John Riche (2017)
Vietnam War Oral Histories
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Interview
Place Covered: Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, Vietnam
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2017-11-11
Duration: 00:12:39
Subjects: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 | Military | United States. Army | Veterans
Contributors:
- Riche, John Interviewee
Description
An oral history interview conducted on November 11, 2017, with John Riche of Sulphur, Louisiana. Riche, a native of Cottonport, served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He discusses: his decision to volunteer; his assignment to the 3rd Squadron, 4th Calvary of the 25th Infantry Division; his unit being ambushed by the NVA; being shot in the back and the bullet hitting his flak jacket; his pride at receiving the Combat Infantryman Badge; his memories of an attack on the Black Virgin Mountain near the Cambodian border; the traumatic experience of seeing a grenade fall at his feet; and the negative treatment of Vietnam veterans when they returned home.