CENTER FOR U.S. WAR
VETERANS' ORAL HISTORIES
Vietnam War
Vincent Vitolo
Vietnam War Oral History Interview
US Army, 9th Infantry Div. / 2nd Armored Div.
Date: May 2, 2014
Interviewer: Carol Fowler
Summarizer: Isabella Teutonico
Veterans History Project
Summary
Vincent Vitolo served in the US Army in the Vietnam War from November 1967 to April 1970 and achieved the rank of Specialist 4. He was raised in a patriotic household and felt he owed something to his country. Vitolo quoted President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” Vitolo had worked on Wall Street and was upset to be taken away from his life at that time due to him facing an unpredictable future. Yet he felt that he owed his country something and serving was a part of that. Vitolo enlisted in the Army following in the footsteps of his father, who had not spoken much about his experiences serving in World War II. The elder Vitolo did have advice for his son. He said to join the Navy or the Air Force: “At least you will be clean; sleep on clean sheets, get good food.” He also advised him: “Get the best training possible to help you stay alive.”
Vitolo served as a Machine Gunner, Scout, and Light Weapons Specialist. His classification as a Rifleman and service units were 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division 1968- ‘69, as well as 2nd Armored Division at Ft. Hood 1969- ‘70. His locations throughout his Army years were Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Oakland, California; Bearcat Base Camp, Vietnam; Dong Tam Base Camp, Vietnam; Fire Support Base Moore, Vietnam; and Fort Hood, Texas. While at Fort Jackson for 3 months, he attended boot camp training, then Advanced Infantry Training to learn about weapons. Vitolo got leave to go home for 21 days before being sent to Oakland California and then to Vietnam.
Vitolo shared how nerve wracking it was to be the new guy; he had to prove himself with the other troops to gain trust through his competence as a soldier in Vietnam. He was fortunate to have a good officer when he first arrived, Sergeant Smith, who took him under his wing. Vitolo was assigned the Point man position – he went ahead of his unit and looked for signs of any possible enemy ambush. The first couple of months were rather quiet. He did earn the nickname “Twinkle Toes” after slipping off a small narrow plank during a river crossing.
Vitolo went into detail about what it was like having first contact with the enemy, at My Tho, and the first time they lost friends. His squad was hit by a heavy explosion. He recalled being lifted off of the ground and not being able to see or to hear anything. Vitolo looked around at his injured and was amazed that he was in one piece. Immediately he began helping others, as their medic was one of the casualties. His sergeant had lost both legs! Two men in their unit were deceased. Vitolo told stories of all of the connections he made in Vietnam, and how many were cut short when they came in contact with the enemy. Anyone who tried to help them was killed. 7
War does something irreversible to you.
During a Sweep mission, Vitolo and his fellow soldiers spotted two enemy bunkers. His friend Robert Buckley of Massapequa, Long Island, NY, “Buck”, was supposed to go to the bunker on the left, and Vitolo to the one on the right. At the last minute, Buck ran the opposite way toward the right-side bunker. Three shots were fired. Buck did not answer Vitolo’s call. He had been shot and killed. Vitolo expressed guilty feelings as having survived that day. He wrote a letter from Vietnam to Buck’s mother that he brought to this interview and read aloud. In it, Vitolo expressed how sorry he was and how affected the unit soldiers were by Buck’s passing. What Buck meant to Vitolo, and how he wanted to meet with the family to explain and share his condolences. But there was no answer, and so Vitolo never met with them after getting home.
Vitolo wished that he had not gone to Vietnam because it changed him. There is a sadness that is always felt. He had friends there and he recalled his memories with them. In the beginning, Vitolo was unsure if he would make it home. But he came to trust what he was doing and had more hope that he would make it back. Vitolo learned not to follow blindly behind those who were above him. He questioned the leadership without regrets, as that is what kept him alive, he believed. “Trust your instincts.”
Upon arrival back in the States, Vitolo was given the news that his travel records were lost, and there were no funds for his trip home! He had to reach out to his parents to send him money to purchase his own flight. Once Vitolo landed, he was denied multiple cabs since they did not want to drive to Brooklyn. A businessman intervened at the last cab and insisted the returning soldier from Vietnam be driven home. Vitolo had to walk the last 8 blocks home since he only had $10.00 left. Another veteran saw him walking and was the first to say, “Welcome home.” The family home was decorated with a banner and Vitolo walked through the door at 6:30 in the morning.
Vitolo felt very lucky that he possessed common sense, and when he felt himself becoming attracted to things like alcohol he got away from it and focused on his health. He went to school for Medical Technology but did better working for the MTA in New York City. All was good for him until September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, which was one block away from his location. Vitolo found himself traumatized not unlike what he had endured in Vietnam. Luckily he was able to get the help he needed and deserved as a veteran. Vitolo joined a veteran’s group but then took a volunteer job instead. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke yet was able to recover his health back well.
Battle is a psychological war.
Now as a veteran, Vitolo has limited hearing in one ear and also suffers from PTSD. At the time of this interview, he discussed his visits to Vietnam War Memorials and the chance to talk with fellow veterans there. Vitolo has met many other veterans through wearing his Vietnam Veteran cap. He has used social media on Association pages, looking to hear back from others in his unit since he is unsure of who is still alive. Vitolo has only ever run into one man who he served with, and they recognized each other! The oral history interview was the most that he had ever spoken about his Vietnam War experiences. Vitolo expressed that he felt good to speak about them. He shared that he hoped there is another generation to fight, and that those who watch his interview will give those fighting for our country as much support as possible and to make them feel appreciated.
Among Vincent Vitolo’s service medals awarded to him are the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Sharpshooter (Rifle).
