The Bob Edwards Show learned about the 40th year reunion of the Third Medical Battalion from its organizer, Al Naar. He’s a fan of the show (I later learned he listens to the show multiple times throughout the day) and he wrote an email to invite us to attend their anniversary in Charleston, South Carolina. Bob couldn’t go because he had a commencement speech to give that weekend, so I had the honor. I knew a couple of the stories before going there but I really didn’t know what I was going to find. What I found was a slew of men – yes, all men, because of the dangerous locations where they were based in Vietnam – who were very eager to tell their stories. I recorded interviews until the last minute, literally, before I had to leave the hotel to catch my plane and I still wasn’t able to get to everyone. I took photos of each person who I talked to. At some point someone asked me how I was going to remember who was who. Well, after hearing these stories, I don’t think I’ll forget any of these men, their faces, nor their stories for a very long time.
I didn’t do much in the interviews – I told the men that the microphone was there for them to use, not me. I figured they were the ones with the important things to say (yes, a technique used by our formidable host, I believe). The music was crucial to the Third Med veterans – they said they always had music on (The Doors, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and others) so it was important to use in telling the stories. I think it also helped steer the storyline— as did the archive tape I was able to use. Traditions Military Videos kindly granted us permission to use those recordings. You should go to militaryvideo.com if you’re looking for archive material. They have lots of good stuff there.
I can’t think of a better way to remember our men and women who have served our country than through stories like these. I hope you agree.
Ariana
Click here for photos and more information about the Third Medical Battalion
Your show this morning was incredible. Thank God for men like those who served in the Third Med. Listening this morning put my trivial worries into perspective. Thank you for this documentary and thank you to the wonderful men who served in Third Med.
I was the wounded Marine speaking at the beginning of the program. I just now heard the download, and listening to the doctors and corpsman of Third Med tell their stories gave me an even deeper appreciation of these remarkable men.
They worked saving young Marines without fanfare or glory in a place and time many choose to forget. Those of us who came through their doors and left with a second chance at life will never forget.
Dear Bob,
CDR.Ruby Brooks, retired US Navy Nurse, asked me to post the following message for her. I worked with Ms. Brooks when I was a young Navy Nurse in the 1960s, practicing in Newport, RI. My name at the time was Judie Thibeault.
From CDR Ruby Brooks:
Dear Mr Edwards,
Congratulations on interviewing veterans from the Vietnam War and sharing their experiences with all who listened to your show. I recognized a couple of the voices because I had the honor of serving with them at the US Naval Hospital in Newport, RI. before they were assigned to Vietnam.
Al Naar was an OR tech under my supervision when I was the OR supervisor in Newport. I can attest to his superiority as a young man in his cheerful personality and mature work ethic. He was dependable and responsible and showed a great interest in increasing his knowledge and developing his abilty to perform in challenging situations. These qualities have served him well, and he has been highly successful in his career since his dischage from the Navy after his tour in Vietnam.
I am proud to call him "My Navy Son."
At the same duty station, I had the honor and privilege of serving with Dr. John Munna, who was a general surgeon on staff in Newport.
All Navy personnel received fitness reports during active duty evaluating them as individuals and professionals. Dr Munna earned the highest grade of 4.0 in all categories.
I recognized his voice during the radio interviews, and it brought tears to my eyes. I understood what it must have been like to perform surgery on the injured, and I know he gave his ultimate in every case.
I have written to him expressing my admiration for his courage and integrity. I pray for God’s blessings on him now and in the coming years.
In my opinion, you produced the most meaningful broadcast I’ve heard in America. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and pray that the benefits will be realized in miraculous and and incredible ways.
With admiration and great respect,
Ruby Brooks
I WAS ATTACHED TO 3RD MEDICAL BATTALION IN 1969. AS A MARINE I VERY AWARE OF THE DEDICATION AND CARE I SAW GIVEN ON 24 HOUR BASIS BY THE ENTIRE MEDICAL STAFF AT 3RD MED. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN, NOR AM I REGRETFUL TO HAVE BEEN IN THE PRESENCE, OF ORDINARY MEN WHO PERFORMED IN SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY MANNER UNDER AT TIMES,WHAT COULD EASILY BE CALLED HORRID AND UNBEARABLE. MY CONCERN IS FOR THOSE MEN, AND WHAT BURDENS THEY STILL CARRY. IF YOU SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF THESE MEN YOU WILL FIND A MARINE AND A DAMN FINE ONE. CLIFF SOWERS
Ariana
If possible, I would like to hear from any wounded that I may have treated at Dong Ha or Quang Tri. Thank you
Dr. Munna
This was a truly compelling program that revealed some of the feelings of the brave soldiers who endured Vietnam. (Thank you Craig, for your sacrifice for us.)
I was moved to tears listening to the voices which expressed the sacrifice, the danger and the ingenuity required in the field. So many nameless heroes; too many faceless casualties; this program went a long way toward providing names and faces to our soldiers.
Thanks for the timely tribute.
I was moved by the story about the medical corps in Vietnam. My husband is a vet- he does not talk about it much – he was Navy but he was still there. Four years of ships in warzones, getting shelled while landing marines, and I am sure many other horrors. His Dad was in WW II in the Army in the South Pacific. I think he was stationed in every island from Guam to Tokyo. He never talked about it- nor about the silk Japanese flag with blood stains…He died in 2002 of Alzheimers and Parkinson’s. Only after we were going over his papers to get him to a VA Nursing home did we know what a hero he was and where he served.
My son is in the Air Force – currently serving in Kyrgyzstan support base. This is his 5th tour for the Iraq War. He had to leave his wife with a 3 1/2 and 1 month old for 6 months.
