Interview with Donald Parrish, June 3, 1985

Interview Summary

Donald Parrish explains how he joined the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery National Guard unit stationed in his hometown of Bardstown, Kentucky. He describes the unit's activation for service and their flight into Vietnam. He describes the unit's assignment to Hill 88 (formally named Fire Support Base Denise) and its subsequent move to Fire Support Base Tomahawk. He describes a surprise attack on Tomahawk Hill by the North Vietnamese Army, in which several of his friends from Bardstown were killed. He shares his observations on the character of the North Vietnamese as opposed to the South Vietnamese, as well as his thoughts on why the American forces were ineffective against the North Vietnamese. He describes his and his friends' return home. He shares his thoughts on the neglect of Vietnam Veterans in our culture and education, as well as his views on anti-war protesters.

Interview Keyword

Artillery. Bardstown (Ky.) Basic training (military education) Casualties Combat Military bases National guard Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American

Interview LC Subject

Soldiers Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans--Kentucky--Bardstown Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans.

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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