Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
3:56 | Ray Fairman had plenty of difficulty when he finally got to boot camp, but he always remained strong-headed throughout. After all, the greatest challenges were yet to come.
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Ray Fairman had a fairly challenging first chapter in his life, having to move around countless times during his youth. However, one thing remained consistent: he knew he was destined for the Marine Corps.
Before he was off to Vietnam, Ray Fairman had plenty of tests and obstacles to overcome. He went through many different schools and camps before finally making it into aviation.
After enduring plenty of training at different schools and camps, Fairman finally was able to get into flying school where he flew plane simulations. It was during this time that he learned an unfortunate truth about his sight.
Before Ray Fairman got signed up to go to Vietnam, he made a few pit-stops for his friends and family. Along the way, he meets someone who is still very significant to him to this day.
After being signed up to go to Vietnam by one of his companions, Ray Fairman was incredibly surprised. Before he knew it he was at his first base in the foreign country ready to take orders, and give them.
While he was in Vietnam, Ray Fairman had a few unfortunate events happen to and near him. One of those being a destructive Vietnamese attack on the airplanes resting at his base.
The closest encounter that Fairman had while in Vietnam was way too close for comfort. On top of all of this, it happened to be friendly fire instead of from the enemy. As one can imagine, he still has a vivid memory of how it all happened.
Many years after his experiences in Vietnam, Fairman still has fond memories about the men he commanded, and is still commended by other veterans for his selfless actions to this day. Here he recalls some sentimental memories he has of those times.
After his service in Vietnam, Ray Fairman got a few jobs back home. Though he was not still at war, he was still learning plenty of essential life lessons.
Ray Fairman has learned plenty of important lessons not just during his time in the military, but in life itself. Here he documents just a sliver of those important lessons for future generations to hear and uphold.
