Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording William E. Vicars Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 173rd Airborne Brigade; 18th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Command Sergeant Major
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/3894
William Vicars spent 21 years in the Army to learn something about himself-that he was a born teacher. Vicars enlisted a year out of high school and did two tours of Vietnam. On his second tour, at the age of 29, he was called "The Old Man" by the recruits in his platoon. From an early career encounter with an officer named David Hackworth, Vicars had learned to watch out for the lowliest soldiers. He maintained tight discipline within his platoon, even as morale was disintegrating around him. After he retired from the Army in 1980, Vicars became a high school ROTC teacher in El Paso, where he grew up. He has thrived on giving young people a sense of purpose and discipline in their lives and is especially proud of turning around the lives of troubled youth.
William E. Vicars Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayDavid Hackworth's shining example. 00:05:03.7 - 00:09:45.0
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PlayFirst tour of Vietnam; getting wounded. 00:12:04.7 - 00:17:07.0
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PlaySecond tour of Vietnam; under fire immediately. 00:19:54.7 - 00:27:52.0
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PlayMorale problems in Vietnam: turnover, politics, inexperience. 00:29:46.7 - 00:35:52.0
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PlayThe politics behind not winning the war. 00:37:23.7 - 00:39:04.0
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PlayLack of morale problems in his platoon. 00:40:10.7 - 00:41:50.0
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William E. Vicars Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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About this Item
Title
- William E. Vicars Collection
Names
- Vicars, William E.
- Sallaeh, Timothy L.
Home State
- Texas
Headings
- - Vicars, William E.
- - 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
-
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 173rd Airborne Brigade; 18th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Command Sergeant Major
- Dates of Service: 1959-1980
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2005-12-13; 2005-12-13)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [14 items] -- Photograph (collected 1959-1976)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-02-13)
- Computer File: Floppy Disk [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2006-04-05; 2006-04-06)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2006-04-05)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/3894
Cite as
- William E. Vicars Collection (AFC/2001/001/3894), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text