KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A short clip featured in the recent on-air tribute to a veteran CBS News journalist prompted a veteran of the war in Vietnam to pick up the phone and call WBIR-TV.
“I wanted the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, particularly the 3/21 infantry to be recognized for at least, something,” said William Phillips.
In the summer of 1972, that soldier was among the last combat troops pulled out of the jungle in Vietnam. In the weeks leading up to the historic evacuation, fellow soldiers died in the waning days of the war or saw their lives forever changed by the loss of limbs from enemy explosives in their last few patrols.
“You think more about it in your later years than you do at the time it was happening,” said Phillips.
He is now 73 years old and received his draft notice for the war the day before his 19th birthday.
“Anybody says they were in combat and weren’t scared is either lying or they were there,” said Phillips. “It was the infantrymen taking care of each other and trying to help each other survive — that was the bottom line.”
In addition to our on-camera interview, Mr. Phillips took time to answer 10 questions about the influence his military service had on the rest of his life. Those questions are available below.
1.What one person influenced you most in life?
My English professor at university of Kentucky told me my writing had substance and had meaning and content compared to other students - which I wrote mainly of my military experiences and war - and led my to be writer later in my life as a contributor for American Whitewater magazine and 2004 first place in United States for memoirs for PenAmerica awards.
2. Do you feel honored and respected for serving your country?
At times yes and at times no!
3. How can people thank you for your service?
To support organizations such as wounded warrior project and tell their political representatives to provide the funding needed for veterans, especially war Vets. Look out for their veteran neighbors and provide a little extra care to them.
4. How do you honor your fellow servicemen and women?
By doing this "service and sacrifice" segment/story I hope to let people in East Tennessee know a little about the history and sacrifice of the 196th light Infantry Brigade, 3rd battalion 21st Infantry, Task force Gimlet, because they are the ones this segment/story is really about. I also have worked with Team River Runner which takes veterans of all wars and service, and their families out on whitewater rivers here in East Tennessee and West North Carolina.
5. How do you think this generation of service men and women is different or similar to yours?
No significant difference really other than the draft of the 1960's and early 70's. Unfortunately, it is still the lower to mid income men and women than join the military and do the fighting, dying, and crying for our country.
6. What influence did your military service have on the rest of your life?
It provided me discipline and a solid work ethic and also the GI bill later provided me a college degree at the University of Kentucky.
7. Does your family have a history of military service?
My father was in the Army Air Corp in Africa and later in Southern Europe early in WW2. Took part in Anzio beachhead invasion I'm Italy where they asked if they had Infantry experience and if they answered "no", they were told "well, your Infantry today"!
8. Would you encourage your son, daughter or other younger generations in your family to join the service?
Yes
9. How has your opinion of war changed?
My opinion of war actually changed during the Vietnam War and I learnt that war should be a last option for any country. That is one reason I respected George H. W. Bush a great deal because as our last WW2 veteran President I think he understood that. Today, and since 2000 our country jumps into wars too quickly without regard to how it affects the young military men and women who go to those wars!
10. How did your military experience shape your faith?
I believe that there has to be something greater to believe in than our human existence. I remember one night while receiving artillery covering up with an Army poncho to try to keep the hot shrapnel from burning us too much and seriously praying to our God not to die!