was very distorted. I was not exempt and went through a variety of events as mentioned above. Do you think in two and a half years under these factors you could become so different from that 19 year old care free loving the world person? Lucky for me my platoon Sgt took a liking to me and I was a squad leader. He sent me to NCO school. He sent me to get qualified on a deuce and a half 5 ton and tractor trailer. I really didn't care but I realize now that for all the negativity and madness he saw something and kept giving me more responsibility. I always had pride in doing my best and accepting a challenge so even though I hated to be in Ft Bragg I had the discipline and will to be as good as I could whether it was job performance or partying. I also found my way to a semi pro baseball team and played in the summer of 69 for a team in Fayetteville NC. Talk about being conflicted.
I look at the total experiences of serving and can now see how it has shaped a view of living. I don't put anything past anyone. I like trust people but I am guarded. I'm very aware of whats around me and between my gut and experience I usually get it right even though I may not like the outcome. The discipline has certainly help me professionally and coaching. Seeing so much, I'll call it being in the madness, certainly is a lesson learned. Like I mentioned before nothing would surprise me and anyone is capable of doing anything. So don't be surprised or disappointed. It is what it is!
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Turned out my basic training to be the least harmful of my military experience. It did instill a sense of team work and discipline. As a sports orientated person it fit me well. Also being brought by 1st generation parents ("Greatest Generation") you were already taught to respect others,
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| Viet Nam Veteran |
Your parents taught and lead by example to keep your word, be on time, do your best, keep the commitment and to be honest. So basic training reinforced what my parents had laid down as a foundation. The Nam and Ft Bragg were wild, crazy, sad, happy and for sure confusing times. There were many moments that I enjoyed but maybe a real objective view would say everything you found enjoyment could also be detrimental and or illegal. I guess we did have good discipline and teamwork because we only had each other and we all helped each other regardless if it was good or bad.
So I guess the question is, "would you do it the same way. Answer, not sure. You made it but almost didn't and who knows what would be now had another road been taken. It is what it is and I own it- for better or worst. I have come past the bad. So things are ok. The fondest aspect of being in the military is that I'm in a special club. Proud to be part of the Vietnam veterans. Sorry if you weren't there but you can't be in or begin to understand. This special club is part of the larger club of of all those who fought and served. Even though these conflicts happened at different times in history a combat veteran understands and will always have each others back. This a is a special club and it is something that recalls fond memories of being in it together. The least favorite part of this was the BS and self serving political corruption which cost the lives of 58,00 and wounded over 300,000 and affected all those who served.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
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| Drill Sergeant's Discipline. |
Reflecting on my entire service my memories of the Drill Sgt's and basic training can easily be recalled. The disciplines taught there are still with me today. In Nam watching guys carried off Huey's, body bags, the corruption in Nam and by politicians the helplessness of the Vietnamese in villages caught between a rock and a hard place and of course the waste of all those your American lives never really leaves your mind. You know we had a slogan, FTA, (You can figure it out) but it wasn't the army it was the politicians. The blood and guts and soul of the army are its soldiers. Nothing wrong with them. The arm chair general and politician with an agenda were the people who deserve a slogan.. Its no wonder you never really trust anyone again. All the memories and experience saw to that.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I went and served with some great guys.We had different back grounds but we would all go down together if needed. Previously I didn't want to talk about the army years and while working and raising a family I never reflected about Vietnam or the military-just too busy. For a
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| Learned Teamwork |
long time I didn't feel like I achieved anything. Since retiring I think and recall those army experiences some of which still bring back negative vibes. I could be proud of qualifying expert on weapons and to be high in my basic training class. Went to NCO school and did well. Learned to handle trucks and trailers in Bragg, something I would never expect to do in civilian life. Nobody really cares but its just a personal satisfaction of being competitive and doing well. But, if I can blow my own horn, I have to say that despite all those negative vibes it was an achievement to take all those experiences and eventually find my way and became successful in business and with my family. So it making through my military experience and the the times is an achievement. The lessons learned contributed to my advancement in work and to be in a leadership position.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
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| Being Part of a Team |
Never got a valor award and I respect all who have. My father was a WWII recipient of a silver star, bronze and Purple Heart, twice wounded. He was certainly proud of his service in Italy. His Capt was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I think each conflict is relative to those who were there but I feel that all the conflicts speak to the same thing. So as they say now "Thank you for your service". is the most meaningful. My little part has a personal meaning but I am so proud to be part of the all great men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice or who suffered from wars aftermath. It was an honor to serve during my time. Its a special club that transcend any one time frame of the history of war.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
The Drill SGT's. So disciplined, so gung ho, so pushy and hard, loyal, trust worthy and believe it or not they cared for their troops. All mine were southerns maybe limited education, but they knew how to press the buttons. Loved how they explained things. Maybe they wouldn't be able to say or do things today like they did yesteryear but they were most positive. My platoon Sgt at Bragg also saw something in me and gave me more more responsibility. Thank God these men answered the call as career soldiers. They were very good at it.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
In reality this incident could have gone all wrong and it just goes to prove how F--'d up we were. Somehow our LT decided the boys needed a trip to Saigon for the day. Go get a steak diner for 2 bucks and drinks on the cheap, maybe get a Saigon tea with the B girls- just make sure your back before dark- yeah right. Names of the innocent and not innocent are being withheld. There were 4 of us in a jeep and of course with full gear on the road. We deliver the piece of paper, it took 4 of us- thanks LT and we made our way to a bar. Took our weapons and gear inside and began buying Saigon tea and drinking and playing touchy- feely. Of course mama son wanted us to stay but we wanted that steak . We promised to come back. We left all our gear with them. Went to the Palace Hotel ( think that was the one) and ate and drank like vikings. How we made it back to the bar I don't recall but we did.
