Crowder Hollis - Vietnam Veteran Interview
Vietnam Veteran, Hollis Crowder, was interviewed on September 10, 2022, in Columbus, Georgia. SSGT Crowder served with the Golden Brigade of the 82nd Airborne, 1-508 PIR, E Company, Recon Red Devils during the Vietnam War. SSGT Crowder worked dangerous missions behind enemy lines as a recon member of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) in various roles, including Point, Squad Leader, Radioman, and Platoon Sergeant with Command Team. SSGT Crowder saw action in Cui Chi, Mekong Delta, Rubber Plantations, Plieku, Laos, and Cambodia, where he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Second Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, and his Airborne Wings. @MakingHistoryProject
Summary:
Hollis Crowder, born on May 27, 1947, in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up in a close-knit family with two brothers, parents from Mississippi, and a father who worked for the UAW at the Firestone Tire Factory. He had a positive childhood, played football in high school, and was active in the National Defense Cadet Corps.
Crowder was drafted into the military in January 1968 after dropping out of college to spend time with his terminally ill father, leading to a change in his draft status. He served in the Army, specifically in the 82nd Airborne Division, and volunteered for the draft, ultimately serving almost seven years, including time in Vietnam as part of a long-range reconnaissance patrol team.
During his service, Crowder was involved in highly dangerous missions, including reconnaissance and calling in airstrikes, often operating in small teams that required stealth, quick responses, and a high degree of self-sufficiency. He was trained in various weapons and received specialized training for his role in reconnaissance.
Crowder's military experience was marked by the camaraderie and bond formed with fellow soldiers, overcoming the racial segregation he grew up with in the South. He was awarded several medals, including the Purple Heart, after being wounded in action. His time in Vietnam profoundly affected him, leading to a period of adjustment upon returning home, where he felt disconnected from civilian life and remained vigilant and cautious.
After retiring from the military in 2002, Crowder engaged in community service, including mission trips to Africa with Project Africa and involvement with FEMA, reflecting his ongoing commitment to service and helping others. He emphasizes the importance of serving one's country and the value of understanding the history and sacrifices of those who have served before.
Пікірлер: 32
Your a real hero and so proud of your service thank you, thank you, thank you, for my freedom you are so awesomeness!!!what a soldier...go airborne...my brother served in the airborne 101first airborne first battalion 327th Charlie company Air moble❤❤❤three hearts for both of you airborne troops carry-on.
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
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Thank you Mr Hollis for your service and welcome home I was over there the exact same time as you 68/69 25th infantry division also did my advance infantry training at fort Lewis Washington. Thank you again…went over in Aug 1968 return in Aug 1969..
@MakingHistoryProject
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and for your comment for Hollis. And thank you for what you did for our Country.
Mr. Hollis has led a life of service to humanity, as a soldier and a missionary. God Bless you, sir!
@MakingHistoryProject
4 ай бұрын
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Thank you for time spent in the military and welcome home you are all true heroes that were in Nam God Bless you
@MakingHistoryProject
3 ай бұрын
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First off , this is one damn fine brother . Sounds like the 82nd did things differently than us . I learned some things by listening to Hollis . Even though I ended my time in RVN with some 75th folks who were all AB . I thought all AB training was done at Fort B . Also , even though I left out of Ft . Lewis , and also did my RVN training there . I didn't know they had 11B AIT there . Sounds like Hollis and I did some of the same AO's at different times in lll Corp . Welcome Home brother . Stay strong , there are less of us by the day ... doc 68-71
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Ай бұрын
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I hated the war but loved the soldier. I was in high school and college during the war and supported the soldiers during and meeting some of them after war !
@MakingHistoryProject
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching!
I live across the street from Fort Campbell Army Base.
What a super guy! Thank you so much, sir for your service, and being a good man and example to others!! I appreciate hearing your story and experiences.
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and your kind note to Hollis
Thank you for your service sir!🙏🇺🇸🎉
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and your comment
Thank you for your service Mr Hollis military and missionary service
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
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One heck of a guy!
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and your comment to Hollis
Thank You Sir for your service
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for your message.
I live a few miles South of you and wonder what you think of the name change from Fort Benning to Fort Moore, nothing against Col. Moore, he was a great man and deserving of some type of recognition but I'm not sure changing names of bases is the thing to do. A big THANKS for your service !!
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and sharing your comment. Hopefully Hollis will see this.
@avelinaosborne32
5 ай бұрын
What a great man. Thanks for all you've done.
@MakingHistoryProject
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for the message to Hollis@@avelinaosborne32
@user-wc1hp5dw1s
5 ай бұрын
I agree with t.j.h2810 the names of the military bases should have stayed as is if we get a petition going to bring back the old army bases names back on them army bases and let our voices be heard and send the petition then to Washington d.c
Humble and brave.
@MakingHistoryProject
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and your comment for Hollis.
Assume,,you were a pleasure to listen to your story
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏼🙏🏼🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