My name is Danielle Redden, the following is my interview with Mr. Christensen, who is a Vietnam Veteran.

Where and when were you born? What was it like growing up during that time?

“I was a war baby, everything was rationed when I was growing up. I always listened to Elvis all the time.”

Where were you and when were you drafted? How old were you? What were you doing? How did you feel about it? Did you try to avoid it?

“I was in school when I was drafted” “It was kind of a shock.”

How old were you when you entered the war? What did you feel before going into the war? Were you scared? What were some challenges when training for military?

“1969, January 20th. I was concerned. I mostly just worked in the engineering part. I trained in OCS. They trained me to build things.”

How did you decided to be an army engineer?

“They gave me an option, become an engineer officer, and it just became a thing for me.”

What was your position in the army and what did you do? What types of projects did you work on?

“Engineer,  Lieutenant, my job was short circuiting.”

What was the coolest thing you fixed? What needed repairing the most often?

“I fixed the lack of supplies to my unit.”

Did you fly a helicopter? A plane? where did you fly to ?

“Yes I did fly a helicopter, and small airplanes called Beaver.”

What was the most effective vehicle in the war? What piece of technology impressed you?

“Americans built all types of things. My favorite vehicle was the Huey Helicopter.”

Did you ever shoot a gun? Did you blow anything up? If yes, what was it?

“No I never shot a gun.  No I did not blow anything up.”

Where were you stationed?

“Ho Chi Minh City”

What were the living/housing arrangements like? What was it like wherever you stayed or slept? What was the weather like? What did you eat?

“They were just buildings. They kept the rain off.  Basic living conditions. It was hot and wet and wet and hot.”

How were you treated in Vietnam?

“I was treated with courtesy.”

What were the battles like? What was the scariest/worst thing you had to experience? What was the hardest/most intense part of the war for you? Were you hurt? If so, how bad was it?

“I was never in a battle . I never got hurt, except for my thumb, it got infected.”

What was the best part of the war for you?

“Knowing the people.”

How long were you in Vietnam?

“One year.”

Did you write letters home/get any letters?  Do you know anyone who was MIA? If so, is he still alive?

“I had a group of friends.”

From your perspective, how bad was the war? How did you feel about being in the war? Did you feel like you personally accomplished anything?

“I did feel like i accomplished things in the war.”

Did you know anyone that was killed in the war?

“Yes”

How did you leave Vietnam? How did you feel when you returned from home? Did people treat you badly when you returned/ what did you do when you came back?

“It was great.  The flight was very long.”

How did the U.S change when you were away?

“When I was in training, there were riots and places burned down.”

Did people you worked with agree with Civil Rights.

“They might have.”

How did/do you feel about the war now? Do you consider yourself a war hero?

“No I do not consider myself a war hero”