John Lindquist, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native, describes his service in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and his early involvement with the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Lindquist explains he enlisted, married, and fathered his first child in the same ninety days before entering the Marines in 1968. He says he was obsessed with the Marine Corps but, upon arriving at Camp Pendleton (California) for basic training, his opinions flipped and he asked himself, "What the heck did I get myself into?" Lindquist describes boot camp in detail: beatings and hard PT, the intelligence and background of recruits, the length of training phases, and a sense of accomplishment afterwards. He mentions seeing an anti-war movie and getting in trouble for wearing a button on base that said, "Take a Viet Cong to church this Sunday." Lindquist talks about flying to Okinawa, having his orders changed, and being sent to Dung Ha (Vietnam). He describes being assigned guard duty near Highway One his first day there and then being sent north to Cua Viet where he reported to the 7th Separate Bulk Fuel Unit. He says he was lucky to be one of only four radio operators because he didn't get assigned perimeter watch or mess duty. Lindquist details his first time under artillery attack and having his bunker set on fire. After four months, he recalls assignment to 7th Motors and convoy duty, some of which ran on old Highway Nine. He describes what went through his mind during artillery barrages. Lindquist portrays living conditions in the hooches, the bunker he built, and eating arrangements. He touches on fraggings, racism, and inter-service tensions. Speaking in detail about marijuana use, he talks about a false amnesty program, crackdowns and busts, and where and how marijuana was purchased. Lindquist touches on use of liquid opium, alcohol, and other drugs. He tells of getting involved in a fight sparked by a marijuana smoker's getting shot while fleeing a bust. He says drugs were used for release and as a way of resistance. Lindquist mentions that some guys would steal supplies to trade for drugs with. He touches on different periodicals he received while in Vietnam, including L.A. Free Press and Avant-guarde. Lindquist explains how he was nicknamed "Gook Lover" because he never liked hearing about or seeing violence done to Vietnamese. He describes conversations about war protests with other Marines and discusses the Jane Fonda incident. He mentions getting a humanitarian leave to London instead of being discharged so his wife could stay in the military hospital. After return to the States, he talks about attending Milwaukee Technical College and mentions how veterans would identify each other on campus and stick together. Lindquist talks about reentering the work force. He mentions his involvement as a counselor in Veterans Aiding Veterans and speaks in depth about his active participation and organizational efforts in Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). Lindquist describes attending anti-war marches in various places, taking over the University of Wisconsin campus, and returning his ribbons during a VVAW demonstration in Washington D.C. He emphasizes the non-violent nature of his anti-war activity and discusses the relationship between protesting veterans and veteran organizations. Lindquist describes the VVAW being infiltrated by the Red Squad in Milwaukee, being under FBI surveillance, the Gainesville Eight trial, and the survival of the organization. He talks at length about organizational and Veterans Affairs activities dealing with Post Vietnam Syndrome (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Agent Orange. Lindquist talks about veteran organization conglomerations, the Agent Orange lawsuit, and fighting cutbacks of veteran benefits. He says he is uncomfortable being a member of the VFW, but he is totally comfortable with being a member of the 3rd Marine Division Association. Lindquist describes a trip back to Vietnam in 1991, retracing his combat tour, and the friendliness of the Vietnamese.
