Donald Lewis Fredenburg, Sr.'s interview for the Veterans History Project at Atlanta History Center

Catalog number: VIS 201.0453
In this interview, Don Fredenburg describes his time in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He relates that his father was involved in the Berlin Airlift. His mother was from Atlanta and his dad from New Jersey; they met at Fort McPherson. His maternal grandfather was a Spanish-American war veteran and Fredenburg has his medals. After graduating from high school, he knew he wasn't college material. His brother, who was in the Navy, suggested he would only have to serve two years if he was drafted, so he asked to be drafted. He recalls his training and arrival in Vietnam. He describes how his "fellow troopers" helped get him through it. He describes several harrowing battles in which he was involved, including those in which he was wounded. He recalls that some of the North Vietnamese soldiers spoke excellent English. He describes the end of his time in the service, returning home to be warned not to wear his uniform off post because of protesters. He describes trying to find work, only to be told "we can't use you" when they learned he was a Vietnam veteran. He describes his life after the war, including his diagnosis and treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He ends the interview by stating that in spite of it all, he would do it again today.

[@steelyankee]

That man is a warrior. When I feel like all is lost. I'll watch this and remember just how lucky I am to be alive to fight on another day. Compared to what this man's been through my problems are nothing. Thank you so much Sir..

[@lindajones8895]

Welcome Home. Thank you for sharing your story. My honor to hear your story. I'm a Georgia veteran myself Navy. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️

[@ronaldclark8187]

Thanks Don!

[@garyluck8502]

Thanks for your service! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!

[@carlfreeman8385]

Gary Owen my friend.......thanks for being you.😃

[@danthedewman1]

Good Man...

[@raymondspence934]

Did you have a brother named Herman Fredenburg?