Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Donald L. Scott Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 4th Infantry Division
- Location of Service: Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/1344
Coming out of a college ROTC program in 1960, Donald Scott's aspirations for a career in the army were modest, but he rose steadily in the ranks to become a Brigadier General. That steady climb was dogged by what he calls "the shadow of race," as he often found himself on a plateau or saddled with a questionable assignment. He learned valuable lessons at every stop, especially in his first tour of Vietnam, where he formulated his basic philosophy of command in a combat situation.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayEarly career; understanding the best path to promotion beyond lieutenant colonel lay in the infantry. 00:02:53.6 - 00:05:30.6
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PlayFirst impressions on arriving in Vietnam in June 1969. Early successes in the field, solving racial problems among the troops. 00:07:39.5 - 00:18:42.1
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PlayTense times during the Cambodian incursion; lessons learned in combat situations. 00:25:09.1 - 00:34:03.6
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PlayDealing with "the shadow of race;" the absence of African American mentors; concentrating on a career in infantry. 00:34:41.3 - 00:37:24.5
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PlayTeaching ROTC at Tuskegee in the early 70s; dealing with resistance among black college students to the idea of serving in the Army. 00:41:40.9 - 00:45:10.5
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PlaySecond tour of Vietnam; working with Vietnamese officers. 00:46:07.0 - 00:50:34.4
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PlayHis advocacy of the military draft. 00:59:29.9 - 01:01:13.0
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Interview / Recording
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PlayLearning as a battalion commander from good generals like Norman Schwarzkopf and Richard Cavazos. 00:04:09.2 - 00:06:40.2
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PlayReflections on his career as an officer. 00:39:19.0 - 00:41:34.4
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PlayPaying tribute to his mentors, including General Andy Chambers; his proudest moment. 00:42:14.2 - 00:48:08.3
Interview / Recording
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About this Item
Title
- Donald L. Scott Collection
Names
- Perry, Edwin M.
- Veterans History Project
- Scott, Donald L.
- Library of Congress
Home State
- Virginia
Headings
- - Scott, Donald L.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 4th Infantry Division
- Location of Service: Vietnam
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Dates of Service: 1960-1991
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2014-08-05)
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-05-13)
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-05-13)
- Audio: 10" Audio Reel [3 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-05-13)
- Audio: DAT [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-05-13)
- Video: Betacam SP [3 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-05-13)
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Television broadcast (collected 2002-05-13)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [1 item] -- Portrait (collected 1989-04-28)
- Audio: CD [ item] -- Reference copy (collected 2006-11-08; 2006-11-08)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/1344
Cite as
- Donald L. Scott Collection (AFC/2001/001/1344), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video