Vietnam War Veteran
Tom Kline
Interviewed by:
Makayla Hutchinson and Ashley Rose
Tom Kline, 1965
Tom Kline, 2017
"I always thought code, duty, honor, and country was something that we should live by as a nation.
And I would put before that family, nothing is more important than family"
~ Tom Kline (28:47)
Name:
Tom Kline
Date of Birth:
1943
Branch of Service:
Army
Dates of Service:
1965 - 1967
(2.5 years of active duty
and 4-5 years of reserves)
Location of Military Service: Vietnam
Residence at Time of Interview:
Eastham, Massachusetts
Tom Kline's Story:
Tom Kline, a United States Veteran, lives in Eastham, Massachusetts. He grew up in Quincy, MA on the South Shore, and participated in track/field, basketball and football. Along with the influence of his father, who had been part of the U.S. Navy, and the drive to serve his country he enlisted in the military. During his time of service, Kline was stationed in Fort Sill Oklahoma, Fort Hood Texas, Fort Deven's Massachusetts before finally serving in Vietnam. Kline was a platoon leader and military police officer. He worked on town patrol, enforcement of military law and criminal investigation. Being one of the first 10,000 troops to go to Vietnam, one of his first assignments was to build shelter for the many troops coming to Vietnam after him and preparing for the war. Although he and his fellow troops did not experience as much violence and fighting as other soldiers who were deployed later in the war, he still saw the inhumane and horrible actions of war, that changed his perspective forever.
Vietnam weapons used in war.
U.S. sleeping area in Vietnam.
View of Vietnam with U.S. troops and dogs.
The rule book given to servicemen going into war with a foreign country.
Vietnamese prisoners of war.
Captured Vietnamese weapons of war.