Vietnam War Veteran
Byron Fulcher
Interviewed by:
Sam Carpenter and Christian Chung
1970
(At the time, he was not aware he was being photographed.)
2016
"Unfortunately, you don't win the war by the book."
~ Byron Fulcher (23:46)
Name:
Byron Fulcher
Date of Birth:
November 25th 1948
Branch of Service:
The 101st Airborne Army
Dates of Service:
February 1968 - December 1970
Location of Military Service:
Vietnam
Residence at Time of Interview:
Harwich, MA
Byron Fulcher's Story:
Bryon Fulcher grew up in Hyannis, Massachusetts, where he fondly recalls the carefree life he had, playing in the railroad tracks and pretending to rob trains as the made-up “Hole in One” gang. On the nearby farm his grandmother owned, he’d often ride horses, and from spring through summer there was plenty of fruit and berries growing throughout the property to eat.
Just after graduating high school, he was drafted into the Vietnam War, starting in the 101st Airborne Army with a rank as an E-3, also called a Private First Class. Soon upon his landing to Cam Ranh Bay, the Viet Cong fired with mortars, forcing everyone to abandon the plane they were on towards cover. He was taught field stripping weapons, which is taking apart, cleaning, and reassembling guns. They also learned how to use grenades, and hand-to-hand combat.
Most of his work in this period was assisting in building structures such as helicopter runways. At one point, he helped lay down some of the 15,000 sandbags in each of five bunkers, which heavily reduced damage from firefights and bombings. During this, his rank was E-5, also known as a Sergeant, and he worked as a filler position for hydraulics, which he found very boring. Luckily, he was quickly reassigned to security as a non-commissioned officer, which put him in charge of the defensive perimeter; including duties such as managing fougasse, a napalm-like jelly which was combined with phosphorus grenades and claymore mines to create a sticky, ignited gel blast.
Over the course of three tours, Mr. Fulcher was in Vietnam from February 1968 to December 1970. As was the case with many other veterans, he was treated very poorly back in the United States, which was a deciding factor in re-enlisting. The later tours were the most intense and dangerous, seeing more direct conflicts and a near-lethal friendly fire incident. Once he finished his third and final tour, he went home for good, deciding enough was enough. After five years home, he completely quit drinking after a bar brawl got him arrested, and has since done various odd jobs, especially working in construction on houses and working with the town of Orleans, particularly the elementary school, for 19 years.
Mr. Fulcher's medals.
The small rectangles of cloth above each medal are to be attached to a uniform. The small rectangles in the middle of the display are ribbons that represent his medals so that they are easier to attach to a uniform if a soldier earns multiple medals.
101st Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge
This badge identifies a member of the 101st Airborne Army. Mr. Fulcher's last name is displayed above his badge.
The Bronze Star Medal, informally known as the Bronze Star, is awarded to soldiers for heroic achievement or service, or meritorious achievement or service.
The Army Commendation Medal recognizes a distinguishing act of heroism, achievement, or merit which has been of service both to the United States and a friendly nation.
The Vietnam Service Medal was established by President Lyndon B. Johnston and awarded to all veterans of the Vietnam War in order to signify their great service to our country.
The National Defense Service Medal is the oldest service medal still in use by the Armed Forces. It signifies someone who served honorably during a designated time period during which a national emergency had been declared due to a war or conflict.
China Beach
In his interview, Mr. Fulcher talks about his leave of absence to China Beach, Vietnam.
China Beach was the go-to getaway for soldiers in the Vietnam War. The beach was used as a place that was near enough to the war that soldiers could return quickly, but far away enough that it was a different, safer setting. When serving in a war, soldiers didn't need their vacations to be luxurious or fancy- they just wanted to go somewhere else, somewhere where there wasn't a war, people weren't in uniforms, and it was like being back at home. China Beach served as that somewhere else- the war wasn't located near enough to the beach to disturb soldiers, and the only people in uniforms were the security guards.
The main goal of the beach was to make soldiers feel like they were back at home for the three days that they were allotted there- in the interview, Mr. Fulcher specifically recalls eating real hamburgers that tasted exactly like the ones he had in America. There were nightclubs nearby for relaxing, coastlines to lay on, and all the comforts of home. The base was controlled by the U.S. Air Force, so it was a very authentic American experience for homesick soldiers.
China Beach as it looks today.
A picture of China Beach during the war.
A picture of Cam Ranh Bay during the Vietnam War.
The original image with Mr. Fulcher returning from his first tour. He is seated in the first seat on the left of the third row.
A map of Vietnam showing