John E. Collins served with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. Has been married 40 years to Lila and has one daughter and two grandchildren.
John enlisted in the Navy in July 1968 and sent to Great Lakes for basic training. After a short time on a mine sweeper he was sent to SERE training for four months where he learned how to survive in case of capture in Vietnam. For ten days he ate plants, slugs, anything that would simulate life in a POW camp. He was water-boarded for what seemed like 30 minutes, but says that was not as bad as the loud music that was pumped into his ears continuously.
He was soon headed for Vietnvam to join a River Assault Force and participated in Operation Slingshot. His team traveled on LCM ships that were like a landing craft with guns; M16s, 50 cal. guns, and others. They would be anchored in the river all night shooting at anything that moved, including logs that could possibly hide the enemy. They shot into high grasses and foliage to eliminate any enemy that may be crouching down ready to attack. John says they were sitting ducks and were attacked time after time, but somehow managed to escape. Their operations would last for 3-7 days before they could return to their ship for food, ammo, boots, and cigarettes and they could then wash their clothing by dragging it behind the ship in the river and drying it in the hot heat of the day. At one time he traveled on a Zippo boat with a flame thrower and napalm used to burn out the areas around them.
After about four months of river life John was injured by a rocket that hit his 50 cal. gun barrel shattering his hand and covering him in blood. He was medivac ed to a MASH unit for triage, then flown to Japan for surgeries that would take place over the next 5-6 months. While in the hospital John was promoted to Gunnersmate E-4. Due to the surgeries and the skin grafts, John was sent back to the States with an early release and a Purple Heart. He remembers the un-welcoming home coming from the civilians and PTSD soon set in. The only help at the time given to him was for his doctors to prescribe pills and tell him to get over it. John had troubles keeping a job and eventually went to college in Warrensburg where he earned his degree. His high school friend had lost her husband in a motor vehicle accident and they rekindled their friendship and later married.
John worked as a sales manager for a large company that produced construction equipment for the next 20 years until he retired. The return of soldiers from Iraq has caused his PTSD to return and he continues to receive treatment at the VA Hospital in Kansas City. The men, like John, who suffer as he does have formed a sort of "Vietnam Fraternity" that only they can relate to. John and Lila live in Lee's Summit and have been married 40 years.
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Helen Matson, on staff at the Independence Parks and Recreation Department, compiles interviews with veterans at the Truman Memorial Building. Contact her at HMATSON@indepmo.org or 816-325-7860 if you are interested in helping a veteran tell his or her story.
