Chuck Percherke - U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam, 1966 - 1968

Chuck Percherke, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, shares his story of serving in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. Chuck begins by discussing his background, growing up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania and attending art school in Pittsburgh. Aware that he would likely be drafted after graduation, Chuck and two friends decided to enlist in the Marines together in 1966. After completing basic training at Paris Island and Camp Pendleton, Chuck was deployed to Vietnam and arrived in Da Nang in August 1966. He describes the dangerous conditions and the constant threat of enemy fighters, particularly the Viet Cong, who blended in with civilians. Chuck recalls the prevalence of booby traps such as landmines and bouncing betties, as well as homemade devices like grenades with tripwires. Chuck shares his fears of losing his hands, sight, or limbs, as well as the constant anxiety while on patrol. He recounts a specific incident where he lost a grenade and was reprimanded by his commanding officer. In another incident, he mistakenly fired a machine gun in the dark, thinking enemy soldiers were approaching, causing damage to some fishing boats. At the end of August 1966, Chuck’s unit was sent back to Okinawa for rest and replenishment of men and equipment. They boarded the USS Henrico, a World War II troop carrier ship, but encountered a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa during the voyage. Chuck vividly remembers the ship twisting and turning in the waves and the eerie sounds of steel bending and groaning. After spending a month in Okinawa for additional training, Chuck and his unit were assigned to a new ship and returned to Vietnam. In this video, Chuck provides a firsthand account of his experiences as a Marine during the Vietnam War. His story highlights the dangers and challenges faced by soldiers in combat, as well as the sacrifices they made. #virtualevents #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #war #army #navy #marines #marinecorps #airforce #coastguard #history #americanhistory #zoomevents #liveevent #virtual #webinar #interview #oralhistory #militaryhistory #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #coffeehour #breakfast