Veterans of four wars see alike as Veterans Day nears

Updated November 10, 2011 4:24 PM

Here's a story for Veterans Day.

WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam, four vets tell their stories

By Jay Crawford and Terence L. Day

Tri-City Herald writers

Published on October 23, 1972

As Veterans Day approached, four veterans who served during four major wars swept aside the red, white and blue haze of patriotism to examine Vietnam and today's military.

Despite the 46 years which separate the ages of the oldest and the youngest, the views of these four veterans were remarkably similar.

None defended the Vietnam war and none were warm to the idea of amnesty for draft dodgers. The only substantial differences are over whether GIs should have to pull KP duty and whether the nation should have an all-volunteer army.

Beginning with the first GI to serve his country, here are their views:

Guy Smith, 75, of 107 N Wehe, Pasco, was sailing to France with the infantry when the World War I Armistice came 54 years earlier.

Now a retired carpenter, he's clearly a member of that generation which is stereotyped as flag-waving despisers of "peaceniks."

But Smith is no Vietnam War hawk. "I don't believe the war is justified," Smith told the Herald.

"It's endless and not a war. It's a place to spend money," he said. "They (the government) promotes the war by saying it's to keep the Communists from taking over a country that doesn't want them.

"Those people have been warring for decades. We are doing ourselves an injustice at home," Smith said.

"Veterans Day means a lot to me. I've had that feeling ever since I served. I guess I'm overly patriotic."

However Smith said he tries to cut through the red, white and blue haze to examine the issues.

"Nixon is going along with the capitalization of the war. Some big companies are reaping a big profit in Vietnam."

On amnesty, Smith said a man called to serve his country has "no occasion" to avoid the obligation, regardless of how sincerely he opposes war.

He opposes amnesty.

Smith approves of an all-volunteer Army. Volunteers would be dedicated soldiers and would enlist in sufficient numbers if given suitable incentives.

Hire civilians for KP duty? "There is nothing disgraceful about KP. Everything connected with the Army should be done by enlisted men," Smith said. "It exposes them to all phases."

William Dunham, 48, of 1824 N. Monroe St., Pasco, was an aircraft mechanic in the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945. He saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and in other campaigns. Today he is a route man for Bur-Bee Co., Pasco.

"I think our money could be put to better use than in that war over there," Dunham said.

He opposes amnesty for deserters and draft dodgers until every American, including prisoners of war, comes home. "It would be all right then," Dunham said. "This is their home. Some of them were talked into it and had second thoughts later."

Dunham says the volunteer Army is a "good idea" and "deserves a try" As for civilian KP: "I'm all for contracting out KP. I should have been putting in my time on aircraft repairs when I was dishing out food."

Veterans Day is a time when Dunham reflects "on the wonderful freedoms we have in this country. I remember my days in uniform. There were a lot of good times and camaraderie."

Bernie Berczyk, 40, West Richland, saw action with the Air Force in Korea. He served from 1949 to 1952. Now a Richland postal clerk, Berczyk was the only one of the four veterans who did not criticize the Vietnam War.

"I have mixed emotions and do not want to express myself," Berczyk said, then added: "Politicians are starting to fight the wars. It's unfortunate our troops have to be there."

He defends U.S. participation in the Korean War which had a purpose: "To draw a demarcation line between Alaska and Australia."

The youngest of the four is Mike Farnsworth, 29, of 1408 Potter Ave., Richland.

Farnsworth is a veteran of 10 1/2 months of duty in Vietnam. Today he is an auditor with the Atomic Energy Commission.

He gives a qualified "no" to the question of whether U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War is justified.

"We entered for the wrong reasons," Farnsworth said. "The stated purpose was to save South Vietnam for democracy. Really it was because of our political struggle with the Communist bloc. We were concerned about our own ideals and political face."

Complete amnesty for draft dodgers is unacceptable to Farnsworth; but he could accept granting amnesty after they complete a term of public service.

Farmsworth said anyone summoned to military service should do so, even if he is morally opposed to the war. He is still subject to recall to active duty and said he would return to Vietnam despite his dislike for the war.

He opposes an all-volunteer army. "It would be tremendously costly to the taxpayers because of the higher pay and fringe benefits that would be needed. Military service is an obligation," Farmsworth said.

Partly because of the expense, Farmsworth also objects to contracting KP duty to civilians.

"Life is tough. It (KP) did not kill me. I never heard of anyone dying from it," he said.

With Veterans Day approaching (it will be celebrated Monday in accordance with the Uniform Holiday Bill) the veterans left something for society to mull over.

Berczyk and Dunham believe the unpopularity of wars such as the Vietnam conflict rubs off on veterans who serve in them.

Sympathetic persons and veterans organizations must ensure that newer veterans receive the same educational and other benefits as veterans of older wars, they believe.