Embedded Files
Vietnam War Veteran
Interviewed by:
Izzy Nobili and Abby Qvarnstrom
1966
2017
"...you train with people, you become very close to them, and you live a different life
than you do as a civilian."
~ Al Maurais (41:25)
Name:
Alton Leonard Maurais
Date of Birth:
1937
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army
Dates of Service:
March 1966- April 1967
Location of Military Service:
An Khê, Vietnam
Residence at Time of Interview:
Eastham, MA
Alton Maurais' Story:
Alton Leonard Maurais is a veteran of the Vietnam War and a former member of the United States National Guard. His dedication to his country led him to become the man that he is today, and he would not be the same without it.
Al was born in 1937 as the middle of five children born to Albert and Fedora Maurais. Growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, he loved to play sports and had a growing fascination for automobiles. He graduated from Commerce High School and worked as a truck driver before he was drafted into the military at the age of nineteen.
In 1957, during a time of peace, Al was stationed in Germany as an auto mechanic, tank mechanic, and a vehicle inspector. While in Germany, he met and married his wife. His service here lasted until 1960.
Following his time in Germany, there was a five year break in Al’s service in which he trained to become a helicopter pilot. First, he went to basic training, then flight school in Texas. Finally, Al and other trainees went to Alabama to learn to fly more advanced helicopters that would be used in the war.
When his training was complete, Al enlisted to enter the army in Vietnam. He was stationed in An Khe, Vietnam and served from March 1966 to April 1967 as a helicopter pilot in the First Cavalry Division. His service consisted of daily missions, where he and fellow pilots secured the enemy territory and worked hard to protect the soldiers on the ground.
After his year of service in Vietnam was complete, Al spent two more years in Germany before he was faced with the choice of re-enlisting or ending his service. He made the decision to end his service and return home to his wife and twelve-year-old daughter.
Several months after returning home, Al joined the United States National Guard. During this time, he flew as a helicopter pilot alongside several other Vietnam and World War II veterans. He was sent on peacekeeping missions in Central America and states in need.
After his work in the National Guard, Al used his G.I. Bill to attend Worcester State College (now Worcester State University). Here, he trained as a secondary science teacher, but never pursued this career and instead moved on to fly helicopters commercially. He now resides in Eastham, Massachusetts.
Al Maurais alongside fellow helicopter pilots during his service in the U.S. National Guard. To the right of Mr. Maurais (depicted by arrow) stands a Two-Star General of the Rhode Island National Guard, then a crew chief, and to the far right an airline pilot.
Al Maurais stands beside the helicopter he flew during his service in the U.S. National Guard. The model is an OH-6, or a Hughes 500 in the civilian version. This helicopter is a light, single-motored aircraft used for personnel transport, observation, and escort and attack missions.
The first time Al Maurais served, he inspected vehicles as a mechanic.
Al Maurais flying an OH-6 during his service in the First Cavalry Division of the Vietnam War.
Al Maurais sits in a pilot's chair that was removed from a helicopter.
On the left is armor that protects the pilot during combat.
A helicopter stationed at an airport to be refueled.
This was the first helicopter on which Al Maurais trained.
Two Sikorsky helicopters beginning to land.
Al Maurais flew the Sikorsky helicopter early in his service.
Al Maurais flew this helicopter as a civilian (after his services in the military and the National Guard).
The model of the aircraft is a Jet Ranger.
A Cobra helicopter.
Although Al Maurais did not fly this helicopter, the aircraft is a modified version of one he had flown.
This excerpt describes the mission of the First Cavalry Division.
Al Maurais served as a member of the Air Assault Division during his service in the Vietnam War from 1966-1967.
Al Maurais received a Bronze Star Medal for his service in the Vietnam War.
The medal is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement in service.
An Khe, Vietnam was where Al Maurais spent most of his service during the Vietnam War.
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