US Marine Vietnam Vet Craig Tschetter, Extended Interview

Video Description

In 1967, 18-year old Craig Tschetter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to escape the strict religious mandates of his family's Mennonite faith, never imagining the trials that awaited him in the Vietnam War. For 20 months, over two tours, Tschetter served as a combat radio operator in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines; losing friends, witnessing the atrocities and horrific accidents of war, and being wounded twice. After returning stateside, he became a drill instructor in San Diego, teaching new recruits to survive the hostile jungles he left behind. Following his honorable discharge, Tschetter returned home to South Dakota and launched a career in the funeral service industry. Many years later, Tschetter compiled and reconciled his wartime experiences in a deeply moving and unforgettable book, Fifteen Minutes Ago: A Vietnam War Memoir (http://www.fifteenminutesago.com). This video is a raw, unfiltered interview. Postcards also created a short-form documentary with Tschetter which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAk186U3MEY&t=1s Postcards is an award-winning series showcasing the arts, history, and cultural heritage of western Minnesota and beyond. Funding for Postcards comes from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. To watch more Postcards including more Veteran stories, visit https://www.pioneer.org/postcards/ or https://video.pioneer.org/show/postcards/ Pioneer PBS is a viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. Support our mission and become a member at https://www.pioneer.org/supportpioneer/ #Vietnam #War #Minnesota #Postcards #PioneerPBS