“Everywhere in Vietnam was enemy territory. It was like living with terrorists.”

Robert Edward Bendl, Jr.

Robert Bendl, Jr., Vietnam War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Branch: Army Unit: Headquarters Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division Service Location: Pleiku, South Vietnam Rank: Specialist Five Place of Birth: VA

The son of a career military man, Robert Bendl had no illusions about the rigors of military life when he enlisted at the age of 18. He understood just what it took to get through basic training without calling too much attention to himself. But nothing could prepare him for Vietnam. As a helicopter crew chief, Bendl was constantly on the move, carrying out all kinds of missions. He became acutely attuned to the dangers that lay in any situation anywhere at any time.