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"... then you just become immune. Things that happen, you just deal with it, whatever happens." (Video interview, 39:05)

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   Walter James Dexter
Image of Walter James Dexter
Walter Dexter in uniform posing next to a machine gun [1968]
War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Branch: Army
Unit: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Service Location: Pleiku, Vietnam
Rank: E-4
Place of Birth: OH
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In 1966, Walter James Dexter was a 17-year-old high school dropout looking for a fresh start and to escape a difficult family situation. Enlisting in the Army, he had no idea what to expect. Basic training, and then service in a combat battalion in Vietnam, came as a shock. Slowly he adjusted to the close calls and extreme conditions that made up life in the jungle as a member of a platoon. Eventually, he became so acclimated to the routine of search and destroy missions and combat assaults that he chose to serve a second tour in Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division.

Interview (Video)
»Interview Highlights  (6 clips)
»Complete Interview  (86 min.)
»Transcript
  Photos
»Photo Album (21 photos)
More like this
»Vietnam War: Looking Back, Part 3
 Video (Interview Excerpts) (6 items)
No political agenda when he joined the military; didn’t have much knowledge of the political situation in Vietnam. (00:54) Being nicknamed “Cherry” because he was new; yearning to see action so that he could get rid of the nickname. (00:39) Perspective he gained from enduring poor conditions in the field. (01:14)
Close call during firefight; acquiring a bullet hole in his helmet. (03:17) Witnessing a booby trap casualty. (01:57) Transfer to Germany; having a hard time adjusting there; going back to Vietnam for a second tour. (04:29)
  
 
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  October 26, 2011
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