Oral history interview with Joel Garb, [sound recording], 2004.

ArchivalResource

Garb, Joel, 1945-. Oral history interview with Joel Garb, [sound recording], 2004.

Oral history interview with Joel Garb, [sound recording], 2004.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/539239861

Joel Garb, who grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, speaks of his experience in the Army Nursing Corps in Kon Tum and Saigon during the Vietnam War. Garb recalls enlisting in the Army and the racist education given during basic training at Fort Knox (Kentucky). He describes the atheistic and compassion-based reasons that led him to enlist in the medics, train at Fort Sam Houston (Texas), and extend his time to become a practical nurse at Letterman General Hospital (California). He talks about flying to Vietnam, being struck by the heat, and his assignment to the Gladiators helicopter assault company at Kon Tum. Garb describes his duties helping with sick call, making sure the defecation got burned, handling medical emergencies, and extra work serving drinks at the officers' club. He recalls learning what rockets sound like and speaks about periodic bombings of his base. He describes treating a soldier who had been severely wounded in an explosion. Garb discusses his friendship with Pham Khue, a Vietnamese private, with whom he shared a motor scooter. He describes the mountain yard villages, their weaving, and the racism they faced. He talks about transferring to Saigon to do renal dialysis at the third field hospital and mentions that of his forty-four patients, forty-one died, many due to infection. Garb talks about usually being out of uniform, teamwork in the Army Nursing Corps, avoiding drinking the water outside the base, and listening to "Come Together" by John Lennon on the rooftops at sunrise. He talks about an issued Smith & Wesson that he never used. He highlights his friendship with Vietnamese colonel Pham Van Lieu, who at that time was advisor to the 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He tells of a finding a lieutenant colonel crying after a mortar attack destroyed a hangar and several helicopters, and Garb declares he had more respect for non-commissioned officers than for commissioned. He states Vietnam had a positive influence on his life. Garb mentions flying into Fort Dix (New Jersey), reveals he did not talk much about his experiences after the war, and details why he did not join the VFW.

Sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 78 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 78 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 27 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center