Interview with Robert M. Watters, May 16, 1985

Interview Summary

Robert Watters describes his upbringing in Louisville, Kentucky, his education, his military training, and his arrival in Vietnam. He describes the wound he received there, a collapsed lung, and the treatment he went through. He describes race relations among the enlisted men, conflict between enlisted men and their officers, and the war's lack of purpose. He discusses his life after Vietnam, in particular describing the psychic trauma and physical health issues lingering from the war, as well as his bad experiences in dealing with the federal government. Before concluding the interview, he expresses his desire for the truth about the Vietnam War to be widely known.

Interview Keyword

Agent Orange Combat Delayed Stress Syndrome Health issues Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Psychic trauma. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American Wounds and injuries

Interview LC Subject

Soldiers United States. Army. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans.

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 be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.