At Town Village of Leawood, seniors can stay independent and age in place through retirement living. We appreciate residents who stay social and share stories from their past.
Hear From Independent Living Resident Smith D.
One such resident enjoying independent living in Leawood, Kansas is a brave veteran, Mr. Smith D., who recounts the Battle of Xa Cam My. This event during the Vietnam War inspired the 2020 film The Last Full Measure.
Watch Smith’s interview about his experience in Vietnam.
“I joined the Army because I lived in a little place called Stark, Florida… Population: 5000,” recalls Smith. “In 1957, when I graduated from high school, I knew there wasn’t much to do in Stark. I was 17, didn’t know what to do, so I went down to the local recruiting station and joined the Army.”
Six months later, an 18-year-old Smith was in Paris, France as a military policeman. In 1964, at a Nike missile site outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Smith’s platoon leader put a bug in his ear to try out to become an officer for Vietnam. Smith went to OCS and graduated in March 1965 as the second Lieutenant infantry.
In January 1966, Smith was sent to Vietnam for a year for his first tour. His second tour was during 1968-1969.
As a second Lieutenant rifle platoon leader in 1966, he was sent out to locate a North Vietnamese battalion of about 600 North Vietnamese infantrymen. With only 137 in Smith’s troop, terror struck when they did find the battalion. No one could reach Smith’s troop for 18 hours, and they were surrounded. The casualties were 80 percent: 60 were killed and 60 were wounded. It was designated as one of the most horrific small unit battles in the Vietnam War.
The Last Full Measure came out in 2020 depicting this war. An Air Force pararescueman, William H. Pitsenbarger, parachuted down to assist the soldiers, saving many, but unfortunately was killed hours later. The film revolves around the troop and their efforts to award Mr. William the Medal of Honor.
During Smith’s second tour, he was a Captain working on operations in the jungles of Vietnam. When asked about how it felt to be in such a circumstance and what kept him going, Smith simply said, “It’s just adrenaline when things happen. I was shot twice that one day, and the first time it was in the leg, and I swear I didn’t even know it happened for a while.”
He adds: “It’s just adrenaline, it’s self-preservation, it’s self-preservation of your people that you’re responsible for. You keep going to keep alive and keep your troops alive.”
“It’s just adrenaline, it’s self-preservation, it’s self-preservation of your people that you’re responsible for.”
The mental fortitude to be a Vietnam War soldier was felt on and off the field. With the protests in America against the Vietnam War, the soldiers who served were not always appreciated. His fellow brothers and soldiers, however, helped immensely because they could relate to each other and recount their experiences together.
Learn More About How We Honor Our Residents With Independent Living in Leawood, Kansas
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