Giraffe Heroes Database
Dalton, Robert |
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During the 70's, Gene Spanos (IL), Nate Genna (MA), Frank Noe (MA), Robert Dalton (MD), Mike Wallace (KS) and Bill Johnson (CT) were young US Marines laying land mines in Vietnam. Twenty years later at a reunion of the 11th Engineers' Battalion they talked about their concern that the mines were still there. The Vietnamese government says that thousands of people—many of them children—have died from grenades, bombs and land mines since the end of the war. The men don't apologize for laying the mines during wartime. But they don't think it's right that the US military didn't remove the minefields, as they had after previous wars. There was no point in killing people after the war was over. Married now, with children of their own, the six veterans thought that something had to be done. Frank Noe told us, "In my heart, if children are getting hurt, that's the worst. I’ll do anything to stop it." They formed Vietnam Revisited to go back and help the Vietnamese pinpoint and remove the minefields. Maps of the fields weren't available, so the men would have to rely on their memories. With an anonymous donor paying their expenses, they spent ten days in a changed Vietnam. On their return, Nate Genna wrote the Giraffe Project, "...innocent people are, in fact, still being killed and injured from explosive junk left over from the war." The six vets worked with the Vietnamese Army demonstrating ways to defuse and clear US made minefields. It was a gesture of goodwill, which the men hope will save lives and help heal the bitterness of war. Age when commended: adult (20-64) Year commended: 1988 Occupation: Military personnel |
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