My name is Jack McCabe.

I joined the U.S. Army 2 days after I turned 18 in December 1969. I went active in January 1970 and was discharged 3 years later on 15 January 1973.
I was trained as a 35L20, Avionics Communications Repair. But I really only did that for about 3 months. Then I served as a fill in door gunner, truck driver and in supply. I served in Avel Central, Phu Loi from 1970 to 1972 and with the 388th Trans. Co., in Vung Tau during 1972.

My father was drafted into the Army in 1941 at the age of 26, before Pearl Harbor was attacked in World War 2. He was drafted for 1 year but because of the war he wasn’t discharged until 1946. He served for over 2 years in the Pacific. My older brother served in Vietnam with the Marines from 1969 to 1970. My brother came home a couple months before I went over. Dad rarely spoke of the war and just talked in generalities or humorous anecdotes. As he got older though, he spoke more about his wartime experience. When he developed dementia, he would rarely speak but once in a while he would look at me with a wild look in his eyes and tell me that we had to check the lines, the “Japs” were coming.

In my family college was not an option. You either went to work or joined the service. When I graduated from High School I worked in a factory and hated it so two days after I turned 18, I joined the Army. A month later I was on my way. I was very apprehensive when I arrived in country like everyone else. But, you get used to it and learned not to be afraid or worried until there was something to really worry about. This has helped me throughout my life. I don’t fret about things that could happen. The worst part of the war for me was the realization that it was all a waste. The death, pain and suffering. The politicians sold us out and the American people treated us poorly and turned their back on us. I watched Saigon fall on black and white TV. That was the ultimate worst day.

I came home an angry young man. I can’t say exactly why or when it started. It just seemed to build up over time. I didn’t realize how angry I was. My anger just simmered for years and years. I tried to get past it but it stayed. I had a couple explosive and angry outbursts after my unit’s Reunion at The Wall in 2012. It was time to seek help. I went to the VA and saw a psychologist. He asked me why I was there. I said “I have been pissed off for the last 40 years and I don’t want to go into the ground pissed off” I am still dealing with those issues. The pictures are of me in Basic Training February 1970. I was 18 years old. The other photo was taken while visiting my friend Joe Kaminski in New York during 1975. He died in 2011 from Agent Orange, may he rest in peace. We have about 30% of the Vietnam Veterans from my unit suffering from Agent Orange issues while many more have died since their tour. The average age of those that have died is 55.

I came home twice. The first time was in 1971. I flew into Travis Air Force Base and then a bus to Oakland Airport. There were protesters outside the gate. They had signs and spit at us and called us baby killers. I flew home and met my family. I felt like I was in another world. I never felt comfortable at home. I turned 20 while at home on leave. I couldn’t get a beer in a bar. I was kicked out of bars even though they knew I was just home from Vietnam. I went back to Vietnam and felt more at home than I did in Chicago. When I came home the second time I was in a bunker the night before I left. I flew home on Air Force cargo planes and it took 3 days to get home. We blew an engine over the Pacific. I thought “I am going to die here over the Pacific after all I have been through”. But the fire was put out and we landed in Hawaii. I had to get on another flight. It took me 3 days to get home.

Upon arrival in the U.S. the airlines requested we did not travel in uniform. That was like a slap in the face. No one in my family knew exactly when I was coming home. I arrived in Chicago and phoned my parents – no one was home. Phoned my brother – no one was home. I took a cab home and broke into my own house. Welcome home.

Today I am a Realtor and slowly working towards retirement. I am a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and USAA and work with buyers from USAA and Navy Federal. I enjoy working with veterans.

My avionics unit website is www.avelvietnam.com It has helped relieve some of the anger to express the way we were treated when we came home. I am writing a book about the coming home and readjustment experiences of Vietnam veterans and look forward to interviewing those who wish to contact me by email @ jmccabe51@gmail.com or calling me @ 847-778-3473.

I would love to interview you.
~ Jack McCabe, Vietnam Veteran

We are very grateful to Jack for sharing his personal story with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper, where we are all connected.

God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

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