Oral history interview with Terrel L. Morris, [sound recording], 1997.

ArchivalResource

Morris, Terrel L., 1944-. Oral history interview with Terrel L. Morris, [sound recording], 1997.

Oral history interview with Terrel L. Morris, [sound recording], 1997.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/756490240

Terrel "Terry" L. Morris, a Sioux Falls, South Dakota native, discusses his service with the 366th Air Police Squadron during the Vietnam War. Morris talks about his reasons for enlisting, basic training at Lackland Air Force Base (Texas), adjusting to military life, spending over three weeks as Personnel Awaiting Technical School, and graduating from Air Police training. Assigned to Truax Field, he talks about having security duty and law enforcement duty and once being put on alert when war protestors threatened to kidnap the base commander. While checking IDs at the gate, Morris recalls once detaining a colonel who turned out to be in charge of an inspection team. He comments on having practice alerts and concerns about Russian saboteurs during the Cold War. Morris mentions he was married in 1965 and received orders to go overseas when he had under a year left in service. After a few days of M-16 training at Hamilton Air Force Base (California), he talks about flying to Saigon. Assigned to Phan Rang Air Base (Vietnam), he tells of working security during the Panther Flight shift from six at night to six in the morning. Morris speaks of security measures, manning an observation post, and improvements of the base. He describes his impressions of Thap Cham and Phan Rang, two Vietnamese villages he could spend his free time in, as well as outdoor movies and occasional USO shows. Morris recalls being cautious and alert at the beginning and end of his tour, but having a more lax attitude in the middle. He analyzes his feelings about not being in combat and his survivor's guilt at hearing how hard other troops' experiences were. Morris comments on not discussing his experiences until the 1990s, getting involved in helping veterans locate each other, and attending reunions, including a reunion of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association. He touches on regret at not reenlisting, having a second honeymoon, and getting a job in Madison after his discharge. He describes his brother-in-law's experience as a Madison police officer who was assaulted during the sit-in demonstration at the Commerce Building. Morris recalls seeing National Guard riot gear while working at a State of Wisconsin print shop, and he touches on a few other minor war protests during the early 1970s and his negative view of the protestors. He reflects on the restrictions the military faced during the war, his frustration at not qualifying for state benefits, and being offered discounts by home realtors in exchange for not going through the paperwork for a GI Bill loan. Morris talks about eventually joining the VFW and the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 221, but never really feeling like he fit in as an Air Policeman.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 55 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 23 p.Military papers : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center