Why Soldiers Fought

When looking back at a war as controversial as America’s involvement in Vietnam, it is difficult to understand why soldiers would choose to fight and why they kept fighting for so long. Through a series of letters written by the soldiers themselves, one can see multiple motivations for soldiers in Vietnam, such as believing in the cause, self-preservation, and comradary amongst the men. This is all brought together in Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam, an adequate volume edited by Bernard Edelman for the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission.

First, there were many soldiers, at least in the beginning, who believed in the cause. The American government began this police action to keep communism from spreading, to preserve democracy in the world; throughout the military ranks, men could identify with this. As Specialist Fourth Class George Olsen wrote to a college friend, “I’m where I want to be, quite voluntarily doing what I think is right” (42). Many GI’s were immersed with a sense of mission and purpose. Even if they didn’t completely agree with the war, it was their job as a solider. Even though Second Lieutenant Frederick Downs, Jr. is worn, he writes, “…And yet it is my job, and I do it willingly, knowing that war is a constant factor in this world and has been here since the beginning of man” (61). Likewise, “I am a Marine,” (81) writes Corporal Kevin Macaulay, who was at the combat base at Khe Sanh during the siege. When Private First Class Richard E. Marks wrote up his Last Will and Testament, he also clearly stated he was in Vietnam due to his own desire, that he had always wanted to be a Marine. He didn’t like being over there, but he was “doing a job that must be done” (123).

Another motivation pushing soldiers in Vietnam was self-preservation: protecting themselves from harm with an innate desire to stay alive. These men greatly wanted to go home in one piece, sooner rather than later, so that they could enjoy mid-summer barbecues, rock music, and the warmth of home. As Second Lieutenant Robert C. Ransom Jr. writes to his parents, “If I don’t shoot him, he’ll eventually shoot me” (39). This sentiment is repeated in another of Specialist Fourth Class George Olsen’s letters, “…The only thought on my mind was to nail him before he nailed me. There is simply no room for fear” (98). They simply did not want to die.

Lastly, a soldier fought for the man sitting right next to him, for the others in his platoon, for his buddies. These were the only people who understood the experience as he did, and in a foreign land where most of the enemy looked like common people, having a friend meant a great deal. “…Men have gone on operations here with broken ankles in order not to let their buddies down…we take our business seriously” (50). This also caused men to fight for revenge if a fellow soldier was hurt or killed. Even if only a minor would is inflicted, these men are just trying to keep themselves and each other alive; one ounce of death is enough to spark the drive for vengeance.

Did the soldiers’ motivations change over time? They certainly did, along with solider morale. This is especially apparent in a chapter simply known as “What Am I Doing Here?” Again, there are many soldiers who began the war believing in the cause, and there are others who were forced to fight by way of the draft. But as time passed without much progression towards a resolution, that feeling gave way to frustration, bitterness,