Central Illinois Vietnam War Stories

Donald Hyche of Champaign, Illinois enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as an area door gunner during the Vietnam War from 1970 – 1971.  He reflects on race relations, combat and his recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Constance Edwards of Frankfort, Illinois served as an officer in the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1967.  The United States Army recruited her while she was a student at Tuskegee University in Alabama, where she was born and lived until joining the Army.

Jerome Wiese of Rantoul, Illinois served as a combat medic in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1970-1971. Destined to become a soldier, he loved the friendships he developed in the Army and has no regrets about what he and other soldiers did during the war.

Paul Wisovaty was hanging out in pool halls in Taylorville, Illinois when he was drafted into the military in 1966. In 1968, he served six months as a radio operator in an armored personnel carrier during the Vietnam War. His war experiences and college education transformed him into an anti-war activist.

Bruce Thiemann of East Peoria, Illinois dropped out of college and enlisted in the Army in 1968 and was sent to Vietnam where he was assigned as a helicopter mechanic who assisted with insertion missions and dropping off and picking up troops. He was eager to experience combat first-hand but after serving in Vietnam, he was ashamed and took more than a decade to heal his psychological wounds and feel proud of his service.

Robert Ritter grew up in Monticello, Illinois and served in the Navy during the Vietnam War from 1967 – 1969. He maintained and operated the gunfire control equipment and was support for the forces on the ground. War taught him how to appreciate life and what America has to offer.

Joseph Rank of Urbana, Illinois served as an officer in the Navy during the Vietnam War and remained in the Navy for years after. As an officer, he was responsible for 60 gunners’ mates and fire control technicians who operated the guns. Making precise measurements while getting little sleep was just part of the job.

Gary Price always knew he wanted to fly. When he joined the Marine Corps in 1971, he finally got his chance. He participated in the evacuation of refugees and military personal toward the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Price continues to cultivate his passion for flying by working as a helicopter pilot for air medical services.

Not too keen to join a combat unit, John Metzger of Metropolis, Illinois jumped at the opportunity to become a chaplain’s assistant after enlisting in the Army in 1969 and being sent to Quy Nhơn, Vietnam. After serving his time, he graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Ph.D. in history.

Joseph LaHood of Peoria, Illinois joined the Marine Corps in 1969 after getting kicked out of numerous local high schools. He was sent to LZ Ross in Vietnam where he administered supplies and was a patrolman.  He attended years of therapy to unpack traumatic memories that he had repressed from his experiences in Vietnam. In the process, he rediscovered his Catholic faith and became a deacon for three different churches.