I believe there is a special bold that those in the service hold. And God bless the families – the multiple deployments take their toll on the wives and children as well as the servicemen.
Thanks for putting a face on a war. Then or now- does not matter.
Does Ariana realize she has material for a great book here?
Thank you Mr Edwards.
I am a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the 1st Cavalry (Air Mobile) from 1968-69. I also wept when I heard the stories and continue to grieve for my fellow soldiers of that war now fading into memories and today’s wars taking the lives again of young as well as ‘old’ troops, men and women, And we hardly ever even consider the losses of ‘other side,’ not to mention the incalculable number of civilians dead, wounded, or homeless as a result.
On any Memorial Day, everyone should hear these kinds of real stories of what war is like instead of just treating this opportunity to go shopping, spend a long weekend at the beach, or watch grown men chase cars around in a circle. As one of the last voices on your program said, the ‘crawl’ across the bottom of the TV screen announcing how many were killed or wounded in action are not numbers but real people whose lives are no more. And the lives of their families and loved ones are forever changed.
As more and more people in this country have fewer and fewer contacts or relatives actively serving in the Armed Forces, we are all distancing ourselves from the reality of war and its horrors. I can only hope that leaders of the future will somehow be able to understand the full implications should they decide again to commit men and woman into harm’s way.
There is far too little reflection these days on such awesome responsibilities. Instead, we have an overabundance of empty political speeches, campaign promises, and sinful neglect of those wounded in body and soul,
Thank you for your programming.
The techique that was used–to let each medical person tell their individual stories and recollections–was most powerful. I was touched and humbled by the emotions that these men expressed–even some 35 years after the Viet Nam war ended, some of them could not tell their story without crying.
Thank you, Linda C., for posting the lyrics for the last song that was played–I didn’t recognize it and didn’t know how to go about finding out what it was. Mr. Edwards, would you & your producers be so kind as to provide a list of all the music that was played for this amazing program?
Sorry, posted that too fast. I think it is Fix You by a band called Cold Play. I think I’ve heard it before but had no recollection what it was. Once I had the names, I found it on itunes. It was a perfect ending to a great piece.
Linda C.
Fix you
When you try your best but you don’t succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can’t sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can’t replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
And high up above or down below
When you’re too in love to let it go
But if you never try you’ll never know
Just what you’re worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And i…
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And i…
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
I was moved by the story on the first hour of your show. Meaningful and germaine to today’s war. Fine Memorial Day tribute to those fallen and wounded heroes.I especially thought the music was relevant. Recalled most of it (c 1940) But the last song "stuck in reverse" was by whom?? Thank you so much. Please continue with your fine journalism. Marie Butler
May 25.
Bob Edwards, your program is always so thought provoking and memorable. Thanks so much for the program about the "jungle doctors". It was your best yet. Crying on your way to work is such an effective way to get out of your own head and be slapped with reality. We all need that.
Nora
I listen every day to the show while delivering mail, and when I heard this I had to pull over and weep. If I had heard this years ago perhaps I might have understood just a little better what the man who is now my ex-husband had undergone during the year he was in Vietnam. Dr. Munna treated him when he was wounded in May 1968.
It was obviously still so much with all who were interviewed; it almost sounded as if they must be veterans of this current debacle, and while I wept for the men who told their stories, I fear for the spouses and sweethearts and, yes, the children, of those men and women who are enduring these terrors today. How much will the misery be multiplied, and what can ever be done to mitigate the pain? Tonight each of these people are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you, thank you for bringing us such a moving program. And Craig, I’m sorry I never REALLY understood.
I was born in 1953…I had lottery number; it was high and they stopped the draft shortly after. Though I was fortunate not to have to go, I am forever struck by the terrible consequences for those that did. The incredible irony as I listened to this show, that had me have to sit down with my tears, is that today, just as after War World Two, those that we have fought and died fighting are now our closest allies! It really struck home as my 22 year old daughter is currently in Southeast Asis visiting, as a tourist, the very countries the men in this radio cast were mortally fighting against!
As I get older, I can not figure why we continue to make the same mistakes over and over. For what reason do we continue to send our best and brightest to fight wars…
I forever consider myself lucky that I did not have to go to Vietnam to fight a war that had no purpose….I can only wish a peaceful existence for the men like those in the radio cast who did.
Thank you Bob Edwards for reminding us that the casualties of war also include those that survive.
As I sat on my boat this morning drinking coffee and listening to to these Navy medics, I began to cry. I was one of their wounded at Dong Ha, on May 22, 1968. The scars of those events, physical and mental will be with all of us to our grave. Craig Pyles 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1968.
I’m lucky to be one of the daughters of Al Naar. Listening to his experience as well as the other corpmen and doctors this morning moved me to tears. I’m so proud of my father. He’s my hero.
This was an exceptional show. I cried along with these brave men. Thanks for the insight into this side of the war and the thoughtful memorial.
Thank you for reminding me to remember Roger Boomsma and the many others whose lives were lost so long ago. Thanks to the brave medical and military folks who made so many sacrifices. And thanks to their families. Thanks, Bob Edwards, for the many thoughtful, heartwarming, and soul searching stories you have given us for so many years. Keep up the good work.
Brenda
Outstanding show. How brave people can be is mind boggling. We owe so much to these medics and can never really pay our debt except to fight so wars will eventually cease.Although that war (as most wars) was futile, it showed the troops we can depend upon to protect us.
Very thoughtful show.It is so easy to forget the sacrifices of others.
Is there a list of the music selections form the broadcast?
A wonderful piece, very moving. And so timely both in terms of current events and for Memorial Day. I hope this gets picked up by NPR.