NVA IN U.S. HOSPITAL
______________________________________________

Last year I was assessing a new patient for a vascular problem. The patient was male, early 70's , of oriental persuasion. I'll call him Nguyen X. In listening to his accent and by the spelling of his name it became obvious that he was Vietnamese.

During the examination he cautiously raised the right sleeve of my scrub top, just enough to expose the USMC. I raised the sleeve up further to sate his curiosity and allowing him to see the Bulldog with the WWI style helmet.

He stated, "Marines, huh?" I answered, "Yes sir, a long time ago"
He asked, "Did you have to be sent to Vietnam?" I replied in the affirmative and told him when and where I had served or seen action.
He smiled up at me and said, "Very strange that we meet like this....I was a Medical Officer in the North Vietnam Army" and he went on to tell me his outfit and how he happened to be here now,etc. He made a point to tell me how 'bothered' the NVA soldiers would get when they had to move out against Marines. "We were told many things about you Marines and about your history and especially how stubborn you would fight...we weren't so worried about the Army soldiers. But we were very respectful of you Marines."

I really didn't know what to say, and then he continued, "We knew we could win our war against America by just wearing the soldiers down, but we sometimes made jokes about maybe not being able to hold out too long if all Marines were in Vietnam. This was a very unhappy thing to think of. We did not like to have to fight Marines....Marines don't run, America is very honored to have Marines."

I thanked him and continued with his assessment.........he shook my hand and said, "I'm very sorry Marines had to die for Vietnam but all Marines are good and honorable. All Marines are heroes.....Marines made my job very difficult..."

Ambulatory Care Coordinator
Name withheld for patient confidentiality purposes

 

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

EMAIL WEBMASTER