Interview with Thomas G. Riffe, June 29, 2018

Interview Summary

Thomas G. Riffe served in the 12th Data Processing Unit in Saigon, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. In this interview, he describes his life in the city of Saigon as part of the 12th Data Processing Unit. He talks about the markets, crowds, transportation, and weather. He talks about how American military people were treated. He talks about some of the dangers of living in Saigon. Riffe was in Saigon when the attack on the U.S. Embassy occurred during the Tet Offensive. He discusses local cuisine, water, plumbing, the black market and red light district, and the levels of drug use throughout the American military in Vietnam. He talks about what was reported in the American media regarding their progress in the war versus what he was actually seeing in the situation reports and his distrust of the American government due to how they treated their soldiers in comparison to other countries.

Interview Keyword

12th Data Processing Unit Saigon (Vietnam) Tet Offensive Drug abuse Drugs. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Women Local foods. Water quality. Black markets

Interview LC Subject

Civilians in war Military life Soldiers Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans--United States Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Consumption (Economics) Culture shock Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Public opinion Anti-war demonstrations News media Politics and war Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Mass media and the war Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Press coverage War casualties

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Interview Usage

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