NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT

Jim OConnor

MEMOIRS OF HONOR AND SERVICE

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Jim OConnor served in the 25th Division and the 2nd Infantry Division. He
went to Officer Candidate school in Fr. Browning, Georgia. He also attended
Flight School in Texas. Jim OConnor served from 1952 to 1968.

When did you enter the service?

February 8, 1952.

What branch did you enter?

I went into the army.

Were you drafted or did you enlist?

I was drafted.

Then what was basic training like and what unit did you end up joining?
Basic training wasn't too bad and I ended up in a leadership school.
Were you stationed in the US or did you go overseas?
I was stationed in both the US and overseas by primarily the south, Alabama and
Georgia and texas and overseas to Korea and came back to the states and Hawaii.

How long had the war been going on when you arrived?
When I arrived in Korea the armesthad been signed four months before but I didn't
see any actual combat in Korea.

When did you first arrive in a war zone and what was your first impression of it?
I first arrived in an actual shooting area was in Vietnam inSeptember of 1962 and
Iwas flying the helicopter, a support group transport helicopter. Firing from the
ground was like fireworks going off, I was amazed.

Wow, did you ever have to change your jobs?

No, I toured different jobs while I was in the army. I started out in Korea as a communications officer and when we got to Hawaii I was transferred to a rifle company

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NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT

MEMOIRS OF HONOR AND SERVICE

where I was a platoon leader and an executive officer. When we came back to the mainland i went into flight school and I graduated from sixth wing flight school and then I
wentto helicopter school.
What battles were you involved in/provided support for?
I don't know any names of any battles and we supported the troop bearing helicopters
but I landed troops in Vietnam so I don't know of any battles.
What was that experience like?
Well, it was hours of boredom, moments of
sheer terror.

It was hours of boredom and

moments of sheer terror.

Along with the training did you feel that you were prepared for combat?
Yes, I do I feel that we were equiptly prepared for what we were doing.

When you were in combat did you ever lose a friend?

Yes, I lost quite a few friends. Itsnotlike they were right next door to me, but we lived
in the samechaton. Their helicopter was shot down or something like that.
How did you cope with the fear of missions or battles?
Just did it. There wasn't any time to react, just did it, practice.

Were you ever injured?

No.

Were you awarded any medals or citations?

Yes, I have tour medals and citations Von Star.

How did you earn them?

The air medals and Von Star I got in Korea from flying support missions.

Thats really cool, so what was the most frightening experience you have
from being in the war?
Well, that first incident i told you about was the first time I wentto a support mission, all
the ground fire was coming up at me. I was waiting to be hit but i wasn't thankfully.

What was the most interesting experience?

Right now i can't think of one, probably when the 22 division left Korea and we went back
to Korea and spent two beautiful years there with my family.

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NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT

MEMOIRS OF HONOR AND SERVICE

Wow that sounds amazing. Were there any specific events that stood out
to you?
No, not really.

Did you ever interact with the civilians

where you were?
Yes, when we were in Vietnam. We used to
fly to villages there to deliver food, I remember one time we took one up a live pig the helicopter, but he didn't really like flying.

When we were in Vietnam.

We used to fly to villages
there to deliver food, I remember one time we took one up a
live pig the helicopter, but he
didn't really like flying.

How did those people treat you since

you were american?
The people treated us all alike. It was after
we came back from Vietnam where the american we sent at each other and didn't really like it.
What was everyday life like, like living conditions, the food and what
you did to pass the time?
Everday was a little different but the food was good and we played cards and pool for
entertainment.

What was the hardest part about being in the war?

Being away from family.

Was there a lot of emotional or physical stress that you had to endure?
No, not very much.

What did you guys like to do for fun, or in your free time?
We slept a lot, played cards, and pool. Thats about it.

Were you ever a prisoner of war?

No.

Well thats good

Thank you. Yes, youre right. Thats good.

Did you have any special weapons that you got to use?
Yes, a colt45 automatic personal weapon, and the helicopter had machine guns, and
rockets.

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NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT

MEMOIRS OF HONOR AND SERVICE

Did you ever make any lasting friendships during the war?
Unfortunately no, I know a lot of people but we aren't close.
Do you remember when you came
home from the war?
When I retired? Well I retired from the military in 1973. I retired from the war in 1967
from my second trip to Vietnam.

The civilian population did

not know too much about it.
They didn't find out about it
till late 60s early 70s.

What was your reception like for your homecoming?

Well, Im from a small town so its different then from a city, where people just sorta
look down at you. I was well received from a small town.
Were you ever upset that you were stationed overseas?
No, no never, never upset.

What was the civilian attitude toward the war and did that affect you?
Well, generally, the civilian population did not know to much about it they didn't find
out about it till late 60s early 70s. They didn't get upset till then.

What was your reaction when you found out the war was over?
In one respect I was relieved because I had a son over there, but I was a little upset in
the way it ended with how North Korea took everything and left us with nothing.

What does serving your country or patriotism mean to you during active
duty?
I guess proud and humble to be serving your country.

What does it mean to you as a veteran?

As a veteran I learned a great deal of great lessons. After I got out I became a small
businessman and was successful in that, and then have lived a full life since then.

Have you visited any of the war memorials in Washington DC?

No.

Did you ever join a veterans organization?

Yes, American Legion.

Has your opinion on war changed since you were in one?

Really, no. If we are there for the right reason then we should stay there and finish the

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NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT

MEMOIRS OF HONOR AND SERVICE

Do you have a message for young people like us today about war?
No. I have two sons, one served in Vietnam, one served in iraq, and my grandson
served in iraq and afghanistan.
Alright we will definitely do that , and thank you very much for your
time and letting us interview you.
Okay, no problem. I enjoyed it. Thank you.