Interview with Bert R. Francis, April 4, 2018

Project: Kentucky Honor Flight Veterans Oral History Project

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Interview Summary

Francis talks about how he was assigned to command Lima Battery in the 11th Marine Regiment for his second tour in Vietnam. He talks about the northern artillery cantonment, a strategic location where his artillery unit was stationed. He discusses the attitude and low morale of his fellow officers, many of whom were no longer concerned about the war because they were standing down and returning home. Francis talks about some of the other positions in Qu?ng Nam Province that served as fire bases for the Marines. He discusses some of the different types of weapons that were used. He discusses ways that he sought to maintain discipline and morale among his men, and some of the daily dangers that his unit faced. Francis talks about knowing about the U.S. Army's secret incursions into Cambodia before President Richard Nixon officially authorized it. He talks about how the South Vietnamese people viewed the Marines during his second tour and explains that the overall situation seemed more friendly and relaxed than his first tour. Francis talks about close calls that he experienced during his second tour and his feelings of survivor's guilt. He talks about his happiness upon leaving Vietnam and returning home to the U.S. He provides an overall assessment of the U.S.'s involvement in Vietnam, and his lingering psychological scars from his service in Vietnam.

Interview Accession

2018oh177_honor021

Interviewee Name

Bert R. Francis

Interviewer Name

Jeffrey Suchanek

Interview Date

2018-04-04

Interview Rights

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

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Francis, Bert R. Interview by Jeffrey Suchanek. 04 Apr. 2018. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Francis, B.R. (2018, April 04). Interview by J. Suchanek. Kentucky Honor Flight Veterans Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Francis, Bert R., interview by Jeffrey Suchanek. April 04, 2018, Kentucky Honor Flight Veterans Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.





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Persistent Link for this Record: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt783b5w9c4d