My name is Douglas G Le Febvre, and I am a Vietnam Veteran.

I served with the U. Army, 334th AHC as a helicopter gunner in Vietnam during 1967 to 1968. The 334AHC was based out of Bien Hoa. However, we flew missions, cover missions, firefly missions all through three\ four corps… We were attached primarily to Fifth Special Forces GRP at DUC HOA, where we participated in clandestine missions on their behalf. We were on three month TDY with them to NKP, Thailand, operating in and out of Laos, North Vietnam. The worst part was constancy of fear of getting shot down, captured, mortared, and ground attacks.

My return home was rather anti climactic, I guess. I stayed in the service with 82nd Airborne Division, with much of the public up roar having passed me by until I retired in 1975. The war changed me, and resulting in an attempted suicide in 1989, I was diagnosed with PTSD in 1990. I later spent 18 months in a VA facility for Alcoholism and PTSD treatment and still go to a VA Outpatient for PTSD.

Dad served in the army during WWII with 82nd Airborne Division and participated in Normandy, Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. He made a career of military and retired in 1975 as a Colonel. My dad only talked about his experiences one time, and for only about two hours. We were attempting to bond, after a long-time alienation. I guess the discussion with him helped, as it seemed to clarify our experiences and bring closure, respectfully to us. Dad had a major stroke shortly following that, and so put our relationship on different track. My brother is a West Point graduate of 1972, and although he did not serve in combat, was part of teams that verified Soviet Missiles, following the SALT talks from 1975 to 1980. He retired as Lt Colonel in 1992.

I spread my musical ability through groups that need a drummer and attend various jam sessions in the Little Rock, Arkansas area, keeping my face and talent in view.
It’s funny that playing helps with many of my “demons.”
~ Douglas G. Le Febvre, Vietnam Veteran and musician

We are very grateful to Douglas 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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