Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Joseph Horace McHenry Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Company A, 82nd Aviation Brigade; 173rd Airborne Brigade
- Location of Service: Fort Ord, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fort Wolters, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Vietnam; Germany
- Highest Rank: Chief Warrant Officer
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/76430
As a kid growing up near the airport in Arizona, Chief Warrant Officer Joseph McHenry marveled at planes flying overhead. His dream of becoming a pilot was realized when he enlisted in the Army and received orders for flight school. The reality of piloting a helicopter in Vietnam, which put him in the center of action, was a rude awakening. In one instance, he attempted a landing on a "hot" LZ; he was shot down and found himself in the middle of an intense firefight with the enemy. In his interview, he describes the confidence and swagger of pilots-and their dependence on the constant rush of adrenaline that comes with flying. As an adrenaline junkie, he was even more prone to developing post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the service.
Interview / Recording
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PlayEarly days at flight school; struggling to learn how to hover aircraft. 00:15:24.3 - 00:16:19.7
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PlayFlying mission to resupply unit of the 173rd Airborne; landing in the middle of a big firefight; very nearly hit; had to give up weapons to unit; running out of ammunition. 00:30:56.5 - 00:41:14.2
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PlayEgotism and self-assuredness of pilots; thoughts on PTSD; problems with family life; putting his life on the line every day but paying a price. 00:48:02.0 - 01:05:31.5
More Resources
About this Item
Title
- Joseph Horace McHenry Collection
Names
- Schlichting, Elanna
- McHenry, Joseph Horace
- U.S. House of Representatives/Earl Blumenauer
Home State
- Oregon
Headings
- - McHenry, Joseph Horace
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Company A, 82nd Aviation Brigade; 173rd Airborne Brigade
- Location of Service: Fort Ord, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fort Wolters, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Vietnam; Germany
- Highest Rank: Chief Warrant Officer
- Dates of Service: 1965
- Entrance into Service: Commissioned
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2010-10-27; 2010-11-05)
- Manuscript: Memoirs [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [6 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1965-2007)
- Manuscript: Unit histories [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1966-03-19)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/76430
Cite as
- Joseph Horace McHenry Collection (AFC/2001/001/76430), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Fort Ord, California
- Fort Rucker, Alabama
- Fort Wolters, Texas
- Germany
- Vietnam