TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) — Pam Runyan says its important for her husband Dave to talk about his experiences in Vietnam. She says he just started opening up over the last few years, and it has helped.
“I think it’s made him softer, but not in a bad way, just softer in his feeling toward everybody. He
cares more, he’s not as hard on the inside,” said Pam Runyan.
In 1970, Dave was drafted after high school. There was Boot camp at Ft. Knox and training in hot humid Ft. Polk in Louisiana, then he was sent to Vietnam with the Army’s 196th Infantry.
About two weeks after arriving, the Terre Haute native jumped out of a chopper in a hot landing
zone. With bullets flying, he landed on his neck.
“It knocked me out and another soldier said get up you’re going to get us both killed,” said Dave Runyan.
He says nothing really prepared him for combat.
When asked how he handled the combat Dave laughed and said, “beer.”
Runyan said at times, his company would spend 30 days in the bush, but he said he learned fast and was quickly promoted to Sgt.
He saw a lot in combat , and witnessed guys getting hit including an ambush near a river,
where half of his group were rescued by air med evac. He also said monsoon season added tremendously to the challenges.
Runyan was happy to serve, but after a while his attitude toward Vietnam changed.
“I thought we were wasting our time, wasting money , wasting lives, we didn’t need to be there it was all political.
His nephew Zach Runyan is Afghan war veteran and said Dave’s military service inspired him to
serve. Over the past few years, the two have shared their experiences, which has been helpful.
“It’s important to talk and not keep it bottled up,” said Dave.
Two soldiers, two different wars but stressing the importance of sharing what they went
through.
Dave had this to say about his combat time in Vietnam
“I wouldn’t take a million bucks for the experience, but I wouldn’t give you dollar to to
do it over again,” said Runyan.
