Kenneth Stumpf, a Menasha, Wisconsin native, discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War with the 35th Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, including the actions that earned him a Medal of Honor. Stumpf touches on being drafted in 1965, basic training at Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri), advanced training at Fort Ord (California), and assignment to Bravo Company of the 54th Mechanized Infantry. After volunteering for duty in Vietnam, he talks about joining the 3rd Platoon of Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment near Pleiku in II Corps area. Stumpf reflects on his eventual promotion from grunt to E6 because everyone in his unit was killed, wounded, or rotated. He portrays his first helicopter ride, noticing the "thousand yard stare" of the combat veterans upon arrival, and getting in trouble as a newbie for using cologne. Stationed near the Cambodian border, he describes a "friendly fire" white phosphorus attack the first night he was on outpost duty, panicking, and losing his entrenching tool. Stumpf addresses catching malaria despite taking his pills, being hospitalized for a month, and, while delirious, swearing at visiting celebrities Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Stumpf details his first fight: feeling fear, getting tangled and lost in the jungle, and unjamming his rifle. He discusses carrying a .90 millimeter mortar shell and a constant jamming problem with their M16 rifles. Stumpf provides a vivid sketch of another firefight, wanting to run away, confirming a kill, and hearing the dog howl when the unit's dog handler died. Throughout the interview, Stumpf characterizes some of the soldiers he served with. He mentions having a fourteen-day rest at base camp, promotion to squad leader, and missing the Bob Hope show because he didn't want to order anyone to do KP duty. Sent to Camp Montezuma in Quang Ngai Province, Stumpf touches upon the frequent violations of cease-fire agreements, firing at a moving figure during an ambush on the night of Easter Sunday, and his reaction to learning he had shot a priest. Stumpf details the mission near Duc Pho for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He tells of wading across a river, running into a barbed wire fence while chasing the enemy, and patching up wounded Vietnamese civilians. A few days later, he speaks of being sent to locate an enemy "spider hole" with a squad of seven men, two of whom were new. Stumpf details fighting from a trench while under heavy fire, being unable to see the enemy, and retrieving three of his wounded men from the field of fire. He analyzes his fear as he was running out of ammunition and fear he would not be able to get his men out of the situation. Stumpf describes carrying men to a helicopter evacuation site, retreating back to the trench, witnessing retaliatory air strikes, and charging Vietnamese bunkers. After night fell, he tells of being sent into the trenches to find a lost platoon and worrying about friendly fire. After the combat, he states he was completely stunned and the only man of his squad left unwounded. Stumpf criticizes the higher ranking officers who prioritized their own careers over the well being of their men, as well as the general lack of intent to win the war. After his first tour, he comments on not being aware of marijuana use in Vietnam and returning to the United States with the belief the U.S. could not win the war. On his second tour, Stumpf talks about assignment to an air rifle platoon of the 1st and 10th Cavalry. He talks about problematic drug use at the base camps and the disinterest of officers toward disciplining drug use. He emphasizes that he was very lucky and discusses being wounded by grenade shrapnel at the end of his third tour. Stumpf comments on staying behind on a day that his unit suffered high casualties. He touches upon returning to the United States, hearing he would be awarded the Medal of Honor, going to Washington, D.C. with his family, having to borrow a hat for the ceremony, and meeting the President. Stumpf comments on the POW/MIA issue and a loss of personal freedoms in the U.S. He describes his homecoming to Menasha and attending welcome home parades in New York and Chicago in the mid-1980s. Stumpf comments on feeling unwelcomed by traditional veterans' organizations until he was awarded the Medal of Honor and almost turning down free life memberships. He touches on reenlisting in the Army, retiring after twenty-nine years, and his retirement and Medal of Honor benefits. Stumpf mentions his civilian activities and attending functions as a Medal of Honor recipient. He discusses serving with African-American soldiers, the bravery of the medics in Vietnam, food in the field, and the importance of mail delivery. Stumpf recalls getting sick at an outpost from drinking contaminated water. He states he clowned around to relieve some of the tension and shares some humorous anecdotes.
