Interview with Thomas G. Riffe, July 20, 2018
Project: Kentucky Honor Flight Veterans Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Thomas G. Riffe served in the 12th Data Processing Unit in Saigon, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. In this interview, he discusses the reputation of the C.I.A. and the pacification programs among the South Vietnamese civilians. He talks about who he thinks deserves blame for the failure of the U.S. in the Vietnam War. He talks about how all of the factions were fighting for control, how there was corruption everywhere, and the attitudes toward the various groups and leaders involved in the war. Riffe talks about how attitudes about America's success in the Vietnam War began to change after the Tet Offensive. He talks about traveling while living in Vietnam, his coworkers and friends, and how he was personally changed by the Vietnam War. Riffe talks about how both private contractors from the U.S. and the South Vietnamese citizens felt about America beginning to withdraw from the Vietnam War. He talks about Americans' reactions to the attack on Saigon. Riffe talks about bringing his wife and children with him when he returned to the U.S. He talks about his career path after returning to America.Interview Accession
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Interview LC Subject
Civilians in war. Defense contracts. Military life. Private military companies. Leadership. Politics and war. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) News media Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Mass media and the war Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Press coverage. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans--United States War casualties. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Civilian relief Vietnam War, 1961-1975. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Cambodia.Interview Rights
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.Interview Usage
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
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All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Riffe, Thomas G. Interview by Jeffrey Suchanek. 20 Jul. 2018. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Riffe, T.G. (2018, July 20). Interview by J. Suchanek. Kentucky Honor Flight Veterans Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Riffe, Thomas G., interview by Jeffrey Suchanek. July 20, 2018, Kentucky Honor Flight Veterans Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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