Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing David Henryk Masuo Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES)
- Location of Service: McChord Air Force Base, Washington; Rhein Main, Germany; Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska; Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/27103
Growing up in Hawaii as part of a military family, Air Force Master Sergeant David Henryk Masuo idolized members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the highly decorated unit made up of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Enlisting in the Air Force in 1965, he promised his mother he would not volunteer to go to Vietnam, but at the end of his first tour of duty, his heart told him to accept orders for a second tour in country. A liaison at Long Binh Hospital, he saw the war's effects up close. Despite this, he found his service experience to be deeply rewarding; returning home, he spent five years working as an Air Force recruiter.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayLessons his family taught him about how to be a good person; family military history; learning about the 442nd; holding them up as heroes because they paved the way for him to serve in the military. 00:18:56.3 - 00:22:36.3
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PlayConvinced by his dad to join the Air Force versus the Army; entered service right before 18th birthday. 00:30:42.4 - 00:32:49.4
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PlayHad nearly finished up tour of duty; given choice between assignment to Vietnam and discharge; friend advised him to follow his heart; decision to go to Vietnam. 00:41:18.0 - 00:43:19.7
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PlayAssigned to Long Binh Hospital as a liaison; working with Australian doctors and nurses; working at an orphanage. 00:59:45.7 - 01:02:46.5
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PlayReasons for choosing to go to Vietnam; feeling responsibility to serve despite views on war; views haven't changed since then. 01:03:32.5 - 01:05:45.5
About this Item
Title
- David Henryk Masuo Collection
Names
- Masuo, David Henryk
- Japanese-American Veterans Association (JAVA)
- Shima, Terry T.
Home State
- Alaska
Headings
- - Masuo, David Henryk
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Asian
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES)
- Location of Service: McChord Air Force Base, Washington; Rhein Main, Germany; Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska; Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1965-1989
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2004-03-12)
- Manuscript: Memoirs [1 item] -- (collected unknown)
- Video: MiniDV [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2004-03-12)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/27103
Cite as
- David Henryk Masuo Collection (AFC/2001/001/27103), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam
- Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
- McChord Air Force Base, Washington
- Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska
- Rhein Main, Germany
- Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska