Kendall Johnson

Veterans Experience Paper

Many factors contribute to the similarities and differences regarding the experience of
soldiers in World War II and The Vietnam War. Through interviews conducted by the University
of Tennessees Center for the Study of War and Society, societal factors, differences in warfare,
and attitudes towards said wars can be attributed to the cause of various comparisons and
contrasts. In analyzing the interviews of Charley T. Odom, a WWII veteran, and Fred Owens, a
Vietnam War veteran, such contributing factors are evident and emphasized in their personal war
experiences regarding their motivation to go to war, the type of combat they encountered and
their homecoming experiences.
In times of war that require a large army, analyzing the general motivation of those
involved can reveal societal issues that influence those to become involved in war. For example,
it is revealed through the interview of Charley T. Odom that WWII was generally more
supported by the public than that of the Vietnam War, which is evident within the interview of
Fred Owens and his Vietnam War experience. Odom speaks of his motivation to join the war
efforts in 1934 by volunteering and being placed in the Navy. (CSWS, 1-3) This voluntary action
reflects the general outlook on WWII, which was largely supported by the public through efforts
such as liberty gardens, rationing, war bonds, and an influx in citizens volunteering to serve in
the war. This backing of WWII can be contrasted by that of the attitudes towards the Vietnam
War. For example, Owens reveals that he did not volunteer to participate in the war, but was
drafted against his wishes. (CSWS, 16) This reluctance towards joining the war efforts reflects
the views of society at the time. With growing acceptance to expressing ones disapproval

towards government and authority, public support of the Vietnam War plummeted after it was
revealed that the alleged attack on American ships, which prompted the United States to enter the
war, was a hoax. Protests and anti-war sentiment became increasingly popular which ignited the
societal shift from a strongly supported war to a deeply resented war by the public. This
ambiance within society affected those such as Owens.
Upon comparing Odoms wartime experiences with that of Owens, similarities such as
comradery among the men they served with, having little down-time and high-stress situations
pertaining to combat. Odom recalls that when he joined the Navy, the average age of men on the
submarine was around 20, while he was considered an old man at the age of 29. (CSWS, 4)
However, despite the age differences, there was a strong unity among those on the hot and
crowded submarine. (CSWS, 2-3) Odom spoke of times when the real personality of your mates
would come out during battle: It is a helpless feeling trying to help shipmates with their jobs.
(CSWS, 8) This urge to help his shipmates with their jobs when he could barely handle his own
reveals that those men had a strong sense of unison amongst each other despite harsh conditions.
Owens references the diversity within his unit with 30% of them being African-American.
(CSWS, 4) Although racial tensions during the Civil Rights era were high, Owens expresses that
he did not experience racial discrimination. Owens also states that nothing had to do with
color of skinthey were brothers on the battlefield. (CSWS, 6) Both men also spoke about the
lack of rest they received while serving. Odom speaks of his experience on a submarine in which
he and the crew would have to perform depth charges which could last up to 27 hours at a
time. (CSWS, 8) It was also common for Odom to be away from base for 60 days at a time in
which he would be on the submarine performing various tasks with very little sleep or relaxation.
(CSWS, 8) Owens also experienced a lack of respite during his time of service. It was usual to be

gone from base for 9 days at a time with one day off, and to remain busywithout
downtime, even on days off. (CSWS, 6) Another similarity between the two mens experiences
is the stress of combat. Odom recalls the sound of torpedoes whishing by during underwater
battles with enemy submarines. (CSWS, 10) The threat of bombs being dropped on submarines
by planes also lingered on the mind of Odom and that of his shipmates. (CSWS, 6) Odom also
speaks of a hydrogen explosion occurring on his submarine in which the heat burned his
eyebrows and arm hair off. (CSWS, 3) Owens also experienced high stress combat experiences
involving ambushes down mountains, searching for supplies that had been incorrectly dropped in
enemy territory, and bombing raids. (CSWS, 7-8) Perhaps the most stress-filled experience
shared by Owens was being forced to place dynamite in the river to unclog its flow from the
excessive pile of dead bodies blocking it.
A major difference between the two men revealed through their interviews is their
homecoming experience. Odom retired from the Navy and immediately took advantage of his
G.I Bill. (CSWS, 12) Odom returned home with little being out of the ordinary from his life
before leaving for the war. The Navy taught me how to teach, Odom said about his career
teaching Navy-bound students after his retirement from the Navy. Owens, however, was not met
with the same ease upon returning from the war. Owens homecoming was met with
protestorsthrowing stones and spitting on soldiers. (CSWS, 16) These actions by individuals
reflected the attitude towards war at the time. Owens recalls that soldiers coming back were
disrespected. These actions were results of the blame for war being placed on the returning
soldiers. This contempt towards soldiers and those related to the war contrast greatly with that of
the attitudes of society towards the soldiers of WWII. This transition in societal ideals and

practices can be attributed to the growing angst amongst the baby boomers and increasing
disdain towards the war during the Civil Rights era.
These similarities and differences in the experiences of Charley T. Odom and Fred Owens
can be accredited to many factors such as attitudes in society at the time, relationship dynamics
within crews, and differences in warfare. Though these wars occurred decades apart, there are
many ways in which they resemble each other as revealed through the interviews of Odom and
Owens. These interviews reveal the impact outside forces have on those serving in war.

"An Interview with Charley T. Odom for the Veterans Oral History Project Center for the
Study of War and Society Department of History." Interview by Stan Tinsley. Center for the
Study of War and Society. University of Tennessee, 3 March 1994. Web. <http://csws.utk.edu/>.

"An Interview with Fred Owens for the Veterans Oral History Project Center for the
Study of War and Society Department of History." Interview by Mark Boulton. Center for the
Study of War and Society. University of Tennessee, 19 May 2004. Web. <http://csws.utk.edu/>.