They served with honor: Stories of Vietnam veterans from Coles County - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier
CHARLESTON -- Edward “Duke” Bagger was drafted into the Army at 24 in 1968 and served one year overseas in the Vietnam War, then finished his last two years in the U. S. Bagger handled secure communications. At a location he was at in Saigon, a certain amount of clearances were necessary to get in. “We were back in an area that had one door knob, and the door was bullet proof, bomb proof, roach proof,” Bagger said. One two-star general was in the area to inspect the troops. When the general wished to get in, Bagger said he had to deny him access because there were only certain people who could get in. “I said, ‘General I have to deny you access until you are on my list,’” Bagger said. Bagger was arrested for three days after. On the third day, a three-star general called for him. “I knew I disobeyed a direct order from a general in a war zone. That there is a shooting offense, my friend,” Bagger said. While his supportive role in the war allowed him more assurances of relative safety than that of other soldiers, Bagger said there was not a single place in that country that was safe and free of enemies or someone looking to kill him or one of... Source: jg-tc.com
