Veteran’s History Project—Thomas Peterson

Sixty-five year old Vietnam veteran Thomas “Pete” Peterson was brought up by his grandmother and several doting aunts in Columbia, Mississippi.  He knew early in life that he would serve his country, as all of his uncles had served in America’s wars.

Listen as he tells of his first day in Vietnam as a Military Policeman assigned to the First Infantry Division.

Pete, who wears the Vietnam Service Medal, remembers providing security for military medical personnel as they administered to the medical needs of the Vietnamese people living in remote jungle villages.  He talks quietly of surviving an ambush in which the lead vehicle of a convoy in which he was riding took thirteen bullets.

When asked what about what he missed most about home, he said, “Milk.  Good cold real milk”.

He says, “Americans may think we have it bad here in our country, but they should see how people in other countries live.  They would thank God for what we have.”