Jim Carmichael's interview for the Veterans History Project at Atlanta History Center

Catalog Number: VIS 201.0603
We welcome your comments on this interview at [e-mail]
In this interview, Jim Carmichael relates his experiences in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. He describes his childhood and family; his father flew helicopters at Cherry Point and Quantico. He tells how he came to be in the Marine Corps and what his training was like. He chronicles his experiences in Vietnam, including time in the jungle as well as time aboard a Navy ship offshore. He reflects on his time on "R & R" (rest and recreation) in Hawaii where he met his parents and girlfriend, but came down with malaria. He tells of the remainder of his time in the Corps doing cold weather training at Fallon, Nevada and his post-military career, family and education.

[@kennethprice5628]

I am a 68 yo Navy Veteran who salutes every Vietnam Veteran I see

[@stephenfreeman2561]

This guy does far better than anyone I've yet seen at conveying the absurdity of things

[@lydiarosalieanndamiano7206]

Thank you for your service!🙏🇺🇸🎉

[@louisroth3622]

I was at Phu Bai the same time, only Air Force. We flew C47's in support of Khe San and other places. The rain there was unrelenting. Semper Fi Marine!

[@markdenney5793]

❤ Thank you Sir!!

[@teresasprague4929]

Thank you for your service.

[@jeffn.918]

Cool cat! Great story! Still blows me away that after 50+ years the level of anxiety these guys show just talking about their experiences is like it happened yesterday. Combat veterans, draftees or volunteers, have their DNA forever changed, and for that degree of sacrifice, you all have my utmost respect.

[@johnaide5767]

7⁸I will try it ⁰ /9[

[@damon224]

LET HIM TELL HIS STORY!!!

[@leonardd6122]

Enjoyed listening to this including the commentator’s contributions. Thanks for your service.

[@lindajones8895]

Welcome Home. Thank you for your service. It was such a pleasure and honor to hear your story. God Bless you and your family

[@markwilliams9201]

Great sense of humor Jim great to see you laugh about something so serious love watching these inspirational men

[@centralbears3010]

One of the best interviews - Great story, Great guy. I'm so sorry they had to go through this. IT made great heroes. You can have this hill; just keep it! Pagoda? Church? General?

[@billg125]

HE IS ONE COOL DUDE ALRIGHT! TERRIFIC INTERVIEW; LIKED THE HUMOUR THAT HE USED TO GIVE A GREAT DESCRIPTION. WELL DONE JIM

[@jasonpeters9390]

Listen to a lot of these interesting interviews this is one of the best I've listened to

[@joycecogdill9797]

This guy had a great interview- could feel his frustration and enjoyed his physical actions!!! Made my day brighter and interview easier to listen to. Hope God blessed him with a long and happy life after all his wild "adventures"!!

[@mikem6454]

Jim, excellent interview, amazing. Have a great life, thank-you for your service, God bless

[@JG26EZ1]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, and serving your country.

[@b.bruster1462]

I really like this guy.

[@danchasteen7629]

I enjoy your interview. You are real, and add plenty of humor . God bless you brother. Amen.

[@wb0072]

This is one of the best interviews I've listened to however it would have been better if the interviewers would have let him tell his story

[@frankhiggins9850]

Totally agree let the man talk

[@marcclement7396]

I listen to a lot of these. One of the best. What a man. Thank you.

[@waldonherdman1447]

Thank you gentlemen for your service!

[@edevans673]

Thank you for your service

[@dennisevans4739]

Tremendously inspiring... God bless you... Thanks for sharing RVN 1967 - 1968..

[@mdeegs4662]

Happy Birthday Jim!!!!!

[@jimmyandkathyharrell]

Thank you Jim! Very interesting!!

[@willmears1111]

Thank you for you for all you did. A felloq Vietnam Veteran I Corp. Phu Bai/Hue/Khe San 1967-1969

[@marcclement7396]

Thank you William. All the best to you. There are still true Americans out here that appreciate your service.

[@jillolds4162]

Anyone who knows anything about the mind's attempt at survival, knows that his humor is the way he survives the horrific memories. Also, his lack of specific memories, is also the minds ability to survive.

