My name is James Alford Petty, and I am a Vietnam Veteran.

I was drafted right out of high school and served with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 as a SGT-E5. I was a Squad Leader, based out of Fort Hood Armored Corps in Texas and was stationed in Củ Chi, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. At 18 years old, I was drafted for war and I am the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals..

My 3 Uncles served in World War II, Otis Petty, Emmitt Petty and Ray Petty. My father, George Petty Jr. couldn’t serve because of a previous leg injury, but Daddy was always so supportive of us all. My uncles never spoke a word to me about their time in the war. Maybe I was too young or perhaps they just didn’t mention it. But I know my uncle’s spoke of war with my dad. He was their rock.

All the casualties were by far the worst thing I have ever seen and/or been a part of in my entire life. It is hard to even go there in my mind. The climate was really hard on us and the lack of support from our country, well it was just disappointing and confusing. We worked so hard day after day and the days were very long and exhausting. My greatest fear was that I might never see my family again, or that I might break my promise to my mother that I would come back home alive. My mother was the strongest woman I have ever known but when I got drafted, she fell apart until the day I returned home. I carried Momma to war, she was in my heart and soul and always right there reminding me to come back home alive.

The reception back home with my family was amazing. They wanted to know everything. But I couldn’t talk about it… I didn’t want to. But on the other hand, it felt like the media and public wanted to “shame me” for what I was required, by our government to do. I felt and still sometimes feel forgotten. I am still adjusting in many ways. That’s just how it is. It’s hard to explain. I love watching war movies because I can relate to them yet there are many times I can’t watch them, simply because “I can relate to them.” The movie scenes can often times be very overwhelming for me though.

I am currently retired. When I returned home from war, I was a little lost but eventually I became a Baptist Minister and I have worked in the church for most of my life. In addition, I have also worked with Hospice through out the years. I feel extremely proud of myself and honored that I stood shoulder to shoulder with my military brothers.

They had been where I had been and they done what I had done.
~ Buddy Petty, Vietnam Veteran

We are grateful to Buddy for sharing his service and story with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper where we are all connected.

My Passion Is Sharing Veteran Stories: jennylasala.com/

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