22: Vietnam Infantry Platoon Sergeant, Rick Shields, Shares Combat, Tunnel Rat, and Coming Home Stories
In this podcast interview, Rick Shields, a Manhattan Beach native, recounts being drafted at 19 in 1968, training at Fort Ord and Fort Benning, and deploying to Vietnam in June 1969 with the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi as an 11B light weapons infantryman.
He describes the fear and intensity of arriving at Tan Son Nhut, early ambushes and firefights, heavy combat losses, and enduring harsh conditions including leeches and a 13-foot king cobra in a bunker. Shields discusses being shot in both legs during a hot LZ in his first month and later wounded by shrapnel, earning two Purple Hearts, as well as leading after losing multiple lieutenants.
He shares the action that led to his Silver Star and reflects on difficult transitions home, protesters at Oakland, and lasting triggers like fireworks, before noting his later 31-year career with LAPD starting in 1983.
Timeline
00:27 - Growing Up Manhattan Beach
01:30 - Draft Notice Arrives
02:08 - Connections and Small World
04:07 - Boot Camp to Vietnam Orders
06:11 - Flight In and First Impressions
07:14 - Mindset Heading to War
12:00 - Processing and First Ambush
18:01 - First Contact and Combat Reality
21:48 - Losses and Air Assault Missions
28:37 - Super Sarge and Platoon Leadership
30:48 - Wounded in Action Purple Hearts
42:31 - Cu Chi Tunnels and Tunnel Rat Moment
45:29 - Silver Star Setup
46:56 - Ambush Turns Deadly
49:42 - Rescuing Lt Fielding
51:34 - Aftermath and Loss
55:01 - Why He Returned
57:37 - King Cobra Encounter
01:04:38 - Leeches and Jungle Hazards
01:07:50 - Orders to Go Home
01:09:47 - Protesters at Oakland
01:12:57 - Homecoming and College
01:15:00 - Civilian Transition Triggers
01:18:13 - Career After Vietnam
01:20:04 - Brotherhood and PTSD
01:23:15 - Final Thanks and Welcome Home
PHOTOS
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