Mike Shanin

Branch of service: Army

Were you drafted or did you enlist? Drafted

Dates of service: March 4, 1968 to March 4, 1970

What were the location(s) of your service and your MOS?
Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri
Ft. McPherson, Atlanta, Ga.
First Infantry Division South Vietnam

Position/Rank: Specialist 4th class

Awards/Medals/Citations:
Good Conduct Medal, National Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Sharpshooter Medal

What are your strongest memories from your time in the military, specific to the Vietnam War era?
Inability of U.S. to win the war, Extraordinarily hot weather in Vietnam, Peace symbols on tanks, Beauty of Saigon (now Ho-Chi-Minh city)

Have your views on the American War in Vietnam changed over time? Why or why not?
No. Still fail to understand why the U.S. lacked the will to win the conflict. The U.S. mission was to keep Communism from spreading to South Vietnam. The mission failed. South Vietnam is still Communist!!