Joseph Eggert

Joseph Eggert served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War, from October 1965 to August 1967, with 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. He was born in Newark, New Jersey on May 19, 1945. None of his previous family members served, and Eggert himself was a lab technician prior to his service. On one fateful day, he received a draft letter for the war in Vietnam, which had already started. Eggert was only nineteen years old. His family was indifferent to his entry into service. He went to Fort Devens, Massachusetts for U.S. Army basic training. Eggert then went to Advanced Infantry Training (AIT), and then Army medical school at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He also returned to Fort Devens for further medical training.

Eggert left for Vietnam from Boston Harbor. He recalled that 2,000 men sailed aboard each ship headed for Vietnam. Upon landing in Vietnam, Eggert’s platoon started to build base camps. He was part of the 8^th Medical Support Battalion, and supported the 196^th Brigade. On only his third day in Vietnam, Vietcong forces relentlessly mortared Eggert’s group. Eggert and his fellow soldiers were attempting to set up hospital tents for wounded soldiers when they were suddenly attacked. He remembered the incident as a “terrifying experience.” His group was also unable to finish building. Eggert spent the following six months treating war casualties. He found it gratifying to be able to assist such victims.

In November 1966, Eggert had another “terrifying experience”: the Vietcong again mortared his group, destroying the Americans’ hospitals and helicopters with pinpoint accuracy. In December, Eggert rode via chopper to the 9^th Infantry to replace killed medics. He recounted that the soldiers of the platoon were “tough guys” and admirable soldiers. During battle, Eggert was ordered to resupply soldiers’ ammunition. During a firefight, one of his lieutenants was hit, but survived. Eggert believed that one cannot show emotion or cowardice, as soldiers rely on you for their life. “In the Army as a medic, you can’t turn your back, you do what you gotta do.”

Eggert also recalled another moment in which he became stuck in mud while pursuing enemy troops through thick jungle. Fortunately, he was rescued, and a U.S. airstrike warded off the opposing combatants. Eggert also participated in nighttime ambush patrols. His group was permitted to shoot any moving figures that resembled enemies, which Eggert described as essentially a “license to kill.”

Eggert was awarded a Purple Heart Medal, as he contracted tinnitus from being close to machine gun fire. When his tour in Vietnam ended, he did not receive a proper welcome home. When Eggert returned to college, a professor berated him for his service! Due to the risk of being criticized and humiliated by others, Eggert related that returning soldiers never talked about their experience in Vietnam. The war was very unpopular, and many Americans did not support veterans. Eggert himself did not speak about his experiences for thirty years, nor did he wear any commemorative hats or patches.

Eventually, Eggert began wearing hats to identify with other veterans in public. He also joined a veterans group and has kept in touch with others. They like to occasionally grab food and coffee, and Eggert has found solace when speaking about his experiences with them. He has, however, admitted that reminiscing about the war occasionally chokes him up.

Eggert has also spoken at public schools to students about his service. After the military, he became a scientific researcher and real estate agent. He believed that the prosecution of the Vietnam War was flawed, and that he was drafted into a very unfair system. Despite this, Eggert tries to remember the positive parts of his experience, and ultimately feels that it was very gratifying.