Albert A. Hernandez - Vietnam Veteran - 2016
Albert A. Hernandez - Veterano de Vietnam - 2016

Albert A. Hernandez - Vietnam Veteran - 2016

I graduated from Jefferson High School in May of 1965. Shortly after graduation I received a letter telling me to report to the reception station for my physical. I was on the verge of being drafted into the military. Immediately I went to the Navy recruiting office and enlisted. I always wanted to be a sailor anyway. I reported to boot camp and underwent 12 brutal weeks of training. After completing boot camp, I reported to Navy Hospital Corps School in San Diego, California. I was assigned to be a Navy Hospital Corpsman (Medic). It was 16 weeks of intensive study and training in the area of medicine and patient care, experience that would shape my future. I was then assigned to the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. I worked in the wards for exactly six months. I worked all three shifts. It's not easy working in a hospital. Then came the shocker: I was drafted to the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). In October 1966, I reported to Medical Service School in Camp Pendleton, California, to be trained as a combat medic. Navy corpsmen serve as medics to the Marines. It was six weeks of grueling training. I was on my way to war. I deployed to Vietnam in December of 1967. It was a very bleak time for my family and me. My mother and little brother saw me off at the airport. My mom could not stop crying. She gave me the blessing of the Cross on my forehead. There are many events that I think about but there is one in particular that I must tell about. While on a company patrol, I got sick. Not to give our position away, I was directed by the senior corpsmen to go to the nearest camp that was about 3 miles down the road and railroad tracks. I was told to follow the tracks that would lead me to an Army outfit. As I walked alone, I kept thinking what would happen to me if the enemy spotted me. I was scared. Every step I took was in fear. I would be no match for the enemy. When I got to the Army camp, they were amazed that I walked that distance alone without being spotted. I have to believe I was not alone. My Guardian Angel was with me. The hand of God was over me. There were many close calls and days when I was sure I was not going to make it. After 200 patrols and 3 major operations, I survived. In the last operation, my company got hit real hard. I was the only corpsman alive! It was not my time. These events inspired me to write a paper years ago for Veterans' Voices Magazine, "Not My Time." It was published nationally. But not all of it was combat. As a corpsman, I rendered care not only to our Marines, but to the Vietnamese people. The infant in a village suffering from multiple infections is a heartbreaking memory I'll never forget. I completed my enlistment in 1978. I have been awarded the Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action, Vietnam Service & Campaign, 2 Good Conduct and other pertinent medals. I am a graduate from El Paso Community College, Park University, and possess advanced degrees in Business and Theology. I am an ordained minister and happily married to my sweetheart, Alicia, of 44 years. I am retired from the VA after 36 years total federal service. My Vietnam experience made me stronger. It taught me not give up. Life is too precious.

Area: Westside / Coronado

Source: Albert A. Hernandez

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

Comments

Add a comment
Thank you for your comment

Report this entry

Choose the most important reason for this report

Your name

Your email address

Optional detail

Thank you for your report

More from the same community-collection

El Paso Boys Choir - 1970 - 1979

JLEP helped establish a choir for boys aged 8 to 15 participate ...

JLEP Puppet Show

Mrs. Richard Loisell narrates a puppet show for students from ...

JLEP Follies Revue

The Junior League Follies Revue originated in the 1940's as a ...

JLEP Follies Revue

The Junior League Follies Revue originated in the 1940's as a ...

JLEP Archives - El Paso, Texas - 1950 - 1959

Orell Dick, husband of JLEP President Beverly Dick and members ...

JLEP President Jane Perrenot

JLEP President Jane Perrenot served from 1931-32. On June 9, ...

JLEP President Mary Boykin

JLEP President Mary Boykin served in1932-33. On June 9, 1930, a ...

JLEP President Marian Grambling - El Paso, Texas

JLEP President Marian Grambling served as president of Junior ...

JLEP President Katherine Kilburn

JLEP President Katherine Kilburn served in 1934-35.

JLEP President Louise Ryan

JLEP President Louise Ryan served in 1935-36.

JLEP President Hariett Mengel - El Paso, Texas

JLEP President Harriett Mengel served in 1936-37.

JLEP President Frances Brown

JLEP President Frances Brown served in 1937-38. On June 9, ...

JLEP President Evelyn Creden

JLEP President Evelyn Creden served from 1938-1940.

JLEP President Laura Rawlings

JLEP President Laura Rawlings served in 1940-41. On June 9, ...

JLEP President Virginia Green

JLEP President Virginia Green served in 1941-42.

JLEP President Cecil Homan

JLEP President Cecil Homan served in 1942-43.

Junior League Of El Paso

Junior League of El Paso - Logo

JLEP President Frances Susan Woodfin

JLEP President Susan Woodfin served in 1943-44

JLEP President Louise Kemp

JLEP President Louise Kemp served in 1944-45

JLEP President Ethel Schwartz

JLEP President Ethel Schwartz served in 1945-46

JLEP President Barbara Norton

JLEP President Barbara Norton served in 1946-47

JLEP President Sarah Lea

JLEP President Sarah Lea served in 1947-48

JLEP President Catherine Pogson

JLEP President Catherine Pogson served in 1948-49

home.search_collection