An American Warriors production
Duration: Approximately 17 minutes and 58 seconds
In today's lesson, we will be examining the experiences and reflections of Lyle Hicks, a Vietnam War Navy veteran who served on the USS Durham. Through a comprehensive interview, Hicks provides valuable insights into his decision to join the Navy, the technical aspects of his duties as a quartermaster, and the emotional challenges he faced while evacuating refugees during the war. Furthermore, we will explore Hicks' struggles with PTSD and the healing he found by connecting with other veterans, as well as his thoughts on the sinking of the USS Durham. By engaging in a group discussion, we will analyze the complexities of serving in the military during the Vietnam War and the lasting impact of war on veterans.
The following is a comprehensive interview with Lyle Hicks, a Vietnam War Navy veteran who served on the USS Durham. Hicks shares his experiences and reflections on his time in the Navy, including his decision to join, his duties as a quartermaster, and his involvement in evacuating refugees during the war.
Hicks' journey to the Navy began when he was a young man from a small town in Oregon. He joined the Navy with the intention of seeing more of the world and learning new skills. He found his calling as a quartermaster, a position that allowed him to use his math skills to navigate the ship and ensure its safe passage. Throughout the interview, Hicks provides detailed descriptions of the technical aspects of navigation, including the use of a sextant and how to compute the ship's position using the stars.
Hicks also shares his experiences evacuating refugees in Vietnam, which was one of the most difficult and emotional times for him during his time in the Navy. He remembers the panic and fear he saw in the refugees' eyes and the challenges of trying to feed and organize so many people. He also reflects on the tragic fate of many of the refugees he helped evacuate and how this impacted him deeply.
The interview also delves into Hicks' struggles with PTSD and how he found healing through connecting with other veterans. Hicks initially struggled with PTSD in silence, feeling like he couldn't talk about his experiences with others. However, he eventually sought help and found support through the "band of brothers," a group of veterans who he connected with and who helped him heal.
Aside from the emotional aspects of his experiences, the interview also includes Hicks' thoughts on the sinking of his former ship, the Durham. Hicks shares his sadness and disappointment that the ship was sunk and used as a target, and how this impacted him as someone who had spent so much time on the ship.
Overall, this Notion document provides a powerful and personal account of one veteran's experiences in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Hicks' willingness to share his story and reflections on his time in the Navy provide valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of serving in the military during this time. It also sheds light on the lasting impact of war and how veterans continue to struggle with its effects long after their service has ended.
Lyle Hicks' decision to join the Navy: a. What factors influenced his decision to join the Navy? b. How do personal motivations for joining the military vary among individual
Duties and skills of a quartermaster: a. Discuss the importance of a quartermaster's role on a ship. b. How have navigation techniques evolved since the Vietnam War era?
Evacuating refugees in Vietnam: a. What challenges did Hicks and his crew face during the evacuation process? b. How might these experiences have impacted the crew both during and after the war?