Oral history interview with Michael P. Esser, [sound recording], 2004.

ArchivalResource

Esser, Michael P., 1947-. Oral history interview with Michael P. Esser, [sound recording], 2004.

Oral history interview with Michael P. Esser, [sound recording], 2004.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/757935184

Michael P. Esser, a Middleton, Wisconsin native, discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War with the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division and during the Persian Gulf War with the A-26 Ordnance Company of the Army Reserves. Esser talks about being drafted after graduating high school, basic training at Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri), and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk (Louisiana). After a twenty-one day leave, he tells of reporting to Fort Ord (California) and being flown to Bien Hoa (Vietnam). He speaks of two weeks of training with the 90th Replacement Company and states that, after training with M-14 rifles, he was issued an M-16, which he had never fired before. Esser describes carrying an M60 mortar, high explosive rounds, and white phosphorus rounds. Assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi, he states they sent him into the field right away, carrying radio and machine gun ammunition. He tells of being pinned down by sniper fire his first time out, helping pull a shot medic under cover, and turning down an offer for a bronze star commendation. Esser recalls the smells in Vietnam, riding a helicopter into the field, setting up perimeters, and walking patrols. He speaks of respecting most of his officers and eventually becoming a non-commissioned officer himself. Esser explains he spent six months as machine gunner, machine gun assistant, and ammo bearer before being rotated into a mortar patrol. He describes life in Cu Chi base camp, rotation policies, and the parties after big operations were finished. He tells of doing patrols in rice paddies around the Saigon River and, later, around Tay Ninh. Esser mentions having limited contact with Vietnamese civilians and the regular North Vietnamese Army. He talks about normally having good air support and details being wounded by a friendly fire airstrike while taking cover in a bunker. Esser speaks of R&R in the Philippines, volunteering to ride shotgun in supply runs to Saigon, and being in an old French fortress on the Cambodian border during the Tet Offensive. During a cease fire, he states the Viet Cong threw rocks instead of firing weapons. He recalls coming under sniper fire, being told he couldn't get air support because he was over the Cambodian border, and being the last person to run during the retreat. Esser addresses red ants, high casualty rates, and especially difficult combat areas such as "the Purple Crater," "the Fishhook," and the base of the mountain Nui Bai Dinh. He comments on drinking Vietnamese beer while on patrol, his experiences with marijuana, and occasionally having problems with soldiers on guard duty falling asleep under the influence of marijuana. He reflects on problems with his training and the training of officers. Esser talks about his uneventful homecoming, spending five and a half months at Fort Benning (Georgia), being urged by his brother to join the Reserves, and joining the A-26 Ordnance Company. He expresses bitterness at being exploited by the Army and states he joined the Reserves partly to get all he could back from them. Esser touches on being called to active duty in September of 1990 and spending eight months in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He touches on learning to control the memories of his experiences in Vietnam. Esser speaks of joining the VFW in Middleton and the American Legion in Waunakee, but dropping out because he felt looked down on by World War II veterans for losing the war; now that Vietnam era veterans are more numerous in the VFW, he states he has rejoined and is having fun.

Sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 61 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 61 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 27 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center