We stayed past curfew and we each went our separate way with a bar girl. Had to sneak around to get to their home. I remember the place she called home. it had several levels and as you went from floor to floor you were actually going through a family, seemed like the circular stair went through three families and she lived on the top floor. Basically one big room per family. She had a little baby and she also had all American products. The GI's were generous. After the night got up the next day.
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| Thanks for the Memories Bob. |
She made tea and took me back to meet the other guys. They must have planned to rendezvous at a certain place and time because none of us knew or could remember where the hell we were. Our thanks to the girls and LT who was pissed or seemed to be.
On our way back we run into a skirmish between the ROK's Republic of Korea troops and some VC. They told us to wait and they took care of business and waved us through. Just the climax to a 24 hour period where we could have been unlucky. Of course we laughed about it and didn't give a crap. That's just the way it was. As was said, "don't mean nothin" "no big deal" "who cares" . Another pleasurable moment was going on a convoy to Cu Chi and got to see Bob Hope Christmas Show. Had to travel back which brought you back to reality after a pleasant few hours.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
First job was with a personnel agency interviewing people. They most have been just as nutty as the army to give me that job. That was short lived and went to the telephone company. Lots of girls but my brain was still very clouded and got married. What an idiot?.
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| US Postal Service |
Had to get out of that situation and never gave myself the chance to finish what I started in baseball. So I left and went to Florida and played ball. After that I took a job in a folding box plant and after that took a job with a custom tailor in the garment district in NYC. Mean while took a bunch of exams for federal state and city jobs. The Postal Service came a calling first and I took the job.
Eventually, I worked up to being Director Of Operations in Brooklyn in 1988 to 1992. After a reorganization, I became Postmaster of Jersey City. Detailed as Manager of a Mail Processing plant and served as an Operations Manager over a group of Post Offices. My last five years or so while I was postmaster of Jersey City I was the management representative which handled all unresolved letter carrier grievance in northern New jerseys prior to arbitration.I had been coaching hockey since the late 80's at all levels. Since retiring in Jan 2010 I continue to coach men's ice hockey at Montclair State University and with the local youth hockey, Bayonne Rangers.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
DAV. Post 154 out of Brooklyn NY Life member. They helped initiate my claim for agent orange. My DAV officer in Newark NJ helped with appeals for prostate cancer and we were finally successful with fair compensatory rating.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
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| The one that got away. |
It gave me discipline ( that sounds strange since through the 80"s I was not fully disciplined but trying to get there) and an appreciation for team work. It gave me the attitude' it is what it is" and do something about it if you don't like it. Gave me an appreciation to observe and listen but never full trust or believe. Straightforwardness and being a stand up person devoid of drama was a lesson learned via the Army. One thing for sure, you must work hard if you expect to get anything. You may not get everything you expect but its guaranteed if you don't make the effort and work hard you can expect and will get nothing.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Your buddies and family are there to lean on. I know the VA tries but sometimes fails and certainly our politicians don't do enough for returning combat vets. Unlike our time, there is a better understanding of what a person goes through after combat and trying to fit back into society. It still needs to be better. Demand attention. The drugs and alcohol clouds things. Not going to preach just lucky to be hear but there is little reason why we have so many homeless vets or suicides.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Since retiring I have more time to reflect and also had more time to play on the computer. I started visiting Viet Nam sites and as such I think back to my army days especially Viet Nam and the times of the late 60's. This is how I recently came
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| TWS and the US Army |
across TogetherWeServed. I remember things like it was yesterday but its still held close inside me and I don't care to talk about it. Mainly because the audience can never understand what is underlying. Yeah I can talk to guys about the funny stories and insane things I did during that time but it never really expresses how much resentment or negativity existed. That s another point, I never really thought I was negative or doing anything so wrong. As anyone knows until you admit there is a problem you can't fix it. Its almost like having a delayed "PTSD".
Together We served has helped me put on paper what I been wanting to say for a long time. That alone is a great outlet because for all this time I just keep replaying it in my head. I know my story is one of thousands of stories which are very similar. TogetherWeServed not only helps us Vietnam era people but all veterans who serves in combat. True, we may be preaching to the choir buts its therapeutic. There have been movies, books and documentaries made about war and some are very good and accurate. A story about what a combat veteran goes through as an individual regarding how he/she leaves a civilian setting gets thrown into a combat situation and returns back to civilian is rare. Recently American Sniper depicts this struggle. Its a little late in the game for us Vietnam vets but the VA and our Government needs to do a much better job helping returning combat vets.
Yes there is a lot of lip service and probably more is done now than ever but the amount of suicides along with drug and alcohol abuse shows that we have not learned much from Vietnam. The dynamic is different because this is an all volunteer army. The fact remains if you go into combat and come home in one piece there are still many a person whose mind is injured. The old picture of some guy being shelled shocked or twitching are no brainier signs but its so much more subtle. Only a person who goes through it can best describe it. My hope would be that the stories submitted here can be complied to demonstrate how our politicians and government are not being like the standup men and women who serve.
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TWS VOICES
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