Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Audio Recording David D. Dryden Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 82nd Medical Detachment; 587th Medical Detachment; 571st Medical Detachment
- Location of Service: Soc Trang, Vietnam; Camp Zama, Japan
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/72727
In many cases, military medicine involves not only treating combat-related casualties, but also getting them out of harm's way in the first place. Medical Evacuation (MedEvac) helicopter pilots flying missions in Vietnam faced enemy fire as well as treacherous terrain and weather conditions as they retrieved and evacuated the wounded. One such pilot was Colonel David Dryden, who served nearly thirty years with the Army Medical Service Corps, including two tours in Vietnam. Stationed first in Soc Trang and then in Phu Bai, his time in country involved logging over 1,000 hours of combat related flight. In his interview, he speaks eloquently about the difficulties and dangers of flying MedEvac missions, the emotional impact of transporting and treating the wounded, and the tight-knit community of a military hospital.
David D. Dryden Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayArrival in Vietnam; assignment to Soc Trang; serving with the old guard. 00:12:19.0 - 00:13:54.0
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PlayMemorable incident involving a helicopter accident. 00:15:20.0 - 00:22:28.0
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PlayInteresting missions flown out of Soc Trang; description of flying in the Mekong Delta. 00:22:31.0 - 00:27:35.0
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PlayLiving conditions; entertainment; feeling an overall sense of dedication to the mission. 00:27:36.0 - 00:30:02.0
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PlayTransfer from Vietnam to the US for further training; establishing a new unit at Camp Zama, Japan. 00:30:04.0 - 00:31:58.0
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PlayActivities during deployment to Japan; importance of mission there. 00:33:31.0 - 00:36:08.0
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PlayBecoming commander of a detachment near Hue Phu Bai. 00:37:23.0 - 00:40:38.0
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PlayEvacuating people from the no-fly zone; flying patients to the Navy medical ships. 00:40:41.0 - 00:45:38.0
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PlayStress caused by difficult missions and seeing casualties; living conditions. 00:48:26.0 - 00:53:16.0
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PlayReturning from Vietnam; assignment to the US Army Medical Research Institute for Infections Diseases. 00:53:34.0 - 00:55:42.0
About this Item
Title
- David D. Dryden Collection
Names
- Dryden, David D.
- Morgan, Anne C.
- Institute of Historical Survey Foundation
- Forshaw, Louise S.
Home State
- New Mexico
Headings
- - Dryden, David D.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 82nd Medical Detachment; 587th Medical Detachment; 571st Medical Detachment
- Location of Service: Soc Trang, Vietnam; Camp Zama, Japan
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Dates of Service: 1958-1985
- Entrance into Service: Commissioned
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2009-07-27; 2009-07-29)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2009-08-12)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2009-07-27; 2013-09-24)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/72727
Cite as
- David D. Dryden Collection (AFC/2001/001/72727), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text