Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
5:35 | Joe Estores remembers rotating platoons with another while stationed in Vietnam. At 6 months in country, he extended his tour in order to take a new job with the 1st Infantry Division.
Keywords : advanced job opportunity extended service enlisted Career advancement foxhole soldier Vietnam
Growing up in Hawaii, Joe Estores remembers the day of the Pearl Harbor attack and the effect it had on his life.
Joe Estores remembers how life in Hawaii changed after the attacks on Pearl Harbor. He describes making the decision to enlist and travelling to the mainland for his training.
Joe Estores remembers training in aircraft and his experiences at Ft. Rucker. After his training completed, he drove back across the country and was able to spend some time with his family before deploying to Korea.
Flying for the Korean Military Advisory Group, Joe Estores was assigned to patrol along the DMZ. He spent most of his time in and out of Seoul, bringing supplies and pay to the men across the DMZ, a good experience for a new pilot.
Joe Estores recalls his time in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. From dealing with insurgents to evacuating the wounded, he had many harrowing experiences.
Joe Estores reflects on the lack of support for the war in America upon his return home. Following his tour in Vietnam was was in charge of making sure new helicopter pilots were taught all of the skills they'd need to survive flying overseas in combat.
Joe Estores reflects on the difficulties of war and his desire for it to be avoided at all costs. He is grateful to the VA for helping those who choose to serve and hopes it will continue.
After his deployment to Korea, Joe Estores came back to the States and spent time stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. On his next assignment abroad, he got to experience the Cold War through his patrol of the East & West German border.
