My name is Dave Burt, and I am a Vietnam Veteran.

I served with the 11th Cav from 1968 to 1970. I was a door gunner until November 1969, when I was transferred to I Troop and still part of the 11th Cav. I then became a Track Commander on a ACAV. On January 19, 1970, we were on patrol in the Quan Loi area. We were ambushed, and I was wounded by a RPG and sent to evacuation hospital and later sent home. I was awarded the CIB, Purple Heart, Air Medal with/V and oak leaf and Army commendation Medal.

My return home was not a good one. People would treat me like a killer and said things like, “you should have been killed for the things you did”. There was no welcome home except from family.

My dad served in the Navy right after WW11, and I had a uncle that served in the Army during WW11 and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Dad never spoke of his wartime experiences, but my uncle did a little. He had a very bad drinking problem and died when I was young. I’m guessing that it was from his war experiences. My son served with the USMC and is pictured with me in this photograph.

This is a picture of me at age 19 and fearless at the Blackhorse Base Camp. The other picture shows our makeshift office space inside the helicopter and an article about my transfer to hospital in Yokohama, Japan were I recovered after being injured in Vietnam. I later felt something was missing and became a Deputy Sheriff until retiring in February 2014.

After all these years, I still struggle with nightmares and anger. But I love dogs, as they give me calmness and undying love, which is what I need to help me get through it all. I love this country and would do whatever it takes to defend it.

We have our issues but I still feel we are the Greatest Country.
~Dave Burt, Vietnam Veteran

We wish to thank Dave for his service and for sharing his 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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Vietnam Letters: www.VietnamAndBeyond.com
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