Heathcock Frankie - Vietnam Veteran Interview

Vietnam Veteran, Frankie Heathcock, was interviewed on August 9, 2021, in Claremore, Oklahoma. E-3 Seaman Heathcock served in the U.S. Navy from 1967 through 1970 during the Vietnam War. E-3 Seaman Heathcock was a Signalman aboard an ammunition ship, the USS Rangell (AE-12) that operated out of Subic Bay. E-3 Seaman Heathcock describes one harrowing incident in which a bomb accidentally dropped on the deck of the ship.  @MakingHistoryProject 

00:00 Introduction
03:13 Joins the US Navy
06:39 USS Rangell
08:26 Role as Signalman
11:17 Bomb drops on deck of ship

Summary:

Frankie Heathcock, a Vietnam War veteran, was interviewed by Patrick Russell on August 9, 2021, in Claremore, Oklahoma, as part of the Making History Project. Born on August 2, 1945, in McAlester, Oklahoma, Frankie grew up in a large family with nine siblings and described his hometown as a decent-sized place known for its state prison and prison rodeo.

Before joining the military at the age of 26, Heathcock dropped out of high school in the 11th grade to help his family after his father was injured. He worked various jobs, including loading trucks and driving across the country, before deciding to serve his country by enlisting in the Navy, despite initial rejections from all branches of the military.

During his service, Heathcock was stationed first on shore duty in Virginia, working on a PT boat, and then was assigned to the USS Wrangle, an ammunition carrier, where he served as a signalman responsible for coordinating the transfer of ammunition between ships. One notable incident he recalled was a near-disaster when a 500 lb bomb accidentally dropped on deck but did not detonate.

Heathcock's military career spanned over three years, during which he had memorable experiences, including visiting Hawaii and witnessing the ongoing effects of the Pearl Harbor attack. He was discharged in December 1970 and returned to civilian life in McAlester, where he eventually married, worked as a truck driver like his father, and later as a custodian in a nursing home until retirement.

Reflecting on his life and service, Heathcock shared no specific advice for future generations but expressed a desire to regain the use of his leg through rehabilitation at the Claremore Veterans Center, where he resided since May 2020. He has one son who continues the family tradition of truck driving.

Видео Heathcock Frankie - Vietnam Veteran Interview канала Making History Project