Catalog number: VIS 201.0561
In this interview conducted by Joe Galloway, Alan Herman Walsh describes his service as a warrant officer flying helicopters during the Vietnam War. He recounts joining the Army in hopes of becoming a fixed-wing pilot warrant officer, but it became clear during training that he would become a helicopter pilot. He attended flight school at Fort Walters and Fort Rucker, as well as medical training at Fort Sam Houston before going to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot in March 1970. He describes his flight into the country as "looking through a window at a war below me." He flew DUSTOFF missions with the 45th Medical (Night) Company, and describes the hardships of his day-to-day life in Vietnam. He talks about the camaraderie of his unit and describes the capabilities of allied solders. He recounts becoming more empathetic towards local civilians later in his tour. He discusses his involvement in the Cambodian incursion of 1970, as well as a nerve-wracking nighttime hoist evacuation on a rainy mountainside. He remarks on the pop culture of the time and how he kept in touch with his family. He says he had mixed feelings as he left Vietnam and embarked on a long career as a pilot for Delta. He describes his most salient memory: being shot down and being responsible for an entire aircrew at 20 years old, but too young to buy Scotch that night at the post exchange. He reflects on the lessons he learned from the war, American memory of the war, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. At 41:52, after the end of the formal interview, the camera turns back on as he vividly recounts the two missions on which his helicopter was shot down by enemy fire.
10 июн 2024
