Like many Vietnam Veterans James Mayes never spoke about Vietnam. James admitted to us that this interview was the 1st time he spoke publicly about his experience. James was 21 years old when he was drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam. The two years he served, 1966 and 1967, saw some of the most fierce fightings in that war. As a Squad Leader in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, he was involved in combat for most of his time in Vietnam. James works with the West Palm Beach chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart to help other wounded Veterans coming back from war.
This video was produced by The Rowlinson Media Group, VERO BEACH, FL.

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0:00 - Opening
0:08 - 21 years old and drafted
0:41 - Arriving in Vietnam
1:13 - Life in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade
1:52 - You change when people are getting killed around you
3:07 - 1st Purple Heart - "You had to climb up over the dead"
4:40 - Heading back to his unit
5:26 - Collecting the dead
7:06 - Pined down in Cambodia
8:04 - 2nd Purple Heart
9:47 - Passed over for promotion
11:30 - Wars aftermath
12:13 - Agent Orange
13:00 - PTSD