William Packer Jr
GVSU Veterans History Project
5,340 views
William Packer Jr. was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1948. He was drafted into the Army in 1969 and signed up for training as a helicopter pilot. He made it through training on both Hueys and Cobras, and became a warrant officer. He served in Vietnam in 1970-1971 with the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He supported ground operations in the area around Saigon, between Saigon and the Cambodian border, and in Cambodia itself, earning a Bronze Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He was discharged in 1971.
5 Comments
Thank you for your Courage and Bravery. Remember how young we were 19-20
1st Cav Recon 71-72
An Loc 72
I never knew the details, i never knew the pain.
Never faced with the impossible decisions that had to be made.
I never had to live with the memories.
If I say anything in my comments that is incorrect or completely wrong I apologize with all my heart.
Hearing the interview and watching you, That really opened my eyes about a few things that you went thru and how the effects of war altered his life and mental status. I don't think I could have been nearly as strong as Dad was and is.
I have such a huge respect, love, admiration, and empathy for what little I know of that dad endured.
The battle between his faith, his beliefs, his wants, the emotional, political, and ethical choices he has to make.
The struggle of what to do for his Marriage, baby, country, family (Dad), school, friends and neighbors.
Then to come home after the war ...
To believe mind and soul that you were evil, that tears me apart.
Not all our vets had a choice...
Some enlisted for the love of our country,
Some to follow in the footsteps of a father, brother.
Some did it to further there future.
Some did it for the family.
The ones that ran also lost.
They last there home, country, family, and to many pride.
They seen, did, felt and relived all that I'm sure daily or hourly.
Then like an abuser, our vets were made to believe that they were the bad, evil, killers.
But I'm my mind it would be like someone holding a gun to my head and saying it is your life or there life...
I know I never went thru this, never would claim to understand or even remotely think I know what they went thru, felt, live with.... But I do know that my perspective of Dad is .... He is my hero ... Not for just for the war that shouldn't been, but for being the man who no matter what, did whatever needed to be done to protect our boys, father's, sons, brothers, and families that also were fighting, struggling, doing what was expected so they could come home.
To a home that changed, ridiculed, hurt, judged, and broke many of our vets
Unable to maintain relationships, struggles with belonging, struggle with the memories, nightmares, struggles with ones self worth, finding a job, place to call home, drugs, alcohol, triggers, fitting in society, these are things I believe would be struggles...
This is why Dad ( that didn't have to be) is my hero for his mental strength to fight thru his depression, give strength and hope to others, to me. Dad is my hero for coming into my life and guiding, pushing, and loving me.
I know I'm rambling but I couldn't sleep after watching it
I just want to tell Dad I love him and hug him so tight without words.
William Packer Jr
GVSU Veterans History Project
5,340 views
William Packer Jr. was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1948. He was drafted into the Army in 1969 and signed up for training as a helicopter pilot. He made it through training on both Hueys and Cobras, and became a warrant officer. He served in Vietnam in 1970-1971 with the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He supported ground operations in the area around Saigon, between Saigon and the Cambodian border, and in Cambodia itself, earning a Bronze Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He was discharged in 1971.