[@seaslob2820]

He is such a nice amiable guy. What an amazing temperament

[@gcrauwels941]

Great interview.

[@IntheBlood67]

Cut the interviewer some slack, it was a healing Catharsis for him also!

[@leftbehind8774]

Great memory.

[@gregcraig2407]

You are a true inspiration Thank you for all you sacrificed and GOD BLESS

[@jeffreyhoopes1312]

This guy lived a parallel life to me. USMC 68-72

[@penzman5385]

Who is doing interview ? The voice sounds familiar. Excellent interview from both sides. Thank you. History buffs can't miss these priceless stories and more importantly, the emotions that go along.

[@stanpressley8136]

Glory to the one true and living GOD a life once more redeemed by the one son, JESUS CHRIST, of the one living GOD!!!!!

[@billkrill4656]

What a Boss.

[@darylrocks2753]

Take a shot every time he says "at any rate"!

[@simonheaney8721]

Southern boys talking about hell on earth and being jovial about the reality of it . Very rare to see Vietnam vets so upbeat about the experience

[@grantvanzyl]

Sound Engineer messed this interview up..

[@funkynassau..4881]

Doesn't know how many times he says " you know"..

[@garyluck8502]

I would like for people like Clinton and trump to have to listen to this I was there in 67 but didn’t have it this bad please remember all the ones that didn’t come home!!

[@jamesmckay9966]

It's too bad you people don't have s sound guy.

[@andyhartshorne5219]

bro needs to tell his story without interuptions

[@goonertrooper]

Sounds like a bit of jealousy there.

[@monteburmester7946]

Interviewer talks to much

[@Dontarguewithmedummy]

Interviewer is mumbling. Cant hear him

[@wil7228]

These guys are going back and forth with there stories very annoying, the interviewer needs to tell his story another time to a wall.

[@davidkensinger7581]

The interviewer talks too much.

[@samalw]

Why is the interviewer running his mouth so much? So irritating!

[@topgeardel]

I didn't watch the video. In his 2 hour interview, did he mention these things? He allowed himself to be sent by his Government to an illegal war....the US never declared war against anyone. He was essentially an invader and aggressor in someone else's country that did nothing to Americans or the US. Vietnam was an Asian civil war with a strong colonialist past that needed to be dealt with by Asians. Vietnam was mostly about Vietnam....not Communism. Like so many other veterans, did he mention he knew he was a pawn at the hands of a very erroneous US Government policy? He is not a hero nor a victim. He is a survivor. He dodged a bullet in a country he did not belong in by people he had no right to kill. His so-called "service" had absolutely NO effect on American safety, security and freedom. The rest of his 2 hour story is for people who like to be entertained with "war stories"

[@mdeegs4662]

if you didn't watch it how can you comment on it?????

[@FIGGY65]

Hey TOPGEARDEL…..I have an idea for you. Since You seem to take such great pleasure in littering so many of these great interview’s comments sections with your personal drivel, why don’t you SEEK SOME PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING for your obvious troubled and guilty soul? These veterans don’t need or deserve YOUR opinions and criticism about THEIR sacrifices and personal decisions that they undertook years ago in their service to our great Nation. They all deserve respect and thanks, and you seem to not understand that it’s about them and not YOU. Your input and criticism is a bunch of bullfeathers and you should really seek some help for yourself. If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.

[@richardlong8014]

Similar to Minnesota last summer?

[@mdeegs4662]

don't comment if you didn't watch the video, maybe you could "LEARN" something but I doubt it. Seems like you got all the answers lets hear your story probably very boring.

[@user-yx9bs8zo5q]

@@mdeegs4662 Topgeardel is a proud protester and draft dodger. He says the same shit on all the Nam interviews. His story is meaningless. He goes on about how disgusting our Vietnam veterans are, and how he did a service for all of us by helping to "end the war." It only took him 11 years, so he actually didn't help at all. He tries to make himself feel better through bashing our veterans service. He's trying to relive his "glory" days 60 years ago. He needs a pat on the back or something.

[@justindurante1740]

Exactly who orchestrated this mess