From jungle battles to Honor Flight: Roger Bahls shares Vietnam experience
by Trinity Gruenberg
Roger Bahls was an 18-year-old high school graduate from Frazee when the Vietnam War was raging, and he knew it was only a matter of time before the draft caught up with him. Rather than waiting, Roger decided to volunteer for the draft.
“I wasn’t attached to any gal; I didn’t want to start something and be drafted. I thought it was better to do it this way before starting a family,” said Roger.
The new Army “grunt” infantryman was taken to Fort Lewis for basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) then Fort Benning for NCO (Noncommissioned Officer) school.
Roger didn’t make the grade for an NCO, which he was thankful for as he didn’t wish for the extra responsibilities, but he learned plenty before being shipped off to the treacherous jungles of Vietnam on July 27, 1969.
The now 19-year-old faced the harsh realities and dangers of the conflict on his second day in Vietnam, near Saigon. The new guys were put on the front line, a baptism by fire that left an indelible mark on Roger.
On August 12, 1st Cav, 2/12 D Co. was planning an ambush but was ambushed first, resulting in many casualties. Roger was injured by shrapnel that is still in his right foot and back to this day. The shrapnel in his foot wasn’t discovered until a year ago during an exam. The pieces have not irritated Roger physically.
Years later, Roger learned that when he first arrived in Vietnam, the platoon leader was on R&R at the time and had told the company commander not to send his platoon out until he returned. The company commander ignored him, and Roger’s platoon was sent out against the leader’s orders.
The field was a miserable place.
“It was hot and muggy. It rained a lot, and you were wet most of the time,” Roger recalled....
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