Van R. Thornhill's interview for the Veterans History Project at Atlanta History Center

Catalog Number: VIS 201.0764
We welcome your comments on this interview at [e-mail]
In this interview Van Thornhill shares his experiences serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He remembers being drafted, family reactions to him being drafted, and living frugally before basic training. He recalls his orders to become a Huey Cobra helicopter crew chief. He describes flying into the Philippines amid a typhoon, the conditions of the camp in Vietnam, and being assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade with the codename “Outcast” or “Black Cats.” Thornhill recounts his duties including helicopter maintenance, door gunner, and pilot training. He discusses coming home, feeling different after the war, and his strategies for dealing with PTSD. He also talks about his postwar life including his marriage, children, and attending college.

[@manfredseidler1531]

You're taking the high road, well done. Thank you for your service... but most of all, welcome home.

[@BRADLEY856]

Welcome home and thank you. You’re a good man, mate

[@wayneedwards5158]

Welcome home, Van! 🇺🇲

[@IntheBlood67]

This is a mesmerising interview! Outstanding! Welcome Home Brotherman!

[@WD-41469]

I question the wisdom of posting personal information including sibling names, occupations, location, date of birth, etc on RUclips. This depth of information can be used to target, scam, and otherwise take advantage of these fine Veterans, especially as they enter their senior years, I fail to see how it adds to the story, and believe that those parts of these interviews should be edited out.