“The events presently unfolding right now bring us many new circumstances that we as veterans will need to deal with,” U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran Richard Crosley said.
“As I watch things reported in the news, it all reminds me that it’s like Vietnam all over again. My deepest compassion and respect go to all the men and women who have or that are currently wearing the uniform of our great nation. Your service and sacrifices matter!
“Especially to all who served in uniform these past 20 years, our generation of veterans will proudly stand by you. Regardless of what you may see happening, we know you made a difference, and our country is better today because of your service. Stay strong.”
That said, Crosley encourages veterans to join the many veterans organizations in the area.
“You will be welcomed,” he said. “We have much common interest to share – we all took the same oath.”
Shortly after graduating high school in Corning, Arkansas, and then moving away to college in Springfield, Missouri, a draft notice showed up with Crosley’s name on it.
Consequently, he wasted no time getting to the St. Louis, Missouri, recruiting office and volunteering to join the Air Force in May of 1966.
Once enlisted, he was sent to Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas instead of Lackland Air Force Base due to a hepatitis outbreak.
After basic training, he was assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and then to a Temporary Duty Assignment at Travis Air Force Base, California, to prepare him for his overseas tour in the Republic of Vietnam at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
“During the flight over, there was a solemn attitude – everyone seemed to be somber with a sense of apprehension throughout the flight,” Crosley recalled. “There was not much laughing or joking going on at all. Upon arrival in Vietnam, this began a period which I regard as the most remembered part of my life.”
February 7, 1969, Crosley stepped foot on Vietnam soil and began his assignment with the 377 Security Police Squadron. The squadron was responsible for the overall internal base security.
At that time, the base was known as the busiest airport in the world, he said, which resulted in a constant exhaust fume-smelling air on top of an already foul-smelling odor.
“There was no special welcoming group or a ‘hello there’ when you first arrived in the country,” he said despite his “crisp, dark green fatigues and new, black, polished boots” making it easy to identify him as a new guy, or FNG, which is an explicit nickname.
On his first day there, he quickly learned his first job was to fill sandbags and fix a section of the perimeter bunker that had recently been destroyed by a rocket attack.
“Guess you could say this was the FNG Welcome Initiation, which lasted about a week,” he said.
Since the country has a “monsoon season,” it rained constantly.
“We were always soaked either wearing a poncho or not,” he said. “My boots were always full of water. Had two pairs, and you would wear one pair and try to dry out the other pair in the barracks.”
Although there were plenty of unpleasant situations, the one that surpassed others was at 2:41 a.m., December 19, 1969, when the base came under a rocket attack.
“We were shelled by 122 mm communist rockets,” he recalled. “We suffered five casualties. This happened near the end of my tour of duty and departure date.”
Due to situations like this, along with others, leaving the country was bittersweet.
“Reaching the end of tour date was a time I always wanted to come, so I could leave for home, some with mixed feelings of what this day would be like but was still excited with apprehension,” Crosley said. “I was ready to be back home to the ‘world’ with my family and friends again.
“In the back of my mind, I was still concerned about leaving behind the people who became my family and those who we all looked out after each other and trusted with our lives.”
Crosley was honorably discharged February 7, 1970, as a Staff Sergeant and received many awards for his dedication to this country: Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Cluster, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon/Medal, Vietnam Defense Commendation Medal (issued by the Republic of Vietnam), Outstanding Unit Citation with “V” Device and Expert Marksmanship.
Crosley recalls the day he left the foreign country and a big applause having made its way throughout the cabin as the plane became airborne.
On the other hand, “arriving, exiting the plane, and entering the airport at San Francisco was not good,” Crosley said remembering the harsh words and insulting gestures the civilians displayed.
Due to the negativity surrounding the military from those on the outside at that time, he chose not to disclose his background to others.
“I became withdrawn and did not talk about this during social contacts,” he said.
Today, he is a proud commander of the American Legion Post 248 and a member of the VFW Post 6570, DAV Chapter 28, AMVETS Post 88 and North Georgia Honor Guard.
In addition, Crosley serves as the organizations’ main scheduler and coordinator.
Anyone interested in joining any of these organizations may reach out to veteran Ray Arthur at fanninveterans@yahoo.com.