Interview with Allen L. Louthian, April 12, 2022

Interview Summary

Al “Sarge” Louthian is a family man from Conowingo, Maryland who served twenty-one years in the United States Military. In this interview Louthian discusses his time serving during the Vietnam War. Louthian served in the United States Marine Corps for four years and then the Army for the remaining seventeen years. He served in Vietnam with the Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969. First, serving in Truck Company, Force Logistics Command, Force Service Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He was then assigned to 1st Marine Recon as they were short on marines. Louthian drove in supply convoys nicknamed “Rough Riders” delivering ammunition, Agent Orange, and other supplies from the ports in South Vietnam all the way up to the front. In the interview Louthian shares about his life growing up before the war and then what his experiences were when the war started. He shares about what motivated him to join the military and how. He then shares about his experiences in Vietnam with FLC and then with 1st Recon. Louthian discusses his time in Vietnam during Tet. He discusses his experiences coming home from Vietnam and what it was like to transfer into the Army. Finally, Louthian shares his experiences of dealing with the impact that the military and Vietnam had on his life.

Interview Keyword

House Mouse 1st Marine Recon Red Beach Da Nang Khe Sanh Major General Patrick W. Powers Colonel Warren P. Allen

Interview LC Subject

Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Quarryville (Pa.) United States. Marine Corps. United States. Army. Agent Orange

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.